Beer - #215 - Funk Estate - Funk’nStein

So to the second of the beers from the Funk Estate people, this one the Funk Estate Funk’nStein. this on though Brewed at Massey University Microbrewery and in the Style of a : Black IPA, and the brewer is in Wellington, New Zealand.

Funk’nstein’s lineage began at our first experiment, an adored black IPA that packed pubs and pipped popularity contests. Being scrumptious and gorgeous was never enough, so we continued to chop, tweak, shock and reassemble her. When you two merge, you’ll experience her vivd, velvety and voluptuous body and soul of a tropical grapefruit punch. Embrace her, she’s tasty.

330ml of a 7% ABV beer, making it 1.8 standard drinks, a lot for a small package...

Bittery hoppy nose on opening. Well carbonated, dark black pour with a tan head, that like all my beer before fades away yo a film. I might be over-obsessed with heads on beers. Lovely Hop nose in the glass too.

Delightfully bitter, but might be just a tad sharp, and with a reasonable softer carry too, which in fact delivers a really nice balance to this..

As always it comes down to my arbitrary take on things, with the pdubyah-o-meter. The Funk'nStein would have you enjoying this at 8, making it a very good.  I'm keen to think that this was the second of the brewers beers, and it is brewed at a different facility to the Oh Lordy! which might account for differences in the profile.

I know , yes, one was an AIPA and this is a Black IPA but this has much more pronounced hoppiness and happiness. It also retains some of a head, and doesn't look flat and uninviting.

I like this a lot and am glad I had another, I enjoyed this with some, to boast, magnificently barbecued lamb chops, and a salad, and I'd do it again. Redemption delivered in some way then for the Funk people, this is the Jive Talking, and based on my two beer, linear progression of like the next one should be a doozie.

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• Beer- #213 - Funk Estate - Oh Lordy! - The Redux (pdubyah.com)


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Beer- #213 - Funk Estate - Oh Lordy! - The Redux

I drank this a few beers ago #180  - the Funk Estate - Oh Lordy!,  from  naturally  the Funk Estate and Brewed at Aotearoa Breweries in the style: American Pale Ale and of all the places I'm not at the moment Windy Wellington, New Zealand.

Still a 330 ml bottle of a 5.9% ABV NZ Pale Ale, still only the 1.5 standard drinks.

Funk call this out as " Gooseberries and tropical fruit are some of the notes picked out of the incredible complexity. Smooth and soulful with an exciting late bitterness. OH LORDY!"

Should you care to read my less than glorious first attempt you'll see I called them out to contact me.  Should you care to look you'll note they did

Should you note, also, that I declared that I couldn't be brought off. Turns out I can :-)

Tonight then the re-review of the beer that brought me so much angst and anger back in June this year.

The hiss from the opening says it could be ok, the aroma is a bit missing, but that's ok, it's what happens next.

The pour is  flat and headless, but then I have a thing about beer and head, the aroma has some deep unfamiliar thing going on. You think you have it then you don't.  It settles to a bready note, if I was pushed.

The taste is full of lemon, grapefruit, and other 'sour' notes, but there isn't a top note softness to balance this up.

It's still gives the impression of a  disturbingly flat beer in the glass, like beer that's been left overnight from a party. The taste profile delivers a grassiness and grapefruit thing, which is good.

Things that I thought might be different; poured with a head, kept some carbonation

Things that were different; had happiness and the associated grassiness and citrus type fruit notes.

Things that I like about this. It's a much better beer than I gave credit for previously.  I do think that there is an issue with head and appearance or apparent carbonation, don't get me wrong this isn't a flat beer,  it just looks like one.

The pdubyah-o-meter then on re-examination  says 7  , but a B- and either I don't get your vision or I've misunderstood it.  I don't know how to make this a better beer,  but perhaps I'd make either of the ends of the sweet or bitter end sharper. I might make the beer darker. I think the aroma profile is confused.

I wanted to re-evaluate this based on me buying it and being honest.  I gave it up and accepted the offer from the brewer, but I'm not going to compromise by pretending this is, for me, better than it is.  Which is a beer that is a bit understated, not in a good way, with a few things that need a review.

Did I enjoy it, yes I did. but in compare to the last time I had it. Did I enjoy it comparedto the promise of funkification that the label has, sadly not so much.

As Shaft would say, I think you're Jiving me.

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Beer - #212 - Moor - Hoppiness

A straight IPA, Moor in the style of an: India Pale Ale (IPA) and that's all happening in Langport, Somerset, England

This is a  6.7% ABV, 660ml Bottle Conditioned beer,  and that makes it about 4.4 standard drink units

What started out as a little bit of fun quickly became the favourite of many die hard ale fans and has become permanent. Probably best described stylistically as a Californian IPA, this beer has all the rich malt and fruit flavours of a Barley Wine combined with the hoppy crispness of a Pale Ale. And as best said by one of its biggest fans, "Hoppiness = Happiness."

The Man at Hopscotch Beer Co said 'decant' this before drinking as it'll have sediment and be cloudy.

I'm fair looking forward to this.

Really get the hops aroma on opening.  Nicely Golden, well carbonated pour with a thin, disappearing head. Serious aroma of hops on the pour, but also other background notes too, making it intriguing.

Surprisingly not as bitter and a lot softer and fluffier in the mouth than I would have expected. That brought a smile to my face. No hint at all that this is at the slightly higher end of alcohol than other beers.

The palate is of grassiness, and there might be grapefruit, and if you stretch it passionfruit, or oranges, or both, and lemon maybe.

It is very well balanced, and has a terrific length of taste. As it warms and settles in the glass there is a lot more character being delivered, and a much wider taste profile in this that the initial mouthful or two give up.

The pdubyah-o-meter or course loves it. MrsPdubyah has commented that I must like it as I'm humming to myself. For that reason the 10 is well deserved. Yes it's bottle conditioned, but it is a tad cloudy. I wouldn't either note that this reminded me of a barley wine. But there are some spectacular barley wine beers available so to try to cover more then one base seems a stretch.

It continues to be nicely hoppy as I drink more, and to leave a pleasant bitterness in the mouth, there is a lot to like about this.  and a lot to continue to like about it as you drink more. To use a favourite phrase of mine - it's a bit good.

I can see how this has won awards, and a lot of them and this has brought a smile to my dial.

Oh and I did take the advice of the man in the shop, sort of, careful pouring leaves the sediment in the bottle. On the downside, again, just the one bottle, I'd be happy to surround myself with these and have a big night in, it's that good.

On a final note, (or two) - despite the atrocious English Ales that I had the misfortune of buying recently, this has reinforced that nothing is as good as an English Bitter beer, (Well apart from a few other beer styles that I like as well) and you perhaps know that I really like the Newport USA based  Rogue OREgasmic Ale  as a go to IPA on the nights when you need a bit of comfort, HAving said that honestly if these two were on the shelf, and I had to make a choice.....  I'd have to buy.....

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The Less of me, still it goes on

 

This was the old me :  41:04 for 5Kms, back in March, and being lazy it was the first furthest back map I could find for the same 5Kms

 

This was today, same 'lap' in 33:23, which as I brag on about is about km faster

and worse than that I run in these

I'm also down to under 91kg for the first time since I went through 91 on the way to 105, and this has been since January.

Resting heart rate averages 61, which is good too.

You can tell of course I have my happyface on.

Beer - #211 -Stone - Cali-Belgique IPA (Cali-België)

I know right, what madness is this  - Stone Cali-Belgique IPA (Cali-België). Brewed by Stone Brewing Co. in the style of an India Pale Ale (IPA) in the exotic sounding Escondido, California USA.

When reading the name “Stone Cali-Belgique IPA”, “Cali” hints that it is a California style IPA, and this brew has an undeniable Belgian influence, indicated by the word “Belgique” (which is how Belgium’s French-speaking population says the word “Belgian”; the Dutch speaking Belgians say “Belgie”). We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that illuminates a fascinating new aspect of the beer that is otherwise quite simply Stone IPA.

The result is both completely new and different, while still being recognizable as a Stone Brew – and Stone IPA in particular. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.

One US pint (600 ml give or take) of a 6.9% ABV beer, or about 3.53 standard drinks.

This really sounds like a Frankenstein monster of a beer, with it's roots in IPA and it's heart in Belgium, but it came highly recommended, and even if it wasn't the idea of this would have made me buy it.

Sort of then expecting a hoppy and fruit malty beer, I think. Who can tell until it's opened. The brewer may have thought this through and this is a real thing, or the uncharitable might think that they wrongly got delivered, or ordered the wrong yeast, but no it's a real thing, on the list of beers available all year round, said their website.

The opening aroma is a mixed and very pleasant experience, hops and sweetness.  Cloudy coppery pour with a nice head that doesn't sit for long, aroma is more of citrus than anything.

[caption id="attachment_5175" align="alignleft" width="150"] Nothing up my sleeves[/caption]

Wow!

That's a bit awesome.

Tart hoppyness with a really warm maltiness. Decent carbonation. Really nice bitterness and a strong finish to the softer malty notes.

That is a seriously nice taste profile, and what the brewer has done seems to defy logic and argument. It's very clever is what it is, but must be more difficult or too left field for others to have attempted.

It's happiness makes it IPA, there is no alcohol astringent note, but the Belgium malt sweetness is undeniably here, with both the pine and the lemony citrus notes thrown together.

The pdubyah-o-meter says 9.9, and you should  check it out for yourself. Not at 10? Well no, it's magnificent and all that, but it is in a league of it's own. Shall I compare thee to a summers day....

This stands up will to any examination of being an IPA or a more Belgium style  ale. The aroma is great, the taste profile is a joy, but it is just to clever for itself. I'm in awe of this, it's something I'd talk about in company, I feel mean for not making it a whole round number, but I'm going to enjoy and enthuse about it all the same like I did.

Oh and I'm getting another if they have any left in the store.

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Getting it right, beer and me, the brewery called.....

Back in June,  just after my birthday, I had a most unrewarding beer experience.  This was the Funk Estate – “Oh Lordy!

And being as how beer makes you brave I called them out for it being flat and that I'd avoid them unless they called me.

They called me.

This came about when I got followed on Twitter by Funk Estate @FunkEstate, and I had some trepidation, because I'm not really a confrontational kind of chap, and I didn't really want to get into a debate. Instead they've offered to replace my correctly identified faulty bottle of beer. Which is outstanding.

I don't write this blog/diary for profit, sponsorship, or reward, (which should not stop you from trying to bribe me or send me free things), I write it for my amusement and indulgence.

So I'm torn between my own sense of why I do this, and the smile about getting something for free.

I've declined their offer of replacement,  because I don't want to compromise my very low standards, and because although an outstanding gesture from them I'm not exactly an 'influencer' judging by the number of readers I generally have. Plus I'd feel better about contributing to their sales rather than their costs.

I have friends (yes I have) who have had a much better experience with the Funk Estate beer than I have. although they too considered it's 'flatness' a thing.

I'm off to the bottle shop to get a new bottle and I'll write a new review, hopefully get back onside, and remove that barrier that's got in my way of at least considering  the Funk Estate- Funkn'stein thats on-tap at the Hopscotch beer company.

 

Beer - #210 - Morland - Old Crafty Hen (in a bottle)

Finishing then the shopping basket from the previously disastrous trip to the English shop - Morland Old Crafty Hen Brewed by Greene King in style of a  English Strong Ale  and that's done in Bury St. Edmunds, England.

Granddad Fredrick always used to refer to the place as St.Edmunds Bury, and it's of some misplaced memory that I think of this as an ancestral home in some way, Go on it's a long story.

This beer, described as a  distinctive malty taste with a satisfying, smooth raisin finish. This delicious dark amber ale is perfect for indulging yourself and your friends.

Granddad, a hat tip to you, a man who, unless I made it up, as a war veteran, could have had the full gun carriage funeral, a staunch man, bigger than life, to me always 11 foot 19 tall, and as a man who lived in and was nursed by my mother, some memories that just are things for no reason. A side story that I should write more about.

This, then, is a 500ml, pint of, a 6.5% ABV beer, being then about 3.3 standard drink units. Packaged in that way that a black label and gold lettering conveys gravitas.

Back then to the now, and it's funny how a word or thought can carry you off in. Tonight I was taken back to a pub that we used to visit a fair bit, "Speakers Corner" in  Browns Bay, just over the hill, by the beach. Wherein I had a pint of the best "Old Speckled Hen" which I have always really really enjoyed,  more than the Marston's Pedigree, for instance that they sell, and I chose, as it's not my usual and you'd never know.... . However It's not the same. We used to take the children on a Friday for "Seafood basket", for one and  "Cheeseburger" with chips, for the other, for dinner, whilst I had the two pints (cough 3), and  then handing over  a few coins so they could to go to the dairy/shop opposite for ice cream. Good times.

The Old Speckled Hen tonight was, as always, good.  This though a new thing.

"and we're back in the room" ............     Wet bready aroma on opening, Wikid head, a benchmark, if I was looking for one, and it's a keeper, aroma settles to the vaguely bitter thing. However, It is neither  a dark pour, nor is is "raisiny" on the nose. #frownface

Very top heavy on the malt, making this really reaching for a balanced palate, a  bash in the tounge beer. It's all up front and whoosh... But then as as a thing it's got a bitterness note of course, and that comes with the style of beer, but it doesn't have that 'creamy' mouthfeel.

I actually don't not like this though, and would like to have a another, in the right setting.

As it warms it settles on too much of  a sour note, for me. You don't need to be chasing beer at at a temperature that brings your the profile you need, or expect,  it should be near or at the mark from the fridge or the engine. Which is where I started to sound like I was 70 or wore a cardigan.

The pdybyah-o-meter says 7 good, as in good enough, and not a disaster good.

If I was out and about, and this was it, I would be ok with that. I wouldn't be rushing up to shake anyones hand because of it, but this has enough in it to make you enjoy and uncover a few things, or uncover a few truths. With the ABV of 6.5 that's be sooner rather than later.

It is really though, push and shove aside. not that pleasant a beer, there is a sourness in the length of taste. This i'm beginning to accept is the English style,. This then makes a bit of  lie about how much I'd like another, which I would . . . . ..   if I was sitting with you and chatting, possibly not, or leaning and preening and  looking at the ladies and playing darts, of course, yes, beer-goggles stand by...

What I think then is , for me, English beer, that "thing" , the "thing" that is reviled and laughed at, the comedic  "Warm beer, cold pies"  "thing", when you look behind the curtain is a based on a bit of mystique. Don't doubt me that the English "real beer" exists, Proper Cellar temperature, properly aged and fermented, CAMRA approved blue ribbon stuff, but its just that you don't get it in a bottle in the NZ importer store.

Once upon a beer I might have defended the flag, but having had a couple hundred 'craft' beers the "English Beer" hilarious quip pains me. This particular beer pains me like no other, because it stands up and says "Sing when you're winning" .

Beer - #209 - Harrington's - Brewers' Selection IAPA

Ok a few apostrophes in this, the Harrington's Brewers' Selection IAPA. Brewed by Harringtons Breweries (Christchurch) in the style of a American Pale Ale and they are of course based in shaky Christchurch, New Zealand

500ml of a 9.5% ABV beer, which is give-or-take 3.75 standard unit drinks.

Imperial American Ale Style. unpasteurized Bottle Fermented. Should balance up against any spicy food type. Or in my case, a small packet of Pringles.  Described as a "Newish style", Golden, possibly cloudy, sweet to the nose, aroma of bread and malt.  So a bit to work with.

Just for the bottle packaging alone is why I wanted to try this. All blue and little font in the apothecary style which I though was a bit appealing If I was being honest. Which I am, mostly, if not always to myself.  Mostly though I've avoided the Harrington label because of averageness.

On opening - sweet and inviting. Its darker than I would have thought, more golden syrup golden. Not a lot by way of head to speak of, but it settles to a film. There is a bread / yeast note in this that is more apparent as it warms a bit.

There is a lot of malt sweetness and a mad fruit aroma, it's very sweet, and a bit underdone and tart on the edges. There is an over-riding aroma, strong malt, like a Belgium Abby or Tripel beer might have. It does not sit like an IAPA., and I could easily confuse the two. Which means either I know nothing about beer styles and tastes, probable, or  this isn't a good delivery of an iAPA.

If you'd said to me Belgium beer style I'd have been a bit excited. Waxing lyrical about how clever it was. Sadly for me this is the Brewers' best shot. Brewer should possibly be shot.

The pdubyah-o-meter, rating this as an IAPA, comes up with a whopping 5 average and disappointing. Too malty, no other taste layer, nothing on the front, nothing on the back. Re-pack this as a tribute to Belgium beers and I'd think it was the shiz.

A big thing, on reflection is that this a strong beer at 9.5% ABV, and that just reinforces my bias towards it being mislabelled as there is nothing in this that suggests headache if you have, or could stomach 2 or 3.

Resulting in me having a lot of self doubt and angst, about how I'm drinking and understanding a beer.

To recap though... Want a Fine Belgium Style tribute ale - Top heavy caramel\malt beer with a seeming alcohol edge, ace, As an IAPA, sadface

Beer - #208 - Pink Elephant - Mammoth

Right then - Pink Elephant Mammoth- a Strong Ale - be warned.

Brewed by Pink Elephant - and they aim for a Brown Ale and they do that in their secret lair in Blenheim, Malborough, New Zealand

The original famous brew produced at the incarnation of the Pink Elephant Brewery and acclaimed by Michael Jackson. A dark amber colour with good mouth weight and complex flavours from crystal and dark malts.

Not trick photography, it's a small bottle

What? Michael Jackson? Hopefully not "the"

Anyway. Giving over your whole taste to malts might not end well.

This has been in the fridge for a while, near the back, getting further back, and so be damned here we go.

A 330ml bottle of a 7% ABV beer, 1.75 Standard drink units. Nothing of aroma, but it pours a dark rich brown with a really nice foam head that lasts and stays.

Taste then,  initially tart, but then not so much, possibly a little too fruity, almost like it was juvenile fruits and not ripe ones all clamouring and badgering . I'm not sure that this is a finished product, it's generally a little sour and unsettled, there isn't a counterpoint.

A Brown Ale is, however, a bit adventurous, and for that hat tip. Andy Capp always used ti drink Brown Ale, and I always think of Newcastle Brown, but times may have changed a bit.

Am I a fan, I don't think I am. I am wary that you bottle in 330ml and nothing else. It's not adventurous, and might be that you're doing things backs-asswards .

For me a beer that, whilst the aroma carries some raisin,  has all the flavour delivered by way of the caramels added, and that's not really the thing, added that there seems to be an over-riding sour top note that rings more warnings than warmings. The pdubyah-o-meter, for it's worth says 6 - making this on the wrong side of average.

I might be, and probably am wrong. as always.

Beer - #207 - Southern Tier - Plum Noir

It was a choice, the Southern Tier Plum Noir, or the Creme Brûlée Stout. The Plum won, not because, but because the plums sounded nicer than an egg custard. In my world.

Wholly new to me then Southern Tier Plum Noir, Brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company as an Imperial Stout and they hail from Lakewood, New York USA.  Wikipedia tells you that the population is 3,002, and the brewery is the 7th biggest thing, after engines, tools, tools, tools, tools, and tools. Man has to have a release after banging the metal all day. Needless to say they're on the Bucket List of places to gawk at from the street.

Plums are a diverse group of species, with somewhere between 19 & 40 varieties depending upon whom you ask. We’re using what we consider to be the best to brew with. the Italian plum has beautiful dark skin & the flesh is perfect for fermentation. Plum Noir’s mild sweetness is derived no necessarily from the many malts we use. A bit of plum flavor is present as well as earthy, toasted grains, & hints of caramel with mild coffee overtones

1 US Pint, 22 Fl Oz, 650ml of and the bottle from the brewery says 8% ABV beer, although the importers label say 9.8% ABV , and 4.9 standard drinks.  I'm in denial so 8% ABV - 650ml = 4.1 standard drink units. Saving me a .8.

I know someone who's had the Creme Brûlée and they thought it was a bit good. I'm hoping that I didn't make a bad choice. If I didn't have more beer in my fridge than I can drink I'm sure I'd have both in the fridge.

You get a deep  chocolate and fruit aroma on opening, encouraging. Pours intensely dark and  with a decent, long, head. Aroma settles to chocolate.

You're met with a smokey beer, and a rich roasted note. Not a full note, but one that makes you take another sip and smile.  You can convince yourself of a fruit aroma if you want to as well.

Tell you what's good though. This. 8%ABV and not a hint of astringent alcohol.  A beer that is both pleasing and full and yet leaving you room to talk about what's going on. Nicely carbonated, and as it warms delivering more of the layers, staring with the smoke notes.

And then I thought, Barley Wine, Rich fruits, caramels and malts. This has that aroma, muted but it has them,. It's giving me a lot of things to think about.  What you never get though is "plums" , but then what does "plum" give you, it's not like I know what a Plum Brandy tastes like, I'm about 30 years too young.

This is something clever, it's just good, sweet is there, there is an edge, the aroma entices you, the way that this is a 'strong' beer and you'd never know, and then you look and,..... it's all gone.  Hate it when that happens.

The pdubyah-o-meter says this is nearer 10 than 9 Awesome rather than the lofty Great, the beer where I give you your money back if you don't like it.  I could pretend that I'm not a bit emotional about this beer, but I'd be lying. At this time, and in this moment, it really is that good.

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Beer - #206 - Zeelandt - Pale Ale - a redux

It's a revisit again - this time to the Zeealant - Pale Ale - although slightly differently this time from the Tap c/- Hopscotch Beer Company in Mt.Eden.

Still Brewed by Zeelandt Brewing Co in the style of an  English Pale Ale and they still do that in Napier, New Zealand.

A classic pale ale that delivers a glass full of hoppy flavour. This bright, copper coloured beer has a malty backbone, wonderfully balanced with citrus hop flavour and a clean, refreshing finish.

I've noted that I've done this before as Beer - #151 -  in a bottle, wherein I was not overly impressed and the Pdubyah-o-meter rated it a 7 (good) and a B- must try harder.

Having had a tempter in the store I was taken by the hoppiness that this has, which was absent in the bottle that I had previously.  So in I went.  Time may have cured all that ails me with this. Fair to say that I'm keen to like this more, as it did show a lot of  promise.

I didn't get a burst of hop on popping the swing top, but it poured ok with a head that settled back but didn't totally dissipate.

Is it better? Whilst there is more hop bitterness in the front this meanders to a bit soapy and sweet finish. It's still very pleasant and enjoyable, and I have a whole litre to get through - and at 5% ABV that's about 3.95 drink units. 5% ABV is around and about the strength of an imported lager beer, such as Stella Artois, Heineken, Becks, Corona, and locally Steinlager.

Given that list I know that I've done the right thing and this is going to give me so much more enjoyment than they would. A session beer of the first order then.

They've done a bit better, but it's not a leap an bound better than it was in the bottle. It isn't full of hoppy flavour, nor will it ever be, but it is a competent and well presented beer.  Using this as a baseline the brewery should be able to build some success and produce some great beers,

The pdubyah-o-meter still only gets to the 7 it got to before.  Being the case I rest my case. Something you should never go back to, this possibly isn't one of those things, I'm enjoying drinking this and I shall enjoy the next couple of glasses equally as much.

Out and About – Mt.Eden

I was out and about today,  in Mt.Eden, Auckland, specifically to visit a new record shop 'Southbound' since my last supplier had met an inglorious end. I haven't brought any new vinyl in a while and although I've known about Southbound for a while I hadn't managed to get there.

Until Today.

And what a store! So much music I was a bit stopped in my tracks, as it were. There was some of everything, and that they were playing "The Clash" as store music made it all very interesting.

I brought me a signed LP  "Delaney Davidson - Bad Luck Man" and the EP  Aquatic Ape Theory -by the Drab Doo Riffs.  It's clear though that I have to do a bit more research and know what I'm supposed to be looking at. I'm sure I'll be better prepared next time. Note to self spend more time on http://www.Undertheradar.co.nz

When I mentioned to the  owner that it was generally Vinyl or Beer he suggested that I visit a local establishment that he quite liked that had a range of beers on tap- to take away in your own bottle. Sweet

So next stop was The Hopscotch Beer Company  and another eye opener. 21 beers on tap. To taste and to take away. It's not flash of fancy but the beer range is awesome and Hugh knows his thing. "If it's no good it goes" or better but "I only have good things, stayers are not payers"

I brought me some Zeelandt Pale Ale, which I tried in the bottle format, thought it was a bit Meh, I'm picking that the tap version might have more go in it. Particularly since the taster I had was hoppy, which the bottle version wasn't.

So I was a bit pleased with my afternoon well spent. Have an evening of entertainment set, all I need is the BBQ to turn up so I can begin to prepare for that.

 

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Beer - #205 - Wychwood -WychCraft

Continuing  my English beer redux - the Wychwood WychCraft, Brewed by Wychwood (Marstons plc) in the style of a Golden Ale/Blond Ale and that be in Witney, England, possible the middle of no-where Oxfordshire.

What's clear is that having lived in England for half my life I never went anywhere :-)

 A pale golden potion with delicate red hues, WychCraft has a heady burst of fresh citrus aroma derived from three infusions of Styrian golding hops. A sprig of gentle warming malty flavour finishes with a dry biscuit note and a counterpoise of bitterness. WychCraft’s innovative new recipe includes adding three infusions of Styrian Goldings hops to the copper, to create a highly aromatic brew, bursting with succulent citrus and lime hop character. A light base of delicately flavoured English Fuggles hops, and the use of a lager malt, help retain the signature hop character and create a wonderfully aromatic and fragrant summertime beer. Beguiling to the end.

Or lets talk a lot and then you'll be bored and just grateful to get to the drink.  A brewer who's more into himself than the output?

500ml of a .5% ABV beer, around and a bouts 2.3 stand drink units.

This has the same dull metallic aroma that other English Beers have, the bready yeasty thing. I checked, yes I did, now, not before I brought it. 31st October as a best before date. Get in! :-)

Pale Golden rrange with a sort of finger of head, and you can get a whole noseful of the same yeasty aroma, I don't know as much as this is an English thing. It seem to be a theme.  The head as it was has left he building.

There is a serious sour under-note to this. Enough to make me talk aloud and MrsPdubyah to ask if I'd cut myself.

So sour like a Belgium Blonde beer, check. . . . . . . . . and . . . . . ..  well. . . . . . . and nothing. What the deuce!  It has that sourness that you might like\enjoy\expect with a Blonde beer (Belgium Beer Style) the kicker for the alcohol in the back. But this is just sour without. A new thing.

Recap then: Bready yeast upfront \ Sour underneath \ thin\ no length and no aroma.

Almost a review of the potent England Football Team.

The pdubyah-o-meter says 3. Avoid.

There is possibly nothing sadder than a whistfull remembrance of things past than a tribute shop, and Union Jacks is that, where do I go when I've left England to get things I got in England, the shallow end of things, the tastes, the familiar packets of gravy granules and packets of biscuits. Beer that for a good reason has been packed for export.

Off to sit in a corner and write lines.

 

Beer - #204 - Ringwood - Boondoggle

Ringwood Boondoggle - in a bottle - Brewed by Ringwood (Marstons plc) in the style of a Golden Ale/Blond Ale and they do that in Ringwood, England, where ever that is.

I think I was seduced by the "Deliciously Fruity Blonde Beer" thing on the label. I'm such a sucker for cheap advertising.  Or the strange Hairy Rat motif.

500ml of a 5% ABV beer 2.5 Standard drinks in the UK,

Boondoggle is an American term first coined in the 1920’s. Boondoggle is a word meaning 'work of little value' which we have interpreted to mean 'Jolly' or ‘any excuse for a pint’.

A hoppy aroma with a citrus punch. \ A well balanced moreish fruity taste \ A blonde and luscious ale – the perfect excuse. Brewed with the finest English Pale Malt, First Gold and Fuggles Hops.

The English Importer Shop, whatever it's called, there are so many now, in Wairau Park in G'Field is to blame for this, and the various English Beers that are in my fridge and for review.

In the bottle this looks cloudy, and on reflection a bit unappetising.  Remembering now that thing about best before? This one was 31 August. So best I get to it now.

The aroma on opening is one that reminds me of English Pubs from the 80's, its a dull english bitter aroma. and I went again to make sure, and it's not that, it's settled to a bland acidic note. I hold my breath for this. the outlook is cloudy.

Yeasty bready flat is what I should have said. It pours like it looks. with a finger of head that persists at 1/2. It doesn't seem over carbonated or excitable.

Moment of truth: I'm dreading this for no real apparent reason. The bready yeasty aroama reminds me of that banana beer thing I had once, it's not a thing that you'd be able to sell as an girly attractor.

Might be that I built myself up into not enjoying this, given that  it's at it best before date, give or take, I'm dismissing that. This is just a sour tasteless bland disaster. There is no citrus, there is no aroma of citrus, this is a snake-oils salesman pitch of what he thinks.

When you've spent your own money on things it's hard to be harsh, but this is atrocious and down there on the pdubyah-o-meter at 3 - Avoid this and buy a can of Tizer or Iron Bru. You'll thank me.

Beer - #203 - Epic and 8 Wired Brewing - I of the Zombie

A collaboration beer - I of the Zombie - a Black IPA,  with an ABV of 9%, or Epic Hop Zombie and the 8Wired iStout in one glass.

See : Beer – #38 – Epic – Hop Zombie  which I gave a 9 out of 10 score and  Beer – #42 – 8 Wired – iStout which I also gave a 9 out of 10 score .

Therefore result! At least in Pdubyah-world (which bears little in common with 'world')

I tried this at the Sky Sports Bar, and I thought gosh this is  unbelievably good.  Luck being what it is the Liquorland in Newmarket store had this "on tap" and also have a new 750ml 'growler' bottle that just shouted out "pick me - pick me!" Which is much more sensible than a 2 litre version, you'd have to agree.So to the store and I brought me some, to sit and savour.

750ml of a 9% ABV makes this something like 5.4 standard drinks. It's not a beer to take lightly.

As it's a Sunday, and there of course is sports on the teevee, I thought I'd take some time to enjoy this, because I don't think I'm going to enjoy watching my winless North Harbour team play the winless Manawatu team in the ITM Rugby. The 0 has to go, as they say. For one team. In Pdubyah-world this would be North Harbour of course. Of course.

The aroma is intensely hoppy, it pours a dark black, and has a fairly decent but receding head. Retains its hoppy aroma.

The taste, one of grassy hop bitterness, but balanced against a nice sweetness. Fairly decent carbonation. Decent length on the taste too, making a full on taste in the mouth.  I note too a decent lacing as I'm drinking this.- indicative of a lot of hops (he said with knowledge and certainty)

You would think then, if you were of the thinking kind that two 9 out of 10's would average a 9 for this, or better. the sum of the whole being bigger than the sum of the parts. I don't quite think it is though.

A delightful beer, bitter enough, different and of a character.  You have to go into this knowing though that a 9% ABV beer, at home, in front of the teevee is still a big ask. Lucky I have assistance from the lovely MrsPdubyah to provide me sustenance  and for those nice computer peeps to give me a spell checker, otherwise this could end badly.

To the arbitrary and random pdubyah-o-meter then, which says that this is a very good beer, although a little rough around the edges of bitterness. and it gets a lazy 8 making a very good beer.  I tip my hat to the Epic and 8Wired boffins who make this possible, and to North Harbour who at least went in at half-time leading.

Out and About - Skysport Grill Auckland Viaduct

Skysport Grill is New Zealand's first purpose built genuine sports grill and bar, featuring 25+ sports viewing screens and 40+ beers on tap from all over.

It has an exciting menu of New Zealand fare (based on the American sports style bar but with a New Zealand theme), and plays a continuous selection of classic rock music on a state-of-the-art sound system.

I was there last night for a short time with a couple of friends.  I could have been there for so much longer. They really do have a stunning amount of on tap beers, from around everywhere.

Madly I started off with a local beer, i of the Zombie, which was 9.5%ABV screamer. I'm going to make an honest effort to review that later, stand by. By which I mean I went and brought some and will get to it next.

I also had a Thornbridge Jaipur. This is a beer that I had the pleasure of in a bottle a long time ago, and fondly remember it as being awesome. The keg version wasn't a welcome return of the king. It was mightily good, but was thinner than I remember.

To finish me off, in more ways than one, The Sierra Nevada Torpedo, which was a mighty fine beer too.

Somehow there was also a Ben Middlemiss Lunatic Soup enjoyed and a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, as well as more exotic Lowenbrau. A concerted effort would see you enjoying one of everything as a group, if you tried.

10 pints of beer then, NZ$95 which I'd say for anyone's money for the quality of beer was outstanding.

The Venue? Well it does have a magnificent bar to look at, and it's chock full of TV's of all sizes, all showing, have a guess.... Sports. Can't vouch for the food, it didn't even enter our heads. But given the once over I'd be confident that the burgers, hotdogs, nachos or fish and chips would be par for the course, it's not gourmet, it's not greasy spoon. I'm going to make a point to eat something next time.

We had a semi-outside table under a heater which put out more than enough rays to make me want to sit somewhere less intense, but it was matter of inches rather than feet.

The barman, Ben,  knew his thing, the wait staff were attentive, amusing and ready for a quick chat. All the things you need in bar.

Possibly then a good reason to move to the Viaduct and make this a local. Tempered only by the fact that in a previous incarnation that the venue happened to be an Indian restaurant, so I might make it an event pub, and enjoy it on occasion. There is local parking, but unless you have an iron will and want just one beer then get the bus, get a sober driver, or walk. Mad if you don't.

Beer - #202 - Rogue - Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale

Yes it is Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale. In a bottle. It's a Sunday, it's Father's day.  It seemed appropriate that I entertain myself with this. This of course is brewed by Rogue Ales as a Smoked ale, and they do that in  Newport, Oregon 'merica.

I have other entertainment for myself with this, being  the Bailterspace LP - Strobosphere. They're an atmospheric noise rock band, I'm not an exiting fan, and I'm probably not going to end up one either, but they are a New Zealand group and so deserve a go.  I'm also dreaming of a a plate of cheese, salami, pickles and crackers.  It could happen. Probably won't though.

Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale - a whole American Pint in a pink bottle, (750ml), it's 30 IBU things - Low English bitter, or Mid Porter bitterness, At 6.5% ABV this makes it about 3.8 standard drinks. I have the foreboding that it's going to take a while to finish.

Rogue Ales has collided with Voodoo Doughnut to create Bacon Maple Ale! This unique artisan creation contains a baker’s dozen number of ingredients including bacon and maple syrup from one of Voodoo’s signature doughnuts.

I'm not sure that making a beer, just because you can,  as a reason to do so, means that the goal has been achieved. There might be a good reason that you don't buy bacon maple flavours in a beer. I've tried many beer concoctions though, and on that it's churlish to deny at least tasting this.

It's undoubtedly Smokey and Maple on opening. Pours a golden syrup type of orange and has a fair decent fluffy and fulfilling head. Aroma is of of a sweet smoke, more towards burnt wood than smoked.

This is a terribly thin tasting beer though, I'm now not sure if I've endued up with a slightly dubious bottle. It's carbonated enough, obviously gave a head, but it sits fairly flat in the glass. The smokey is all aroma though, there's not palate carry.  Likewise for any maple. I might have frowned before sipping and scowled afterwards.

Very ambiguous is how I'm wanting to describe this, I wasn't expecting that, I was expecting ambitious. The mouthfeel isn't right, the palate notes are not right, and there is no length or carry.I wanted thunderbolts and lightning and got and got a candle in the wind.

In sports parlance then, a swing with no ding. Barely making a 5 on the pdubyah-o-meter this is average by any measure and I'm not sure I won't be revisiting that number.

Ticked off my list of things to try though. All things considered though all this means is that I should get a better list.

The Bailterspace album wasn't something that you could review, I'm sure it's a style of music, but it's not for me. Might make good pub music, you know the sort of thing, it's on no one is listening.

The cheese never showed up either, I think it was wise to stay away.