Beer - #532 - Hawkshead - Cumbrian Five Hop

Five hops, hip hop, hop scotch and hopping to it.

"..a highly hopped aroma of tropical fruit and a blend of traditional and modern hops"

Hawkshead Cumbrian Five Hop, a beer gifted to me.

A 330ml bottle, 5% ABV, 150 calories in the bottle, and this wold be 1.3 standard drink units in NZ

Brewed by Hawkshead in the style that is Premium Bitter/ESB and they are from the home of the Mint Cake, Kendal, England

[caption id="attachment_10271" align="alignleft" width="300"] a gift that made me smile[/caption]

Well hopped golden ale made using, as the name suggests, 5 different hop varieties; Goldings, Bramling Cross, Fuggles, Citra and Amarillo.

Flavours of tropical fruit, orange marmalade and herbal hop aromas are balanced by a juicy malt character.

A strong, golden pale ale, with a highly hopped aroma of tropical fruit and a blend of traditional and modern hops, giving a full flavour and long, dry finish.

What could go wrong?

Grassy lemony citrus aroma on opening, almost like sherbet.

A really pretty color orange brown, but without a head, which means the old me is back on pouring duties. Still lots of lemon and citrus in the aroma in the glass.

And a mouth-party of flavours, sweet through the middle and a dry finish, that was all a bit sudden and urgent.

So a melange of flavours but unmistakably British with the Fuggles and Goldings in there, a lot of malt too. Makes this an interesting mix of hop tastes, some sweetness and as I mentioned the towards dry finish.

As a gift of a beer I thought this was excellent. It's a nice summery afternoon drinking beer, the lemon/orange/pineapple thing going on makes it pleasant in the mouth, but it is counterpoint to the finish and linger.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a 7  of its things from the thing. A bit too much going on for me, but that isn't to say that it isn't nice, it might be a beer for a time and place. I just don't think that place was right here, right now.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Sort of.


2. Would I have another? On the right day this probably is a cracker of a drink for what ails you.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Depends on if this post something or as a take-to party thing. I'd be happy to chug one after doing a chores, I'm note sure I'd take a 6 pack.

I lied about the hip-hop, I mean seriously, Instead though, right at the other end  and with Post-Rock Ambience and Atmos, I have "The Echelon Effect" on the music machine.

This is "Watching Over The Headland" from the album "Pacific"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSF-KB0eNUY

Which I found to be a bit good.

PREMIUM BITTER/ESB

In England, many breweries have a number of bitters in their range. The style that has come to be known as Premium or Special Bitter generally includes the stronger ( 4.6%-6.0%) examples. These are mostly served in the traditional way from the cask, but some are also found in bottle form where the extra malt allows them to stand up better than the more delicate ordinary Bitter. In the US, the designation ESB is common for this style, owing to the influence of Fuller’s ESB, the London brew that was among the first to be exported to the States. In the US, some ESBs are made with American hops and a clean yeast, but the alcohol range is the same, as is the range of bitterness, usually between 25 and 35 but occasionally creeping higher.

Beer - #531 - Hawkshead - NZPA

Surprised by the beer, Surprised by the music, surprised by the numbers and surprising party things.

A pale ale brewed with 100% New Zealand hops to celebrate our 1000th brew here in Staveley, by our resident Kiwi, Matt Clarke

Hawkshead - NZPA -  a beer from the UK from hops from here in NZ.

330ml bottle, they do it small over in the UK, this is 6% ABV, 180 calories, and this is 1.56 standard drink units in NZ.

NZPA is brewed by Hawkshead  in the style that is: American Pale Ale and they are in the mysterious sounding Kendal, England, where the only thing that comes to mind is Kendal Mint cake.

Don't ask.

[caption id="attachment_10260" align="alignright" width="300"] It's a small beer[/caption]

NZPA is a complex, strong, modern pale ale.

It is packed with wild fruit flavours and hoppy aromas.

Made using four New Zealand hops: Green Bullet, Riwaka, Motueka & Nelson Sauvin.

Matt, our Kiwi Head Brewer's very own personal beer.

What could go wrong?

Passion fruit or Mango on opening, the lip cap very firmly in place, I nearly broke a sweat getting it open, let the beer go little bottle, let it go.

Very pale pour, much more than I was expecting, clear yellow almost. No head, I'm on a roll again.

Aroma is really a fresh bouquet of things fruit, like passion fruit, mango. MrsPdubyah, in a rare moment, said that this smelt amazing. Then she tasted it and grimaced, not a rare thing, and complained that this had a 'tang' at the back, like 'tea', which is why she isn't a professional.

This is really sweet, or more correctly, but not sweet but 'full' of fruit or I though honey that gives it a really big body, and full mouthfeel, surprisingly nice.

The hops, for there are some, are second fiddle in this, playing an admirable support, and as it warms the begin to be centre and front, which again, is nice as a journey.

I find, for me, that this is a bit hard work, there is a lot going on in the glass, a lot of layers and competing things all clamouring for your palate attention, which is or isn't a bad thing depending on what you want from a beer. It's good, it's different, and it's from not around here. Welcome home, but we're a little less shouty than you remember.

I like the passion fruit thing going on, the aroma is nice, but i thought this was 'hard' drinking, not for any not pleasant things, but that I thought each mouth was like a hammer blow, and I wanted something more measured and longer in drinking, this is one of those short drinks, it all happens up front, then a gap, and then you are left with a lingering thing that makes you frown a bit, as if like you didn't enjoy it, making you a bit gun-shy.

Or simpler, I didn't engage with the profile of this, and I ended up not enjoying drinking it for the overall feeling I got. Also I like The Nelson Sauvin hop, and drink a domestic beer that uses it, it really is nice, It might be wasted in this.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a 7 a of its things from the thing. It became hard work, and I didn't look forward to the next sup, I wanted it to be over, I wanted to be happy and although I enjoyed this I didn't end up loving it. If I was in the UK, where they presumably love it, I'd be a happy man. In NZ though I'd suggest that they calm down a bit.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, but it is complicated.


2. Would I have another? This is something of an overload  so I might not.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I think as a beer showcase it is great, as a beer that you want to party with, no so much.

MrsPdubyah was taken by "The Tallest Man on Earth",  Kristian Matsson,  who is a singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden.

This is a live version of "King Of Spain"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Twcp46kT4

MrsPdubyah, as I said, is enjoying our early evening with this, which makes a change from some the feedback I get when it is beer and music hour.  Give it a listen it is good folk music with great lyrics and musically very complete.

AMERICAN PALE ALE

American Pale Ales are light in color, ranging from golden to a light copper color. The style of this beer is defined by the American hops used. American hops typically have high bitterness and aroma.This is a perfect beer for big fare like grilled burgers or combination pizzas, as well as lighter fare like sushi and green salads

Beer - #530 - Weezledog - Epiphany

Enlightenment, Enlightening, Light on numbers and Light hearted parties

"... a full flavoured but sessionable brew, purpose built for the long summer afternoons. "

This is a 500 ml bottle that is of 5.5% ABV, making it 2.7 standard drink units,  the bottle is about 220 calories give or take, and this is at 40 IBU things

Weezledog - Epiphany, brewed by Weezledog Brewing Company this is in that style that is: Golden Ale/Blond Ale and they do that in Auckland, New Zealand

Blonde Ale is very much a catch all category for easy drinking pale ales combining malty flavours with a moderate dose of hops.

[caption id="attachment_10252" align="alignleft" width="300"] I'm converted[/caption]

Our Blonde, like all our beers, pushes the boundaries of what a beer style can be. Big, sweet, honey and biscuit malt flavours up front followed by a hard whack of Kiwi hops and a long, bitter finish ensures a full flavoured but sessionable brew, purpose built for the long summer afternoons.

This is a great entry point to our range, and New Zealand craft beer in general, balanced malt and hops, firmly bitter and highly drinkable this may well be your gateway to the ever changing and expanding world of Kiwi craft beers.
Made, as always, with all local malt and hops, the water is pure and has no added minerals or salts providing a natural beer with a true New Zealand flavour.

So what could go wrong?

Zesty hoppy on opening.

Its a really brilliant chestnut brown pour, but I couldn't get a head, which isn't such a disaster. Aroma now seems to have a lot of tangelo or mandarin orange, and this made me smile.

Then there is the taste. Which isn't at all like what you could expect. I don't know what to pick from that.

I get a light dusting of oranges which is very light, and there seems to be no other discernible or noticeable bitterness.

I certainly don't get any hop-forward taste. It's nicely balanced without anything rough, the middle is soft and the finish is crisp without being annoying or lingering.

It really is a nice beer. And that's all I have to say about that.

Except that Whilst I think the description bigs this up - using words like 'big' and 'pushes the boundaries' this is what it is, there is no 'masking' going on, there isn't an added thing to hide a mistake, or a missing thing that makes this short somewhere, it is what it is, as advertised.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a  9 of its things from the thing.  This is quaffing beer and sits well for a session, But it isn't a sparkling beer, there needs perhaps to be a notch up on a flavour, more orange for instance, some highlight. Then we might be talking, it is however worth a drink, or two, and I'd sit smiling if I was out on the town and this was on tap.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It really is a very enjoyable beer, very.


2. Would I have another? Yes, I'd go looking for this again, it's a non challenging, high reward beer.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes, there isn't much you could fault with this, you could try and pick a fault but it is what it is.

I'm listening to some music by "The Tallest Man on Earth" Kristian Matsson is a singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden. This is some good Folk Music that is highlighted by thoughtful lyrics and clever music.

This is '1904' from an album of music called "There's No Leaving Now"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibEwxlV1ac4

The voice reminds me of Bob Dylan. The toe tapping reminds me that it's good to listen to.

GOLDEN ALE/BLOND ALE

There are a few different types of blond ale. The first is the traditional "Canadian Ale", an adjunct-laden, macrobrewed, top-fermented equivalent of the American Standard. The second is common in US brewpubs - a light starter ale, with marginally more hop and body than a macrobrew, fewer adjuncts, but still not a flavourful beer by any means. The British interpretation is easily the boldest, hoppiest blond ale rendition. Some of these can almost be considered American Pales they are so hopped up - very crisp, refreshing, with relatively low alcohol compared with their North American counterparts.

Beer - #529 - Panhead - Whitewall Hoppy Wheat Ale

Weird Beer, Weird Musics, Weird numbers and Weird parties.

Any petrol head knows you can’t redline the engine all the time…sometimes you just need to drop the seat back and cruise.

Getting amongst it with a Panhead Whitewall Hoppy Wheat Ale this is another of the summer fill-your-own from a keg, so I have 1 litre bottle of a 4.3% ABV beer, around 3.4 standard drink units and 129 calories a serve size.

Brewed by Panhead Custom Ales in the style that is Wheat Ale and pinhead are in Upper Hutt, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10243" align="alignleft" width="300"] Endless Summer of fyo beers[/caption]

Much as we enjoy a big hop-rod it’s nice to kick back and cruise on occasion. Whitewall pulls a very diplomatic 4.3% with a clean, crisp mouthfeel imparted by a touch of wheat in the malt. 

Whitewall is the ultimate cruisy summer beer – brewed to a very smooth 4.3% with a clean, crisp mouthfeel achieved by a small amount of wheat in the malt.

The heavy hop addition is like dropping a V8 in a Mini and showcases the new generation of fragrant Aussie hops – Galaxy, Enigma and Ella. 

Best enjoyed on the back porch late afternoon after a bit of self-congratulatory physical exertion

Well I might have  thought about mowing the grass, so that counts and what could go wrong with that thinking? First though I ponder on the number of fill-your-own beers that I've had recently, which is a departure from the bottles that you or I can buy, so I'm beginning to think that I might have to cut back on the beer that you might not be able to get and get back to the things you might have a chance of buying. It is just a thought.

Anyway you can buy Whitewall in bottles. Not that I have, but it is in stores.

This has a sugar sweet aroma that you might expect from a 'wheat' ale, it looks anaemic and pale and a bit unattractive, I'll pour it into a glass and watch it transform into a swan.

And like magic in a glass it becomes brighter and has a great fluffy head, like I knew it would.

Aroma begins to hint of the hop additions.

To the taste then. There is a wash of hop bitterness which overlays a soft middle, There is also a surprisingly dry finish which I wasn't expecting but perhaps should have.

But, however, and, I don't know so much that this is a wheat beer. The cynical in me wants to say is this another "throw some things that are available together" and see what comes out, which is simplistic yes, but using new generation hops, and then adding 'a touch of wheat" seems a bit, to me, odd. Look I like new styles and things, this though seems a bit neither of one thing or another.

So what I do get is 'crispness' but I do get "hop bitterness.

Then again this isn't a Belgium wheat and that's where the problem in my thinking might be. The pour is lovely, the second glass behaving the same as the first, big fluffy head, really looks a charm.

The nice things about this are then, the low but noticeable hop levels and bitterness, the soft middle even if it a bit unidentified, but not so much the towards dry finish.

Uncomfortably I'm not over-enthusiastic about this as a beer. I'm going to use the word 'thin' to describe the middle, the carry, the body, the bit where you want the fun to happen. Hop aroma carries to a similar hop taste and that for me is about it. A bit of a disappointment.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 of of its things from the thing. It really isn't something to write home about. Whitewall the tires, dress them up a bit, make them look a bit flash, I don't think they took the name in the same way, but this is a bit dressed up and it is a party for itself.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Not so much.


2. Would I have another? I had to I have the whole bottle, but it lasted a while.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Oh no not even.

I had some new musics on, this time, "The Novatones", and a track 'Living For The Weekend'  from a release called "Begging At The Bunhouse'"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0I02xTscgU

They're active on the social medias,   they are a four-piece with a knack for creating energetic indie-pop songs. And that's where I went wrong. Pop songs. They're very energetic but it is of little substance.

WHEAT ALE

Golden to light amber in color, the body is light to medium. The wheat lends a crispness to the brew, often with some acidity. Some hop flavour maybe be present, but bitterness is low. Not as estery as German or Belgian-style wheats.

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Beer - #528 - Karl Strauss - Wreck Alley Imperial Stout

Stout beer, being Stout about musics,  some stout numbers, and stout mates at parties

"... is as dark as the depths of its namesake "

Karl Strauss -  Wreck Alley Imperial Stout - a beer I should have brought a week ago. At least I went back...

20fl oz bottle (650ml) that contains a  9.5% ABV, 50 IBU things beer, that has 265 calories a serve size, so this then a  4.9  drinks units worth in NZ.

Brewed by Karl Strauss Brewing Company  in the style: Imperial Stout and they are in the home to sea-world, San Diego, California  USA

[caption id="attachment_10225" align="alignleft" width="300"] He squints he smiles,,,,,[/caption]

Beneath the tides off Mission Beach rests Wreck Alley – a dark and mysterious seascape of forgotten ships. Amidst the rusted wreckage is a marine ecosystem, an artificial reef teeming with life.

Our Wreck Alley is as dark as the depths of its namesake, an Imperial Stout of uncharted complexity. Brewed with darkly kilned malts, cocoa nibs, and Ethiopian coffee beans, Wreck Alley boasts rich layers of dark chocolate, toffee, and espresso-like roast.

Save a bottle. This one has a stout shelf-life.

What could possibly go wrong. It seems this time a whole lot.

Sometimes the Live-blog thing ends in a bit of a pigs-ear thing. You think I might have worked that out, or at least WP might have saved me with "Auto-save" or something, in my dreams.

- I wrote about the pour and how it was a bit disappointing. Not thick like some beers, how the head was a bit of a wastrel and half-hearted at best.

• I wrote about the aroma, and how it went missing but there might have been fruits coming through, but it needed to be make more effort. C'mon!


• I wrote a bit about how this was a pretender beer. what was special? what? How was this the beer that made grown men weep?


• Then I wrote about how I really got it, and how this really was a pretty accomplished beer, here wasn't a dip in the middle or a missing bit, it was pretty much a complete end to end beer. From the initial sup the wash and the finish. It has great chocolate or roasted malt, nothing peaky in the middle and a finish that has that fruit thing going on. incroyable!

I really did poetry that an angst teenager would weep at. Then I did something stupid and it went south, or right-swipe defending on your OS of choice.

Imagine some really good writing then, and then catch up with me at the bit here where I go..."

Loving that nice seeped fruit thing that stouts (or indeed barley wine) has as this gets warmer, somehow it gets more treacle like, and a whole lot more interactive and enjoyable.

The really clever thing though, really strong beer, really no idea how that works, it really isn't apparent or obvious,  quaff away, get squiffy, go on-line shopping, wait for the results in a a few days. When I say clever  I mean something else.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 a of its things from the thing. It really is a great thing, The finish does end a bit, just a bit dry, the worst thing perhaps you could say about this, other than perhaps that it lacks a character or a defining moment that would make this apart of the crowd.

10 was a reach as, for me,  there was an under taste of something wet-oats or something in this, just there and being there. I might have had a crank on, I might be right, I'd go again this this beer, it is worth while.

I like this because well it is what is says it is. There isn't an addition like "Chocolate" or "fruit of some kind" or "Coffee" that would guest in the middle.  This is an honest and goodness "Stout" that I can discern. The chocolate or Coffee fro the roasted malts (I might be making it up) but what you end with is a beer that is really level drinking, there are no peaks in the flavour, no side shoes and a finish that isn't dry and hints a some kind of dark fruits. It is perry good and worthwhile.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It really is a bit special and stands up on its own as a straight up beer, I stated off a bit dubious and ended up loving it.


2. Would I have another? I would really like another, this has so much potential.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Can you imagine the lies you could tell when drinking this, by lies I mean embellishments, and nuances. This is a cracking beer and drinks well and leaves you wondering how your head went a bit squiffy because you can't remember the 9.5% ABV thing.

The Stylistics were a soul music vocal group, and were one of the best-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. I'm sure you'd know "You are Everything", I was listening to a best of compilation. That's some squeaky voices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZILgIoNIDT8

IMPERIAL STOUT

Imperial stouts are usually extremely dark brown to black in color with flavors that are intensely malty, deeply roasted and sometimes with accents of dark fruit (raisin, fig) or milk sourness. The bitterness is typically medium and often the low sie of that. Imperial stouts are strong and often exceed 8% by volume.

Beer - #527 - Hinano - Hinano

Old World Beer, Old Music, Old numbers and Old mates gathering.

"...satisfies the most demanding connoisseur..."

Hinano - what can I tell you, from a place I've never been or likely to ever get to, unless I get the next 6 numbers in the lottery draw, and if that happens you'd be invited.

Brewed by La Brasserie de Tahiti (Heineken) This is in the style that they call : Pale Lager and they happens in tropical and out of reach Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

[caption id="attachment_10212" align="alignright" width="300"] small beer[/caption]

A 330 ml bottle of a beer that is  5% ABV,  making it 1.3 standard drinks

Brewed in Tahiti since 1955, using only the finest ingredients from Northern Europe, Hinano satisfies the most demanding connoisseurs with its freshness and quality.

What could go wrong.

Unmistakable aroma of  malt lager, really quite loud.

It is pale yellow, but not as pale as some that I've had, head is decent and easy to achieve and it seems persistent.

It's cold, it has a familiar bite of lagers, but there isn't a lot of it, finish is ok, although bizarrely I thought pepper. Who knows.

Cut to the chase with this, it's a stock-standard lager is what it is.

Nothing to see here move along.

You've all tasted this and its like.

Crisp, clean, some bite but not much, looks nice in the glass, drinks ok.

I'd be happy with this if I was Tahiti.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 of its things from the thing.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes it's not all bad.


2. Would I have another? Yes I'd be happy to have another.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes, it looks exotic, tastes domestic.

I like "The National" and was listening to their 4th Album "The Boxer" This track "Mistaken For Strangers"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgRsYkKb1eI

The National are an American indie rock, the later work, for me, picks up on the production and emphasis falls on the tone and vocals more, they're very good.

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or youll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #526 - Hinano - Ambrée

Exotic Beer, Exotic Music, Exotic Numbers and Exotic Parties.

But there is more!

I had to look Tahiti up on a map!

This is a 330ml bottle of beer, 5.5% ABV, 1.43 standard drink units, and 150 calories a serve.

The labelling is great and is very attractive.

Brewed by La Brasserie de Tahiti (Heineken)  This is in the style that is Amber Lager/Vienna and they are in the well exotic and wistful sounding Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Right,  "Amber Beer" covers a lot of things. This is a lager style, and is malted up. We agree on Vienna style. 

Hinano Ambrée is not only made from unroasted malt, which is used in all beers, but also from slow-roasted malt, giving the beer its unique character.

[caption id="attachment_10205" align="alignleft" width="300"] It's sunny what could go wrong[/caption]

But there is more! The aromatic hop used strengthens the intense flavor of Hinano Ambrée.

In the Hinano range, Hinano Ambrée is a unique amber ale combining quality, crispness and innovation. Thanks to its specific manufacturing process, Hinano Ambrée offers a refined and full-bodied taste as well as a color made of shades of yellow and red ochre.

The use of aromatic hops strengthens the complex flavor of Hinano Ambrée.

So there you go, it's all on in the pacific. Whats the worst that could happen. Vienna Lager though, that's very specific.

That is a familiar dark malt aroma on opening.

That really does look blindingly good, dark chestnut brown, decent head, a 10 for appearance!

Aroma is fairly malty, it's quite nice, has a sort of pepper thing going on, might catch you out.

Well that unfolds pretty quickly doesn't it.

This is a tad sweeter than it needs to be, really. I like a sweet beer and that this just has a bit too much candy in it.

I enjoyed it for what it was, got distracted finished it and therefore have to conclude that it was easy drinking beer, ideal for a holiday destination, but not really ablate stand up against a Vienna Lager from perhaps Europe or Vienna.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 of its things from the thing. It's not bad, you need to drink this as the beer it is, without distractions as although it's not brilliant it's not really that bad.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Clearly yes I drank that in quick time.


2. Would I have another? I would love another, your beach umbrella or mine.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Sunny afternoons with a cheeky cocktail this would be welcome, come on over.

And I was listening to an LP from 1979, "Elvis Costello" and his "Armed Forces"  Lp of which there are many great tracks (and a few shockers). Of Course "Olivers Army"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow1S4DJtLOk

I was dancing in the garden, I was sent back inside to dance in the comfort of the lounge.

AMBER LAGER/VIENNA

Your typical macrobrewed Dark Lager, often rendered dark with either brewer’s caramel or black patent malt, but each brewery will have a different approach. Aside from caramelly notes, these beers will not typically resemble other dark lager styles so much as they do the lighter styles, due to low amounts of hops, malt and body. Vienna as a beer style was theorized by Michael Jackson, but his oft-cited example was Negra Modelo, which is a macro dark lager like all the others. Some beers have taken on the idea of a Vienna lager as a distinct style, loosely based on the 1840 Anton Dreher beer, and these can be expected to be all-malt, with a fuller body and more character than the average macro dark

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Beer - #525 - Modern Times - Aurora

Modern Times, Modern Music, Modern Maths and a Modern party.

.... the spicy malt character of rye with the fruity dankness of new wave American & New Zealand hops...  Drink it with your eyes.

650ml (22 fl oz) bottle that has beer of 6.7% ABV, 75 IBU, around 201 calories a serve size, and this would be 3.4 standard drink units in NZ

Brewed by Modern Times Beer in the style that is either Amber Ale or American IPA San Diego, California  USA. I can't find a Red IPA, Consensus might be Amber ale. I sit on the fence.

Aurora is a 6.8% ABV red rye IPA loaded with Equinox, Centennial, Motueka, and Experimental Hop 07270. This pungent, complex IPA marries the spicy malt character of rye with the fruity dankness of new wave American & New

[caption id="attachment_10200" align="alignleft" width="300"] Man needs shave, has beer instead[/caption]

Zealand hops.

Aurora pours a gorgeous ruby red, making it the perfect IPA for Fall (if it ever comes to San Diego).

Aurora prominently features a couple of brand spankin’ new American hops: Equinox and 07270. Equinox offers both pungent fruit and rare dank was; 07270 is like the offspring of an orange and a pine cone.

We’ve married that remarkable hop combination with a rye-heavy malt bill, giving Aurora a spicy, bready backbone to support the heavy hop load.

A gorgeous, deep ruby hue makes this a real purdy beer in the glass. Drink it with your eyes.

So what could possibly go wrong with that?

I have to say that the label and presentation of this is very 'wine' like, simple, crisp, clean, and for the aged and infirm of eyesight, easy to read. The label does say IPA. That settles that then.  I can tell from the table that this is fairly fresh too.

It's also a Vegan beer. Lordy.

That's nicely hopped and aromatic on opening.

It is a very pretty our of a lovely chestnut coloured beer with a nice off shite head that is firm and fluffy although not huge. Lots more caramel aroma in the glass than before.

That fair pops on the tongue, it's bitter but not overly and it smooths into a soft middle and finishes to a grassy finish, all in one move. It's not bad.

So for me there is a lot of 'middle' in this, a great big bash of, I'll say it, more in ignorance, of what must be the Rye.  The bitterness seems to have tailed away somewhat though, might be the effect of the rye and the strength that that brings to the beer.

The finish does get drier too as it warms. Overall Not bad but not my style of beer perhaps, but hey you have to give it a crack otherwise who knows. This is one of a few of the 'Red' beers I've had lately and I'm sure I'm the same about all of them. They're ok but they're just not me.

I wonder though if this would balance against something food, but I don't know what in particular, the style stumps me.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as  a  7 of its things from the thing. I really struggle with this style, the 'red' and the 'rye' thing.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Not really, I personally find it a bit challenging.


2. Would I have another? I 'get' the Rye thing, and the big middle and that, it's just not for me.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Who's buying because I wouldn't turn up with this, if however you did I'd drink it and make idle chat about the style and that.

Music for this, well, I came across this band "Mumm-Ra" who are an English indie rock band originates from Bexhill on Sea, on the South Coast of England.  This is "Technicolour" from the Album "Back to the Shore" and yes I spelt that correctly.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkFo7af30QI

No I've never watched Thundercats. Ever.

And as to Indie Pop. At least it fits with the summer weather and you can have it on in the background whilst watching the flora and fauna to distract you.  It's not the worst music I've ever listened to, it's ok, but it's not 'wow' good. Good enough though, close enough. I did play it twice. :-)

AMBER ALE

A style without definition, amber ales range from bland, vaguelly caramelly beers to products with a fairly healthy malt and hop balance. Often the differentiation between a quality amber and an American Pale is that the amber might have more dark malt character, or a less assertive hop rate.

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.

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• The Best Present Ever: Beer

Beer - #524 - Schipper’s - Mistress Pilsner

Lager, larger than life, large and living it large. All that with a Schipper’s - Mistress Pilsner

This is the brew you don’t take home to meet your mum and dad

Schipper’s - Mistress Pilsner in the FYO station (keg) at the local shoppe.

For tonight then I have this , a 5%ABV, 50 IBU thing, 150 calories a serve size beer,all this making this 1 litre bottle about 3.94 standard drinks in total.

For Schipper’s Beer Company this is brewed at Tuatara Brewing Companyin the style of a  Pilsener and this brewer lives in Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10189" align="alignleft" width="300"] Smiles Day[/caption]

This is the brew you don’t take home to meet your mum and dad.

It’s a feisty, peppery Pilsner that will remind you why you fell in love with beer in the first place.

Just don’t marry it.

I've seen mixed review on this, but what could go wrong?

The nice thing about lower ABV beers is that you get to enjoy more of them. I'm sure there is a downside, and It could be bulk over substance argument. Lets not tarry on that.

Malty wet aroma on popping the flip lid, and a real hiss, seems well carbonated. Lovely yellow golden colour and it pours with a head that is small and seems persistent.

Some deeper hop aroma making its way forward.

Interesting mouth taste this one. Grassy like you might expect, but without a sharp bite to it. Taste is really lingering.

I thought I really liked a good Pilsener, and I'm not sure this is it. It seems a little sweet and lacking in bite or peppers that were promised. This is the first beer of the day so I should be fresh and ready. Might again be one of those expectations over delivery thing, the gap being the disappointment.

I wanted hoppier, I wanted a crisper sharper taste, I wanted a bit of bite, a bit of the spice. The lingering mouthfeel is a little uncomfortable when delivered on such a gentle run-up.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a 6  (= average) of its things from the thing. Possibly the most disappointing beer I've had for a while, which isn't a good thing. I talked myself into having a really nice beer in the sun, and I got something that made me frown and chew my lip.

The saddest part is that I have to finish the bottle.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? No


2. Would I have another? I'm not totally sold that this is 'right' so I could be persuaded. Getting me to part with coin though would be harder.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I don't think that this would enhance a friendship or conversation.

Music, well a mixed bag, and I was listening to "Girls in Peacetime Want To Dance" from "Belle and Sebastian"  who are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H53_EUJsZy8

Pop sums it up, marginal ear candy, I think I'm on the wrong side of the age line for enjoying this to be honest.

Bit of a bust for the early evening then, that happens now and again you can't predict these things and if you don't challenge yourself then there is no challenge.

PILSENER

While the definition of “pilsner” is open to much debate in the beer community, it generally refers to pale, hoppy lagers, ranging from 28 IBUs and up.

Beer - #523 - Epic - 1991

So the last day of summer break, and it's back to less beer and a healthier regime. Then what happens is the local beer shop taps this one for the fill-your-own. What's a man to do?

Memory beer, Mesmorising Music, Memorising numbers and remembers a party.

This beer is made with all USA grown ingredients (malt, hops and yeast), and will only be available on tap over the summer. 

Intended as a light floral easy tasting summer pale ale.

The familiar 1 litre bottle, 6% ABV, 40 IBU things,  just about 500-ish calories in the bottle, and it is 4.73 standard drink units. 40 IBU is low end bitter for an IPA

For Epic Brewing Company (NZ)  this is brewed at Steam Brewing Company in the style that is of the  India Pale Ale (IPA), and that happens in Auckland, New Zealand

This beer is made with all USA grown ingredients (malt, hops and yeast). This is the first time I had the opportunity in NZ to do

[caption id="attachment_10173" align="alignleft" width="300"] Looking Guilty[/caption]

this. Cryer Malt imported some US grown malt which we have used to make this beer.
The recipe was design as a hat tip to the moment in time where I had my lifes path changed by having a craft beer epiphany, which has ultimately lead me to making this beer.
In 1991 I was at university in California, and got my first taste of craft beer (this happened to be Sierra Nevada and it was first drunk in Chico).
The beer captures the light pale ale style that has influenced me, my beer tastes, the way I like to brew. It is pretty simple with the hop flavour being driven by old school aroma hops - Cascade & Centennial.

That is a big intro, and a good reason to break my self imposed health break. I don't think MrsPdubyah will approve, but what could go wrong? Well I will tell you what could go wrong the amount of chilli I added to the wings is what. Still I have a beer to make it all good.

A beer that seems to be popular with 'the lads' this one.

A lovely caramel hops grass note, but also an underlying sour. Gently carbonated judging by the hiss of the flip top.

It's quite an interesting orange colour and the off white firm but small head looks great. Orange citrus aroma in the glass.

That is surprisingly bitter but it's that low level 'oh that's nice' level of bitterness. Clean too. Overall mouthfeel is a bit odd for me, seems to be there is  an overall dryness to this, and a lingering back.

This then appears, or indeed, tastes like it has a heavy reliance on the hop characteristics. So you gets hints of a more 'fruity' citrus beer of some wallop, but you get a zephyr of a hint on the nose, which is really nice, it's sort of sugar sweet and orange, and then a big wash of bitterness over the top. You'd kind of hope for some of that warmth in the middle, it is there, but it is cowering, over-taken by the main-act when it should be part of it. Then you get a linger of a bitter-dry finish. It is all a bit sudden and quick. (.....that's what she said)

I don't enjoy being contrary, but there isn't a point in bandwagon if that isn't the right thing either. Epic make some startlingly good beers, I know I've had some. Fair play to the brewer to do his own thing, his homage to him, It's like a bands 4th album, the one they always wanted to make, not the contractual obligation one, the one that they really wanted to make.

This is a 'tap only' beer, indicating that it's a one-off and a dalliance, perhaps it's a platform a new thing, the brewer isn't shy about style or ingredients. For a summer day this is nice, for a once-off this is nice, Is it 'showing off'? I don't know.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a 7 of its things from the thing. What's to say. It is a great looking beer, and has some great aroma. There is a belting amount of bitterness about it, and a lingering finish, but again I bang on about the middle, as if it were a thing. For me it is, and this doesn't have it.

As a bit of a postscript I'd venture to suggest that adding both chilli flakes and chilli sauce to wings isn't the most prudent of things to do, my eyeballs got all sweaty for instance. A story for another day.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Some of it is great, some of it a bit missing.


2. Would I have another? It is different in taste and profile to make it interesting enough, but interesting isn't compelling enough in this case.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I think as a discussion about what was happening in 1991 it would be a great starter, where was beer like this in 1991 for instance. In those days it wasn't craft it was called small independent breweries, and very very local.

Drinking with me is David Ryan Adams who is an American singer-songwriter, musician and producer. This is "Gimme Something Good" from his self-title album. Available in the all the places probably.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=802vbfZe9io

It is great summer music and might have the sort of plains America about it, I make no sense except in my head on this though. It is kind of wholesome American soft rock, soft of like Tom Petty and others, full of angst and like a amp'd up country ballad. Judge me.

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.

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Beer - #522 - Eruption - Dark Lava Stout

Another Stout, another new brewer to me, Eruption Brewing and their Dark Lava Stout.

A boldly brewed New World Stout

Stout Beer, Stout music, big numbers and stout mates.

Simple 500ml bottle that is 5.3% ABV, and at 57 IBU, making it 150 calories a serve, and this bottle is 2.09 standard drink units.

Brewed by Eruption Brewing Ltd. in the style that is a  Stout  and they are in the exotic sounding Wainoni, Christchurch, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10163" align="alignright" width="300"] Snazzy haircut, sun tan and a Stout[/caption]

A boldly brewed New World Stout with unmistakable Kiwi hop undertones…

We have used four premium NZ pure malts: Ale, Chocolate, Toffee & Crystal mashed with NZ Roasted Barley & Oats to give the deep, dark, rich flavour and a jet-black lava hue in the glass.

Aotearoa Cascade Hops add a final dark twist…… volcanitastic

What could go wrong?

I thought that was a very bitter aroma, akin to a Belgium style or Saison. Unless it's really bitter chocolate.

Pour is great and a mocha head of cloud like fluffiness but much firmer, of course it's really dark. Aroma still has a happiness around and about it. Quite hard to actually pin down.

Quite bitter, and has a thin mouthfeel that ends in a sour bitterness and slightly to dry more than not.

Decent and without a lot of pomp and circumstance going on.

Very unassuming and without a lot of depth and chewiness, I still think this is hop bitter heavy, but the drinking is really pleasant and pleasing, bitter enough without being tart, and sweet enough without it being over-burdened. Essentially this drinks really well for a beer that appears to have been made to an old-school recipe.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. It's a decent beer, and it harks back to simpler drinking without a lot of drama. The bitterness is nice, it drinks very light, and the finish is nearly great, but a little to sour for me. Overall though enjoying it and enjoyed it.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes because it's unchallenging and easy.


2. Would I have another? It's hard to say yes because similar priced beers might give better flavour bang for buck, and it is premium beer priced.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I might if we were having a "Throwback Thursday" or something, I don't know that the level of hops that I thought this has would convince anyone that it's a stout though.

Listening on loud to  "London Grammar"  a British electropop trio. Lovely melody and singing. This is from the album "If you wait" and it's called "Hey Now"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMEHJPuggHQ

Really easy listening and enjoyable against the backdrop of the summer evening and the early evening sun. Find them all the good places.

STOUT

Many stouts do not fit the classic "Irish" definition as exemplified by Guinness, either due to their hop or roast rates, or higher gravity (in the case of many American stouts). They are still basic stouts, however, not falling into any of the subclasses.

Beer - #521- Hop Baron - 8 Ball Stout

Back to a bottle. Back to a Stout. Another new brewer to me - this one Hop Baron, and this their 8 Ball Stout.

Packing eight grams of Switch Espresso's Brighton Up beans per litre

This is a simple 500ml bottle, 6% ABV of beer,  180 calories a serve, and 2.4 standard drink units.

For  Hop Baron this is brewed at Three Boys Brewery clearly this one in the style that is a Stout and they're in Christchurch, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10152" align="alignleft" width="300"] Fancy haircut and everything, wait till you see the glass[/caption]

Packing eight grams of Switch Espresso's Brighton Up beans per litre.

Generously hopped with both Fuggle and Motueka - all at a very restrained 6.0%.

The perfect beer for the ski lodge following on from that last line of the day.

8 grams! who know how little or much that was or is. And Skiing, its still, or has become, summer, what are these boys like! Still what could go wrong.

Coffee-Tastic on opening, as it does with a lovely hiss. Rich roasted coffee with a chocolate back.

As you can see my pouring skills have abandoned me, this has a head like a milkshake. Dark brown coffee head. Black as coal beer. Cold Coffee aroma, soft not bitter, and then a twitch of chocolate catches you.

That is much more bitterer in the mouth than you might be expecting though. The head is like a thick pillow of clouds and very persistent.

The aroma of coffee is strong in this one, but in taste it is shoved aside by the burnt bitterness, before it gives back to the coffee-ness.

I can't help but think this is overly bitter though.

I left it for a bit and came back minutes later, not something I'd normally do, and It's warmed in the glass and the bitterness and the coffee have got a lot 'flatter' and wider, to the point of dominating this.

The second pour confirmed that this is a well carbonated beer that loved a a head.

Do I get any immediate or apparent chocolate? I'm not sure but something is balancing the bitterness and the coffee. But as it gets warmer you can begin to feel the softness of the chocolates. Overall though it's a bit in your face for coffee and somewhat over bitter, which makes it a bit lop-sided and uneven.

So, 4 grams of coffee per litre of beer (That's about a teaspoon isn't it?) seems to be a lot, who knew?  1 level teaspoon of sugar = 4g

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. It's nice to have a Stout, but this has reached a bit far and there isn't a comeback that would work from that amount of coffee, which might be a tad overkill.

Still I suppose it saves on me having a coffee with the pudding that MrsPdubyah is concocting, I believe a Plum and Apple crumble. Get in!

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes because I like the coffee forward taste. No because it might be over-bitter.


2. Would I have another? I think that it might mellow with  age, the bottle suggests it's good for another 8 months.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I don't think that I would ashamed to pull this one out at the end of the night and make up a good story about this, or indeed anything, or even how nice that crumble was.

Along for the ride are "British Sea Power" who are an indie rock band based in Brighton, East Sussex, England.

Im listening to "from the sea to the land beyond" a soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9fDQxt9A70

STOUT

Many stouts do not fit the classic "Irish" definition as exemplified by Guinness, either due to their hop or roast rates, or higher gravity (in the case of many American stouts). They are still basic stouts, however, not falling into any of the subclasses.

Beer - #520 - Good George - Anytime Pale Ale

Again a Fill-Your-own from a keg at the bottle shop, it's like a never ending summer. This one is the Good George Anytime Pale Ale. So i'm looking for good George, good music, good at math and good times.

Low ABV session ale, with citrus hop profile

This is a low alcohol beer at 3.5%, and I have a 1 litre bottle, 105 calories a serve, 25 IBU things, The whole bottle is 2.76 standard drink units.

Brewed by Good George Brewing this one in the style that is  Golden Ale/Blond Ale and they're in Hamilton, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10150" align="alignleft" width="300"] Man with a haircut gets a beer[/caption]

Affectionately dubbed Anytime Pale Ale - this little beauty clocks in at 3.5% and perfectly timed for Summer session drinking.

Brewed with Vienna malt, rye and oats.

Generously hopped with Motueka, Nelson Sauvin & Topaz.

Sounds a charm, what could go wrong?

It's cloudy orange in the the bottle, that's not a bad thing of course.

Nice and sweetly hoppy on opening, quite pleasant. Does pour well and has a great head that is stark white. Aroma has a lot a mandarin oranges, they recon 'Passion fruit, white grape and citrus" I sure got the citrus.

Wow that's quite tangy and tasty, and  I think that this is a little belter of beer, I almost blurted out" Good George" when I first tasted it, it was that much of a surprise.

Great full mouthfeel, lovely aroma to nose to mouth, great level of bitterness that does not linger or meander on the finish, great layers of flavour in it to, it's quite the thing is this. Totally enjoying this and there is no plastic or dryness in the taste that you sometimes get when they faff with the hops, this is crisp and clean.  I might be going on a bit now.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a  9 of its things from the thing. I've not been as surprised this much by a beer in ages, and when it happens it really is a thing of beauty. How is this a low ABV beer with this much flavour and engagement, Aroma is brilliant, it looks great, leaves a lacing, and has a taste that is well boxing above it's weight. Great mouthfeel too. A little gem!

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, I swore in surprise, it's fantastic.


2. Would I have another? I would easily have another, and at this ABV another another too.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes. This is a cracking beer. You get aroma and mouthfeel and I still get the orange citrus thing. I'd talk about this like it was an internet girlfriend or something.

For Music I was listening to "The Czars"  an alternative rock band, formed in 1994 in Denver, this is a ditty called "Drug" It's about money...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKl3dRlZqT0

I'm listening so you don't have to, so far nothing spectacular, although somehow they've managed a greatest hits  best of album. I was being a little unkind though, there are some tracks that are quite well constructed and produced.  But I don't get a sense of 'supergroup' from listening to them, they have a simple year style that you'll enjoy as ear candy or it'll irritate you as list muzak. There I became a music critic too.

GOLDEN ALE/BLOND ALE

There are a few different types of blond ale. The first is the traditional "Canadian Ale", an adjunct-laden, macrobrewed, top-fermented equivalent of the American Standard. The second is common in US brewpubs - a light starter ale, with marginally more hop and body than a macrobrew, fewer adjuncts, but still not a flavourful beer by any means. The British interpretation is easily the boldest, hoppiest blond ale rendition. Some of these can almost be considered American Pales they are so hopped up - very crisp, refreshing, with relatively low alcohol compared with their North American counterparts.

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Beer - #519 - Behemoth - Hopped Up On Pils

Another of the summer of  FYO (tap) beers, this one the Behemoth "Hopped Up On Pils"

"A Pilsner made with ale hops, apparently. Unique"

A bottle of one litre of a 5% ABV beer, being 30 IBU things,  and in total about 450 calories in the bottle, and that all makes about 3.94 standard drink units.

Brewed at Behemoth Brewing Company in the style this is of Pilsener and they are in, mysteriously, New Zealand, no town, just "NZ".

[caption id="attachment_10137" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sun Tan coming along nice[/caption]

NZ Pilsner with big NZ flavour and aroma without massive bitterness.

Crisp, sessionable. Dry hopped like an IPA.

What could go wrong with what?

Heavy fruit aroma, like peaches, passionfruit, when I flipped the lid on the bottle, and a gentle hiss.

It really is nicely carbonated and effervescent, the colour is really pale gold, ad the head didn't disappoint, and stays around a bit.

In the glass you get a much more predominant grass aroma nd much sharper sour citrus.

Then you get a confusion of tastes that somehow seem to work or make sense. Although hopped up the bitterness is fairly restrained and den's dominate this in the middle or the finish. You get a tip of tongue hop bitter followed by a clean and refreshing beer.

I find myself wanting to be  kinder in my thinking in this, and I'm enjoying it as a refreshing beer that meets my immediate need there doesn't seem to be enough to entertain and engage me.

The aroma portends something that isn't delivered in the same way, as if somehow they've dialled down the bitter in the bitterness that is suggested by the hop aroma.

It has an understated 'bite' that you know is familiar to Pilsener beers but it again is more to the front and soft and doesn't carry or give this a lift.

Disappointed? I'm not sure what I was expecting, it's almost like the brewer had hop for beer A and yeasts for beer B and based on science decided in that order it might work.  It is drinkable and isn't quirky or confused in the palate. Mostly because there isn't a lot in it. Being really cruel I'd suggest 'thin' of body, length and finish.

I don't like not liking a beer. Beer is wonderful and a thing of great beauty sometimes. Then there is just beer that archives a function, this might be that beer, it's just a beer, no more no less. It might have odd beginnings and ingredients but unless you drink aroma first, because this is full of aroma, then you are going to get a shock because I wanted more 'bite' somewhere, and I didn't get it.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. It really pains me to consign this to the 'average' level, but if it doesn't do it then it doesn't do it.  Session beer? yes totally. Would I do a session with this? In my heart of hearts I know I'd be bored, and although as it warms the hop aroma get stronger for me this didn't translate into the taste or mouthfeel.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It is sunny, I've been out and about, this has been an enjoyable beer to start my evening and before I get to the cooking the BBQ.


2. Would I have another? I don't know that, say compared to the Moa Cologne, that this would win, so no.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? You could sneak this one in, but It isn't a gateway beer for a dyed in the wool commercial beer drinker.

So I'm listening to "The Twilight Sad" who  are a Scottish post-punk indie rock band. They have an album "Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave"

This is the lovely "There's a girl in the corner"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8H38U4nZag

The music is all moody and broody a bit like I'm feeling now.

PILSENER

While the definition of "pilsner" is open to much debate in the beer community, it generally refers to pale, hoppy lagers, ranging from 28IBUs and up.

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