Beer - #649 - Epic - No Agenda

Unusually, or usually I can't remember, this is a beer that I'm having keg version first over the bottle version. Epic - No Agenda, which leaves me with; No Agenda, No rhythm, no numbers, not at this party.

Bingo, Boom, Shakalaka. No Agenda. Good beer.

It's also in bottles but I got this from the FYO station, so a 1 Litre bottle, and the beer is 7.5% ABV,  so thats 225 calories a serve size, making this  5.92 standard drinks worth.

For Epic Brewing Company (NZ)  this is brewed at Steam Brewing Company in the style that is of Brown Ale and they do that not so far from where I live, but generally in Auckland, New Zealand

Our formula is this, we go out and hit people in the mouth, with HOPS.

[caption id="attachment_11654" align="alignright" width="300"] My agenda might be to put new lenses in as these make me squint[/caption]

97% of scientists agree.

Shut up already! It's science!!

Drink beer because it is good, and because YOU enjoy the taste.

Don't be a slave to the brand and don't follow the crowd, don't cower to peer pressure. It tastes good. Drink it.

No agenda. Good Beer.

So what could possibly go wrong? Well I already feel a bit like Andy Capp thinking of Brown Ale. But then I'm old, and that might be a joke for one.

It has the aroma of sugar/malt and a mild citrus thing. Not really sure what you can tell by having a whiff. It did sound quite vigorous though.

It's very brown, then again it is a brown ale. although held up to the light (carefully as that often ends badly) it is blackcurrant juice ruby red. In the glass there is a lot more hop base aroma.

Um, it's quite bitter drinking, and it really is a full body tasting beer, lots of oomph in the middle, no mistaking, and lovely dryish finish.

The middle, lets talk about the middle, it's chewy spicy sticky and hoppy, it's all the thing's I've missed in the last couple of beers I had. It is ideal for a colder evening.

I've managed to drink two glasses, and I've not had palate fatigue, you know where the hops and malt just beat you up, this is still a beer that I'm looking forward to supping.

It isn't though a quaffing beer, I think you have to be much more measured and deferential. Plus it's a notch up on the ABV. I've really enjoyed drinking this though, it's kept me entertained and I've not become bored of the taste profile, despite it's fullness.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 of its things from the thing. It is a great thing, just, it sneaks over the bar of 'very good' because it's solid and consistent drinking, no changes in profile colder or warmer, and I've been sipping for a while now, and I enjoyed it first to nearly the last (obviously I finish drinking after writing about it)

The double dip review

• Am I enjoying it? I am, I have been for the whole bottle.


• Would I have another? I would, it's ideal for a cold night.


• Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? It's a full drinking beer, and then slower drinking, if you want conversation and a mooch to a happy place this is great.

Music for this. " Postcards From Jeff " an alternative group from Manchester England, The album " Postcards from Jeff" which I had on the Spotify

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzM3Lsjsd-I

BROWN ALE

Color ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. Lower in alcohol than porter, medium to full body flavor. Appropriate foods are apple pie, pork with brown sauce, beef vegetable soup and cheddar.

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Beer - #544 - Garage Project - Burning Globe

Burning Beer, Burning down the house, fire numbers and a fire party

A smoky English ale was destined to be created.

Actually.

A 650ml bottle of beer, that is of 4.6%ABV, the bottle is about 250 calories, this would be about 2.41 standard drink units. 

Golden Globe is brewed by Garage Project in the style that is a Brown Ale and the are in Wellington, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10403" align="alignleft" width="300"] Let me wax lyrical....[/caption]

Burning Globe, a Shakespearean inspired ale brewed with English yeast and a rich mixture of caramel and smoked malts. Originally served from a single oak barrel to mark 400 years since the firey demise of the most famous Shakespearean theatre - now brewed again to coincide with the 450th anniversary of Will's birth.

So raise a glass to the Bard - Lack nothing: be merry. Ale and art, doth such fine bedfellows make.

We used oak smoked wheat malt, barley, and caramel malts for colour.

What could go wrong?

That's a fairly strong what I would call 'traditional' beer aroma, but it is towards smoky.

Pour is a lovely bright chestnut colour and the head looked nice but fizzled away. Aroma didn't change, still a rich beer and smokey.

It has  high carbonation on the tongue, and delivery a nice smokey hit on top of a decent bitterness, and a nice lingering mouthfeel.

There is a lovely amount of malt middle in it too. It's very pleasant.

So key word so far : Smokey. No bandit, just Smokey.

Which is odd since this is a Brown Ale and not a "Smoked" beer. I've had smoked beers, this would be a good one of those.

So, being a bit geeky I quote "Taming of the Shrew"

And quaff carouses to our mistress' health,

So I quaff, and quaff again, it's really nice and so much fun. Those people at Garage Project churn out a few beers on an alarming regularity, this one, a bit on the edge, is again one of the good ones.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a 9 of its things from the thing. This is a good beer. Lovely smokey base, lovely sweet warm middle, and a decent tang of bitterness that makes it just a nice thing. The sad thing is that this didn't get a bigger audience, it is a fine beer. Really rang my bell as it were. 

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am! It is delightful.


2. Would I have another? I would if I could.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Without a doubt one of the nicest beers that I could think to share, offering tastes and layers without being all uppity and over your palate.

For music I couldn't help myself but play a bit of "Talking Heads", and particularly for this of course, "Burning Down the House".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8D4AsLzlM0

BROWN ALE

Color ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. Lower in alcohol than porter, medium to full body flavor. Appropriate foods are apple pie, pork with brown sauce, beef vegetable soup and cheddar.

Related articles

• Dogfish Head Raison D'Extra Beer


• Aubrey Plaza Rallies Brands on Behalf of Newcastle Brown Ale to Pool Their Marketing Budget for a Group Commercial


• ABC adds new flagship beers

Beer - #486 - Pelican - Dorymans Dark Ale

Same Beer, Same Beat, Same number, same old same old.

A dark brown color, with a balanced aroma of roasted malts and Northwest-grown hops. The sweetness of the ale, crystal, and chocolate malts blend beautifully with the assertive flavors of Cascade and Mt. Hood hops.

Another Pelican beer. It's sometimes like that. This one is the Pelican Dorymans Dark Ale, which I want and picked up after I brought the Kiwanda, because I read that it might be worth it.

Brewed by Pelican Pub & Brewery in the style that is a Brown Ale and they are in Pacific City, Oregon  USA

A 650ml bottle,  which is 5.8% ABV and 174 calories  a serve, this is 43 IBU things and 3.2 standard drink units therein.

Our American Brown Ale has a dark brown color, with a balanced aroma of roasted malts and Northwest-grown hops. The sweetness of the ale and crystal malts blend beautifully with the assertive flavors of Cascade and Mt. Hood hops. A brew to be savored.

[caption id="attachment_9741" align="alignleft" width="300"] I have music, cheese and crackers and a beer. What could go wrong?[/caption]

This beer originated as a prize-winning homebrew many years ago.

When Darron, the Head Brewer, began designing the beers for the Pelican Pub and Brewery, he adapted his old 5 gallon homebrew recipe to his new 15 bbl (465 gallon) brewery.

It was well worth the effort, for not only has the Doryman's Dark Ale been a perennial favorite here at the Pelican Pub, but it has garnered prestigious professional awards.

What indeed could go wrong?

Deep aroma, almost cocoa or chocolate like. Could be interesting, I could be totally wrong though.

Almost red pour with a nice finger of off white head to match, aroma remains rich and fruity. I really am not sure I'm doing this right.

Wow that's bursting with rich roasted malts, what a cracker! Hops too, this is a full experience beer. Leaves a lacing on the glass too as you drink. Engage waxing lyrical mode.....

It is bitterer than you might expect, but there is a lovely middle of malty warmth, and then the slightly bitter finish and linger.  Nicely carbonated too, not too little not too much. I can see why this is a pub favourite, it's very accessible and engaging.

I stopped to take stock at the half-way stage, but couldn't help myself and dived on in again.

Turns out the bottle is right at the edge of its "Enjoy by" date, which is something of a pleasant thought as if this has peaked then the fresh as version must be a veritable explosion.   I wonder if the top end roughness/bitterness is muted more in the fresher version.  Not a complaint just a musing on thing I have no idea about, like many things.

I enjoyed my over-ripe French Brie and the crackers and the pickles whilst I drank, the music choice though left something to be desired, whilst not awful it wasn't a foot tapper.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 a of its things from the thing. Sometimes I have to go with the grain and agree that despite my cynical nature that sometimes it's true, the fans are right for the right reasons, and this is one of those times.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It's nectar, well not quite it's a crackingy good beer though.


2. Would I have another? Yes, I'd order another before I finished the first.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? This would win you friends and influence people, and would make a great beer to have with your BBQ or finger foods, it's just nice to have around.

Music, this time It's "Andersons" and their album "Stephen & Emily"  This is a track "Young Love"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqmmGZh1NjQ

Find them on the Facebook, iTunes or on Spotify;

http://t.co/NQf60XnJpW

I don't know that it's going on high rotate, it's bubblegum pop mostly, pleasant enough for the background, and different and more acceptable to Mrs and Miss Dubyah.

BROWN ALE

Color ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. Lower in alcohol than porter, medium to full body flavor. Appropriate foods are apple pie, pork with brown sauce, beef vegetable soup and cheddar.

Related articles

• A Beginner's Guide to American Beer Styles


• Facts about craft beer


• Our Favorite Fall Seasonal Beers


• Random Beer Roundup: The Decorative Gourd Edition


• 2014's Award-Winning Beers You Should Try

Beer - #475 - Garage Project - Texas Tea Brown Ale

I've been thinking about Snake Oil, Soul food, guessing and double guessing

Texas Tea is slang for oil and Garage Project operate out of an old service station in Aro Valley

It starts with a beer from the now prolific Garage Project, and a can of Texas Tea Brown Ale. A can, like a small barrel. They have a lot of tinned output.

Brewed by Garage Project in the style that is  Brown Ale and they are in Wellington, New Zealand

330ml can of beer that is 6.2% ABV, making it 186 calories in the can, and 1.61 standard drink units.

[caption id="attachment_9668" align="alignleft" width="300"] Tea, in a can[/caption]

A spicy and bold Texas brown ale brewed with a heady dose of American hops, habanero chili and prickly pear.

A Texas Brown Ale with a twist.

Brewed with Warrior, Columbus and Simcoe, habaneros chilli and prickly pear. 

Think hot and hoppy cactus sizzurp. Welcome to weird Texas.

What could go wrong? Now I've done some research and this is a dark beer, not tea coloured. stand by for my amazed observation....

Pop the can, get a decent whiff of hops.

Lovely pour, looks like the colour of Malt vinegar, a decent head too!, unlike malt vinegar. Aroma is like stilted hops in the glass, which now looks like it contains oil or tar. It's quite intriguing.

You get a bite of bitter, carbonation - pause - boomfha, a Chilli burst -  pause - all calm nice finish.

Go again.  Same thing, although the chilli hit is a bit stronger and longer.

Then is gave me the sneezes and the peppery chilli began to be prominent. At this point it's where I decide that chilli-beers are not all that and a bag of chips, or in other ways you could say that this is a style that I'm not a fan of.

It might be very clever as a beer, but I'm not sure I like or enjoy it, and I like odd things usually.

This does have a nice hop level, and the chilli heat level is low to medium and not intrusive or off-putting, it's a compliment to the beer and not a mask for something that may have not gone so well in the brewing.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. I wanted to like it, and it looks great, sits well, and has a nice level of enjoyable hops, tonight though I'm not in the zone to enjoy the chilli hit.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? There are bits of this to like


2. Would I have another? I don't think that at the moment I would, but then I don't know when would be the right time.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I couldn't in all honesty talk too this beer enough to convince someone else to share it.

"It's About Time" is the album of choice for this, by Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, this is the the track "My Dear"

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9-JvdNNP-A&w=560&h=315]

For me a bit under produced, under sung, or poorly chosen songs for what should be a better album and effort.

Not the best of an evening.

Finally, almost, this is what a proper paid and trained journalist has to say 

Finally, in the tea-but-not-as-you-know-it category, I have to mention Yeastie Boys' fellow Wellingtonians Garage Project and their Texas Tea.

While it doesn't actually feature tea we're still in the weird department as Texas Tea is made with habanero chilli and prickly pear (oh, all right, cactus). 

The beer starts with a lustrous chocolate malt base, has a spike of habanero heat and ends with a sweet, berry note that must come from the cactus.

I love this name - Texas Tea is slang for oil and Garage Project operates out of an old service station in Aro Valley, so it's a pretty slick name. Look out for it in the distinctive blue can with the with wispy cloud-like wording above a service station in the desert.

BROWN ALE

Color ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. Lower in alcohol than porter, medium to full body flavor. Appropriate foods are apple pie, pork with brown sauce, beef vegetable soup and cheddar.

Related articles

• Prickly Pear Festival


• Beer-Tasting (5)


• Chili pepper beers becoming a hot tasty trend

Beer - #438 - Hop Federation - American Brown Ale

Dial it back a notch, or up a notch with a Hop Federation American Brown Ale, possibly the oldest beer in the fridge that's not on the save to a really rainy day list

Brewed by Hop Federation Brewery in that style is of  Brown Ale and they are in the romantically named Riwaka, New Zealand

500ml bottle of a beer that is 4.5% ABV making it 1.78 standard drinks in NZ, (Although it says 1.6 on the label), and 135 calories a serving.  32 IBU things which is sort of entry level English bitter or Stout (A Pilsner might be 25 for instance)

Our American Brown Ale is rich and dark with a delicious chocolate caramel aroma. Subtle chocolate and citrus flavours on the palate follow through to a moderate bitterness on the finish.

Dark in colour but lighter in style and with modest alcohol, our American Brown Ale is brimming with comforting aromas and flavours.

At first, it’s redolent with chocolate and coffee, following through with a full malty flavor that’s derived from a carefully managed combination of six varieties of Gladfield Canterbury malts. An edge of dark-cocoa bitterness is nicely balanced by a hint of cherries, giving it the warmth and richness of a dark beer in a light to medium body.

Based on a style of ale that grew from English roots to flourish in America in the late twentieth century, our American Brown Ale takes the tradition a step further with an Antipodean touch.

Got to be good for you.

Beer - #325 - 8 Wired - C4 Double Coffee Brown Ale

Okie Dokie. 8 Wired C4 Double Coffee Brown Ale for perhaps the finale of the #PhilsBeerFest14 night in for Saturday

8 Wired Brewing do this of course  and they do it a  Renaissance Brewing, this one is in the style of a Brown Ale and they are located in Blenheim, New Zealand

In my opinion, coffee rivals beer for the title of "greatest beverage in the world". I often say that I would rather give up beer than coffee. So it is only natural that we would attempt to make a beverage that incorporates both. If we were to succeed, surely this would then become the greatest beverage in the world? After years of research and trials in the garage, I have come up with what I think is the perfect marriage of coffee and beer: A hoppy double brown ale, that compliments both the roasty and fruity aspects of the coffee without putting up too much of a fight. The coffee was selected in collaboration with the Christchurch institution C4 Coffee and consists mainly of lightly roasted, delicate and floral, Ethiopian beans. Worlds are colliding and, in my humble opinion, greatness is achieved on the other side. 

• HOPS: Pacific Jade, NZ Cascade and Pacifica (click here, or  here )


• MALT: Gladfield Pale, Crystal, Munich, Caramalt, Chocolate, Oats


• YEAST: Wyeast 1272 - American Ale II

Which is a big lead in.

500 ml bottle of an 8% ABV, beer  being 3.15 standard dink units in NZ , This is 50 on the IBU thingy and  is 240 calories.  50 is around top end for Stouts.

Of course there is coffee on the opening.  But because you read the label.

I was expecting black as a pour, this is a really deep deep brown.

There is a lot more coffee aroma in the glass. The aroma of cold brewed coffee. Very earthy and raw.

But also a sweetness about it.

Nice pour and a decent head too. Onto a winner.

Stand by- this is like coffee infused beer. What!

Despite the knowing of the all of the things about this it comes as a surprise the delivery and the punch that this brings. Coffee coffee and a lovely long finish that isn't bitter or soft.

This is really clever, you get such a burst of coffee that you are completely tied up in that sensation. The bitterness is what you'd expect from coffee, and the finish is what you'd expect.

What gets you is that you are drinking this cold, and that really isn't a way you generally drink your coffee. But this so works.

No idea that this would be 8% ABV or even any ABV on beer. In pdubyah-world this would pass the lips of a coffee drinker without them realising it's alcohol. But probably not in the real world.

Some beers  give you big thing about other things aside from the coffee, like say for instance only, Chocolate. This tells you there is Double Coffee.

Double.

It's possibly got the most Coffee per beer by volume in the world. It's insane,

Such a lovely sweet tasting, full profile tasting beer, a work of art.

The pdubyah-o-meter seems intent on making this a 10.  I can't find a reason not to. Looks great, pours well, delivers grate aroma, taste like the label says it will.

A bit in love with this then, and will probably go get some more tomorrow if I'm not grounded after #PhilsBeerFest14 - one Saturday only.

If you like beer, and you like coffee, then get this, it really is a bit good.

I'm toying with the final bit on this, but they are good questions;

Am I enjoying this? Yes, double yes, I'm enjoying this very quickly.

Would I have another? If it was legal or something I'd go get one.

Would I sit out on an evening telling fibs and making up stories with a friend whilst drinking this? If we each had out own bottle(s) and a supply of  foodage. Because after this is Whiskey or somesuch.

BROWN ALE

Color ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. Lower in alcohol than porter, medium to full body flavor. Appropriate foods are apple pie, pork with brown sauce, beef vegetable soup and cheddar.

Related articles

• Rewired Brown Ale - 8 Wired Brewing

Beer - #281 - Dogfish Head - Palo Santo Marron

I wasn't going to have a beer today, but events conspired and I feel the need for solace.

This then the unusually named - Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron - Brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery in the style of an American Strong Ale and they are in Milton, Delaware USA

A 300ml bottle of a 12% ABV  beer, which weighs in at  360 calories per serving,  making this  3.35 standard drinks

Big Brown Ale aged on palo santo wood from Paraguay. This beer is a 12% abv, highly roasty, and malty brown ale aged on the wood of the Palo Santo tree from Paraguay. Palo Santo means "holy tree" and it's wood has been used in South American wine-making communities. We were lucky enough to get our hands on 20 blocks of the super-dense wood and the wood was added to the ageing tank after fermentation.

A big nose of chocolate on opening, and rich fruits, pours thick dark dark brown, with a small and fading head that leaves to a thin film of brown. The aroma doesn't seem to stay, but moves to more a milk chocolate note.

That's a really big mouthfeel of beer. Rich and full and rich and full and long and rich. This tastes amazingly thick. There is a bunch of tongue tip bitterness that moves to the end as you drink this, the delivery of the darker sweeter notes taking the centre quite easily.

You can get a sense of the alcohol content in this, you'd be strange if you couldn't.

Truly then this is a beer that I'm enjoying, it's got a lot of the good things about it, a cracking mouthfeel, intense chocolate and rain notes, but it lacks the head and lacing. The bitterness is an adjunct to the overall flavour, and is at the acceptable level for me.

I can tell already that I shouldn't have started with this, as it is a big beer in many ways.

The pdubyah-o-meter says that this is a 9 and great! on the  scale of things. I can't see this being to everyone's taste, there is a fair crack of the alcohol astringent with this as it warms up a bit. but I really love the fullness of the way this tastes, the dark roast fruity chocolate notes and the wash of bitterness. Gosh.

 

Get in!

AMERICAN STRONG ALE

Not a style, per se, but the only logical category to incorporate the plethora of strong, stylistically vague beers coming from American micros these days. Some are related to English Strong Ales, but with more hop, while others are ultra-strong variants on the IPA theme. But no matter how varied their origins or characters might be, all are intense, potent, with generous quantities of hops and malt

Related articles

• Palo Santo Marron, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc, Milton, DE


• Beer Review: Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

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 #194 - Rogue - HazelNut Brown Nectar

And another of the seemingly endless concoctions from Rogue - this one Rogue HazelNut Brown Nectar.

Brewed by Rogue Ales in the style of a dull as ditch water sounding  Brown Ale and they haven't moved from Newport, Oregon USA last time I drank a beer from them.

A nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale. Dark brown in color with a hazelnut aroma, a rich nutty flavor and a smooth malty finish.

33IBU's which I would have thought a Porter type bitterness, this a 6%ABV beer, in a US Pint bottle making it 3.1 standard drinks.

So the expectations are set by it's type. Mildly bitter dark beer, throw in some nuts.... well hazelnut extract to be accurate.

Nothing on opening to suggest anything. It's dark brown, light thin head, still no aroma, which is weird, or not. It's sold on taste not smell.

And well, what's to tell you. Meh comes to mind. I was kind of expecting a Nutella burst sensation. I got thin and lifeless.

Sure there is a hazelnut back note, but if you know it's there you stop it, it's not the 'thing' the 'centre stage'

So what have you got really? In essence a mildly bitter dark beer, with a background of "Something" that we know as "Hazelnut"  and only then if you know, I'd not be able to pick it in a blind test if I was being honest.

Disappointed the pdubyah-o-meter says 5. This is pretty average, in my own opinion only. Perhaps I was led on by the rest of the Rogue Gallery. There isn't much to reflect on with this, it's a ho-hum so-what kind of beer, it's just then just a beer. It's not a terrible beer, it's just a beer.

Online reviews suggest I'm in a minority in not liking this, then that makes it my taste, I know that Rogue make many a fine beer, and I'm still a fan.

Related articles

• Beer of the Week: Rogue Good Chit Pilsner (headoverbeers.wordpress.com)


• Rogue Mocha Porter (tobysbeerreviews.com)


• Beer #193 - Rogue - Voodoo Doughnut Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Ale (pdubyah.com)

Beer - #59 - Eagle vs Dog Episode 2 Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster

Yes "Eagle vs Dog Episode 2 Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster"  Which is brewed by the Golden Eagle Brewery, in the old school style of a Brown Ale in Rolleston, New Zealand. Now Andy Capp used to drink Brown Ale.....

Born from a melding of cultures whilst on the run from the Vogon fleet. Utilising brewers born under the Long White Cloud and St George’s Cross. Incorporating German, English and Canterbury malts, lashings of New Zealand and American hops, shaken not stirred Christchurch artesian water and a well bred American yeast. Ideal after a meal at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, the effect of drinking a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Cheers, Sean and Dave.

So a 500ml of 7.5% ABV beer with a novella of a label ..... This is a Beer. Smells like a Beer. Looks like a Beer. pours like a beer. Honest to goodness beer.

It's dark like a stout, and a nice head of foam, only a slight bitter hop on the aroma. It's looks the part.

This is, I have to say, a barnstormer of a good beer, it's got taste for Africa. I got Coffee, Malt, chocolate, I'm still getting it, this is a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster of a a beer.  It has a sweet bitterness and lots of depth. I am impressed. I am however easily impressed.

You know, from my previous musings that I like the Epicurean Coffee and Fig, I'd like to be able to afford of having a taste-off with this. Sponsorship welcome.

Golden Dog make that totally awesome Apache Amber that made me all gooey.

This is the equal to any good stout / brown ale that I've had. It's a lazy 9 from 10 - on the pdubyah-o-meter and it arbitrary scale of things. Show me a better beer. Every mouthful is a joy and a journey, I think I'm in love.

Related articles

• Beer - #52 - Apache American Amber Ale (pdubyah.com)