Beer - #512 - Golden Eagle - Citradel

Mash-up beer, Mish-Mash music, mixed numbers and a mixed gathering.

Another of the FYO beers to keep me going along, this one Golden Eagle Citradel.

Extremely pale and delicate malt supporting a big hit of fresh stonefruit – peach and nectarine. Very quaffable!

Brewed by Golden Eagle Brewery  in the style that is of an American Pale Ale and it comes from Christchurch, New Zealand.

1 litre of a beer that is 4.5% ABV, 25 IBU things, 135 calories a serve size and this bottle is 3.55 standard drink units

[caption id="attachment_10047" align="alignright" width="300"] Man in the shop said it was worth a crack[/caption]

This Anglo-American Pale Ale is made from NZ Lager malt, American Citra Hops and English Yeast, its just a little bit different!!

What could go wrong with that.

Crikey that flip top fairly exploded open, can't wait to be had.

Aroma is mostly grass.

Straw yellow pour, but without the head that the opening pop suggest might be in there, looks nicely carbonated though. Stating the obvious really.

Aroma is strong of that aroma akin to 'cat's pee'. That's been a while since I had that in a beer. Also a lot of wet grass/straw. Doesn't make it a bad thing.

It has a lot of bitterness, and this carries in the whole, and into the finish, it seems to drink in a fairly crisp and dramatic way.  But It seems to be one dimension without any thing around the edges to help it along or contribute.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 6 a of its things from the thing. I'm disappointed. This is somewhat incomplete and lacks something that would bring it up, I know it's lover ABV should make it a 'session' beer but I don't think I could go the distance and wouldn't have another but for the fact that I have the whole thing to get through, Not one of the best beers I've ever had.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Not really.


2. Would I have another? I'm sure once I finish this bottle that'd be enough.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I don't think I could.

It was an Annie Lennox kind of evening, from her new Album "Nostalgia" which is better than it should be, and songs that seem to have been picked sympathetically and sung a bit goodly. This is "Georgia on my mind"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlM8Ay-4u4

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 - #482 - Golden Eagle - The Bitter End

British Beer,  Discovered genius , Imperial Numbers, and Bragging

Our English Bitter has been referred to as the most authentic English Bitter in New Zealand. 

This is a new beer, leastways I've not seen it in bottles before, from the Golden Eagle people this the is  The Bitter End. They contacted me by email to heads-up on some new bees they have, I like that.

Brewed by Golden Eagle Brewery in the style that is a Bitter and they are based in Christchurch, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_9718" align="alignleft" width="300"] It really is....[/caption]

This is a 500ml bottle, and it's at 4.4% ABV, which seems authentic, at 30 IBU and 132 calories a serve,  this makes all up 1.74 standard drink units in the bottle.

True to style a Special English Bitter brewed with Bramling Cross here in NZ.

Full bodied with a great malt backbone to support the superb blackcurrant flavours from this wonderful hop variety

What could possibly go wrong?

English beer pub aroma, musty hops.

Did my best but this does not pour with a head, and almost seemed a bit flat, but it wasn't, a head of sorts more a film appears. I really did try I wanted a foam moustache.

Aroma in the glass is really un-missable English bitter.

Nicely bitter, felt like a nice caramel malt middle and finish that was dry/musty. There is a tartness at the back of this though, that's not something I remember well though. Doesn't sit so well either in the scheme of things.

But the upside of this outweighs the downside as it really is quite the refreshing beer.  And it's from New Zealand.

Now, the problem, and of course there is one. The price. I can wander down my local English importer store, or Supermarket, and pick up a variety of English beers from ol' blighty. Some of them quite good, some of them cheaper than this locally produced version.

It is a problem, because some English bitters are good, some very good and well regarded. I accept that this is crafted locally and all that, but I'm not getting a premium over something that is from the source, as it were.

I think that this is good as beer is. but it's a thing that I'd probably argue against in a board meeting, sure I'd probably lose, but this brewer has other beers that are a head above this, and for me I'm not going to go all 'craft' and 'batch' for English Bitter. I'm just not.

Said though this might fit a gap in the craft market, IPA are 10 a dozen, stouts galore, the odd barley wine, some Saisons, some Pilsners and lagers, the 'Bitter' market does not appear to be over addressed, I've had something like 14 English bitters, from England and this is the first New Zealand one in that list.

You see how I lost my own argument there, in a sense, but I'm going to be stubborn and stand my grand on the 'why?' question.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. In this instance though as much as I like this it isn't a beer that it going to be finding a home in the fridge on a regular basis. There are other English Bitters that I'd rather go to, because English.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, it's rather tasty and enjoyable.


2. Would I have another? There is a case for me having another, this available on tap, so might provide the full English Bitter session experience.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would because it's a bit of a wildcard in a well established and crowded field, brave stuff.

Joining me in this is brilliant yet under appreciated Sixto Rodriguez - this track is "I Wonder". An American gem that got somehow overlooked and lost for too many years. If you like raw and poet like, say, Dylan, you should like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMHdq4jm0oQ

"I wonder how many times you've been had
And I wonder how many plans have gone bad"

BITTER

A gold to copper color, low carbonation and medium to high bitterness. Hop flavor and aroma may be non-existent to mild. Great to drink with steak and lobster.

Beer - #481 - Golden Eagle - Solo Lupulus Metamorphic IPA

Long names, Long records, Long division and Long rambles.

Single hopped with Pacific Jade late in the boil, the Solo Lupulus Metamorphic showcases this hop and is very drinkable!

I had an email from the brewery person about some new beers, so I went out, and I got a couple,as you do.

Brewed by Golden Eagle Brewery in the style that is of India Pale Ale (IPA) and they are in Christchurch, New Zealand.

500 ml bottle,  7.3% ABV, making it 2.87 standard drink, and around 219 calories a serve size. 38 IBU things too, so thats about top end for English Bitter or Porter, low for an IPA.

[caption id="attachment_9704" align="alignright" width="300"] Sunny, New Haircut, new beer, it's all happening[/caption]

Formed from the pressure between colliding tectonic plates, Jade is a metamorphic rock with a beautiful green colour.

In New Zealand we grow beautiful green Pacific Jade on hop vines, plenty of which are crammed into this IPA.

As ornate as it is, we wouldn't advise you to wear it on a necklace.

Rather rich malty aroma on opening, that's like a good old fashioned English beer.

Great golden orange pour with a matching off white almost orange head, nice carbonation and looks great in the glass. Really sweet aroma almost like sugar syrup, it masks the hop aroma somewhat.

That's both orange and sweet and has a middling of bitterness, a reasonable length finish of more bitter and towards dry. That's a roller coaster that is.

This is much less hoppy than some IPA's that I've had and it doesn't rely on that sharp grassy bitterness to carry it to the detriment of other flavours, this one appears to lead with the flavours and adds the hop bite in to round it out.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing, it's a bit of a work of art and ideal for sitting the sun on a lazy afternoon. Choice.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes I really am.


2. Would I have another? Yes, but it would be the start of a waster afternoon.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Sit down, boy have I a story for you.....

The in-band are "The Vaselines", this is "High Tide Low Tide" from their new album "V For Vaselines"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aNWiCjVlPg

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.

Related articles

• One Nation, Under Hops: A Geographical Evolution of IPA


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Beer - #296 - Eagle vs Dog - Episode 3 Hitch-Hikers Guide Don’t Panic

Yes indeed. Eagle vs Dog Episode 3 Hitch-Hikers Guide Don’t Panic - an Imperial Wheat

From the Golden Eagle Brewery and brewed at Raindogs Brewing Co this one in the Style of a : Doppelbock and that's the go in Christchurch, New Zealand

Episode one being the Pilsner and Episode two being The Pan Galactic Gargle blaster which I drank ages ago and rated a 9.

A 500ml bottle this, and it's at 7.5% ABV making it 2.95 standard drink units, around 250 calories. I have high hopes.

[caption id="attachment_6390" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Selfie ![/caption]

"It's the first helpful or intelligible thing anybody's said to me all day."
If only this beer could be that simple. Complex clove and banana characters from a German yeast, plenty of malted wheat for a full body and flavour, and to top it off we over did it with the late and dry hopping.
IPA meets Hefeweizen sums it up. Apparently just the thing to help recover from a brain explosion after a third puff on a Fallian albino marsh worm

Which is all confusing and that.  Don't Panic is a common name or a beer, because I do research :-) Thais as far as I got, I have not idea if the others are part of a series like this one. I prefer direct plagiarism.

After a few heavier coffee oriented beers, this is real zesty and fruity on opening, really summer like,  you'd be a clown not to pick this as wheat based, and although I am a clown not this time.

This is a blindingly  good beer. There is a lots of summer, there is lots of lemons, orange zest, there is that lovely yeasty thing going on, it looks fantastic orange and has  a fluffy head that shouts of fun.

This is to summarise, just a bit good.

I know there are people that don't like the wheat beer, but they are so missing out on beer that has as a an integral part of their delivery flavour and refreezing things. You may not want a beer that is all about sherbet and Zing and Zang, but unless you're stuck in some bizarre OCD place you have to try to challenge yourself. This beer isn't a challenge, it's so different from a coffee vanilla porter as you can imagine, but I love to jump from one to the other,

This is, then, according to the the pdubyah-o-meter- a cracking 9 and bit's worth on the scale of things. It's not perfect. It's a bit 'dense' to look at as if its cloudy when it it isn't. The sharp notes don't quote reach their promise, but this pours great, looks great and drinks great. A few things to tweak and this would be stunning.

It's lovely and full in the mouth, a full-ish mouthfeel, the aroma stays and carries and you get delivered a lovely orange zestiness that isn't sharp or unwanted and just sits well.

This is nice. Very nice.

The Music this time : Bettye Swan because you need Soul.  Because also it's a bit good, and because MrsPdubyah thinks I'm pretty clever in picking music, it's all bluff.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pOkpwgOOiI&w=420&h=315]

DOPPELBOCK

Doppel means double and while these are stronger brews than the traditional German bocks, they are typically not twice the strength. Color is light amber to dark brown. Very full body with a high alcoholic flavor. Low hop flavor and aroma.

Beer - #68 - Golden Eagle South Island Pale Ale (S.I.P.A)

Rightly so, for a Friday, Golden Eagle South Island Pale Ale (S.I.P.A),  this on Brewed by Golden Eagle Brewery and they make this in the style of an English Pale Ale they're in Rolleston, New Zealand.

500ml of a 5.5% ABV beer then.

Pure Canterbury water,barley and Nelson hops are brought together with passion to create this classic pale ale - they say

I say... smells like hops, which is a good sign. And I have a cold so they must be a bit there, since I got nothing else from the pour, which is deep golden colour with a decent head. So far so good. I did lie a little I can smell the hops :-)

And that it  delivers tartness, but not a bitterness,  I like that, big strong hops. I don't get any maltiness, no caramel no toffee under-tones.  I don't know if it's my cold that makes me miss the it, I'm sure it's there. Or not. Who knows. It makes no difference it's a a good beer.

7 from 10 is how the pdubyah-o-meter reacts on this, and I won't be budged.  It's well carbonated and the burp wasn't something I enjoyed.  Is this something I'd offer a friend? I might, but with this hop-ness you ought to be sure of your friend.  I think this is a strong, i.e. well crafted, beer and I'm glad it's been something I discovered, nice work Golden Eagle. Is it a "go-to" beer? not for me, this one, but that doesn't make it bad, just not quite where I'm at.

Related articles

• Imperial IPA Review: Pond Hopper Double Extra Pale Ale (epikur.us)


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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)

Beer - #52 - Apache American Amber Ale

Apache American Amber Ale -  Brewed by Golden Eagle Brewery, in the style of an Amber Ale, and is brewed in Rolleston,  Just outside Christchurch, New Zealand.  It delivered in a convenient (pint) 500ml 5.6%ABV bottle.

Pure Canterbury water, barley & American hops are brought together with passion to create an amber ale with Zest!

Been around since 2002 or thereabouts. It's very hoppy and dark for an "amber ale"  which lead me to this discovery since I was really expecting 'amber' and not "dark'....

American Amber / Red Ale - Primarily a catch all for any beer less than a Dark Ale in color, ranging from amber (duh) to deep red hues. This style of beer tends to focus on the malts, but hop character can range from low to high. Expect a balanced beer, with toasted malt characters and a light fruitiness in most examples. The range can run from a basic ale, to American brewers who brew faux-Oktoberfest style beers that are actually ales instead of lagers.

An then I went "ahhh" I get it now. So turning the frown upside down your starter for 10 is "can I pour a beer with a head?" and you'd be right. Not this time.

Crikey that's hoppy. Very hoppy, a loud surprise hoppy- again crickey. That's somewhat pleasant. Wow, I'm totally at peace with the fact that mu ignorance leads to me a red ale, rather than something else. And having just had a "Leprechauns Belle" at the "Deep Creek Brewery" that won a bronze I can tell you the bar must be pretty low for that award. This is hands down a better beer by heaps.

Ok so else I get Hops, of course, and a pleasant malt that adds enough sweet to make this really somewhat a game of two halves. The hops makes you think of a bitterer mouthfeel the underlying malt taste balances that very well.

Lest I talk more nonsense I'll award some arbitrary points on the pdubyah-o-meter, and I can't lie this is 9 from 10. and it's a high 9 not a down-marked 9. If I could pour one with a head, and it had better lacing it's be 9.5 :). This is something of a pleasant and rewarding beer, and I'm really impressed, and for the jaded me that's something I look for.

In the adventure that is craft beer there are never many surprises, often you get too much carbonation, or mis-balance of hops, or malt, a thinness. Today I'm really quite impressed that I had to sit up and pay real attention to a fine beer. Seriously, try this, you'll be impressed.

The lovely people at Liquorland in Forest Hill for their selection deserve a mention.

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