Beer - #652 - Liberty - Pacific Rim

Winner beer, winner music, winning numbers and winners party

As the Japanese say, “Hayaku”(hurry up)…

From the fill station, a keg only beer, giving me 1 litre of a beer that is 6.4% ABV, making this  5.0 Standard drinks per litre - this is around the 190 calories a serve size.

Brewed by Liberty Brewing Co in the style that is India Pale Ale (IPA) and they're based in Auckland, New Zealand

So juicy is the hop flavour and aroma, you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a fresh hop brew.


This Limited Edition American style IPA continues Liberty’s tradition of taking on exciting craft beer projects, blending hops from New Zealand and America with the rare, but distinctive Sorachi Ace hop from Japan.

Packed with fresh tones of lemon grass, dill and tea, this bone dry beer has incredible length of bitter flavours and a slightly salty finish making you want to reach for the salt and pepper squid.

As the Japanese say, “Hayaku”    (hurry up).

So what could possibly go wrong?  The beer was an overnight success, taking out the People’s Choice at the highly regarded 2015 West Coast IPA Challenge.

Beer - #646 - Hop Federation - West Coast IPA

West Coast Style, West Coast Music, West of the even line and Go West!

An all American Hopped West Coast IPA.

1 litre, as I was at the FYO station, of beer that is 6.7% ABV, and 70 IBU things, thats about 200 calories a serve size, and thats 5.29 standard drink units.

Brewed by Hop Federation Brewery in the style that is India Pale Ale (IPA) and they are in Riwaka, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_11628" align="alignleft" width="300"] Saturday on my mind...[/caption]

A marmalade nose, with a big tart grapefruit palette that sticks around until the very last mouthful.

Clean dry finish

You think being in Riwaka (they named a hop variety after it) that it would be local but no it has Chinook, Centennial, US Cascade hops.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Grassy hop and a slick of sweetness when I flip the lid, it smells sticky,

It really is a terribly pretty colour of orange brightness, and pours with a lovely light white head, the hop aroma in the glass is the same, the stickiness no so much.

The taste.

Well.

I don't know.

It's not such a big banger, I mean this isn't face scrunching nor is it arid dry at the finish.

The bitterness is 'bright' by what I mean that it's urgent and sharp but at one point, the front, although the linger, the aftertaste is grass tangy slightly.

It is high on citrus, and not eating grapefruit I'm going to bow to that descriptor, and having left it for a few minutes it is notable that the dryness is increasing, this might though be palate fatigue, which would be hard since I've had only a half glass.

It's difficult when you don't connect to a beer to be enthusiastic or pick the high points, this isn't a bad beer, not by any measure is is a bad beer. Obviously though it doesn't click with me.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 of its things from the thing. I don't think it's bad, it isn't I don't however think it's good in the sense that I'm enjoying 'chewing' the mouthfeel and enjoying the malts and hops. This seems to be too peaky in the bitterness and not so much carry in the body.  This might be how the West Coast likes it though, give me this in the summer and I bet I'd be a bigger fan. Possibly a more summer quencher enjoyment beer than a late winter soother.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? I am enjoying it, it's peaky and bitter and not at all unrewarding, it's easy drinking and made me smile.
Would I have another? I would, this is a decent beer.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would so that I could get to the bottom of the taste profile and understand what I think I'm missing or not.

Music for this. Music for this was “The Brian Jonestown Massacre” an American neo-psychedelia band formed in San Francisco in 1990. The band’s output spans psychedelic rock, folk rock and shoe gaze. The Album " Revelation " which I have on the Spotify

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo2Kkq4xcJ8

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 - #632 - Shakespeare - The Bastard

Well now, The Shakespeare - The Bastard Red IPA. This is a bit exciting. The Shakespeare Tavern is constantly listed as a go-to venue for beer in Auckland. So I have Exciting beer, Excitable music, exciting maths and party excitement

Unpasteurised, unfiltered, small batch brew 

500ml bottle of a beer that is beer of 5.9% ABV making it 2.4 standard drink units, that around 176 calories a serve size.

Brewed by Shakespeare Tavern & Brewery in the style that is India Pale Ale (IPA) and they are in central Auckland, New Zealand.

[caption id="attachment_11458" align="alignleft" width="300"] Wax Lyrical....[/caption]

Hop lovers want an ale that's unapologetic. 

The Bastard combines imported malts, with five different hops for a shambles full flavoured ale.

So what could possibly go wrong? A brewer that waxed and waned and appears, might have,  got back on track, possibly. This is the first beer I've had from here for since  ages. Lets go!

More a malt aroma than anything when I open this.

Pour is a lot paler than I expected, it's a lighter orange brown, and a lovely head!.

I was initially a bit disappointed,  having had one good IPA tonight, and reminded that the IPA style is fraught with difficulty and interpretation. This one for me has a lot of malt aroma in it, and that might not be a good thing, and the bitterness is more a sourness.

It's supposed to be a red IPA, which confused me, I've had some recently and this didn't remind me of that either.

I'm kind of ok with that high sourness note, that might be the reach for the 'red', but it's a bit of a reach, there isn't a lot of body or carry or a lot of thing going on in this that would assist you to that conclusion.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 of its things from the thing. I'm far from convinced that this is a red IPA. I'm not a fan of the high malt aroma that this has, and it is a bit muddled in the drinking. Not a complete disaster, but not a brilliant IPA either, red or otherwise.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? Honesty box time, and it's a no from me.
Would I have another? They have a range in bottles, I might go again, what's what worst that could happen?
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Not this one no I don't think it has enough or carries enough for me to be brave enough. As the bard might have said 'Swing and no ding' on this one.

Music for this ' Sun Kil Moon ' an American folk rock act from San Francisco, California, I'm listening to the album ' Among The Leaves ' on the Spotify this video will give you an idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBNdOTu2Wn0

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.

Beer - #631 - House of Nicholas – Sarah

Sarah is an IPA. It's fairly secretive about what it is, so I have Secret beer, a musics secret,  secret numbers and a secret from a party.

A moderately strong British-style ale with a focus on the hoppy aroma and dry finish

500ml bottle, brewed by The House of Nicholas, in the style that is of  English IPA, which I presume just to mean IPA, since they started in England and everywhere else has just taken a spin on it? I'm in a surly mood though.  This is a collaboration beer between Luke Nicholas of Epic and Simon Nicholas of Hop Federation.

An uncommonly media shy and reluctant beer in a 500ml bottle that is beer of  30 IBU and 5.7% ABV, and it comes in at 2.2 standard drink units, and about 168 calories a serve.

[caption id="attachment_11450" align="alignright" width="300"] Royal regal and ready to be drunk, the beer not me[/caption]

First brewed for Craft Beer Capital's Hopstock fresh hop beer festival, this beer celebrates a common ancestor between the two "Sarah" from around the time of the first IPA's (1700's). 

The latest version is a 5.7% IPA brewed using traditional dry processed hop pellets as wet hops or "fresh hops" are only available during harvest in March

So what could possibly go wrong?

The aroma is of a beer that is very brightly hopped, no mistaking what leads here.

IF it was a beauty completion this would be a winner, it is as pretty as a picture and pours lovely more to pale orange with a lovely head that loses its persistence and settled to a thickish film.

Taste is interesting, it's not overly bitter and then there seems to be a gap between the initial taste and the lovely finish. I'm trying that again.

This isn't then a crashing explosion of over hopped beer, it is very measured and paced, delivering a lovely drink of some quality. Respect.

Aroma is a highlight, so is the easy mouthfeel, this is very drinkable, and moorish, has a lovely finish that is just a tough of bitter dry and a lovely lingering taste, but all very subtle.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 of its things from the thing, it is very good. Lovely drinking, almost a session drinking beer, or perhaps it is a session beer and I don't get out often enough, I think that if you like IPA in an original and genuine way then this is a brilliant start, it's a marvellous take on a very common beer with uncommonly good results.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? Very much so.
Would I have another? I would indeed, this is quality.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would because it has a back story, and is a genuine beer, nothing outrageous, extravagant, special or seasonal, it's a good stock beer, a very good stock beer, from good stock. Huzzah!

Music for this, well local is as local does so Virginia Claire "Gin" Wigmore (born 6 June 1986) is a New Zealand singer, and she has new album ' Blood to the Bone '  I'm listening on Spotify

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDNSQ7ccTGA

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.

Beer - #628 - Beavertown - Bloody ’Ell - the threepeat

Bottle, keg and now the can, The first beer I can recall where I've had all three versions. The still amusingly named beer from Beavertown -  Bloody ’Ell which I've had before in a bottle, and also from the keg.

"With every sip I get a little sad because I know it's coming to an end."

This version comes in a  330ml can, which contains a 7.2%ABV beer, which is of  70 IBU things, This can would be around 1.87 drinks in NZ, this is 216 calories in this serve size.

Brewed by Beavertown in the style that is an India Pale Ale (IPA) and they are in Hackney Wick, England.

We have never brewed a straight IPA at Beavertown, why change the habit of a lifetime!

[caption id="attachment_11424" align="alignright" width="300"] Man and a Can[/caption]

Here we take a stripped back IPA malt bill and highly hop it with the tropics of Amarillo and Citra and pile head on with kilos of Blood Orange zest and juice late in the boil, bringing you a smack of citrus and hints of warm orange aromas.

Softly carbonated with an oily mouthfeel, Bloody 'Ell is dry but sweet and fruity but bitter. Above all- it is awfully more-ish.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Popping the tab releases an immediate bust of grass citrus hop aroma, that is always welcome of course.

Pour is light marmalade orange and there is a local y white head of fluffiness. The aroma is light of hops, and a hint of a citrus.

Coarse dryness finish to a bitter front that leaves a tang in your mouth, It is very dry, particularly at the front middle of the tongue.

There is an orange zest or orange peel undertone to this that makes it quite exciting to drink without it being overly sweetening or intruding, it's a feature.

Lovely soft bitterness, lovely soft orange citrus notes and it just looks great in the glass, the head persistent and a lovely lacing in the glass as you sip.

The real pity is that there is just the one can, but that doesn't mean that I can't go get more cans, just not tonight.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 a of its things from the thing. This is nice, nicer than I recall from the bottle or the keg, the bottle I can understand but this, from a can seems to be rather spectacular. lips smacking good.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? This has really exceeded my expectations, it's like a taste explosion, a controlled demolition, it's all on point.


2. Would I have another? I've had three deliveries of this and the Can appears to win, couldn't drink it from the tin though, has to be in a glass.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I most certainly would be bringing this the the next shindig.

Music for this was ' Against Me! ' and ' Transgender Dysphoria Blues '  the sixth studio album by the punk band. Now forgive me if I smirk at it being 'Punk', particularly as I grow up right in that Punk Rock explosion around 1974.  Anyhow listen here on Spotify.  It is reasonably listenable and enjoyable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEE7iw5WYJI

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

• 21 Session IPAs, Ranked


• BEHEMOTH To Unleash Black IPA Beer - "Magick Is Happening!"

Beer - #627 - Bach Brewing - Duskrider *keg*

Duskrider - a Red IPA.  New old beers, new music, old numbers and a party is a party.

a ruby-red hue and a hop-forward fix

I have from the FYO station a 1 litre bottle of beer that is 6% ABV,  making it 4.73  standard drink units in NZ, and this 180 calories a serve size

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

[caption id="attachment_11410" align="alignleft" width="300"] It is very very red[/caption]

DuskRider is brewed with specialty malts for a ruby-red hue, and a hop forward fix of tropical fruits and citrus from US Cascade, Amarillo, Citra and Nelson Sauvin.

What could possibly go wrong? Well I've had this before and thought it was very impressive, it was from a bottle, and it was a while ago, I wonder if fresh from the keg is different.

It is a pomegranate red red beer, it's quite the thing.

Pop the flip top and a burst of hop aroma, grassy pine sweetness, it's a pretty smelling beer.

The picture does not to the red-ness of the pout justice, it is a lovely ruby/brown thing with a lovely white head of some substance.

Taste, well does not quite reach those giddy heights, but it is lightly bitter, and has a pervasive mouthfeel, but nothing by way of intrusive finish. It seems to be a pretty much front of mouth beer. If that makes sense, or another way might be all taste up front and enjoyable and no after-taste.

The tastes are of many things like fruits, and more tropical fruits, apricots, peaches and the like. This is an all action up front in-your-face (mouth) beer. There is no run-up it's all on all-in.

This is a fine drinking beer that delivers immediately and has no other surprises or layers to unravel before you, which is why I think it has such a strong following and fan base.

Where I now admit that I am really enjoying this, but also at the same time a bit annoyed by it as well, because it isn't all goodness and light, nectar and honey, no it isn't, and I'm not just being controversial.

Might as well go with the things I don't like about it, or the bits that annoy me bits, which are, in no order;

That it is what it is, you get it all first up, it does not develop. That might be all.

The aroma in the glass is almost stop the traffic wonderful. Sugar sweetness like toffee and a grassy carry,

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 a of its things from the thing. It is a thing of beauty and wonderment, it is balanced even steady predictable and enjoyable, it isn't edgy peaky bitter dry or challenging. It is a very very nice beer nicely done.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am in wonderment but not rapture.


2. Would I have another? You know I would, stop teasing!


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? You could take this out to your grandmothers and nothing would be said, and the beer drinkers would enjoy it and not have to say they did or comment they didn't, it's just good, very good.

' X Ambassadors ' and ' VHS  '  which I have on the spotify. They're an American alternative rock band from Ithaca, New York. It's that thumpy thumpy music that makes good well lit moody videos perhaps. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzP5KsYSGD0

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.

Beer - #626 - Ballast Point - Sculpin IPA *Redux*

I can't help it that I'm easily led. This time astray by the Ballast Point - Sculpin IPA. Again.

Something that has a sting but tastes great

At 7% ABV a one litre bottle is about 6.8 standard drink units in NZ, and some 210 calories a serve size. Comes in at 70 IBU things. 

Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company in the style of an India Pale Ale (IPA) and of course near Sea World in San Diego, California USA.

The Sculpin IPA is a testament to our humble beginnings as Home Brew Mart. Founded in 1992, the Mart continues to be a catalyst for the San Diego brewing scene, setting the trend for handcrafted ales.

[caption id="attachment_11402" align="alignleft" width="300"] I know what's coming![/caption]

Inspired by our customers, employees and brewers, the Sculpin IPA is bright with aromas of apricot, peach, mango and lemon. Its lighter body also brings out the crispness of the hops.

This delicious Ballast Point Ale took a Bronze Medal at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival in the Pro Am category.

The Sculpin fish has poisonous spikes on its fins that can give a strong sting. Ironically, the meat from a Sculpin is considered some of the most tasty. Something that has a sting but tastes great, sounds like a Ballast Point India Pale Ale.

So what could possibly go wrong with that?  I remember being a bit middling. I also know that this is regarded as being a bit of a winner. 

Aroma is sticky sweet pine, very rich sweet., the aroma is quite subtle and muted really, it's not a bit boast of a thing.

Pour is lovely golden orange with an excitable large fully white head os some substance. The aroma remains quite and reserved, a hint of grass and pine, but an over-riding sweetness. It's very inviting.

It's a burst of bitterness carried on a lovely sweet malt, delivering a lovely citrus fruity mouthfeel and a slightly to the dry finish, but not arid.

You can tell why this remains a firm favourite of IPA drinkers, it has pretty much all the boxes ticked, without any of the IPA madness that you can also get.

It's not shy on the alcohol content either, with it being slightly stronger than some beers, it's not a session beer, despite it's session drinking taste and profile.

Then though, what is is you want from a top shelf IPA? Well I'd have expected, bitterness, warm sweetness in the middle, some pine or citrus thing like grapefruit perhaps and a dry finish. Somehow this manages to dial down the bitterness and the sweet backbone somewhat, making this a very good standard IPA, but not memorable.

Thing is there are lot of really good middle-of-the-road IPA beers available, and I know that sometimes you keep reaching for the next level, this one though seem content to be in the pack and the the middle. Which is fine, because this is a fine beer. A very fine beer. Where I remember to remember that it's about this beer, not the beer I think I'm having or want, but the one I have.

I left it for a bit, and when I came back it had become 'sticker' in the tastes, a lot more resinous and piney, and sticky and lingering, all those things.  Does it make it better?

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 of its random things from the thing. It's very good, but it's then somehow it's become a middle of the pack beer. At one point this was the bar though, and it needs to be enjoyed and appreciated because it's very good. 

The double dip review

• Am I enjoying it? Yes, it really is accessible, enjoyable and moorish, it's just good.


• Would I have another? I've had a few, they're always the same, enjoyable etc etc


• Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? There is no reason that this wouldn't be welcome to any beer drinker, I'm sure the bitterness wouldn't or shouldn't put off any beer drinker, but I've been known to be wrong.

Music for this.  ' Tito & Tarantula '  who are an American chicano rock/stoner rock band formed in Hollywood California in 1992. This is a track  ' After Dark Snake Dance '

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvnL4dtqIY8

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.

Beer- #618 - Coronado - Islander IPA

Week two of BeerJerkNZ Beer Club. This week an IPA.  Mermaid beer, Siren Songs, Singing the numbers and Sea you at the party.

What would a mermaid drink?‏

The 330ml bottle of a 7% ABV beer, which is 75 IBU, and 210 calories a serving size, This would be around the 1.82  standard drinks worth.

Brewed by Coronado Brewing Company  in the style that is of India Pale Ale (IPA) and they're in, surprisingly, Coronado, California  USA

[caption id="attachment_11289" align="alignleft" width="300"] What would a mermaid drink[/caption]

Named after Coronado Island, our original India Pale Ale is a liquid expression of hometown pride.

Cascade, Chinook, and Columbus hops combine to provide an explosive burst of piney bitterness and lucioius notes of apricot, grapefruit, and mango that are sure to envoke imagery of swinging palms and sun-kissed shores

So what could possibly go wrong?

I thought I'd had this beer, I was wrong. I am often it should not be a surprise.

Wonderfully hoppy aroma on opening, of course I get passion fruit as an aroma, naturally the fruit not mentioned, so I'll pretend it's mango.

It's really a nice orangy orange pour with a fantastic sugary sweet aroma that comes through in spades in the glass, where you get to pick your tropical fruit of choice, Passion Fruit Mango for me. Very pleasant.

It's very crips to drink and the finish starts neutral but moves to dry as it settles and warms sightly.

The tropical hold their own in this not being subdued by the bitterness which remains in check and not over the top, this is possibly a beer you could have quite a few of before you cottoned on that it's higher in ABV, but then dive on in for another.

I like the fruitiness, I like the drier finish, and there sin't a dip from the top to the back on this, it is very well rounded and polished. I can't believe that I'd not had it before, I feel sheepish.

In the IPA category it's hard to be above beyond on at the front, this though should gather all those accolades around it because you'd have to go a bit further to find a better beer that isn't all in your face and one sided.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 of its random things from the thing. 9 is 'Very Good' and I had no problem with that, it probably more a 8.5, closer to 9 because it's just a nice drink.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? I am, I was surprised by the aroma, the palate and the finish.
Would I have another? I would love to have had a bigger bottle, but I'd easily go again.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Of course, this is a fantastic beer to share and share around, it should appeal to a wide range of beer drinkers as it's not totally overboard on hops and bitters, and has a wonderful aroma.

Music for this. Hard to believe this music is 40 years old! Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement. This is the track  'Horses' Which you can find here on the Spotify, and most other places I imagine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPwOfwhpiW8

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.

Beer - #610 - McLeods - Great Migration IPA

"The Great Migration", from McLeod's, a brewer in  Waipu that has morphed from or grown from being a pizza joint into something much bigger.

A Beautiful Monster

A 500ml bottle of a beer that is 6.8% ABV, so thats about 2.7 standard drinks, and 208 calories a serve size.

Brewed by the mysterious McLeod’s Brewery, this is in the style that is India Pale Ale (IPA), and they are in Waipu which is a ways north of me here in Auckland.

Big and bold, like the journey and those early settlers that took it on. A complex and flavoursome hop forward beer. Not for the faint of heart!

Slainte

[caption id="attachment_11211" align="alignleft" width="300"] A man with a great expectation let alone a great migration[/caption]

Ballsier than a 600km journey to find home. Big and bold whilst still satisfying.

Mighty citrus power is balanced with plentiful malts to make this a drinkable IPA.

A Beautiful Monster.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Nothing overly obvious in the aroma, other than I think it's sweet, as in sugary not 'sweet' as in 'Dude, sweet ride'.

Lovely dark chestnut pour with a decent air filled head of pure white that seems quite persistent.

I get an aroma that might be grapefruit in the glass, or sweeter like passion fruit, more likely the latter.

And that has a really interesting grassy hoppy bitterness, interesting in a brilliant and unusual way, and a grassy pine dry finish at the other end. One eyebrow raised a little, this is surprisingly a bit good.

I say surprising as in it's not really a widely known beer, and surprising as it should be.

Lots of those little point flavours like the passion fruits, the roughness of fresh grass, the under stated malt the lovely flavour on the dry finish, it's quite an understated performer and a bit of a gem really, and a really good take on the IPA style, a beer to savour enjoy and reflect upon.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 of its things from the thing. It is rather unusual to find a take on an IPA that isn't hop heavy or hop fronted that has allowed a bunch of flavours to be fore and centre.  8 is very good of things,  I think it might, for me, needed a bit more punch of malts and backbone, and although the flavour points have come to play I might become jaded and tired of them as it becomes more fruity as it warms, and therefore impression that might be just too sweet.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? I am, it's rather engaging and enjoyable, has a lot of things to like and a lot of things to take your attention.
Would I have another? I would indeed I bet it's good fresh on the tap, I might have to plan a trip.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would because this isn't an in-your-face beer, it's all a bit understated and engaging and you end up sipping and supping and just enjoying things.

Music for this is a NZ artist, Anika Moa, who has a new album called 'Queen at the Table', which you can listen to here on the Spotify, and all the other places probably. It isn't at all what you might expect.

This is a live version of 'Running'

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

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.

Beer - #608 - 8 Wired - HopWired IPA - a redux

Back to the future, with a beer that made me smile first time around, and since. This is the standard version of  Hopwired. From the keg.

Who has ever smelled a gooseberry??

A  1000ml  growler of about 5.76 standard drinks as it's 7.3% ABV. At 70 IBU it is at the higher end of IPA bitterness. 219 calories a serve size in this. 

8 Wired HopWired IPA. Brewed by  8 Wired Brewing , although brewed at Renaissance Brewing in the style that is: India Pale Ale (IPA) and that's all the thing in Blenheim, New Zealand.

We believe HopWired is the first bottled version of a true new world India Pale Ale made with NZ grown base malt and 100% truly unique NZ hops.

[caption id="attachment_11190" align="alignright" width="300"] Bearded man with a beer[/caption]

We bet you’ll find nothing else like it on the shelves. Although the malty sweetness is there, this beer is all about the hops. Unlike an American I.P.A. which will mainly hit you with a grapefruity-citrus flavour and aroma, the unique NZ hops used in HopWired are more like a tropical punchbowl: Passion fruit, lime, oranges and Sauvignon Blanc to name but a few.

A local Marlborough winemaker said it smelled like gooseberries... Gooseberries? Who has ever smelled a gooseberry??

Decide for yourself or just enjoy it without further complications. Cheers!

So what could go wrong?

Aroma is nothing outstanding, dry grass, dusty, perhaps some tangerine orange?

Pour is lovely it's a hazy orange brown, with a lovely decent firm and white head of some substance.  Aroma in the glass is still muddled.

Mouth explodes with a lovely toffee sugar richness, a lovely subtle bitterness, more caramel and a tang of a finish. Blink

Second sip has less of the sugar and more of the resin bitterness, then that big big caramel bash. It's very interesting.

Focus. Aroma has begun to bloom, but the aroma and the full bitter mouth explosion aren't matched. As it's warmed just a little the grassy hop note is stronger, and I've lost that caramel thing, I miss the caramel thing, I'm going to keep sipping looking for it.

This is a lovely drinking beer, it has bits and pieces that are there if you look for them, and overall it tastes like its well balanced and behaved, draws you in and embraces you.  I really do like that caramel sweetness that is ever present and really does counter the bitterness. Really.

I don't/can't have grapefruit and it's been so long since I had some, and I'm old, so any reference to citrus of course might mean grapefruit, today I chose tangerine as my go-to citrus. It's a thing.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 of its things from the thing. I might not be as much in love with this as I was the first time we dated I drank it. It is many layered and changes as it sits/warms, sometimes really bitter, other times a warm sugar punch, but it is a rewarding and easy drinking beer of some loveliness. The 7.3% ABV thing isn't really apparent and you might get carried away and have more than you thought, enjoying it all, but end up tomorrow a little hazy on it.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? I am fully engaged with this great beer.
Would I have another? I am, and would and will, all versions and variants have been interesting and enjoyable.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I really would, this is more sipping beer though and not something to be quaffed away, but given the sweetness in it it's hard to remind yourself that you've got a long night of telling stories ahead, and the more of this the better the stories.

Music for this. well The Darkness are an English rock band from Lowestoft, Suffolk, England. More Glam Rock really. This is 'Barbarian' from the new album 'Last of Our Kind' which is here on the spotify

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR35pRz7JQ8

Sort of demands to be played loud.

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.

Beer - #605 - Panhead - Vandal (Fresh Hopped) keg

2015 and it's that time again, Fresh Hopped beers abound, and this is an old favourite in a current version. so Hop grassy beer, SuperGrass, Super numbers and all-in on party time.

Not only did the Americans invent hot-rodding, they invented hop-rodding too.

This is a 1 litre FYO bottle of an 8.0% ABV beer, and 90 IBU things which is  6.3 drink units in NZ,  This about  240 calories a serve size.

The Vandal is Brewed by Panhead Custom Ales in the style of an  India Pale Ale (IPA) and they're in Upper Hutt, New Zealand

In the late 1960's a Tauranga teenager called John Reid threw a kiwi hat in to that ring with the the famed "Vandal", a dazzling green flake 1919 Dodge Bucket.

[caption id="attachment_11129" align="alignleft" width="300"] Fresh, unlike me at the end of the day[/caption]

In his spirit we are rising to the other challenge with a beer named in his honour - a big, bitter APA stuffed with the tropical hit of Nelson Sauvin, Kohatu and Riwaka Hops.

Like any good hotrod, it's built to attract as much attention as possible.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Absolutely immense aroma of wet cut grass, sugars and a hint of a citrus.

Pour is pale, but you could tell, and a giant head forms, mostly on purpose because, hey, I can. Aroma in the glass is lovely.

Initial taste then. I thought this was slightly sour other than bitter, and there is lovely malt sugar thing there that offsets a little that thought, and I don't think this is particularly bitter bitter.

It is very green to drink, raw and insistent hop on the front end, and a finish that is slightly to the dry, the middle is fleeting but carries well.

Grapefruit. That's the one, it's quite tart and insistent.

For a beer that I thought I wasn't enjoying I appear to have sipped my way thought quite a bit of it. But I'm not totally engaged with it, for me this really is too 'green', just a bit raw and unfinished. It is nice to drink, but it isn't as polite or rounded or complete as other big IPA beers that I have had and enjoyed, I don't think it's as good as the time when I gave this a 10 that time I drank it. Seems such a long time ago.

This stands well in the great IPA category, and has, I think enough difference about to be near the front.  I could if pushed name 4 or 5 more rounded and even IPA beers, but this is as it says it is a vandal of immensnessness.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 of its things from the thing.  I don't seem to be enjoying this as a beer as much as I wanted to, and I think that appears to be the case in that the first time was the best and each other time has just fallen short of that strange memory thing where you think you literally had an epiphany.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, and I think I've been clouded by the first experience that you can never have again. Unlike when your wife walks into the room and that's just awesome every time.


2. Would I have another? I would, this is and remains a go-to beer.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I'd hesitate with this version but I'd take it anyway just because it is what it says it is, and I'm all-in on that.

Music. Well it was time to get the old 'in the day' thing going, and so it is time for 'Supergrass', the album  'In it for the money' - listen here on Spotify

Supergrass were an English alternative rock band from Oxford.England.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9xwduPKgnc

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.

Beer - #597 - Baylands - Woodrows Veto IPA

Friday means it is time for  Baylands Brewery and their Woodrows Veto IPA, from the keg. I've had this previously from a can I thought it was a bit good then.

A big hoppy IPA packed with American hops as recognition of Wilson Woodrow's hard work

1000ml of a bottle of 7% ABV beer, which makes it 5.52 standard drink units,  and it comes in at around 210 calories a serve, plus  it's a handy 65IBU things as well.

Brewed by Baylands Brewery this on in the style that is  American Pale Ale or IPA as it says on the tin. They are in Wellington, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_11045" align="alignleft" width="300"] The look of anticipation[/caption]

A big fruity IPA that’s loaded with American hops. 

Named in honour of Woodrow Wilson who tried, unsuccessfully, to veto the Prohibition bill.

So what could go wrong?

Aroma on popping the swing top is more syrupy grass than anything.

Pour is lovely dark orange with a small yet persistent head, it's clearly the beer doing that not me.

In the glass it's only mildly citrus fruity, that persistent head, yeah, na. The aroma is sweet malt, I can't go past that.

The taste though. It is softly bitter with a tang of grapefruit. The grapefruit is consistent with the last time I drank it.  I don't get the high hop content that I did last time though. Funny how different days do different things.

So, bitter, a bit drier on the palate and not so much the sweetness or the aroma.

I think that I'm beginning to overthink these things, my aim is to write what I think not second guess myself, focus!

Sadly though, tonight, at this time, I'm not really into this. I did have two really nice beers earlier in the pub, the Deep Creek Yin- a Sauvin based IPA and their Dominatrix a DIPA. But I've been busy with other things in the last 6 hours and I didn't think that it would have played a part? I'm not an expert.

For all that I've managed to drink a fair bit in no time at all.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. Either I'm off or this is.  Off as in off form not funked or undrinkable off.  I think it's me. I may have had a few IPA beers recently and that might have given me the jaded outlook, I'm looking for the next big hit.

There was a bit of a feeding gap and I came back, it's warmed but hasn't really improved my mood, it's still lovely bitter, but it lacks the other things I remember and fondly recall.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, but not like I want to be.


2. Would I have another? I have another.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I might though, this is a fairly decent beer with no edges for the unwary, bitter, dry, tangy, even if I didn't get the aroma burst, it's still good enough to show off, even if we don't end up talking about it.

Music continued with David Gray, who  is an English indie rock singer-songwriter, so a bit of a throwback day. This is a track Please forgive me that I think is lyrically a bit good. This was off a best of that you can listen to here on the Spotify

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

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

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.

Beer - #596 - Beavertown - Bloody ’Ell

The still amusingly named beer from Beavertown -  Bloody ’Ell which I've had before in a bottle, this is from the keg.

"Blood Orange IPA" Zest and juice of blood oranges were put in the kettle at the end of the boil. Big rounded modern IPA full of orange flavours.

From the keg at the FYO station, 1 litre bottle of a 7.4% ABV beer,  220 calories give or take for a standard serve, and this in NZ is  5.68 standard drink units equivalent. Also this is 70 IBU things.

Brewed by Beavertown in the style that is an India Pale Ale (IPA) and they are in Hackney Wick, England.

We have never brewed a straight IPA at Beavertown, why change the habit of a lifetime!

[caption id="attachment_11028" align="alignleft" width="300"] Orange like a fake tan[/caption]

Here we take a stripped back IPA malt bill and highly hop it with the tropics of Amarillo and Citra and pile head on with kilos of Blood Orange zest and juice late in the boil, bringing you a smack of citrus and hints of warm orange aromas.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Looks great in the bottle, a cloudy orange, aroma on popping the swing top is mostly grass, and some sweetness of malt. Something vaguely spice too, a hint more than anything.

Pour is a cloudy orange  beer, with a lovely decent white and fluffy persistent head. I get much more pepper in the aroma, caught me a bit made me cough in surprise in the way it does.

Much less bitter than I remember with an interesting back of sweetness. It really is quite pleasant.

I remember from the last time I drank it that I thought it was bitterer and convoluted. From the keg I don't think the same.

This is really smooth drinking, I mean really smooth, there is no catch of bitterness up front. no tap of dryness at the back, the whole just washes over like a comfort. It is very comforting.

Don't know if the blood red oranges are for show though, I might have thought that there would be more tartness. Not disappointed though, this is a steady drink that I think I could be very happy with. Lucky really because I do have another glass and bit to go. No rush though, it'll be there when I get to it.

I'm going to let it warm up a bit, with restraint I can add since I'm keen to sit and enjoy. Who am I kidding.

Is it though an IPA to die for?, an IPA that is hop front and dry at the finish?, something that bangs it's drum in your mouth?. No, no and no. But that shouldn't be a show stopper, because as an IPA this is quite a good example, if a bit on the lower side of the peaks that I enjoy in a beer, it's all fairly restrained and a bit muted.

I like the citrus notes (there are some) and they dance around a bit, the finish becomes slightly drier, the whole becomes more a journey through a landscape. Which is quite poetic of me really, for a beer, I might need an intervention.

This is much nicer at the slighter warmer state, the grassiness is more, the citrus tang more, and the dryness states away, the overall very pleasing.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. I go out of my way for a 8 beer on a tap. 8 beers on tap are wonderful things that need to be sought out.  A very mellow and enjoyable beer that I'd be happy to sit and have a few of in a pub and watch the world go by.

I'm off to study how to write haiku, this is worthy of one.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I seem to be at one with this beer, on this day and in this light, that is. It is much calmer and less bitter, and more soothing and edifying than I expected and that's a good thing.


2. Would I have another? Thank you kindly I think I will.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would be happy to turn up with this and a section of a cheese and crackers to fill those gaps between the conversation, which today might be on all sorts of things moral and right.

Music for this was "The Brian Jonestown Massacre" an American neo-psychedelia band formed in San Francisco in 1990. The band's output spans psychedelic rock, folk rock and shoe gaze. This is from an album called "Musique de Film Imaginé", you can listen to the tracks on the Spotify here 

This is a track Philadelphie Story (with Soko)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r3ddNGz1C8

The album is a soundtrack for an imaginary French film, and pays homage to the great European film directors of the late 1950’s and 1960’s such as François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard.

I have to say I found the album a bit of a challenge and not as good as the album "Revelation" which is like chalk to cheese and which I really do enjoy (also on the spotify here)

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

• Review: Two uncommon IPAs


• Review: Notch Left of the Dial IPA


• IPA, or India Pale Ale


• Here's How the IPA (Really) Got Its Name! - Food News


• How many calories are in your beer? Take our quiz and find out!


• Brian Jonestown Massacre - Musique De Film Imaginé

Beer - #586 - Good George - IPA

In a Squealer! Squeal of delight, squeal like a teenager, s=ql, and it's a party squee!

Smells like: Lemon, fresh cut hay, herbal.  Tastes Like: Mandarin, grassy, pithy.

(Disclaimer: although it’s an India Pale Ale, it was actually made here in Hamilton)

This is in a 1 litre bottle *actually 946, which is 32 OZ, fresh, from the factory, 5.8% ABV, so about 174 calories a serve, and this bottle is about 4.7 standard drink units in NZ

Brewed by Good George Brewing in the style of the India Pale Ale (IPA)  and they are in Hamilton, New Zealand. The 'Tron- city of the future.

[caption id="attachment_10905" align="alignright" width="300"] Good Gravy[/caption]

Inspired by the heady, spicy lemon aroma of fresh German hops.

Rich malty sweetness perfectly balanced with hoppy, mouth-coating bitterness makes this drop magically moreish.

What then could possibly go wrong?

Light hiss, and a muted aroma of hops on opening the twisty lid. There is an unusual aroma in this, a strange fruit.

Pour is a lovely pale yellow, and a decent foamy head.

Aroma there is none.

It is lightly bitter, not big, not biting, just there.  Lightly grassy taste, but with something citrus lurking not really being in front. Lovely linger though lots of lip smacking going on. Not dry either at the back.

Fairly middle of the road then really. Truth is though we have an embarrassment of excellent IPAs in this country. A seriously goodly amount of riches.

In and of itself there is nothing at all wrong with this beer, when however you think about the competition, and at the slightly higher ABV this would begin to struggle to hold it's own on the taste and wallop, perhaps.

I do miss an aroma though, that harbinger of the tang on the tongue. I'd add one of those if I could.

At the half-way mark then.Still not setting any worlds alight with must have things that other beers should have, this is really just doing a number quietly and well on it's own. I'd be happy to sit in a pub and have this a few times, add some food things, perhaps a while longer. A beer to get you to a happy place but not in a rush about it.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. 8 is 'very good' and this indeed is very good. I'd suggest that the timid beer drinker would find this a right treat of a thing to get them into an IPA. The seasoned IPA drinker might sniff, but on reflection would smile that they've enjoyed a beer that has not a of downside but a few things they might miss on the upside if they were after a hop front/heavy beer. Which I wasn't.

I did sneer, then I took stock and I smiled. Good work George.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I so am! 


2. Would I have another? I so would!


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? for many reasons, the bottle is dinky, the beer is unassuming, and it's just a bit good and right for a few things.

Musically it's not teenage squealing though, I lied again, this time it's The Charlatans (known in the United States as The Charlatans UK) are an English indie rock band. They're a bit hit and miss but overall a good and  pleasant surprise. This is off the album "Modern Nature" and it's "Let the good times be never ending" Listen here on Spotify, or all the other places probably.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIoY7Wg1_LY

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

Beer - #567 - Harrington's - Brewers’ Selection India Pale Ale

Brewers selection, artiststic interpretation, interpretive numbers, and party interpretations.

".. a crisp bitterness and the orange marmalade flavour notes.."

This is the brewers standard 500ml bottle, beer that is 7.4% ABV,  222 calories a serve size, 60 IBU things, and 2.9 standard drink units.

Brewed by Harringtons Breweries (Christchurch) In the style this is India Pale Ale (IPA) and they do that in, or course,  Christchurch, New Zealand

This brewers’ selection release celebrates none other than then hop.

[caption id="attachment_10698" align="alignleft" width="300"] Posh label lots of little words, my poor old eyes it never ends well[/caption]

Whilst definitely in fashion at the moment, we normally look towards superbly balanced brews.

However, we decided it was time to put our stamp on the current trend for big hoppy brews and what better style to stretch our legs than an Indian Pale Ale... ... At 7.4% it’s a big bold beer, with a crisp bitterness and the orange marmalade flavour notes imparted by our 7 -yes seven- hop additions. This imparts a gorgeous resinous aroma and a finish that hangs around to remind you to take another sip.

So what could go wrong? Break out the posh glass...

It's a bit 'old school' to try an tutor our audience, and I'm a bit at odds with "Brewers' Selection' as a thing, the same though as I guess "Special Reserve' Harrington's go one further and also have a "Premium" selection.  At odds because the 'Brewers' Selection' appear to be all year round beers.

Anyhoo...  I'm looking forward to a 'big' IPA. Got to sop those ' ' things too.

My initial take on the aroma is of bready yeast, and somehow passionfruit.

Pour is rich chestnut and a head the size of humpty, noisy beer too you can hear the bubble action. Aroma would be a struggle through the clouds.

It settles, and I still smell bready yeasty thing.

Bitterness level isn't high. Malt level is. Finish isn't of much. I'm wanting to like this more than I initially am. The head falls away, slightly and some more of the floral, mostly fruit aroma comes to the fore.

This isn't a "big hoppy' beer. Not even. It is more like a polite guest, but one who talks loudly,  Big in ABV (relatively) but it's not big in either bitterness or layers or peaks of flavour.

This is a gentle IPA, it might even be one that someone how wants to venture into IPA's in general would transition through, for me though it just isn't big enough, nor does it's ABV level make up for it.

I'm loathe to be unnecessarily disparaging about a beer, but this is just a bit average. Not awful average, but just not cut to run with the big boys, or the brewers who've gone all-in on IPA's as a style.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. I'm not convinced that the amount of malt sweetness in this justifies the lack of bitter hop peaks that I might have been looking for. It, for me, isn't a great IPA beer.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Not really, it promised so much in the tiny writing (that I couldn't read) that I'm sure I'd be even more miffed if I' d read it.


2. Would I have another? Not of this, except that it is easy drinking, and I could be persuaded. I'd have liked more peaks in flavours.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I couldn't hand of heart bring this as a showcase of a beer style. So no.

Note: I was provided this beer by the brewer to try and review, without catches,  this is 1 of 12 should wonder about the sudden love of a brewer out of the blue. 

In a change of pace I'm listening to 'Short Movie’ – an album from Laura Marling, you can find it on the Spotify here 

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

Laura Beatrice Marling is a folk singer-songwriter and musician from Eversley, Hampshire, England.

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.

Beer - #563 - Panhead - The Vandal - from the taps

Variations on a theme, various music, varying number and various party recollections.

Not only did the Americans invent hot-rodding, they invented hop-rodding too.

This is a fyo bottle of 1000ml,  of an 8.0% ABV beer, which is  6.31 drink units in NZ, it's around 240 calories a serve size.

The Vandal is Brewed by Panhead Custom Ales in the style of an  India Pale Ale (IPA) and they're in Upper Hutt, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10657" align="alignleft" width="300"] Fresh beer, fresh shave, it's all happening[/caption]

In the late 1960's a Tauranga teenager called John Reid threw a kiwi hat in to that ring with the the famed "Vandal", a dazzling green flake 1919 Dodge Bucket.

In his spirit we are rising to the other challenge with a beer named in his honour - a big, bitter APA stuffed with the tropical hit of Nelson Sauvin, Kohatu and Riwaka Hops.

Like any good hotrod, it's built to attract as much attention as possible.

3rd time to the well with this, what could go wrong?

It really is a lot more pale yellow that it seems n that picture, it's almost orange juice yellow.

Citrus grass hops srping out as I pop the flip top. They run to peppery in the glass, no deep sniffing it'll make you splutter and that'll foam everywhere, it's that strong.

As is the first of blissful bitterness that follows the quick aroma wave as you take a drink.

Then came the frown, as this, from the tap, it seems isn't quite a fire-breathing monster that the bottle version are. Seems a lot of difference between the two too, since I was ecstatic the first  time I had this (It's on the 10 list).

What do I put that down to? Might be any number of things, from the shop to here is 20 minutes so It shouldn't have been badly treated. Might be that my taste that changed, and it got me on a good day way back when.

Parking that bus though, this is still quite a pleasing and pleasant drink.

Bitterness isn't as high as my rather poor memory recalls, and there seems to be a lot more softness and fullness in the middle, and the finish is rather short almost missing, or another way, it's not dry on the palate. My memory though plays tricks as this wasn't dry when I had it before, although it did appear to have more body malts than this does.

Disappointed? Only by my own faulty recollection that lead you down garden path of things not happened. Part of the reason I keep this diary.

A major stop and think moment, as it brings me back to what the diary is about, the beer I'm having now and what it does for me.

Then I burped a hop burp and remember that this really is a good beer despite my recollections, desires and previous thoughts.

Second glass time, and it does grow into itself as some of the sharper and earthier things become obvious, in a good way. There is more lemon type notes, and slightly more earthy hopness. It's not hard drinking, and I don't want to keep sipping and pontificating, a sure way to get the wobbles on

Last point then is that it does finish more dry than it did at the start, how good is my England becoming now I had all those sips!

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 of its things from the thing that is measures. That's a drop from the giddy heights of 'the list', then again it is only a list and it is arbitrary. I can't help it though this really is just a bit good, with lots of things that made it a '10' in the bottle. I might have to get another bottle to settle my own arguments with myself. That's not weird is it?

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, it arrives to the mouth with a waft of hops, then a wave of bitters, a fluff of middle and little slap at the back.


2. Would I have another? Yes, bring me moar beer! I would, if this was on-tap  go to it.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I really would, it is a beer that gets better as it warms and doesn't  go to early  or peak too soon, it's a very very good IPA in a field of about 'a lot' of IPA's.

Music. Well now there's a thing, I was twittered and given a link to a couple of songs. an artist by the name of "Ian Munro" has an EP out on the iTunes, "The Sense" It's on Spotify here  and I found an Acoustic song on the youtubes

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=977YdPf2P0I&w=420&h=315]

Does a cover of "Creep" too

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZlKRw4PZro&w=420&h=315]

 

Ian plays at the Fat Monk brew pub on a saturday afternoon, would be worth a look if you were in the area. Weirdly although I've seen Fat Monk beer in the stores I've never had one! Might have to work on that, and right a wrong.

IMPERIAL/DOUBLE IPA

Imperial IPA, Double IPA or DIPA is a strong, often sweet, intensely hoppy version of the traditional India Pale Ale. Bitterness units range upward of 100 IBUs and alcohol begins at 7.5% but is more commonly in the 8.5-10% range. The flavour profile is intense all-round. Unlike barley wines, the balance is heavily towards the hops, with crystal and other malts providing support.

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• Beer - #260 - Panhead - Supercharger American Styled Pale Ale


• Beer - #271 - Ballast Point - Sculpin IPA


• Beer - #264 - Stone - Ruination IPA


• Goose Island IPA


• Beer - #257 - Southern Tier - Un*Earthly


• Southern Tier- 2XIPA