Beer - #525 - Modern Times - Aurora

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zealand hops.

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

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

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

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

So what could possibly go wrong with that?

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

It's also a Vegan beer. Lordy.

That's nicely hopped and aromatic on opening.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The double dip review

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


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


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

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

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkFo7af30QI

No I've never watched Thundercats. Ever.

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

AMBER ALE

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

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

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

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Beer - #513 - Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve Ale

Worked it's way to the front of the fridge, a Rogue Santa's Private Reserve Ale -

A double hopped Red Ale, reddish in color with a roasty, malty flavor and a well balanced spruce finish

This one is brewed by Rogue Ales in the style that is of an Amber Ale although I've also seen it descried as American Amber / Red Ale, indeed Rogue themselves call it a Red Ale, and they are in Newport, Oregon  USA

22Oz bottle, so that would be 650ml in where I am, Also listed as 40 or 65 IBU things, go with 65 it's safer. It is 6% ABV, and around 180 calories a serve, and 3.1 standard drink units.

[caption id="attachment_10064" align="alignleft" width="300"] Man who needs a haircut holds a beer[/caption]

Rogue’s annual holiday offering, Santa’s Private Reserve, is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops--including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John "more hops" Maier!

This holiday elixir is brewed with  [..] . free range coastal water and proprietary top-fermenting Pacman yeast - Our Snowflakes Glisten in the dark!

I'm still mixed about 'Red Ales' I don't know if this is going to be different.  Buy hey, what could go wrong?

Heavy in the malt aroma on opening, and the pour is a lot darker than I was expecting, but then I didn't really think this through.it's family red, and had a little yellowish head that faded to a film.

Aroma still that wet malt thing, Initial taste of this is that it's bitter, and bitterer than I was expecting, this is full of unexpected things. Taste is somewhat of citrus, perhaps grapefruits.

It is pleasant drinking for all that and there isn't a reason not to like it.

Summary then, slightly bitter, medium body, some floral and citrus, for me grapefruits. Nice pour great colour, some lacing but not enough of a head. Not overly keen on the aroma that just doesn't do it for me.

The hops, blame the hops for that. One day I'll be an expert or have an expert take me though this and then I can claim expert. I can only tell you what I think it is. I even had a page to hops. it didn't help me :-) Of course it could be the "Free Range" water.

You would think though that for a seasonal or festive beer that it would be something more twisted or spiced or fruity in some way, I guess if I want a christmas pudding I need a Porter or Stout?

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. The bitterness is nice, the finish towards dry, there is some nice softness and caramel in this.  I don't know so much about the aroma which I should be more familiar with and be able to identify much more readily and easily.  Did I love it? not really, but I didn't not like it, in some way I'm glad it is a seasonal which means that look forward to forgetting about it in the next 12 months and then I'll be up to go again....

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, because it's nice drinking, quenching and not too edgy.


2. Would I have another? I don't know, I'm not sure I enjoy the aroma.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I might just, because it comes not needing a christmas wrapping or anything, and for a couple of months you can claim 'gift' if it falls flat. bit of a win win.

I'm listing to some occasionally very good music from Jim Yamouridis - This is the track "Body of Proof" in an  Acoustic Session. I'm sure some of this would be better if I spoke the French.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQuASgQShEw&w=560&h=315]

AMBER ALE

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

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Beer - #508 - Epic - Carolina

Carolina, a name of a beer that made me sing, and in a shop that is a bit embarrassing. So Singing beer, singing songs, numerical scales and numbers attending.

"Putting Out The Fire"

Brewed for the Epic Brewing Company (NZ) who do that at Steam Brewing Company, this is in the style that is Amber Ale and that all happens in Auckland, New Zealand

This is 7.2% ABV of beer making it 2.83 standard drinks, and 216 calories a serving size, and 50 IBU things, all in the 500ml bottle. 50 IBU should make it nice hoppy bitter.

[caption id="attachment_10019" align="alignleft" width="300"] Putting out the fire[/caption]

Epic Carolina was originally released along side Culley’s Carolina Reaper Chilli Sauce which uses the hottest chillies in the world.

The beer is made to accompany the spicy flavour of the chillies.  There is NO chilli in the beer.

The original release was a batch of keg only stock earlier in the year. Our customers have been asking if or when it will be returning ever since, so we decided we needed to make a bottled batch.

A rich amber colour, which comes from the specialty malts, but used in a way that the isn’t overly malty. The beer is still very hop driven for its style. We have used Centennial and Chinook hops to deliver the floral and citrusy aroma and flavour.

Bronze medal at the Australian International Beer Awards 2014

[caption id="attachment_10018" align="alignright" width="150"] And there indeed is the Hot Zombie Sauce![/caption]

And my interest was piqued, and nothing could go wrong with that, could it? "Putting out the Fire"  is a legend that appears on the table above the "Epic" wording it's dark on dark and so might not be apparent to the casual observer.

I even brought the completely unrelated Sauce collaboration. This from the brewer  explains that it was formulated to accompany a hot-wing eating competition.

Beer for Chilli competitions? Lagers seems to be more the norm on the Curry night. Who knows with these things.

Now then, that is a complete burst of hops and sugars on opening, resinous but not sharp and pointed.

A fabulous dark and rich brown red pour, and a lovely firm off colour head, you can smell the carousel of aromas in this, and that's before the nose has a sniff. Which then you get to, and this is rich and heavy, bit not for me floral in a way I get. Then I'm just me.

That is well bitter and comes with an earthy blanket that is completely the whole taste. an assault on the taste buds.  There is a lovely balance in this though, as well as being bitter over and above it's stated weight, this has a luscious middle cushion, and it finishes sweet and not dry, and has a decent linger. Wait long enough and there is a burp.

I seem to be getting ahead of myself and writing an almost love letter to this, but it isn't. It isn't an IPA! I find myself again thinking about Red beers.

Clearly I'm at sea around them, or even in this case Amber Ales. This does have a singular aroma and you get that introduction as you begin to sup,  but they seem to be slightly different to each other, the aroma and the bitterness aren't a pair, perhaps they are.

Is this a confused beer, or am I confused drinker?

So far then: It looks great, pours great, leaves a great lacing, has a great name and tag line, has aroma that is persistent an is bitter above its weight, It has a lovely balance of malts in the middle and the finish begins to tend towards dry. I'm still confused though. Of Course.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. It is very good. But it's good at something strange. For me there doesn't seem to be enough balance in this, as it warms the hops and bitterness just get  louder and more aggressive, to the point where the end of the bottle might become pleasurable, because it is finished.

I'm sure that this has and will have a bunch of fans that this is for them the ducks nuts.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it?  It isn't really a beer that I'm enjoying, it's at odds with my own tastes.


2. Would I have another? I don't think I could, it's jarred a nerve.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights?  I might, but in a competitive 'guess what this is" kind of way and not a "wow get this in you" way.

Music to sing to then, Well it's by no chance that I have been listening to some David Bowie, but then when you listen to this you'll get the "Putting out the Fire" reference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpdHMaccjw4

So whilst disappointing that the "Putting out the Fire" isn't exactly a hat tip to David Bowie and Cat People it did make me sing in the shop, and that's not always a bad thing.

AMBER ALE

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

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Beer- #505 - Rogue - Captain Sigs Deadliest Ale (Northwestern Ale)

Beer with a lot of letters in the name, music with a big band, big numbers and a big night on the porch.

Deep red in color, this ale starts off with a floral, slightly citrus hop nose, hop flavor soon fades into the malty backbone of this red ale.

Rogue Captain Sigs Deadliest Ale (Northwestern Ale) - Brewed by Rogue Ales
in the classic style that is  India Pale Ale (IPA) and they are in Newport, Oregon  USA.

This is a 650ml bottle (22 fl oz), and the beer is 80 IBU, and 6.2% ABV, and 186 calories a serve size. The bottle contains 3.18 standard drink units.

However Rogue call this "India Red Ale",  but it might also be "American Amber" or "Red Ale".

Now the last time I had an "India Red Ale" it was defined as "Amber Ale" - that would be the 8 Wired Tall Poppy  but all you get from that is the style is not well defined and even possibly includes 'American Strong Ale".

So, I'm going to go with -  Red IPA  "American red ale brewed at a higher strength and hopped like an IPA. Typically, redder in color than an IPA, with deep ruby hues" Sorted.

Originally a tweak of Eugene City Tracktown 100 Meter Ale, reformulated for release as Captain Sig’s Deadliest Ale

Rogue's Northwestern Ale, brewed for Captain Sig Hansen joins the Rogue family of World Class Ales, Stouts, Porters, and Lagers. 

Dedicated to the Hansen Brothers--Sig, Edgar, and Norman--the Rogues of the Bering Sea.

What an adventure so far, and so I press on, what could got wrong?

A more muted aroma on opening than I would have expected from an IPA type beer, I might venture that this isn't the freshest version of the beer that you can get, transport distance and all that.

Having said that it does pour magnificently and looks very 'red' in the glass, dark deep burn chestnut, and brownish foamy head as well, it's turned itself around.

Nice grass happens at the front that is stern but also mellow, washes over the tongue and finishes slightly bitter, with a bit of linger in there too. I'm not sure that there is a lot of balance in this.

The bitterness is 'strong' and persistent in this and it leaves you feeling a little unbalanced, and thinking you are drinking an overly unnecessarily bitter beer. I don't get the warming malts in this at all.

So it's not bad, it's just not great.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. I think that this is interesting but not accurate or on point with any particular thing it is trying to make. The style is confused and I ended up not liking the overly bitter lingering mouthfeel in this.  OR not a style that I'm comfortable with, it's too bitter at one and with no middle and a finish that is too long.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am odds with a yes and no on this. I like the beer, I'n not sure I'm enjoying the mouthfeel and lingering bitterness though.


2. Would I have another? I'm not sure that i'm that much of a fan.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Sure to start a debate over what it is and where it fits, it's not an IPA, and I've had other 'Red' ales that are different.

Musically, Well stop me in the street but I was listening to Bjork, and the Biophilia Live thing. The album, composed during the 2008–11 Icelandic financial crisis, is considered a concept album, with references to the linking points between nature, musicand technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDSzBs-lOYI

It's a bunch of jangles and performance art with lyrics not understood. The Audience is enthusiastic though, so I go with the crowd, or against it.

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 - #427 - Speakeasy - Scarlett Red Rye

About to be drinking a Speakeasy beer - this one is the  Scarlett Red Rye

The is Brewed by Speakeasy Ales and Lagers and take you pick of a style that is : Specialty Grain or  Amber Ale and they are in San Francisco, California USA

Scarlett Red Rye Ale captivates with an act that ranges from sweet hop highs to spicy rye tones. Sacrlett hits the notes that will set your heart on fire.

330ml bottle that is 5.5% ABV and 38 IBU on the scale,  165 calories a serve, and this is 1.43 standard drink units in NZ.

With a creamy body and rich roasty flavors, Scarlett is the perfect complement to the cooler months of Fall & Winter. This rye ale pours a deep red with a sticky off-white layer of foam and medium levels of carbonation. Note the aromas of fresh rye bread, caramel malt and earthy hops. Sweet malts are accented by subtle flavors of caramel, toffee, and chocolate. Notes of toasted grain, leather, and a mild peppery spice lead to a medium-dry finish.

The Hops in this are  – Columbus, Cascade, Chinook

I'm not sure that "Amber Ale" is the best of beers though.

I'm always open though. To be honest it was the "Limited Release" that got my attention.

Stand by....

Beer - #406 - Garage Project - Pan Pacific

From a brewer that is increasing it's styles and beers daily it seems - this is Garage Project and their beer Pan Pacific

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

650ml bottle of a beer that is 6% ABV - 180 calories a serve, and 3.08 standard drink units in this .

Pan Pacific is brewed with golden syrup, suggestively named Golden Naked Oats and a combination of New Zealand Motueka and Australian Galaxy hops.

Pan Pacific is a rich red amber, with generous malt and fruit hop character, and a subtle hint of toasted coconut at the end of the palate. It’s a brew to meet the arrival of Autumn, with nice body and character with just a hint of warmer climes.

Originally inspired by the humble ANZAC biscuit, Pan Pacific is brewed with golden syrup, suggestively named Golden Naked Oats and a combination of New Zealand Motueka and Australian Galaxy hops. It was originally released as a 20 litre cask at the first Pacific Beer festival with a name acknowledging the biscuit which inspired it. Interesting fact – it’s actually illegal to use the word ANZAC in the name of any product other than ANZAC biscuits (which can’t be called cookies). Who knew?

This latest big batch brew has an addition of toasted coconut and a new name acknowledging its pacific ingredients. Pan Pacific is a rich red amber, with generous malt and fruit hop character, and a subtle hint of toasted coconut at the end of the palate. It’s a brew to meet the arrival of Autumn, with nice body and character with just a hint of warmer climes.

Come fly with us.

Now I like an Anzac Biscuit and so I'm looking forward to this 

Beer - #378 - Weezledog - DickleDoi Imperial Ruby Ale

A peculiar name and I didn’t realize it was local,  I have Weezledog - DickleDoi Imperial Ruby Ale.

So then, from Weezledog Brewing Company but brewed at Black Sands Brewing Company this is in the style of an Amber Ale or depending on where you read about it an "Irish Red Ale", or the brewer says "Imperial Ruby Ale" and they do this in Auckland, New Zealand.

500ml, 7% ABV, 210 calories a serving, and 2.76 standard drink units. At 35 IBU should be fairly nice, jsut at the bottom end of an English Bitter or Stout.

"Too hoppy and strong to be considered a traditional Irish Red, but far too malt focussed to be called an American Amber/Red Ale, Imperial Ruby Ale is what it is; big red and malty."

Big, red and not shy on the malt, somewhat of a forgotten ingredient in many modern beers. A huge malt base of biscuit, dark crystal and a pinch of chocolate malt provides some fruitcake-eskey notes with a hint of nutty roastiness, making for a truely unique beer. We let the malt play front and centre for this beer, so the yeast is American, keeping it clean and allowing the NZ hops to really smash through late.
Anyway, enough salesman speak... buy it, try it, and let us know if you think it’s as good as we do. After all... It’s all about the beer.

Let them know? Last time I let someone know I got free beer, the time before that I got cussed out :-).

Beer - out and about - Deep Creek Brewery

I decided that rather than mope at home, now that I may be jobless, that I would make a trip to the local pub, in this case the Micro Brewery - "Deep Creek Brewery" who are in Browns Bay (and they have other brewing facilities of course - they make bottles of the stuff now)



I came specifically for the Tsar Bomba beer, which is an American Amber / Red Ale, at 6.5% ABV. So a pint of this is about 2.75 standard dink units

Brewed by Deep Creek Brewing Co

It was served a lot warmer than I would have served it,  but then I'm not an expert, and of course it's a pint, the head looked ok but disappeared by the time I got the the table I was sitting at.

It is a lovely chestnut colour and has a lovely lacing in the glass, I can attest this as I've been supping and enjoying this.

Its  taste is high in caramel and therefore sweetness, and not at all bitter, or its pleasingly bitter and has a decent finish which isn't dry or uncomfortable.

This is supposed to be a 'Fresh Hop Brewed Beer". I'm not convinced that it's a success as it might be overly sweet and less harsh that you might be expecting. From memory it's also similar to another of the beers they brew, "The leprechaun's Belle", or their "Little Armoured one'

Essentially then, a 'special' beer, but on a well worn theme. Which is all fine and dandy and there is nothing wrong with that at all .

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its mystery bag of numbers akin to a 10 sided dice.  It's a lot less harsh and a lot sweeter than you might be expecting, but it is pleasing and pleasant and a nice beer for a showery afternoon watching the world mooch past.

And then.... I had the "Undercurrent Pilsner" a 5% ABV beer, that of course is a pilsner. A Pint, no flash glassware here it's how they roll.  So this is about 2.1 standerd drink units

Brewed by Deep Creek Brewing Co of course as a  Pilsener and they are in walking distance from me in Browns Bay Auckland, New Zealand

Point breaks, sunshine, crisp beers on hot days. This easy drinking pilsner has a calm malt profile, with a swirl of floral aroma, and an undercurrent of citrus zest. We take its bohemian beginnings and introduce a taste of New Zealand with Nelson hops, to produce this latest wave in the Deep Creek set.

Origin: A New Zealand spin on a Czech innovation creates a stunning lager base, bombed with the fruity Nelson ‘Sauvin’ Hop. The passionfruit undercurrent and special lager yeast achieves a crisp, dry flavour. This session beer is a winner for those long summer days or a Pilsner/ch’i hybrid for those after a handcrafted health kick!

Smells that great Pilsner hoppy in the glass, I'm sure I looked weird smelling my beer like that.

This has a banging amount of hop delivery, but I thought two things, It's not as cold as I'd serve it, and again I'm not an expert, and I also though that this was a bit thin in the delivery and body.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this one as 6 on the wheel of fortune scale of things, It promises more than it delivers. Also harping on, this was served a lot warmer than I would have liked it. Did like the grass hop note that persisted to remind you that this really could be a good beer if they tweaked a couple of things. Wonder what it's like really cold? 

I'll add more, that as this warmed it really did take on a much deeper and over-riding hop laden beer, which surprised me.  Better.

I could get used to this more relaxed life-style I'm not sure I have enough money or patient enough wife for that to happen. 

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes, the Tsar Bomba but I wish I was enjoying it more,


2. Would I have another? I mightn't depends on what's on the taps, and I changed to the Pilsner.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? If you were here I wouldn't have a problem with ordering a Tsar for you. The Pilsner, if you wanted a similar softer palate beer but in the lager style.

AMBER ALE

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

PILSENER

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

 

Beer - #315 - ParrotDog - BloodyDingo

or ParrotDog Bloody Dingo Imperial Amber, both work.

Brewed by ParrotDog Brewing in the style of an Amber Ale and they are of course based in Windy Wellington, New Zealand

Peculiar thing the intertubes, ParrotDog themselves say "BloodyDingo (Imperial Red IPA, 7.7% ABV)"

[caption id="attachment_7037" align="alignleft" width="300"] Post Run red in the face selfie[/caption]

As far as I can tell there is no such thing as an Imperial Red IPA, or even Imperial / Double Red Ale. I'm sticking to Amber  Ale. I'm prepared to be schooled.

It is a 330ml bottle, it is 7.5% ABV and is is 2.1 Standard Drink units in NZ.  ITs about 231 calories a serve.

It’s a fierce canine, hiding a bite...

[caption id="attachment_7038" align="alignleft" width="300"] the label says .... Strong Red IPA[/caption]

Originally brewed for an Australian Beer festival this beer was crafted to do one thing, explode tastebuds - .... [] Strong Red IPA

I tell what there is no argument about, the magnificent hoppy aroma and fizz when you open this. Made me fair smile it did

And the cracking bitter mouthfeel you get when you supp on the fluffy over sized head that may have had more to do with my poor pour than the beer. Lovely grassiness it has, he said like Yoda.

Dark brown pour and excitable head in the was I did that. I found that I've drunk about half of it before I stopped to contemplate.

The bitterness is grassy,  pine, and grapefruit bitter. There is enough sweetness that makes you want to sup and sup again, as I have been

The overly active head settles to a firm and more inviting off orange, and there is plenty of lacing.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this then as and easy 8 which is very good.  Not sure this is the best way to start drinking a couple of beers as this might just be enough to wash over your palate and make what follows much more of a challenge than it should be.

I rescued things by remembering that there was this piece of French Brie on the bench going all soft, that made me smile again.

Not to everyone's taste in the house, I've been listening to Blood Red Shoes  - Alt:Rock pair from Brighton in England.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp4jU3WepFU&w=640&h=360]

Not being able to count and the beer list get closer to 100

The Beer List is upto 94! so far, so the next one is 95. I'd like to get to 100 on a special thing. I know this because when I was compiling a top 10 list I noticed that there were two of  65 and 66.

Must have been a good night.

So here is a provisional top 20(ish), 3 English beers and a Cider in the top 4, didn't expect that.

RANKING	Drank in order	MAKER	Pdubyah-O-Meter	Drank in	Link here
1	#12	Theakston -Old Peculier	10	Mar-12	Link
1	#17	Rekorderlig -Cider	10	Apr-12	Link
1	#20	Shepherd Neame  -1698	10	Apr-12	Link
1	#27	Thornbridge -Jaipur	10	Jun-12	Link
5	#18	Marston - Pedigree	9.5	Apr-12	Link
6	#2	Fullers – London Pride	9	Dec-12	Link
7	#5	8 Wired  - Saison Suavin	9	Jan-12	Link
8	#7	Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre – 3 Monts	9	Jan-12	Link
9	#9	Badger - Blandford Flyer	9	Jan-12	Link
10	#10	Shepherd Neame- Bishops Finger	9	Feb-12	Link
11	#11	Renaissance - Paradox Blonde	9	Feb-12	Link
12	#14	Thwaites – Lancaster Bomber	9	Mar-12	Link
13	#15	McCashin - Stoke Bomber- Bohemian Ale	9	Apr-12	Link
14	#34	Epic  - Epicurean Coffee & Fig   Oatmeal Stout	9	Jul-12	Link
15	#38	Epic – Hop Zombie	9	Jul-12	Link
16	#42	8 Wired – iStout	9	Aug-12	Link
17	#45	Chimay - Grande Réserve (Blue)	9	Aug-12	Link
18	#52	Apache -  American Amber Ale	9	Sep-12	Link
19	#59	Eagle vs Dog - Episode 2 Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster	9	Sep-12	Link
20	#65	Chatoe Rogue - OREgasmic Ale	9	Sep-12	Link
21	#75	Three Boys  -Porter	9	Oct-12	Link
22	#24	Nøgne Ø - Two Captains Double IPA	8.5	May-12	Link
22	#37	Baird Beer – Baird Wabi Sabi IPA	8.5	Jul-12	Link
22	#47	Moa  - Methode	8.5	Aug-12	Link
22	#72	De Molen – Heen and Weer (Back and Forth)	8.5	Oct-12	Link
22	#81	Yeastie Boys – Gunnamatta IPA	8.5	Oct-12	Link
22	#82	8 Wired – The Big Smoke	8.5	Oct-12	Link
22	#84	Yeastie Boys – Red Rackham	8.5	Oct-12	Link
29	#4	Magners – A Cider!	8	Jan-12	Link
29	#8	Aspall – Oh no its a Cyder!	8	Jan-12	Link
29	#25	Sawmill Brewing company – “The Doctor” is in the house	8	May-12	Link
29	#31	Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer	8	Jun-12	Link
29	#33	Stoke Bomber – Smoky Ale	8	Jul-12	Link
29	#35	Adnams Broadside	8	Jul-12	Link
29	#43	Old Mout – Pear Scrumpy – it’s not a beer!	8	Aug-12	Link
29	#48	Epic – Message in a Bottle	8	Aug-12	Link
29	#49	Renaissance – Craftsman Chocolate Stout	8	Aug-12	Link
29	#51	Hoegaarden Wit	8	Aug-12	Link
29	#54	Golden Ticket Brewing – Black Emperor	8	Sep-12	Link
40	#1	Fullers - Honey Dew ‘Organic’ beer.	7	Dec-12	Link
40	#3	Skinners- The Cornish Wheat Beer	7	Jan-12	Link
40	#6	Badgers – Fursty Ferret	7	Jan-12	Link
40	#19	Belhaven - Twisted Thistle	7	Apr-12	Link
40	#21	Wigram - Kortegast Red Sparkling Ale	7	May-12	Link
40	#29	St. Peter’s Cream Stout	7	Jun-12	Link
40	#30	Duvel - Duvel	7	Jun-12	Link
40	#36	Wanaka Beerworks – Sir Walter	7	Jul-12	Link
40	#40	Townshend  - Sutton Hoo	7	Jul-12	Link
40	#57	Golden Bear Brewing Company – Pirate Peach Saison	7	Sep-12	Link
40	#58	Pauwel – Kwak	7	Sep-12	Link
40	#60	Dead Good Beer – IPA	7	Sep-12	Link
40	#64	Invercargill  -Sa!son	7	Sep-12	Link
40	#65	Green Flash Brewery – Le Freak	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#66	Rogue – Mocha Porter	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#68	Golden Eagle - South Island Pale Ale (S.I.P.A)	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#70	Yeastie Boys – Motueka Raven	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#77	KJD Brewing – Chocolate Cherry Porter	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#80	Rogue – Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red Ale	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#83	Hallertau – Barley Wine	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#85	Yeastie Boys – Pot Kettle Black	7	Oct-12	Link
40	#87	Baird Beer – Kurofune Porter	7	Nov-12	Link
62	#89	Croucher- Pale Ale	6.85	Nov-12	Link
63	#90	Croucher- Pilsner	6.5	Nov-12	Link
64	#13	Wells – Banana Bread Beer	6	Mar-12	Link
64	#16	Emerson’s -  Weissbier.	6	Apr-12	Link
64	#23	Steampunk - Strong Ale	6	May-12	Link
64	#41	Raindogs Brewing Company – Apothecary Amber Ale	6	Aug-12	Link
64	#44	Black Sheep Ale	6	Aug-12	Link
64	#55	Ass Kisser – Vanilla Pale Ale	6	Sep-12	Link
64	#62	Epic – Double Stout	6	Sep-12	Link
64	#63	Invercargill Pitch Black Boysenberry Stout	6	Sep-12	Link
64	#69	Shepherd Neame – Spitfire	6	Oct-12	Link
64	#73	De Molen – Bed and Breakfast	6	Oct-12	Link
64	#74	Harringtons Brewer’s Selection Hop Tremor IP	6	Oct-12	Link
64	#76	Mussel Inn – Captain Cooker Manuka Beer	6	Oct-12	Link
64	#78	Three Boys – Oyster Stout	6	Oct-12	Link
64	#80	Yeastie Boys + Liberty Brewing – Yakima Raven	6	Oct-12	Link
78	#50	Kaimai Golden Rye Ale	5	Aug-12	Link
78	#71	Moa - Imperial Stout	5	Oct-12	Link
78	#79	Mussel Inn – Dark Horse	5	Oct-12	Link
81	#22	Hawkes Bay  - Amber Ale	4	May-12	Link
81	#28	Brasserie Du Mont Blanc -  La   Blanche	4	Jun-12	Link
81	#32	Harrington’s Belgium Tempest	4	Jun-12	Link
81	#39	Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre  -   Gavroche	4	Jul-12	Link
81	#53	Golden Ticket Brewing – Champion Malky	4	Sep-12	Link
81	#61	Dead Good Beer – Golden Ale	4	Sep-12	Link
81	#86	Valley Brewing Co – Muster	4	Nov-12	Link
81	#91	Coronado – Orange Avenue Wit	4	Nov-12	Link
89	#56	Sawmill Brewing Company – Crystal Wheat Beer	3	Sep-12	Link
89	#67	Monteiths -  Unfiltered Apricot   Wheat	3	Oct-12	Link
89	#88	Wigram Brewing Co. – Ginger Jerry	3	Nov-12	Link
92	#46	Warsteiner -  5ltr Keg	1	Aug-12	Link
93	#26	The weekend assortment.	0	Jun-12	Link
94	#66	Lion Red - Lion Red	0	Sep-12	Link

Beer – #41 – Raindogs Brewing Company - Apothecary Amber Ale

So then Apothecary Amber Ale (Raindogs Brewing Co), Well it's an Amber Ale, and it's from Christchurch and it's in a fine 500ml bottle of 5.9% ABV-ness

Bit of a new boy there isn't a lot of on he interwebtubes about this beer.

Raindogs Brewing Co was born from the aftermath of the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, and this is the first beer I believe from brewer Sean Harris. It is by that measure something special.

A magnificent shade  of Amber it is, and it hold a head well, which I'm secretly giving a fist-pump about, since I've had not a lock of luck lately on beers with heads. It looks great to be honest, a right proper beer colour.

There was an aroma of bitterness at first, it's gone now, I might have imagined it.

I thought this was a bit thin, didn't carry a taste and was over carbonated. The taste finished to bitter and I don't get a lot of anything much by way of a taste that sit's up and says oi! I don't get it, or what it is, apart from a pretty coloured beer.

The pdubyah-o-meter of late has been at a high bar and this fails to make the grade, and I'd be arbitrarily marking it at 6 from 10. It's not that it's a bad beer, it would be great if I was in the pub in front of a fire with some friends, it's innocuous, not intrusive and quietly gets on with what it is. If I'm ever in Christchurch I'd look this up for a night out.

Liquorland on Forest Hill Road continues to amaze me with it's beer fridge, thanks chaps.

Related articles

• The Beer Nut: Making beer deep in the heart of the Bay State (milforddailynews.com)


• Reuben's Brews to open this weekend (myballard.com)

Beer – #6 in a series – Fursty Ferret

I had some of this. Badger's Fursty Ferret It comes in hand pint-sized bottle, so it's just like being in a pub when you're drinking it from a sleeve (As opposed a handle, you see what I did there with a term for a pint glass flash eh!) , it's enjoyable but it's not quite at my personal mark. I looked at the label and the interwebtubes, it says this;



Fursty Ferret has a sweet nutty palate, hoppy aroma and a hint of Seville oranges, give this tawny amber ale its distinctive personality. Recommended with smooth and creamy West Country Cheddar or indulgent pork pies and mustard.

Well what can I tell you it's on the lower end of taste scale, for me,  but it is a pretty beer and no effort to enjoy.

It's an accompaniment beer, not something to hunker down with for a long evening.

So for me it 7 arbitrary stars out of 10 arbitrary stars.

Thanks to the fine people at the Wine Circle Huapai for being my main men.