My Intergalactic Joyride! (Blacks of Kinsale)

As per the labeling, I'm promised An intergalactic Joyride! Jaysus I haven't had one of those since me college days, but that's a whole other "review"!

Blacks of Kinsale with their ever "mad" labels! One thing it does is gets your attention.

The Sniff
Hop Central here! Houston, we most certainly don't have a problem. Robust Flavours, ready to, ahem, kick your ass.

The Squint
Pretty much easy enough to see through the Autumnal glow from this punchy 6.5%! Certainly not as dark as I was expecting. No sediment and minimal lacing. Reducing head from the off.

The Quench
I've tasted many varieties 6.5% and above, this one doesn't feel like a brute its alcohol level claims, so should come with a health warning, in a good way.  Certainly don't hop into your rocket and launch home that's for sure. Use a taxi.

Light roasted something or other in there, along with some nuts and something sweet, not overly sweet, just cant put my tongue on it. Although it is quite a bitter offering if your into it.

Hang on I'll take another mouthful for research purposes. Woody Citrus Peel, look at me getting all hipster! I reckon those who admire a "calm" offering i.e. no carbonation, or minimal at best will do little wrong in handling one of these. I seen this IPA being called "oily", I didn't get that off it I'll admit


The Finale
As IPA's go this packs a wallop. From the off, you know you'll be going somewhere with this, a few more and you may not want to go further... Lets just say you probably wouldn't be going all day "on the tare" on this one, 3-4 and your well on the way to that promise of the Joyride, Intergalactic Style. For me this one is one for the house/house party, with a chauffeur home!

Slainte

@davyod

Their good at Football but how do they fare at beer? (Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne / West Kerry Brewery)

My first ever venture with this (what I shall presume is a small operation) Brewery offering.

Taking the floor tonight is the Blue Rose, Dry Hopped Pale Ale (The Renegade Series) boasting 5% in a 500ml prison!

To bew honest I really should be doing this piece As Gaeilge (Irish) as the base for this innings is in The Gaeltacht region of West Kerry.

Having not partaken in a "Dry Hopped Ale" before, at least I don't think I have - I'm expecting something different. 

The Sniff?
Perhaps I'm not trying hard enough, perhaps I'm right on the money, but there's barely an aroma. This is neither a good or bad thing, its just a feature.  Some "experts" get hung up on the aroma alone, perhaps this is one of those that isn't supposed to have one. 

The Squint? 

A cloudy beer, not full a sediment or anything, but just enough that you cant see clearly though the glass of what appears to be a comparison to champagne colour.  In essence think of a cloudy champagne, who knows perhaps the "cute Kerry Hoors" (go on, find out what it is) want it that way.

Some very light fizz, barely notice it. 

Lacing - the foamy bits left on the glass. Barely there. As per previous posts, that doesn't bother me, some people get their brain in a twist over it.

The Quench? 

This Dry Hopped Offering slips down the gullet nicely. It's not a strong tasting beer, theres nothing wrong with it per say, and at 5% you'd have to be careful with this one. I'd say it could creep up on you if your not keeping yer wits about you. 

According to their own story regarding the ingredients (below)... 

...I definitely got a faint hint of something, maybe its the Elderflower or grassy elements, not really sure on that, but apart from the blackberries the ingredients in my own opinion are of a gentle nature. Resulting in a gentle taste.

The Finale?

This could be a perfect beer to introduce a someone to the whole world of craft, as opposing to scaring them out of their soul with something manic. It's definitely earthy and fresh, could sip away all day on it. A simple beer, from (in their words) a small microbrewery. It most certainly doesn't lack any quality. 

I'm glad I tried it. Give it a go yourself.

Sláinte 

@davyod

The Glass Sandwich

Actin D'goat! Smiggy

I've always been a fan of "Smiggy" from the lads in Drawda, in the Wee County, at the same time I always wondered why I am such a fan? Let me entertain you. 

I'll say from the off that I have not been to the brewery in Co. Louth but simply by looking at their bottles on the shelves in "Offos" the length of the country, it does scream Fun! 

Orange colours (on this particular choice) nearly always work well on dark backgrounds and your eye is immediately brought to "that part" of the fridge. Clearly the marketing department should be paid more than they are! 

The "cartoony" goat character, again, ticks boxes even for novelty effect, but still gets you to pick up the bottle. Not everyone's cup of tea I'll admit, but the fact were talking about it, job done.

The Sniff?
Not an overly strong smell, toffee maybe but the smell comes back upon taste, plod along to the next paragraph like a good taster.
 

The Squint? 

If you can picture perfectly cooked caramel in a bowl, before it really darkens, well that's Smiggy. Very clear. Some constant light bubbles, so it has life in it alright. 

Lacing - the foamy bits left on the glass. Yea it's there. Fairly prominent. To be honest, lacing doesn't really bother me that much, so I don't usually put much emphasis on lacing itself. 

The Quench? 

The lack of SNIFF certainly doesn't mean lack of taste. Smiggy fizzes gently on the tongue for a couple a seconds & then it's gone. You can make up your own mind whether you want to try another Amber Ale that fizzes more or less, your call. 

A slight lasting flavour for about 45 seconds or so...just enough time to savour the biscuity  (think fresh warm  digestive biccie) elements. If it makes sense the taste smells a little like hopps from a small beer producer near Thomas St, Dublin that you can smell on the wind sometimes, faint but there nonetheless. 
If you really take your time after admiring the Goat staring at you to take more, I got a "tickle of tobacco" somewhere way at the back.

I got the urge to drink more of the beer, perhaps due to the non lingering taste, at the same time you'd have to keep your witts about you and not fall totally to its 4.8% charms! This could be a brew that would creep up on you. 

Tastes nice, Taste fading, Drink More, Tastes nice, Taste Fading, Drink More....repeat to fade.

BBQ & cheeses are recommended foods to accompany Smiggy & I would agree. 

The Finale?
Typically an "outdoorsy" beer or a nice easy drinking summer evening special...seems strange that I'm drinking it now in November. 

The power of persuasion I guess. Read the marketing bit again.

There's a whole herd of goats to try from Jackcodys I'll pick off one by one from the herd overtime.

Sláinte 

@davyod

The Glass Sandwich

Go Hang Yer Bollocks Off Them! (The 5 Lamps Brewery)

Before we begin, don't get offended by the "bollocksology"
in the title.

Read this first, then proceed.

Right, ready?

The Sniff
In my humble opinion, most lagers unless laden with chemicals dont actually smell too strong. Some do give a stronger linger on the nostrils, but most "natural" ones simply present themselves for tasting. 5 Lamps Lager is no different. This one, the reveal is in the taste, so why wait!

The Squint
Carbonation, well it is a lager in fairness. You getting exactly what you ask for here. Diminishing head, a little bit of lacing all encased within a weak tea colour and practically see through. If you placed a tea bag in a cup for 5 seconds and took it out, hey presto!

Like a beer I reviewed from Kerry, this could be a Craft Lager to introduce a suspicious drinker who is thinking of changing his or her order from the Innkeeper. Kerry v Dubs, it never ends!


The Quench
My first impression was "jaysus theres sherbert in there", then it was gone. This one is for the outdoors, think festivals, picnics. A real palette cleanser if there is such a thing where beer is related?

Offering a slightly more than gentle 4.2%, I'd happily sip'n'sit there and listen to the world go buy, with the sun on me back!

After a few more swigs, vanilla, nutty insights all sang for me

The Finale
I'm a kayak fisherman as a hobby and last year in Blind Strand just outside Courtmacsherry in Cork I caught some mackerel, 15 minutes later they were on a BBQ! I wish I could have hung my bollocks off the BBQ that day. This lager would have been the perfect remedy with BBQ'd fish!

Sláinte

@davyod

In the Pink Corner - 8 Degrees Vic Secret Single Hop Black IPA

Ah the team from 8 Degrees have it down to a fine art. Consistent in their approach to getting your eye in.

Their labels are distinctly different in each offering, yet you know its from 8 Degrees. Perhaps a lesson that maybe picked up from others, who get a little lost in the shelves?

I'm often amazed at so many craft that miss out on the subtle advertising. Everyone of 8 Degrees bottle tops have their trademark 8° on each one. A tiny observation, but maybe enough to get the undecided to reach for today's choice - Vic Secret.

At 6% this single hop serving, needs your attention.

The Squint
Not many brews in vivid pink would have you reaching for the foaming ale of choice, but like many 8 Degree offerings, their labeling is bold, vivid, very different in colour palette, but all the same, if that makes sense.

Holding a light to its colour reveals a very dark coffee/copper twinge, at a glance, it looks black. No biggie.

This Black IPA has the Australian Vic Secret Hop within, lets see if its bursting to get out!

The Sniff
Lets get the party started! Screaming of bold flavours.  Straight from the bottle, nevermind the pour. According to their website it has (including others) pineapple, in it.  I'm not sure I got pineapple, maybe I need fine tuning, but definitely got a hint of citrus, just a hint, just enough. Read some of my other reviews that "the sniff" is pretty much nowhere, not in a bad way, but Vic Secret leaves them in the slow lane regards aroma!

The Quench
Carbonated lightly, I made sure it got the serving temp at 8 Degrees, like the rest of the range, its a wallop of tingles, then the after taste kicks in and settles you for just enough time to point and smile at the bottle. I've not experienced such a feminine label with such a bold hop and malt balance! Theres a roasted taste too, in fact I reckon the roasted the b'jesus out of it!

I got turf, earthy malts and a distinctive burnt cask (Its not casked as far as I know), all in, I'm one happy Kangaroo. Pardon the Aussie related pun.

The aftertaste lingers right at the back of the tongue, its there long after the swallow, did I say its a roasted 6%?

The Finale
As suspected, once again the quality steams on through as with any of the other degree menu choices, it's only a small few Irish Breweries that can carry such a wide offering and still maintain their quality. Sometimes you stumble across a Black IPA. I'd heard about this one, I tried it, I wont be stumbling to find it again. I cannot promise to stumble after though!

Please drink sensibly.


I've had many 8 Degree crafts (more reviews on the way) and I may not have liked them all the same, but I can't disregard their quality, it shines through.


Sláinte

@davyod

The Wives, Milty & Jaq "Liquid Curiosity" Stedman

The FPO maintains I'm extremely hard to buy presents for. What do you get the handsome divil who has everything, or worse still if he wants or needs something he just goes ahead and gets it...within reason.

3 or 4 years ago, a Craft Beer Hamper c/o Drinkstore landed under the tinsel laden Xmas tree (Pine imitation, 7ft, adjustable branches, non flammable of course, bought during the boom!). 

This hamper came courtesy of herself indoors, followed by a few more Mother Superior and needless to say I devoured the collection in about 4 days.

Did I appreciate the sentiment, Yes.

The beers? Nope.

I kept every bottle to examine after Xmas had finished, wishing to "grade" them. I had convinced myself that I'd remember each one (there were 14 I think) and be able to remember their qualities.

I ended up grading them by the "prettiness" of the labels. FAIL! Actually MONUMENTAL FAIL! What a pillock!

Fast forward through the next 4 years and 2 kids later, my wife and "Miltys" other half decided to send myself and himself to a Craft Beer Tasting Course. Now were talking. 

Finally the gift that gives you permission to drink, learn, drink, test your new knowledge and keep going. Handbrake off, mind the bend.

Beer sommeliers of the world quaked in their boots, or whatever sommeliers wear - slippers, moccasins maybe?

Excerpt from email:

Hello David,

Just a week to go until the first Introduction to Craft Beer and Cider in Dublin on February 3rd!

Course Date:      3rd February
Venue:                 Mourne Seafood Bar, Charlotte Quay.
Start Time:          9:45am register for 10am prompt start.
Breaks:                 11:15am, 1-2pm lunch, 3:15pm
Finish:                   5-5:30pm.

This is a sensory evaluation course, some ingestion of alcoholic beverages may occur. I recommend that participants act responsibly during the course. 6-8 standard drinks may be consumed over the course of the day, so I recommend alternative transport from the venue.

Also, please refrain from wearing any strong perfumes or colognes on the day, as this to can diminish the ability to correctly assess the beverages on the day.

If you have any other queries or questions, please do not hesitate in contacting me,

Chookers,

Jacqueline Stedman
t: @CuriosityLiquid
fb: Liquid Curiosity
www.liquidcuriosity.ie

Can you believe that, she wouldn't let me wear my best cologne?!

On a freezing cold February morning we made our way to Mourne Seafood Bar and as expected, we were first there. Met by Jaq who promptly told us to wait outside.  Aussies wah? 

Seriously though we were way too early. Jaq was busy, she didn't need two "models" interrupting the preparation.  I'd have been the exact same in my line of work. 

If truth be told, we just wanted a bit of heat.

Anyway overlooking the Grand Canal at Board Gáis Theatre, we got talking about all sorts of stuff.  Mostly about our next venture. 

Most of my family and friends know that I knew I was going to NYC in February 2014, but announced it about a week after our second was born (Sept/Oct '13). Worst still, I announced it on Twitter in the form of a question "What would one wear to the Superbowl?".

Well if it was cold on the morning of the course above, it was sub zero back home when herself realised what I'd done. 

Sounds terrible, I know and not my finest moment, BUT (if there's any saving grace in this) Milty is a life long friend of my wife. So any time there's a problem at home, the tension is almost always broken by me saying "Well, Milty said........"

We had a great time in NYC!!! Resident messers at The Carlow East! Go Hawks #12thman

Back in Siberia - Doors open, in we went.

Treated to tea, coffees etc and given the low down on what was to expect from the day.

Then the introductions:
As the group of 20 or so made their introductions, the realisation for all in attendance was when #16 and #17 had to speak. 

Ohhhh shit, I thought as one by one the following was said.

• I'm a brewer
• We are about to open a craft beer bar
• I work in a 5 star hotel, cocktail lounge
• I OWN A BREWERY!
• I run 3 successful off licenses
• We (3  together) were sent by our boss to keep up to date with craft beer
• I'm a food and drink writer

Oh Fuck, were next.

In unison, "our wives sent us".

Met with some giggles and most certainly a snob look from a very small minority.  All good for us, day off work and permission to "sample".

Jaq Stedman knows her stuff boys and girls. Within a few minutes she already had our nose and taste buds honing in on various different flavours and smell sensations I never knew existed in beer.  She is a professional through and through and have not met her since the course, hope to do in the future and thank her in person. 

Who would have thought the smell of wet socks would not turn you off a drink? 

Strong cheese being another.  Now I like cheese, but cheese in beer? Oh Waiter, theres a Dairylea in my Imperial! 

Then as if by magic, the senses picked up caramel, peanuts, honey, grass, smoke, perfume, hay...this was Las Vegas  - craft style!

There were about 25 different bottles behind us from the length and breath of the island, twas fablis.

Jaq then apologised that not all her stock was here just yet, but there was at least the same amount again on its way shortly.  Ah here, were in High Roller Territory now!

Was she trying to get me drunk? I'm a married man! Well just about, see NYC bit above, fuck that!

Throughout the day we were introduced to each other, to hops of varying country and kind. A welcomed lunch from Mourne Seafood Bar and of course more sampling. Ciders were introduced too, not my cup of tea honestly but it was rude refuse. 

We mixed with the future of Crafties/Hipsters/Experts whatever takes your fancy and held our own as they day went on! 

Under the guidance of Jaq, the course was inspirational. Never once was a query overlooked, group interaction 100% of the times and most of all we had fun. In fact I'd go as far in saying if there were no beers it would still be enjoyable. 

So after spending 12 hours sampling our way through IPA, Imperials, Water, Pils, Dubbel's, Cider, Red, Blacks, Saisons, Sours, Bitters, Coppers, Coffee...the course finished with Milty and myself heading to the Brewdock to impress the population of Dublin with our new found knowledge.

Were they impressed? A course they were.  Autographs were handed out, photos were taken, we were even in some of them.

The night was drawing to a close and we were both full of knowledge and full of hops....there was nothing else left to do but go for a well earned jar.

We did.

We earned it.

Slainte!
@davyod

ADVENTures in Craft Part 2 - Craftvent Calendar 2015

Heres my version of a Craft Beer Calendar - Craftvent is launched!

For the best part of the last month, I've my scurrying to and fro from Off Licences, On-line Research, Word of Mouth, sure I even visited a brewery!

Well I'm pretty much wrecked! Was it worth it? I think so, but the readers can be the judge!

The FPO has been working tirelessly in the background, I wished for My Dream Advent Beer Calendar (above) but her access to a proper work bench was off limits.

But now the biggest question of all, one that has caused wars, family disputes and people to be unfriended on Social Meeja! Do Advent Calendars have 24 or 25 days?

For the needs of scientific research and no other influencing matter, I shall stake my hoppy claim at 25 Days! It what Albert & Oscar would have wanted. I'm sure you'll agree.

The rules I set myself for this project were:

• 25 Days 
• 25 Beers
• 1 Per brewery
• No repeat Brewery's 

Choices made based on:

• Previous Experience
• Lack of Previous Experience
• Recommendations
• Labeling
• Random
• Banter (#irishbeerchat)
• Seasonal

I've managed to hit all provinces on the island and to me anyways it's an eclectic mix of beers, I don't expect anyone to agree in full, but I do hope its a talking point over the next while.  

Each of the days from December 1st - December 25th I'll post each beer under #craftvent on my twitter feed some will be reviewed at the time, others for later. 

A few points to note upon my travels and it clearly affected my choices, I'm based in Dublin:

• The huge amount of choice in Dublin from all over the country
• The huge amount of the SAME choice in Dublin from all over the country - disappointing
• You really have to go digging to find something out of the ordinary
• The price differences in some "shops" to other "shops" is remarkable, I wonder do the producers know? Do they care?
• The price mark up in some pubs is at Celtic Tiger levels (certain can in certain shop €3, same can in certain Dublin based "craft pub" - €6.95)
• Always listen to a person who clearly knows what their talking about.
• Craft beer snobbery exists if you let it! 
• Draft taste and bottled taste of same beers, at times is completely different.
• The lack of Irish Craft Cans is disappointing.
• Any brewers I've met are very interesting and very proud of their product(s)

I would like to thank the following in particular for their advice, assistance etc....although it should be noted that "SOME" merely had the beer in stock and queries asked about the beers were met with a blank stare!

• The FPO 
• Liquid Curiosity
• Martins Off Licence
• Bens Beer Org
• John Coote
• All those on #irishbeerchat
• Mr & Mrs Beer Snob
• Drinkstore
• Milty
• Pinterest
• My bank account
• Carlos Jimenez
• McHughs
• O'Briens
• Dub Beer Girl
• Molloys

To anyone who I left out, my apologies. You can buy me a beer anyways!

So folks, here it is, my own version of 25 Irish Crafts Beers in all its glory! I give you CRAFTvent!

In random order of dates to appear

• The White Hag (Sligo)
• Cleverman (Wexford)
• Bo Bristle (Offaly)
• WILDCARD
• Four Provinces (Dublin)
• 5 Lamps Brewing (Dublin)
• Galway Bay (Galway)
• 9 WhiteDeer (Cork)
• Brehon Brewhouse (Monaghan)
• Dungarvan (Waterford)
• Metalman (Waterford)
• O'Brother (Wicklow)
• Reel Deel Brewery (Mayo)
• Kinnegar (Donegal)
• WILDCARD
• 8 Degrees (Cork)
• Brown Paper Bag (Dublin)
• Brú (Meath)
• Mountain Man (Cork)
• Radik Ale (Cork)
• Northbound (Derry)
• St. Mels (Longford)
• Jack Coadys (Louth)
• Hilden (Antrim/Down)
• Hope Brewery (Dublin)

So there you have it, no, its not a box, its NOT exactly light (bolted to the wall!) but myself and herself had a bitta laugh making it, maybe its the start of my fortune...then again maybe not.

Any questions or comments, fire away and thanks for reading!

Slainte agus Nollaig shona dhaoibh!

@davyod

ADVENTures in Craft Part 1

So, erm....lets begin shall we? Ok.

So craft beer? My interest stems over 3 or 4 years now (as at October 2015), but my real taste for crafties came after spending a day with Jaq from Liquid Curiosity and my good pal "Milty". I have my good wife (The Fun Prevention Officer) to thank for sending me on this course, I'm sure she would agree it was money well spent! 

I'll put it to you this way:
I used to like trying different beers, but "post course" now I appreciate them. 

I'll blog about the course in the near future.  

So after reading a tweet on d'internet I came across #irishbeeradventcalendar and this was the catalyst for the creation of The Glass Sandwich. 

I am now in the throws of devising my version of Craft Beer Advent Calendar, it's very early days yet, but already have selected a few crafties for it, but like most advent calendars you don't exactly know what your gonna get.

My chosen liquids will be based on:

• Some I've tried
• Some I have not
• Labelling
• Price
• General Feeling when I look at the bottle
• Peer pressure!
• Online Feedback
• Marketing
• Free gifts from rich people/brewery owners

All the pics regarding the Craft Advent Calendar are borrowed from a quick search and I thank those who went before me for the help...I'll need it! 

More updates in Part 2...soon.