12 Acres Brewing Company "Golden Pale Ale"

12 Acres Brewing Company is one I have to say I don't know a whole lot about. At the time of writing, I think there is a small glitch with their website.

Coming in (my opinion the best) the 500ml Bottle, traditional packaging with some chap, I'll presume he's from Clonmore, Killeshin.  The label does describe how the name 12 Acres is from one of their fields, where the barley, the water etc is all sourced as depicted in their ground/glass imagery below.

I'd argue that their image is one of a safe one. Colours easy on the eye, traditional so to speak and would appeal to all really.

Clearly they know what their up to as they achieved a Bronze Cup right here  recently!

The Sniff
Initial sweet biscuit, but as with some pales I've tried recently, its not very hard on the nose.

The Squint
No lacing, a light cloudy caramel fluid that looks great I have to say.

The Quench
Very refreshing, maybe its the power of marketing, maybe its the truth, but I did get a sense "brewed - shipped - bought - drank". Translation, brew it and drink it to get maximum benefits.

The "drink before" date on this bottle is May next year (2016), even with the best will in the world it wouldn't last that long.

Carbonation there, not champagne bubbles or anything thankfully and a sweet biscuit caramel again, some where in their popping up its head ever so often is a tiny flake of citrus.

The Finale
It's not marketed as one, however it has all the makings of a Session IPA to be honest! I want more and I shall have more.  Yes, this prince shall go to the ball!

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

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