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Welcome to Muse on Booze…

Muse on Booze

Welcome to our blog where we …errr, have a muse on booze.

Sammy and Jymi are just a couple of dudes who love the odd drink and also love to rate stuff, as we all do hey? So why not combine the two.

We review a beer every week and post it each weekend. So keep those eyes peeled now won’t you. As time ticks on we’ll be doing a few other booze related bits and bobs too, so again. EYES. PEELED!

See soon..

TWITTER: @museonbooze

KIRIN ICHIBAN

BEER REVIEW: 431

BREWER: Bryggt och Tappat, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 5%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 9th January 2026

SAMMY SAY’S…

Kirin Lager is the kind of beer that turns up with a polite smile and a pressed shirt, ready to mingle but not quite ready to dance. It’s got the charm of a well-behaved guest at a garden party: pleasant, inoffensive, and just a little bit forgettable. But let’s not be too harsh. There’s fun to be had here, even if it’s the kind that involves gentle nods rather than belly laughs.

The pour is clean and golden, with a fizz that’s more polite than enthusiastic. It settles quickly, leaving a modest head that vanishes like someone who’s just remembered they left the oven on. The nose is light and citrusy, with a faint whiff of grain and a whisper of lemon. It’s not going to win any awards for complexity, but it’s fresh enough to make you lean in for a second sniff.

First sip? It’s crisp. There’s a flash of malt, a touch of sweetness, and then a slightly metallic bitterness that arrives like an unexpected guest and stays just a bit too long. It’s not unpleasant, but it does make you wonder if the party’s about to wind down. There’s a hint of rice in the background – subtle, clean, and very much in keeping with Kirin’s Japanese roots – but it doesn’t do much to elevate the experience. It’s like someone brought sushi to a barbecue and forgot the soy sauce.

The mouthfeel is thin. Not watery exactly, but definitely on the lean side. It slides across the tongue like a beer that’s trying to be refreshing but forgot to bring its personality. You keep sipping, hoping it’ll thicken up or throw in a surprise, but it stays resolutely mild. It’s the kind of texture that makes you reach for crisps just to give your mouth something to do.

Packaging is solid. The gold and white label has a kind of retro elegance, and the mythical beast on the front, part dragon, part horse, part “what is that exactly?”, adds a touch of flair. It’s the kind of packaging you wouldn’t mind being seen with, even if you’re not quite sure what it’s trying to say. The name gets a tick. “Kirin” sounds cool, mysterious, and vaguely powerful. Shame the beer doesn’t quite live up to it.

It does get a nod for being easy going. You could drink this at a barbecue, a midweek dinner, or while watching a film you’ve already seen three times. It’s not going to distract you, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. But if you’re looking for depth, complexity, or a beer that makes you sit up and say “ooh,” this isn’t it.

Kirin Lager is a bit of a let down in the nicest possible way. It promises a mythical experience and delivers something more like a polite shrug. You won’t hate it. You might even enjoy it. But you’ll probably forget it by the time you’ve finished it. And maybe that’s okay. Not every beer needs to be a revelation. Some just need to be cold, fizzy, and vaguely agreeable. Kirin ticks those boxes. And then quietly exits stage left.

Sammy’s Rating: 55%

JYMI SAY’S…

The year was 1995. I was working at a local sports bar cleaning snooker tables and Sammy was trying to pull in some spending money for fags, cheap lager and CDs by plying his trade at the former supermarket, Somerfield. I distinctly remember one Saturday. I was staying over at Sam’s house, we had both been working that day and had also just been paid. It was going to be a big night. It was also Sammy’s first pay cheque from Somerfield.

Now the gig I had at the sports bar was a good one. Working on a Tuesday and Saturday I would receive £40 a week to clean and iron 10 snooker tables each day. I also got unlimited free snooker as well as free beer. I really was onto a winner, especially as once I got the technique down, 10 tables only took me 90 minutes.

But back to big pay day Saturday…

I think we had stuck on a Sonic Youth record. Sam was primed, brown envelope in hand. We had no idea what it was going to contain as he had forgotten how many hours he had worked and also hadn’t been informed what rate he was on.

It’s important for context here that you remember that I was earning £40 for 3 hours work plus unlimited snooker and beer.

Envelope opened. £47.90.

‘Not bad at all son!’ I exclaimed.

‘For 21 hours work… THAT’S £2.28 A FUCKING HOUR!’ Sam wailed!

This makes me giggle to this day! Not because of Sammy’s misfortune but because of the extreme reaction. However, once we realised that we had almost £90 between us spirits were high once more and the big night out was BACK ON!

Now, you maybe wondering why I telling this completely unnecessary anecdote? Well, the free beer I was getting from the sports bar, was Kirin!

Do I remember what it was like back then? No, not at all. But I’m fairly sure I liked it.

Thirty years on, let’s see how the brew today fares…

Ok, for the European market it is now brewed in Germany, not Japan. Bit of a shame but makes sense business wise I suppose.

Beer wise I have to say that what I got was TOTALLY unexpected…

A surprisingly good full honey nose leads the way. In the mouth it’s a touch dry and a touch bitter. In the swallow there is definitely a tickle of lime. The aftertaste is bitter and hoppy with the late aftertaste being slightly acrid and a touch smoky.

Remember, this is a lager!

Now while all of this was perfectly pleasant, you can see why I was taken aback!

Kirin, though clearly tasting like a lager does not behave like one at all.

This is a decent enough beer for sure, but oddly complex for it’s style. Worth a go without a doubt but if you’re looking for a summertime crushable brew, I’d say look elsewhere.

Jymi’s Rating: 64%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 59.5%

MOB review next weekend: VEDETT EXTRA PILSNER by BROUWERIJ DUVEL MOORTGAT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2026

MARTHA: QUAD

BEER REVIEW: 430

BREWER: The Brew Society, West Flanders, Belgium

STYLE: Strong Dark Ale

ABV: 12%

VESSEL: 11.15 Fl. Oz brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 2nd January 2026

JYMI SAY’S…

Confusion was high, not because of the mighty 12% (we’ll get to that), but because of what was the name of brewery and what was the name of the beer? After some extensive research (5 mins) it turns out that the brewer is THE BREW SOCIETY and Martha is a range that they do. There are also blonde and red versions of Martha as well as our brown ale today. This does explain CRAZY BROWN being written on the lid too, as in QUAD is the crazy brown version of Martha, a la Friends episode names. The Crazy Brown one…

I actually quite like this angle and if I was better versed in Brew Society beers it would have made sense from the off.

But the confusion did not end there for poor lil Jymi…

Considering this is a 12% big boy, on initial sip, where was the bigness? I wanted more. I wanted a hit! Yes, there was plenty of flavour but Quad was curiously thin. Thin is probably wrong, but it just wasn’t big enough. The flavour then dropped out fairly quickly and the aftertaste was, though lovely, faint. I WANTED MORE!

However, as you move your way through the brew things begin to come together. The flavour and the body begins to intensify, not to 12% levels but bigger and bigger Quad does get as you move through. It’s fairly sweet with a definite chocolate backbone.

If I’m being honest to get the true picture of Quad I feel it should have come in a bigger vessel. A 500ml (whatever that is in fluid ounce wise?!) bottle would have been ideal. BUT at 12% I fully understand why it doesn’t come in such a way.

If this brew tasted like it does at the conclusion, then we would be touching a 9/10 beer here, but it doesn’t so…

Jymi’s Rating: 75%

SAMMY SAY’S…

Martha Quad makes an entrance that feels quietly assured. The pour is deep and velvety, a rich chestnut brown with a soft, persistent head that hints at the creaminess to come. It settles with a kind of composure, as if it’s been poured a thousand times before and knows exactly how to behave. There’s a warmth to its appearance that invites you in without ceremony.

The aroma is subtle but rewarding. You have to lean in a little, and when you do, there’s a gentle wave of cocoa and roasted coffee, like the last few moments of a good café visit. It doesn’t overwhelm, and that restraint feels deliberate. There’s no flashiness here, just a quiet confidence in its own character.

On the palate, Martha Quad opens with smooth, rounded chocolate that coats the tongue without heaviness. It’s followed by a grounded bitterness, earthy and persistent, like the memory of dark soil after rain. The sweetness is present but never indulgent. It threads through the experience like a well-placed harmony, lifting the darker notes without ever tipping into syrup. Midway through the glass, a flicker of unsweetened cola emerges; dry, slightly herbal, and oddly nostalgic. It’s a clever touch, adding complexity without clutter.

The mouthfeel is exceptional. Full and smooth, it carries the flavours with grace, never rushing, never dragging. It’s the kind of texture that makes you slow down, that encourages you to notice. There’s a sense of completeness to it, as if every element has been given just enough room to breathe.

Packaging is quietly stylish. The warm brown tones echo the beer’s own palette, and the design feels modern but rooted in tradition. It’s recognisably Belgian in its cues, but not slavishly so. There’s a sense of care in the presentation, a respect for the drink inside.

Martha Quad doesn’t try to impress with theatrics. It doesn’t need to. It’s a beer that knows its strengths and plays to them with quiet precision. Balanced, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying, it leaves you with the sense that someone took their time — and that you should too.

Sammy’s Rating: 87%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 81%

MOB review next weekend: KIRIN by BRYGGT OCH TAPPAT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2026

GINGERBREAD LATTE

BEER REVIEW: 429

BREWER: Vault City, Lothian, Scotland

STYLE: Imperial Stout

ABV: 11%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 26th December 2025

JYMI SAY’S…

For this review to work, it’s important that you remember that I live in a stately home (seems beer reviewing pays pretty well, and you can see how, what with us sometimes hitting double figure likes on Bluesky!).

Christmas Eve through to a day or so after Boxing Day can be pretty hectic. Especially if you’re hosting and many family members come over to camp out / settle in for 4+ days. There is the food to prep, eat and tidy away, 3 or more times a day! When it comes to the drinking there is the constant chilling, pouring and cleaning of glasses. Presents need to be wrapped (hopefully prior, but not always), unwrapped and said wrapping tidied away. There is the endless patrol of people making sure they’re ok, having a nice time and ALIVE (especially when it comes to Uncle Walter). There is also entertainment… who wants what? Movie? Which movie? Music? What music? Are the kids all ok? Is Uncle Walter asleep oooooooor?? Are the dogs ok? Is the music too loud? Does anyone need a top up? Is the ham defrosting for tomorrow? Where did the bottle opener go?!…

IT’S HECTIC!!!

But there always comes that time to take yourself away from the chaos, maybe with your father, maybe with you brother-in-law, maybe with your brother or maybe with your father-in-law. It could be your sister, Uncle Walter or just yourself. You reside to the library for calmness, contemplation and a wee sip of something by the fire. Typically, maybe a brandy or a port… but this is where our behemoth of a beer today would come into its own. Gingerbread Latte is absolutely perfect for that moment of calm. Taking it easy for 30 mins. No rush. No stress. Just sitting peacefully in your easy chair… sipping.

And here is why…

This Imperial Stout is nothing short of exceptional. Starting proceedings with a sweet ginger syrup nose you know instantly that you’re in business. The taste is one of faint (but certainly in the forefront) ginger. The mouthfeel is one of thick creamy milk. The aftertaste is one of bitter coffee, with the bitterness building the more you get into it. And although this brew is biconically strong at 11%, it only comes across as something more in the 7% region making it slip down with absolutely zero effort nor alcohol burn. It’s rich, it’s uncinus, it’s luxurious… it’s fantastic.

And once finished you slip into a 20 min power nap with a HUGE WARM SMILE on your face safe in the knowledge that you have just consumed greatness in a glass.

And then… it’s back to the chaos!

All is good x

Jymi’s Rating: 96%

SAMMY SAY’S…

The taproom hums with Christmas hits and the clink of glasses, its chalkboard menu rewritten in candy-cane cursive for the season. You settle into a corner booth beneath a garland-strung window, and the bartender slides over the Gingerbread Latte like it’s a gift wrapped in aluminium. That tall 330ml tin gleams with festive flair; snowflakes, spice swirls, and just enough whimsy to make you grin before the pour even begins.

It lands in the glass like molasses in slow motion. Deep, dark, and decadent, crowned with a brown head that looks whipped by the elves themselves. The nose is a knockout, ginger and vanilla leap out like they’ve been waiting all year for this moment. It smells like the inside of a gingerbread house, if the house also served espresso and had a roaring fire.

The mouthfeel is pure velvet. It coats the tongue like a cashmere scarf, smooth and indulgent without ever tipping into heaviness. The flavour journey is a sleigh ride through a spice market. First, sweet vanilla, soft and creamy, like the foam on a festive latte. Then gingerbread, rich and chewy, followed by a swirl of cinnamon that warms like a hug from someone in a Nordic jumper. Just when you think it’s all sugar and spice, the coffee hits; a bold, bitter slap that grounds the sweetness and adds grown-up swagger. And then, like a ghost of Christmas past, the ginger returns, lingering long after the sip, a spicy echo that refuses to fade.

This beer doesn’t just taste festive, it feels like a tradition. It’s the kind of brew you’d serve at a midnight toast, or crack open after the last present’s been unwrapped. It’s strong, unapologetically so, but never brash. It’s confident. It knows it’s the best-dressed guest at the party and still brings a tin of homemade biscuits.

If your local coffee shop turned into a taproom for December, this would be the signature pour. It’s a stout that sings carols in minor chords, that pairs perfectly with ginger snaps and twinkling lights. It’s not just a beer, it’s a mood, a moment, a memory in the making. And you’ll want another.

Sammy’s Rating: 96%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 96%

MOB review next weekend: MARTHA: QUAD by THE BREW SOCIETY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

JOVIAN

BEER REVIEW: 428

BREWER: Beyond Belief Brewing, Hertfordshire, England

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 19th December 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

I had been waiting for Jovian all week. The bottle sat on the counter like a promise, brown hues glowing softly, the graphic around the beer’s makeup catching the light just right. It looked clever, it looked thoughtful, it looked like someone cared. The idea of surplus pasta and brownies turned into a stout felt bold and generous, like a brewer with a conscience and a sense of humour.

I opened it slowly, expecting richness, expecting warmth, expecting something that would wrap around me like a blanket and say, yes, this is what you hoped for. But the nose came first, kelp and burnt barley. Not a whisper of brownie, not even a hint of comfort. I told myself it might open up, it didn’t.

In the glass, it looked thin, not lean or elegant, just thin. I took a sip. There was some sweet chocolate at the front, and a flicker of bitter coffee. But the mouthfeel was absent, not light, not crisp, just missing. The flavours tried to speak but had no body to carry them. It was like listening to a song through broken speakers.

I kept going, hoping it would build, it didn’t. The sweetness stayed, but without depth. The bitterness lingered, but without bite. It was a beer that had all the right ideas and none of the follow-through, like a dream that starts with colour and ends in static.

Jovian wasn’t terrible, but it broke my heart a little. I wanted to love it, I really did.

Sammy’s Rating: 42%

JYMI SAY’S…

An interstellar approach to tin art… ok ok, yeah I’m alright with that but BBB haven’t exactly nailed it now have they?! And I’m afraid to say that when it comes to the beer itself, Houston, well actually Borehamwood, we have a problem.

The brew itself does get off of the ground quite well in fairness. There is a lovely yet faint brownie aroma up the shnoz and the initial flavour is again one of the chocolate loveliness that a brownie brings. But from there on in I’m afraid this attempt at reaching for the moon begins to plummet back down to earth.

Jovian (cool name, don’t quite see the correlation with the beer, but a cool name) just loses all momentum the further you get into the brew.

The taste of brownie dissipates to be replaced with a slight sour oddness. The body then seems to get thinner and thinner the lower your glass gets. The sourness does eventually fade, thankfully, but seems to be replaced by absolutely nothing. One late positive to cling onto is that the late late late mouthfeel is actually lovely.

But overall this stout just completely misses the essence of what a stout actually is and indeed should be.

A quick side note on the brewery… pos and neg.

POSITIVE:

I do love what Beyond Belief are attempting here. Brewing beers with surplus pasta and what ever odds and ends they can get their hands on. This time around, brownies.

NEGATIVE:

I’m sorry, but if you’re gonna call your outfit Beyond Belief Brewing, you better be making some absolute top end beer. And… well you know where I’m at already with Jovian.

Jymi’s Rating: 45%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 43.5%

MOB review next weekend: GINGERBREAD LATTE by VAULT CITY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

ALL THAT JAZZIES

BEER REVIEW: 427

BREWER: Indie Rabble, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 12th December 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

Like a late-night saxophone solo drifting through a snow-dusted speakeasy, All That Jazzies opens with a mellow groove. The name hits the right note—playful, festive, and full of promise—and the can design almost keeps tempo. Those embossed tile textures? Classy. But the brewery logo barges in like a trumpet blast mid-ballad, throwing off the visual harmony.

On the nose, it’s a soft shuffle: vanilla and stout play quietly in the background, never quite taking centre stage. It’s subtle, like brushed cymbals behind a slow swing—pleasant, but not quite bold enough to lead the band.

The taste kicks off with a rich chocolate riff, sweet and smooth, followed by a vanilla harmony that lingers just long enough to be noticed. There’s a bitter finish, restrained and clean, like the final chord of a jazz standard. It’s mellow—maybe too mellow. You keep waiting for the improvisation, the unexpected flourish, but it never quite arrives.

Mouthfeel is light, almost airy, like a brushed snare rather than a full-bodied bassline. It doesn’t weigh you down, but it doesn’t lift you up either. It’s a decent set—well-rehearsed, easy on the ears—but it’s missing that standout solo.

A smooth seasonal stout with sweet notes and subtle charm. Not a headliner, but worth a listen.

Sammy’s Rating: 73%

JYMI SAY’S…

Everything changes but yooooou, we’re a thousand miles apart but I still…

Oh put a flippin sock in it Robbie will ya.

But, with All That Jazzies, everything does change. Odd one this. Let’s get going (I foresee a long ramble coming, so if you’re reading this while having a coffee and cig break, don’t bother. But please come back later when you have time to read and decipher what’s to come (if I haven’t deleted the prior sentence, you have been warned)).

Just to get things started, as a kid I always thought those little chocolate button things covered in hundreds and thousands were called little chocolate button things covered in hundreds and thousands. Turns out they’re called, Jazzies. Who knew? Clearly not little Jymi.

OK, let’s get onto this changing theme…

Firstly. The nose.

It’s light, chocolatey and sweet. But moves to a less sweet and slightly fuller scent quite early on and certainly the more you put glass to gob.

Secondly. The taste.

Defo chocolate again as well as vanilla. It’s too sweet though. Not totally off the charts pint of melted down jazzies in a paper cup sweet, but too sweet nonetheless. However, again, as you move through the brew bitterness from the chocolate does begin to calm the sweetness.

Next. The texture.

It’s too thin. At first. But once 50% into your ATJ journey, the mouthfeel begins to thicken.

Next, again (this writing is going badly, I’m so sorry!) The aftertaste.

It’s fairly bland and non eventful… until, yep, you guessed it, near to the completion of the glass, where pecan enters the room with vanilla and chocolate and somehow gives a beautiful dry finish.

Wow. We’re almost there. Stay with me.

Basically if this brew had been scored for it’s first half performance it would have been around 5/10. Second half performance alone would have been pushing 10.

And we’ve ended up around 8.

I’m all for a beer building and being a bit of a journey but for All That Jazzies to be so good at the end of the experience kinda left me very underwhelmed / discombobulated at how meh the starting phase was.

My, what could have been… But ATJ is still decent.

And we’re done. For those that made it here I both thank and applaud you.

Jymi’s Rating: 81%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 77%

MOB review next weekend: JOVIAN by BEYOND BELIEF BREWING CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

SEASONALS: FOREIGN EXTRA STOUT

BEER REVIEW: 426

BREWER: Simple Things Fermentations, Glasgow, Scotland

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 7%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 5th December 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

There’s something quietly defiant about this Scottish stout. From the stripped-back can—naked but for two thoughtfully placed labels, one the deep brown of the beer itself, the other the cream of its head—it signals its intent: no frills, no fuss, just flavour. The inverted text is a clever nod to duality, and the whole package whispers of craft, not shouty branding.

Poured, it’s a brooding presence in the glass—inky, opaque, with molasses lending both weight and allure. It looks like it means business. The nose confirms it: burnt treacle rises first, followed by a loamy, autumnal earthiness that grounds the sweetness in something more elemental. It’s a scent that lingers, beckons, and warns.

On the tongue, this stout doesn’t flinch. The mouthfeel is thick, almost chewable—this is a beer to sip, not swig. The molasses, surprisingly, don’t tip it into dessert territory. Instead, they act as ballast for a bitterness that arrives late but stays long. It claws, it grips, it refuses to let go. For some, that might be a dealbreaker. For others—myself included—it’s the hook.

This isn’t a crowd-pleaser. It’s a fireside companion, a contemplative pour. A slow burner with a bitter heart and a bold soul. It may not win on name alone, but it earns its place by character. And in a world of easy stouts, that’s worth raising a glass to.

Sammy’s Rating: 81%

JYMI SAY’S…

HEY GOOGLE… how do you spell coooooor?

I’m sorry, I don’t understand.

HEY GOOGLE… how do you spell cooooooooor, as in cooooooooor this beer is good?

I’m sorry, I don’t understand.

ALEXA, how do you spell coooooooooooooor?

The Coorunjuni river flows north to south in the…

Welcome to December beautiful people and let this be a reminder that this is a time for being together and the basics. After all, Christmas was far better when someone received a wooden yoyo rather than a PS5 that their parents couldn’t afford.

I finally found out that coooooooor is actually spelt, C O R. So I was actually correct but just over extenuating the oooooooooooo. But to be fair I was right to do so as Foreign Extra Stout definitely deserves way more than one ‘O’.

Terrific brew this…

Firing off with a dark chocolate, liquorice and liquor nose you just know you’re gonna be in business. First sip, and all sips to be fair, is smooth as silk and grand! The swallow notes are of more robust dark chocolate tones offering a nice twist on the early silkiness. Then the aftertaste, blimey. It’s massive. Soooooo (deserved Os again) bitter. This will defo divide drinkers, but even if not a fan here, going back in with the next sip of sensational smoothness is just divine. A cyclical balance.

All coming from a non zany but very different approach to tin art…

STF, I’m in love.

Right, I’m off to watch the Holiday…

And you, should be off to find this beer.

Jymi’s Rating: 91%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 86%

MOB review next weekend: ALL THAT JAZZIES by INDIE RABBLE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

TUSKER

BEER REVIEW: 425

BREWER: East African Breweries Group, Nairobi County, Kenya

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 28th November 2025

JYMI SAY’S…

Firstly, the packaging. Utterly sensational. The colours and design are just perfect, and then you notice that the bottle is embossed. You get up with much vigour from your tasting chair and applaud slowly but loudly with cupped hands. OUTSTANDING.

Next, the fact that this brew is still, over 100 years since conception, brewed in Africa. This is exactly the type of beer that gets swallowed up by the big boys. You rotate the bottle only to be told it’s now put together by the likes of Heineken, in Edinburgh. But no, Tusker is very much brewed in Nairobi to this very day. And whilst I’m fairly certain the EABG are not the teeny tiny micro brewery that I imagine they are in my head, in Kenya Tusker is brewed, and that is enough for Jymi boi… just.

The beer itself, though nothing to get overly excited about is decent enough. Not great, but passes muster. The texture is probably the highlight. Light and crisp so therefore, chuggable.

Though I wouldn’t say you should go out of your way to find Tusker, you should defo pick one up if you happen to see one on your travels. Just for the overall experience, if nothing else.

Jymi’s Rating: 63%

SAMMY SAY’S…

Tusker arrives with the quiet confidence of an African elephant crossing the plains. Brewed in Kenya, it carries a sense of place and pride that feels both grounded and enduring. The name alone evokes strength and heritage, and the packaging is a triumph. The squared shoulders of the bottle give it a bold silhouette, while the black and yellow colour scheme is used with restraint and impact. The elephant logo, placed like a beer mat on the front, adds a tactile charm that feels deliberate and iconic.

On the nose, Tusker offers a malty aroma with a hint of something earthy and damp, reminiscent of a bog at dusk. It is not unpleasant, but it does not trumpet freshness either. The taste unfolds slowly, beginning with a touch of aniseed and lemon. Malt flows steadily throughout, never overpowering but always present. As the glass empties, a soft lager sweetness emerges, like fruit left out for passing elephants. It is not a stampede of flavour, but it holds its ground with quiet determination.

The mouthfeel is surprisingly full for a lager. It does not shake the earth, but it is no featherweight either. Smooth and steady, it mirrors the gait of the creature it is named after. Tusker earns discretionary points for staying true to its roots. It is not trying to be flashy or modern. It is simply Tusker, brewed in Kenya, and proud of it.

Overall, this is a strong offering for a lager. Not immense, but memorable. Not wild, but wise. Tusker does not need to shout. It just walks in, leaves its mark, and moves on.

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 66.5%

MOB review next weekend: SEASONALS: FOREIGN EXTRA STOUT by STF

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

SUPERDELIC SOUNDWAVE

BEER REVIEW: 424

BREWER: Siren Craft Brew, Berkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 5.6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 21st November 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

Oh… this was meant to be Superdelic, wasn’t it? A name that suggests vibrancy, resonance, a full-spectrum sensory bloom. But what arrived in the glass was more like a dampened waveform—low amplitude, narrow frequency, and barely a ripple on the sensory oscilloscope.

Visually, in the glass it’s clearer than anticipated. A faint haze, yes, but mostly transparent—like a signal that’s been filtered too cleanly, stripped of its noise and nuance. The packaging is a triumph, though. Purple tones and claw-like graphics suggest energy and edge. If only the contents matched the container.

The nose emits a promising signal: citrus, pineapple, lime, grapefruit. A bright, high-frequency burst that hints at complexity. But the taste? It’s a compressed waveform. Buttered grapefruit up front, a sweet finish that feels like a clipped echo. There’s a black tea note that flickers faintly—like a low-level hum in the background—but it never builds, never modulates into anything meaningful.

Bitterness is present but shallow. The mouthfeel? Practically non-existent. It’s like drinking a flattened sine wave—no texture, no resonance, no harmonic depth. Just a thin, single-channel transmission.

This isn’t noise. It’s not distortion. It’s just… underwhelming. A good beer, technically. But not superdelic. Not even close. It lacks the dynamic range, the layered frequencies, the sonic complexity that Soundwave delivers so effortlessly.

I love Siren. I love Soundwave. But this? This was a muted signal. Hopes tuned high, only to receive static.

Sammy’s Rating: 42%

JYMI SAY’S…

Superdelic Soundwave, what a superb sounding name! But there’s more to it than just those delicious words. Soundwave IPA is one of Sirens first ever brews and is still part of their core range today. And Superdelic is a fairly new hop to come from that hop haven that is New Zealand. So what Siren have done here is to produce their regular Soundwave but with the addition of the Superdelic hop, which brings with it candied fruit qualities, supposedly. So to end up with the name Superdelic Soundwave was actually pretty obvious in the end I’d imagine. But that does not take away how great it is as a name for a brew!

Let’s see how she fairs…

Ok, first up, it’s not as good as the OG Soundwave, let’s just get that clear.

But is it good? Well, surprisingly, no (seeing as Siren have brought both of us endless good beer to the table, both personally and for Muse on Booze for over 9 years now).

It’s a touch on the sweet side and lacking a little bit of body as well as a bit of pizzaz. No matter how you came upon the name Superdelic Soundwave, a beer donning that name needs some pizzaz, I think you’ll agree.

With a delightful tropical nose to lead, you do think utter greatness is to come. The early taste is again tropical with our pal pine to balance things out. But it’s in the middle of the drinking that this brew just doesn’t push on to where you hoped, probably thought, that it would. There’s no umph. It’s just, lacking.

Drinkable? For sure.

Disappointing? For sure…

and the first real chink we have seen in Sirens armour.

Jymi’s Rating: 47%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 44.5%

MOB review next weekend: TUSKER by EAST AFRICAN BREWERIES GROUP

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

museonbooze.com

M O B 2025

TRANSMISSION

BEER REVIEW: 423

BREWER: North, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6.9%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 14th November 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

Some beers arrive with a name that invites interpretation, and Transmission is one of them. Is it a signal sent across the airwaves, crackling with retro charm and citrus notes? Or is it a mechanical shift—gears grinding, torque building, a ride that promises momentum but stalls in second? In this case, both metaphors apply, and neither quite resolves. Transmission is a beer that wants to move, wants to speak, but ends up somewhere between static and slippage.

Transmission – Static in the Signal

Tuning into Transmission, you’re met with a golden haze that looks like it’s broadcasting sunshine. The can design hums with retro 80s vibes—neon colours and graphic flair—but the overall signal feels scrambled. There’s a frequency you want to love, but it keeps drifting.

On the nose, citrus and pineapple crackle faintly through the static. It’s a pleasant intro, but the volume’s too low to make a lasting impression. You’re waiting for the chorus, but it never quite drops.

The taste plays like a one-hit wonder: lime leads the melody, sweet and upfront, but the track lacks depth. There’s a hint of alcohol distortion in the mix, and the mouthfeel is thin—like a weak FM signal fading at the edges. It’s listenable, even catchy in moments, but not something you’d keep on repeat.

Whether you’re spinning the dial or shifting the clutch, Transmission feels like it’s searching for its sweet spot. The citrus and pineapple notes suggest a bright, energetic brew, but the execution leans too heavily on sweetness and lacks the complexity to carry either metaphor fully. It’s a beer that wants to groove and move—but ends up idling in place.

Sammy’s Rating: 57%

JYMI SAY’S…

I like the name, I like the name a lot.

I like the tin art, I like the tin art a lot.

I like the beer, but I don’t like the beer a lot.

Let’s start from the start… thankfully Transmission doesn’t smell like a gearbox nor a plasterer’s radio but of pine and citrus fruit, nice but nowt new or to get excited about.

Next came the absolute highlight for me, and it’s hard to put into words (which is a worry seeing as this format relies wholly on words). The sip is glacial. I don’t mean slow moving, I mean it is sooooo crisp and light. Not packed with flavour, but just a joy in the mouth as a texture.

Once swallowed you begin to understand what Transmission is about. It’s an East meets West hybrid, some may call it a Mountain IPA, North have chosen not to.

Sweet and juicy upfront a la New England IPA but then the West Coast hop rockets come piling in! Well, on first sip anyway.

As you move through the brew these poles begin to blend. I’m sure that was intentional from the brewer but for me I wanted them to stay apart. Sweetish juice followed by a bitter hop smack in the chops.

But when all is said and done Transmission is a very decent brew. One I may not go searching for but would defo buy if I saw again.

Jymi’s Rating: 77%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 67%

MOB review next weekend: SUPERDELIC SOUNDWAVE by SIREN CRAFT BREW

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

CONEY

BEER REVIEW: 422

BREWER: Brew York, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Session IPA

ABV: 4.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 7th November 2025

JYMI SAY’S…

There are two kinds of people in this world…

Rabbit experts, and non rabbit experts.

I am not a rabbit expert, though thankfully (well, as he professed) Sammy is.

What does Coney mean then? I said.

It’s a rabbit init. Sammy replied.

Oh, ok, cool.

When it came to test day, I rotated the can one handed (a method I have perfected over the reviewing years), to hopefully learn more about the beer. Only to be told by the Brew York Beer Explainers (#BYBE) that Coney meant Rabbit.

Was Sammy really a rabbit expert? Or had he just lifted this info from the tin and passed it off as great wisdom?

I don’t suppose we’ll ever truly know.

Anyway, onto the brew… and I’m going to start with a pretty bold statement…

THIS IS THE WORST NOT TERRIBLE BEER THAT I HAVE EVER CONSUMED.

Going to need some unpicking that, I know…

Beers pretty much fall into five categories when it comes to quality.

Out of this world, really flippin good, solid brew, drinkable (but not very good) and ruddy awful.

Coney sits very much in the fourth one on this list, Drinkable but not very good. And it’s the worst one of these I’ve ever had. It is actually ruddy awful if I’m being honest but not to the point of throwing it down the drain so just crept into the 4^th tier.

The main issue is that this is a session IPA that’s coming in at 4.5% ABV. That is on the strong side for a SIPA but drinks like something in the low 3%s. There is absolutely nothing to Coney when it comes to body. And regarding the flavour, you really do have to stick on your Elmer Fudd suit and go hunting…

Slightly sour upfront (not in a good way) with teeny tiny hints of lime and coconut.

Time to wrap this up and move on, you know my thoughts by now, this is a very poor beer, without being disgusting.

Jymi’s Rating: 35%

SAMMY SAY’S…

Coney bounds into the glass with a golden haze and a frothy head that’s as inviting as a sunlit meadow. The name itself—Coney, an old-world nod to the humble rabbit—sets the tone for a beer that’s playful, refreshing, and just a touch elusive.

On the nose, it twitches with mango and floral notes, like sniffing the breeze in a citrus orchard where wildflowers bloom quietly in the underbrush. It’s gentle, not overpowering, but charming in its restraint—like a rabbit peeking from the hedgerow.

The taste hops along sweet citrus paths, pausing for a moment in mango groves before ending in a soft floral flourish. It’s a flavour journey that starts strong but scampers off too soon, leaving you chasing its tail. A bit more body would help it linger longer in the mouth, but what’s there is undeniably refreshing and distinct.

Mouthfeel is where Coney stumbles—thin and fleeting, like a hare darting across a field. It’s not unpleasant, just a little too quick to vanish. The packaging, too, could use a bolder leap. The rabbit theme is clever, but the visual execution feels more timid than tenacious.

Still, Coney earns its stripes with a unique flavour profile and a name that ties everything together with a wink. It’s a beer that doesn’t need to shout—it just needs to stay a little longer in the spotlight.

A delightful springtime sipper that could benefit from a touch more boldness—but still worth chasing down.

Sammy’s Rating: 83%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 59%

MOB review next weekend: TRANSMISSION by NORTH

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

museonbooze.com

M O B 2025