Apologies for the super late post (though a Sunday evening slot does seem quite nice to be fair?).

We do have a very good reason though.. 50% of the MOB crew got married yesterday and the other 50% was best man. So booze took a back seat for a bit.

Actually, it really really didn’t…..

Anyway, let’s rock!

BREWER: BrewDog, Aberdeenshire

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 5.6%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

TWITTER: @BrewDog

MOB RATING: 87%

JYMI SAY’S…

So here we have it, BrewDog’s flagship brew…

As we know BrewDog have gone from strength to strength over recent years and not without the odd bit of controversy either. But that aside the BD brand seems to just keep on growing and growing. Whether it’s a new boozer popping up, a new brew coming out, something snazzy going on over the pond in the US or their new fanzine (a fortnightly subscription sending it’s subscribers 3 limited edition beers to test and feedback on), there is always something going on with this brewing powerhouse from Aberdeenshire.

But what is their secret?

Great business model? Clever marketing? Luck? Well, it’s probably a little bit of all of these but the main reason for me has to be… THESE DOGS BREW DANG GOOD BEER!!! Simple as that. Business model, marketing and luck will only get you so far if your brews are average or worse. But if you’re turning out splendid beer after splendid beer alongside this great things can happen. And the proof is in the hoppy pudding. That said I haven’t tried everything that BrewDog have to offer but what I have has always delivered in a big way. Our review on DEAD PONY CLUB 2 months ago being a casing point.

So to the flagship, PUNK IPA..

Blimey. IT IS INCREDIBLE. HUGE HUGE HUGE FLAVOUR!! It really has got a very powerful taste and a tonne of length also. As big as the flavour is it’s not overwhelming and is actually very refreshing. I really like the way the bitterness comes early but then dips to a smooth long hoppy finish. All this proceeded by a nose that tells you what you’re in for, a delight. You can tell the strength of Punk with that initial flavour but then it tricks your mind into thinking, pah, maybe it’s not that strong after all. It is. Trust me. Don’t get me wrong there are way stronger IPA’s out there and 5.6% does fall into that bracket of maybe one more can’t hurt? But honestly, this feels like it can be a sessioner (probably because it’s so nice) but eventually, PUNK IPA WILL TAKE YOU DOWN!

In conclusion Punk IPA is a mighty fine brew, but you knew that already didn’t you…

Jymi’s Rating: 85%

SAMMY SAY’S…

A simple sentence that says it all: Brew Dog stormed the craft beer scene in the UK. There are some that say they have sold out and lost their soul. There are some that say they don’t class them as craft anymore…

Here we have the well-known Punk IPA. The tropical notes streaming off of this beer are magnificent. The aromas draw you in. They pull at your taste buds until you find yourself unable to resist that sip. And what a sip it is. Punk is a full on flavour sensation. There is depth in its slightly bitter, very hoppy taste. It keeps on giving and coming back for more.

You might be tricked into thinking that punk can’t be drank in a session. But believe me it can. And one of the great things about this beer is that can after can, bottle after bottle, pint after pint it always tastes as good as the first. It’s not so often that you can say that about a beer.

Let’s be honest, who cares how you categorise a beer? Does it matter if a brewery sells out? After all, they’re a business. I’m going to cut to the chase, none of it matters when we are given a beer as good as Punk IPA. It is outstandingly good. It really is that simple. This IPA is belting. And all you purists out there can put that in your pipe and smoke it.