BREWER: Wolf Brewery, Norfolk, England

STYLE: Blonde Lager

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

TWITTER: @WolfBrewery

INSTAGRAM: wolfbrewery

DATE OF POST: 9th April 2023

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Love little Mr. Sheep sitting all surprised after realising he’s been duped by a frankly shite disguise from Mr.Wolf. But that’s where my love for this beer’s packaging ends.

Now, I only realised that Crafty Wolf was actually a lager as I sat it down in front of me ready to be tested. I’m normally fairly on top of what we have coming up but for some unknown reason I thought this was a Pale Ale. Gawd knows why.

Anyway, my heart sank a little when I noticed the beer style, especially when it was a double whammy of being a Blonde Lager as well!

Now the reason for this is that generally for me (there is a chance of contradiction in prior reviews!) I find the beer styles of Blonde and Lager struggle to fall into the ok bracket. They are either good / great or poor / terrible. So I was thinking with Crafty Wolf here, with the two combined, that this better be at least good or it’s gonna be awful!

Now, things did not get off to the best start as the nose of this brew is pretty unappealing. The initial taste as well is not really doing too much at all. Expert Power Notes read, ‘tastes like a wishy washy lager’. On reflection I’m not totally sure what I meant by that but it’s certainly not positive. It’s thin and defo not a jam-packed flavoursome drink as the label claims.

But to be fair to CW, as I made my way through the brew citrus notes began to develop in the early sip and a faint bitterness snuck in during the aftertaste. However, I did not enjoy this beer too much I’m afraid.

On a side note (this is not a dig at Wolf Brewery nor Felinfoel, who’s Double Dragon we reviewed recently), if you’re promoting that your beer has won an award, I really think that the year said award was won should be stated. Make of that what you will.

Jymi’s Rating: 34%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

I feel it’s only fair that I’m going to start this review with a disclaimer: I am not a big fan of blonde beers.  In fact, I’m not really a fan at any level at all.  I know there are people out there that love them.  But I am just not one of them.  It takes an exceptionally good blonde to even get me onside.

Crafty Wolf is a blonde beer.  It therefore goes without saying (although I have just mentioned it) that it has an uphill struggle for me to like it.

I’m afraid, it doesn’t make it up that hill.  I simply do not like it.  

However, that said, I can see how many people might like Crafty Wolf.  It’s not holding back on its blonde credentials.  It’s got an intense bittersweet flavour, which for some would be very enjoyable.  For me, it’s too much.  I’d go as far to say that I struggled to find my way to the bottom of the glass.

I was really rooting for Crafty Wolf to get a beer review nod from me.  I like the fact that it comes from a small brewery.  I even like the packaging and the artwork.  I so desperately wanted to enjoy this beer.  I just can’t find it in me to say that I enjoyed it because I didn’t.

If you’re partial to a blonde, give it a go.  If you want to support small breweries out there, give it a go.  I hope you like it.  I really do.  I feel it’s worthy of being enjoyed.  And it’s in the wrong hands with me. 

Sammy’s Rating: 43%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 38.5%

MOB review next weekend: OZUJSKO by ZAGREBACKA PIVOVARA

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Twitter: @museonbooze

Instagram: muse.on.booze

museonbooze.com