BEER REVIEW: 342 (done simultaneously with 1 minute beer review – see what Dan thinks now over on TikTok – @1minutebeerreview) 

BREWER: Polly’s, Flintshire, Wales (with Elusive Brewing, Berkshire)

STYLE: West Coast Pale Ale

ABV: 3.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin 

X: @pollysbrewco

INSTAGRAM: pollysbrewco 

DATE OF POST: 26th April 2024

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I think that it’s probably good to start with what is written on the tin by our brewer Polly’s, to give us the back story to this beer…

We were absolutely honoured earlier this year to find we had been asked to take part in Elusive’s yearly Collabageddon series of beers, and honoured even more so that we had been asked to partner up with the host brewery themselves after working so closely and crossing paths multiple times over the years. Knowing of our passion for all things West Coast, it felt like it was the most naturel option to lean into our shared passion, and having looked at the trajectory of Elusive’s Oregon Trail over the years we noticed that it had gone up in strength, but never down. With this in mind, we decided to brew Llanberis Trail – an ultra-crushable Oregon Trail recipe brewed to a sessionable ABV, with our Welsh water profile. The result is a crisp, clean session pale, with a hefty amount of punchy bitterness to honour the beers we collectively love so much.

 

Before even popping this pup it is a beer that is already close to my heart. See, the Llanberis Path is the one that I took up Mount Snowdon pretty much a year ago today in memory of my beautiful Mum who had passed away a year prior to that. And it’s quite clear from the tin art and play on words that this where this beer’s name came from.

OK, I’m about to crack this brew but first I have a confession to make. I’m nervous. Why? Because it’s only 3.8%. Now with Polly’s steering the wheel, helped by the mighty Elusive bringing the Oregon Trail recipe to the party we really should not have a problem here…

But a decent Westy at only 3.8%??? Surely it can’t be done?

Right, let’s go…

F**k me, it can be done. Oh wow, this is serious… Going in for the second sip…

Crickey, 3.8% or not, this is an absolute BANGER of a brew!!!

There’s burnt orange, there’s caramel, it is really crisp, smooth and crushable as well as the promised and essential level of bitterness. Basically, they’ve nailed it!

You can’t even buy this beer now but seriously; this needs to happen again Polly’s and Elusive.

And if it does, I will attempt to buy it all. That’s if me boi Sammy or my man Dan (1MBR) don’t get there first, assuming they like it of course?! They will, I’m sure of it.

Jymi’s Rating: 81%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Llanberis Trail is a collaboration between Polly’s Brewery and Elusive Brewing. The name is based on the latter’s Oregon Trail, a west coast IPA, only it’s been adapted to fit with the former’s Welsh base. 

Whether it be the Welsh water, or the banging combination of hops, or more likely all the things that go into this brew, it’s undoubtedly a belter.  

LT is very clean in the mouth – it packs a hoppy punch upfront and gives way to the well known bitterness of a West Coast brew.  Alongside this, it’s a very refreshing beer. 

But what has to be taken into account, is that the two breweries have managed to do this with a meagre 3.8% abv. Yes, I know. West Coast pedigree in a session percentage. And you really could have a session on LT without getting bored of it. 

A very strong beer. I reckon this would get the seal of approval from a wide range of beer drinkers. 

Sammy’s Rating: 84%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 82.5%

MOB review next weekend: UNCLE ZESTER by SIREN CRAFT BREW

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Twitter: @museonbooze

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