BEER REVIEW: 363

BREWER: Cotswold Brew Co., Oxfordshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 33oml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 20th September 2024

 

JYMI SAY’S…

First up, it’s odd… when we reviewed Hawkstone Lager, the packaging struck me as smart, almost debonair, but I think that was because it is very much so for a bottle of lager. However, now we have the IPA form in front of us I’m feeling that it’s a little dull and boring, even though it is exactly the same. Not sure how to explain this. We are where we are I suppose.

Secondly, again because of the success of the lager, I was expecting great things here. But, I’m saddened to say, great things did not come.

That’s not to say there were not any highlights, because there were…

Let’s start at the beginning shall we.

The nose coming off of Hawkstone IPA is FANTASTIC. Sweet and full. Awesome.

The in mouth sip is also pretty nice to be fair.

But it’s then we get the mega low point… this brew really falls away in the swallow. Like, REALLY falls away!

But then at least comes a very high point. The late aftertaste is delightful. So bitter without being overwhelming.

If I’m being honest here, this brew at 4.8% is just too weak. It’s not at IPA level.  It needs more alcohol to boost and carry the flavours through. Because the flavours are good.

It’s a shame, Hawkstone have missed a trick here. If this beer was approaching 6% I really think they would have been onto something.

Jymi’s Rating: 51%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Well, I cracked open this here ‘awkstone IPA after a long day’s work, thinkin’ it’d ‘it the spot, same as that ‘awkstone lager did. But truth be told, this one’s more like a steady old workhorse than a fast pony.

First sniff, I thought, “Where’s all them hops?” It’s ‘ardly got a whiff of any ‘ops.  Mostly it’s that malty, barley business, like the kind of ale you’d get back in the day, mind. Ain’t no fancy craft brew ‘oppiness in this one, that’s for sure.

As for the taste, it’s fine enough. Goes down easy; don’t really feel like no IPA to me, mind. More like a cross between a lager and a golden ale. It’s got that maltiness sittin’ ‘eavy, and not enough of that ‘op magic that makes you sit up and pay attention.

I’ll say this, mind – it’s smooth enough. If you’re just lookin’ for somethin’ to drink after a ‘ot day out in the fields, it’ll do the job just fine. Won’t blow your boots off, mind.

So, if you want somethin’ simple and easy, this ‘awkstone IPA’s like a reliable ol’ tractor. But if you’re ‘opin’ for a wild ride, you might wanna ‘itch your wagon to somethin’ else, mind.

Sammy’s Rating: 59%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 55%

MOB review next weekend: SOLAR GAZE by MAGIC ROCK

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2024