Author: Muse on Booze

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 4th 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

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M O B 2025

BEYOND

BEER REVIEW: 421

BREWER: Northern Monk, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 568ml tin (pint)

DATE OF POST: 31st October 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

The name suggests escape velocity. You picture something bold, boundary-breaking, maybe even a little cosmic. But then you meet the pint-sized tin—stretched like a mural across a surface too large for its own good. The colours are sharp, the design intriguing, but it feels like a 330ml soul trapped in a 568ml body. A spacecraft built for short hops, not deep space.
The nose is where the promise flickers: pine-forward with a twist of lime, bright and clean without veering into bathroom cleaner territory. It’s a well-judged aroma—fresh, inviting, and just restrained enough to avoid cliché.
Drinking it, the pine and citrus return, but softened. The boldness hinted at in the nose becomes a whisper on the tongue. It’s refreshing, light, and well-behaved—like a craft beer that’s been told to mind its manners at a dinner party. There’s no haze, no hop bomb, no syrupy weight. Just a clean sip that knows its limits.
Mouthfeel is modest, packaging underwhelms, but the name earns its keep. “Beyond” may be a stretch, but it’s not a lie—it just doesn’t quite reach orbit. Still, there’s charm in its restraint. It’s a beer for many occasions: a post-hike pint, a barbecue companion, a fridge staple that won’t demand a dissertation.
A decent drop that flirts with ambition but never quite leaves the launchpad. Not quite beyond—but not stuck in the past either.

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

EXTERNAL

First things first, why on earth does this tin look so massive??? Actually, massive is the wrong word, LONG. Why on earth does this tin look so long???

I mean, I know why really, it’s a pint can. And I applaud Northern Monk for having the presence of mind to deliver this traditional IPA in such a vessel.

But why the f**k does it look so long??? I was fully expecting to lift the lid and for four tennis balls to come rolling out.

Look, I’m well versed in a bigger than standard 440ml tin. Arbor and Deya have been chucking them out for what seems like forever, but somehow Northern Monk have made theirs look longer than a conga.

Anyway, to the all important internal…

 

INTERNAL

The beer pours with a medium body and a slightly creamy mouthfeel that primes the palate. The nose is inviting, offering a zesty citrus aroma which captures the bright, vibrant spirit typical of trad IPAs.

There is defo a hoppy bite in the first sip, which is lovely and settles the nerves, confirming that Beyond is a classic IPA, from a craft brewery. As it settles, the hops linger, coming forward most assertively in the aftertaste, while the overall malt base stays subtle and clean. The beer feels somewhat one dimensional on the swallow however, as the flavour drops off mid sip. While the finish is crisp, it could benefit from additional depth or complexity to truly shine.

The hop presence remains strong and satisfying for those who crave classic IPA bitterness. If there’s a weakness, it’s a slight lack of richness as the beer goes down, leaving a bit to be desired for those looking for layered flavours.

But when all is said n done, Beyond is a very good representation of its category. Solid, reliable, and refreshing, if slightly restrained in complexity.

And a Jymi Hats off to Northern Monk for going classic (trad) rather than craft (modern)… though it is a modern take on trad. Oh gawd… do I need to start this review again??!!

Jymi’s Rating: 79%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 74.5%

MOB review next weekend: CONEY by BREW YORK

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025 

BEIRUT

BEER REVIEW: 420

BREWER: Kassatly, Zahlé, Lebanon

STYLE: Pilsner

ABV: 4.6%

VESSEL: 330ml green bottle

DATE OF POST: 24th October 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

There’s something quietly compelling about a beer that bears the name of a city like Beirut. You want it to tell a story—to carry the pulse of the place, the clash of old and new, the salt air and sun-warmed stone. And while this pilsner doesn’t roar, it does whisper.

The bottle’s pull-cap is a small delight—practical, unfussy, and somehow fitting. The tagline, “committed to excellence,” feels aspirational, like the city itself: always reaching, always rebuilding.

On the nose, it’s a salty lager—more sea spray than citrus grove. Not unpleasant, just subdued. It doesn’t sing, but it hums a low note, like traffic on a distant boulevard.

The taste follows suit: thin, yes, but not hollow. There’s a faint butteriness, a touch of roast, and a saline finish that lingers like the memory of a swim in the Mediterranean. It’s not a beer that demands attention, but it doesn’t shrink from it either.

Mouthfeel is minimal, packaging is modest, and yet—there’s something about it. A passable pilsner, yes, but also a gesture. A nod to place. A quiet offering from a city that’s seen more than most and still finds ways to raise a glass.

Not remarkable, but not completely forgettable either.

Sammy’s Rating: 53%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

NAME & PACKAGING:
A lager from Lebanon going by the name of Beirut… I’ve got no issue with that. In fact, it’s actually a great name.
As far as the packaging goes, though it’s poor, the green bottle does go a long way to setting off the label. While the way this bottle of Pilsner looks is certainly not good, I don’t mind it too much at all.

NOSE:
Ruddy awful. So metallic.

TASTE:
From the nose, I wasn’t expecting much, but, though a little thin, Beirut is ok. It’s crisp in mouth and a Pilsner spice / bite emerges the more you make your way through the brew.

OVERVIEW:
Miles away from a world beater yes. But all things considered I’d happily house this beer as a fridge filler in my… fridge.

Jymi’s Rating: 54%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 53.5%

MOB review next weekend: BEYOND by NORTHERN MONK

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

museonbooze.com

M O B 2025

BODEGA RUN

BEER REVIEW: 419

BREWER: Brooklyn Brewery, West Midlands, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 3.4%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 17th October 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

“Just poppin’ t’shops me luv”

Could you grab some milk while you’re there?

“Yeah, no worries”

Jumped in the car, slammed on the gas…

Thankfully, for once, the avenue wasn’t packed, so in 5 minutes I was at my local store. Said local store is a good’n. It’s only small so always going to be slightly limited but generally you can pick up most of the bits you need without going to the hypermarket.

So there I was, with only a list in my head as we didn’t need much…

Chopped Toms

Shallots

Beef Stock

Bin Bags

Jam

 

Mental list ticked off I ended up in the liquor aisle, quick 4 pack of beer grabbed (Bodega Run BTW (just in case you wondered where this was going (I had to remind myself to be fair))).

Back home, unpacked, beer cracked and dinner prep for the crew began.

Now, the beer is Bodega Run, obviously, and you know what… for a 3.4% brew this pup has a lot going for it.

Once past the seriously shabby nose things begin to get going very nicely. There is plenty of flavour in the slightly under carbonated sip and just when you think the flavour high is done due to the low ABV nature, BR comes back at you with all the flavour that you might had thought had gorn for good. With a decent body too, all things considered, BD outperforms its %age and for that, I applaud it.

Where did you put the milk Jymi?

F*******************ck

Jymi’s Rating: 60%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

You weren’t planning on being impressed. You were just grabbing a few bits—crisps, maybe a scratchcard—and then this little can winked at you from the fridge. Bodega Run. Low ABV. Bright label. You thought: why not?

And then it hits you. That nose—zesty orange with a flick of lemon peel—like someone just cracked open a citrus grove behind the till. It’s fresh, it’s cheeky, and it smells like optimism.

The first sip follows through: orange zest leads the charge, backed by a whisper of floral bitterness that keeps things interesting without trying too hard. It’s not complex, but it’s clever. The kind of beer that knows its lane and cruises it with style.

At just 3.4%, it’s the featherweight champ of the fridge—light on its feet but surprisingly punchy. Sure, it fades a little as you go, but that’s part of the charm. It’s a session beer with street smarts: easy to drink, hard to forget.

Packaging’s sharp, name’s a winner, and for a casual pickup, it’s got serious flair. You didn’t expect to be impressed—but here you are, sipping sunshine from a corner shop can and wondering what other gems are hiding behind the Lucozade.

This one’s for the spontaneous sippers, the fridge-raiders, the late-night wanderers. A proper bodega win.

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 65%

MOB review next weekend: BEIRUT by KASSATLY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

museonbooze.com

M O B 2025