TRUTH AND THE GREY GLOVES DEVIL

BEER REVIEW: 291

BREWER: Pomona Island, Greater Manchester, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 8th May 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Now this is how you do an IPA!

So many times before I’ve bemoaned average IPA.  We all know it’s a crowded market, with every craft brewery pushing their fares.  More often than not, these offerings are perfectly drinkable, if not very good beers.  But they all fall into oblivion, impossible to distinguish them from the last one you had.  But here, we have Truth and the Grey Gloves Devil.  And it’s better than good.

The hops, which I won’t list (classic ones used in making craft IPAs and listed on the can), are so well balanced.  They come together in a way that makes the beer sing.  Not literally but on your tastebuds.  Sure, there’s all the usual notes you’d expect from a good IPA, but they are so well brewed that what we end up with is a product that’s greater than the sum of its parts.  TATGGD is a delight to get your way through.  It’s masterful from first mouthful to last draining of the glass.

It is so refreshing, literally and metaphorically, to have an IPA that delivers.  There is no occasion when TATGGD wouldn’t be suitable beer companion.  It’s big and it’s clever.  

Cracking beer.  Seriously, get your beer mitts on one.  You will not regret it.

Sammy’s Rating: 91%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Many years ago now myself, our old pal Ralph the landlord and a few other folk from the Dog and Dickhead went on a sea fishing trip. Ralph, a straight down the line Yorkshireman was a seasoned man of the waves and was keen to get a few of the locals involved to pull some fish from the sea with efficiency. Clever play on words there Ralphy boy I thought, so I agreed to go on the trip.

An unlikely collection of lads assembled early AM on a chilly March morning… and took to the ocean with much gusto.

Four hours into the trip and with no one having much to write home about, let alone have a picture taken with some straining scales (weighing device, not a bloated fish).

But thing’s were about to change…

Ralph suddenly hollered at the top of his lungs…

BOIZE!!! GIT THE NIT!!! WE GOTTA BEAUUUUTY HERE!!! YOU LIL’ RIIIIIIIPPER!!!!!

Now the whole crew were left aghast! Yes, because of the volume that Ralph could yell,, but mainly because of the Australian accent that came out of nowhere. This has not been heard nor spoken of since.

The fish Ralph landed that day was indeed a beauty… as is the brew we have for review this week. YOU LIL’ RIIIIIIIIIPER!!!

The Truth and the Grey Gloves Devil is a superb beer. It really is.

Notes and early scoring on this beer were shaping it up to get a very good score and write up… but things then just got better and better, for the beer and score anyway… I can only apologise about the write up.

TTATGGD starts you off on your journey with a tropical and juicy beginning, moving to a faint bitter finish that slowly creeps back in and then intensifies to an orange aftertaste. Very good.

Around halfway through the brew, as things start to mellow out a little, there is suddenly a move to Mango in the aftertaste. Very subtle at first and doesn’t move on to mad, but without doubt grows as you near the end of your TATTGGD experience.

Looks double dry hopped.

Tastes double dry hopped.

Notes on the tin suggest it may not be double dry hopped?

But I don’t give a f**k frankly as it tastes INCREDIBLE.

Good onya Pamona Island.

Jymi’s Rating: 95%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 93%

MOB review next weekend: SCHOFFERHOFER GRAPEFRUIT by SCHOFFERHOFER

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M O B 2023

OLD PECULIAR

BEER REVIEW: 290

BREWER: Theakston, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Premium Ale

ABV: 5.6%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle 

DATE OF POST: 30th April 2023

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It’s an odd thing not expecting much and but being left wanting more… let me explain.

Old Peculiar has been kicking around for as long as I know. Have I drunk it before? Well, maybe, but I don’t recall it if I have. Now because it’s been available on supermarket shelves for forever it either means that it’s an exceptional brew or it kinda falls into the mediocre bracket of tasting ok for an affordable price so appeals to the mass market and sells well. Before even popping the bottle open I was fairly convinced that it was the latter. Hence not expecting much.

However, when exploring the bottle itself the words THE LEGEND stuck out to me. I mean, OP has been around for so long I suppose it could be a bit of a legend. But legend is such a strong word that if the beer is anything short of fantastic then I feel the word should not be used at all.

And the brew here IS well short of fantastic I’m afraid so therefore was very much left wanting more.

The nose on OP starts well as it’s rich and fruity but quickly turns medicinal and metallic. The taste of the beer does exactly the same, early promise of richness but with a serious lack of body. For a 5.6% Premium Ale this really should not be the case. As you progress through the drink everything does begin to improve slightly but all in all we have a palatable yes, but ultimately disappointing beer.

Jymi’s Rating: 39%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Imagine yourself in a pub owned by a large chain.  There’s cheap food on offer.  The large screen TVs pump out their sporting images, available in a range of different viewing aspects.  Fruit machines flash, enticing people to part aimlessly with their hard-earned cash.  The carpet is worn threadbare and is sticky from years of beer seeping into it.  It’s not an unfamiliar scene.  And this is where Old Peculiar would be at home.

Old Peculiar is one of those beers that slips effortlessly into averageness.  Despite the story behind the beer and the promise of great things, it just doesn’t do much to impress.  While it’s perfectly drinkable and there’s nothing particularly unpleasant about it, it doesn’t really give too much in the drinking experience.

That’s all there is to it.

Sammy’s Rating: 43%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 41%

MOB review next weekend: TRUTH AND THE GREY GLOVES DEVIL by POMONA ISLAND

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M O B 2023

HOPLAPIN

BEER REVIEW: 289

BREWER: Fort Lapin, West Flanders, Belgium 

STYLE: Tripel

ABV: 6%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle 

DATE OF POST: 21st April 2023 

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Fort Lapin produces some great beers.  There’s no arguing it.  So, hopes might be high for Hoplapin.  And to begin with, these heights are maintained – the nose is what you might wish for.  It’s sweet and musty, leading into the world of Belgian beers.

But, and yes there is a but, the beer itself is a little bit of a let-down.  Now, I am not saying that Hoplapin is poor because it’s not.  In fact, it’s very drinkable and quite enjoyable.  However, it sits somewhere between beer types.  Not quite a Belgian and not quite an IPA.  While its pine filled flavours are pleasant enough, it lacks identity.  Hoplapin doesn’t quite fit any category.  I don’t have a problem with this per se, but in this case, it leads to a little bit of confusion.

I like the concept. I get where the Fort Lapin brewing team are heading with Hoplapin.  They want it to be a lighter Belgian.  Perhaps, it’s aimed at those looking to step foot into the Belgian world with something a little lighter.  It’s a bridge of a beer, if you will.  But it doesn’t quite work for me.

That being said, would I have another one?  Why yes I would.  And I’d probably very much enjoy it.

Sammy’s Rating: 71%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

OK, before I continue I just need to check something…

 

 

Blimey. Inconclusive.

 

 

Ah well, I associate the word Lapin with rabbit, and I’m pretty sure our brewer dudes here do too. I cannot find a Flemish confirmation for this but we are where we are.

ANYWAY,

Awesome looking bottle for me, backed up by the simplest of logos yes, but utterly brilliant too. And what a name for a brew coming out of a brewery called Fort Lapin… HOPLAPIN, I mean they couldn’t not could they?!

To the beer itself, though the bottle doesn’t tell us this, we are dealing with a light version of their Tripel here. Quite what light means in this context again I’m not sure but… oh blah blah blah just get on with it.

Hoplapin has a great, sweet and vibrant nose. The delightful aroma is fresh and just screams BELGIUM! In the sip you get a lovely full citrus burst that is packed with lemon and lime which balance each other out very well. In the swallow the flavour mellows down in a good way leaving the drinker room to enjoy and contemplate the flavours of the sip. This is a very drinkable brew that belies it’s 6% weight.

Top beer from the team at Rabbit Castle.

Jymi’s Rating: 81%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 76%

MOB review next weekend: OLD PECULIER by THEAKSTON

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M O B 2023

OZUJSKO

BEER REVIEW: 288

BREWER: Zagrebacka Pivovara, City of Zagreb, Croatia

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 5%

VESSEL: 0.33L

DATE OF POST: 17th April 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ožujsko is barely passable as a drinkable entity.  I know there are many mass-produced beers out there.  And I know that many of them are not well brewed.  But few are as bad as this.

I get it, mass production brings lack of identity.  It takes personality and puts it through a crusher so that what comes out the other side is a uniform product ready to go to worldwide distribution.  We all know that this is a necessity.  It keeps the industry going.

But Ožujsko is a prime example of just how terrible a product can be.  It has zero personality.  There’s not a hint of character beginning to emerge.  It’s been so boiled down that the drinking experience is one not worth entering into.

I can’t think of any positives about the beer.  So, I’m not going to state any.

My advice about Ožujsko would be to avoid at all costs.  There are plenty superior mass-produced beers out there.

Sammy’s Rating: 19%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Now, not being quite as fluent in Croatian as I once was meant that I didn’t understand a bleedin’ word of what the tin was trying to tell me. What I did make out was that this was a 5% lager and came in a 0.33L tin, though the second thing there I reckon I could have guessed.

So, a medium ABV lager from Croatia is what we’re dealing with this week – best crack on and let the beer do the talking.

Ok, a high and then a low with this one. And the high isn’t all that high if I’m being honest. See the sip flavour is quite pleasant. It’s refreshing and bringing an ok level of flavour and got me thinking that this may well turn out to be a fairly decent beer. However, in the swallow anything Ozujsko had going for it fell apart as the brew just falls off a cliff flavour wise, leaving me felling a little disappointed. There isn’t too much more to say here really.

The tin looks pretty cool and I’m fairly sure this would go down OK sitting by the sea in the blazing Split sunshine. But other than the initial sip this beer isn’t too good I’m afraid.

Jymi’s Rating: 39%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 29%

MOB review next weekend: HOPLAPIN by FORT LAPIN

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M O B 2023

CRAFTY WOLF

BEER REVIEW: 287

BREWER: Wolf Brewery, Norfolk, England

STYLE: Blonde Lager

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

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 as well as what the award was for, 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

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M O B 2023 

VELOCITY

BEER REVIEW: 286

BREWER: Saltaire, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Session IPA

ABV: 4.1%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 1st April 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Well, we’ve been here before. Velocity is a fizzer. As in, more head than beer on first pour. It’s always slightly annoying when this happens. But, hey, what can you do? 

You could get really cheesed off and drink another beer. That would seem a little churlish, though. And so, you could drink the damn thing. That’s what I intend to do…

There’s nothing wrong with Velocity. It’s got a pleasant enough presence in the mouth, although most of the carbonation has dissipated in the enormous head. The flavour is sharp and fruity, as you might well imagine with a session IPA. 

The thing is, while there might not be too much wrong, there’s not too much that stands out. Velocity is all a little, well, it’s underwhelming. It’s washed out. Easy to drink. Not offensive. But washed out. 

Would I have another Velocity if offered? Sure, I would. But I wouldn’t be reaching for it again, particularly when there’s so many other, and for the most part better, options available in class. No, I would not. 

Sammy’s Rating: 46%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It seems appropriate to start with the definition of the term… Middle of the road.

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD:

used to describe a personorganizationopinion, beer or type of entertainment that is not extreme and is acceptable to or liked by most people.

And that kinda sums every aspect of our beer this week.

Velocity is a perfectly drinkable brew, but to call it a good beer would be wrong. But to call it a bad beer would also be wrong, because bad it is not. Sammy brought this one to the testing table so I don’t know the price of the pup. However, assuming that it isn’t too expensive I think you can find a place for this beer…

A drinkable, inoffensive and affordable fridge filler. Just don’t expect to get too excited.

And that, is all I have to say.

Jymi’s Rating: 47%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 46.5%

MOB review next weekend: CRAFTY WOLF by WOLF BREWERY

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M O B 2023

WHAKAHARI

BEER REVIEW: 285

BREWER: Purple Moose Brewery, Gwynedd, Wales

STYLE: Premium Bitter

ABV: 4.3%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 26th March 2023 

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I think that I can be forgiven for at first thinking this brew was from New Zealand. See, the name, Whakahari, seems a bit New Zealandish to me? Maybe because it reminds me of the name of the stunning NZ hop that is Wakatu? Or maybe it’s because I’m a bit off on ass.

It then became obvious that this must be a beer from Canada. Purple Moose Brewery and abstract moose head logo made this pretty obvious. But no! Turns out I am an ass. As on further exploration of the bottle info it finally became apparent that this beer is brewed in Porthmadog, North Wales.

None of this has any bearing on my thoughts towards packaging nor the brew itself, just thought I’d mention it, ya know.

Anyway, let’s start off with the packaging shall we. I really like the moose head logo and purple is my favourite colour. So you would think I would like if not love the appearance of this bottle. But I do not, from the front anyway. However once the vessel is turned 180degs with one hand (like the beer testing pro that I am) the info and lay out of said info, is nothing short of exceptional and there in abundance. And the main point I took away from it was that Whakahari is brewed using the water from the hills of Snowdonia. Now this HAS to be a good thing doesn’t it?? I also possibly learned that Whakahari is Welsh for Cheers, though I need to research before comment so will come back to that.

This is a good solid brew I have to say, in fact it’s better than solid. Soft and bright in the sip (thank you Snowdonian water) with lovely hints of toffee and orange. There’s a good and balanced flavour here with a strong body. You honestly would not go far wrong with one a these in a pub at the base of Mount Snowdon after a vigorous climb.

Which I am doing in a month to be fair! In memory of my Mum (who we lost a year ago) and to raise money for the hospice that cared for her in her final weeks.

You can sponsor me below if you like

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alice-Reeves3?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation&utm_content=470a3057-3856-455c-a8f6-2bccd66e1757&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1673599329481

I promise you I had not planned this! I really hadn’t, was just the Snowdonia water thing that triggered me into action!

And turns out Whakahari is not Welsh for Cheers but Maori for make merry!  What the hell is going on!!!!?

At least I’m not an ass… well.

Jymi’s Rating: 80%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

There are many things that I like about Whakahari. For starters, the beer itself is good. There’s a good dose of citrus upfront. Then there’s a rounded bitter finish which increases as you go down the glass. Not the most full-bodied brew I’ve ever chugged but it has a decent presence in the mouth. 

To begin with, I wasn’t sure why a Welsh brew was called Whakahari. And it took me a while, but I like the concept. It’s quite obvious, really, it’s brewed with NZ hops.  This theme carries all the way through the beer, including the design. 

When I studied the bottle, I came to the conclusion that I actually liked the packaging. I imagined the label as can art and it began to tick many boxes for me. As an aside, the QR code with the moose highlighted needs a special mention. 

All round Whakahari is a good concept that’s well delivered. 

Sammy’s Rating: 82%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 81%

MOB review next weekend: VELOCITY by SALTAIRE

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M O B 2023

TRIP TO GALAXY

BEER REVIEW: 284

BREWER: Dorking Brewery, Surrey, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 4.4%

VESSEL: 44oml tin

DATE OF POST: 19th March 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Unsurprisingly, this beer is made using galaxy hops. Solid name when you think about it. And you don’t have to think too hard to get it. I think that deserves a little nod. So, although you can’t see it, I am giving a little nod to the name Trip to Galaxy. 

Trip to Galaxy is a collaboration between Dorking Brewery (obvs) and Calibro 22 Brewery haling from Dorking’s twin Italian town, Sinalunga. I do love these collabs, but there’s got to be extra kudos doing it with one of your twin town brewers. This aspect most certainly gets another nod from this tester. 

Nods over. Onto the testing. 

Zesty and clean on the palate, TTG is quite the revelation. I have to confess, before drinking I wasn’t expecting anything quite as refreshing as it is. The fruity flavour is short lived and finishes with a sharp after taste. As you move down your beverage, the sharpness becomes a well-rounded, soft bitterness. All in all, this makes for a banging drinking experience. 

It might not be the most complex of beers, but TTG definitely has some character about it. Imagine yourself on a beach in summer or chatting while the bangers burn on a bbq – these sort of scenarios are where this brew would come into its own. 

I like it. I like it a lot. 

Great collab. Even better beer. 

Sammy’s Rating: 80%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Let’s just start with… this is a banging beer!

But before the fanfare I need to get a neg off me chest… yawn yawn.

Trip to Galaxy as a name suggests in fairly huge hop spades that this would be a single hop brew. I mean, thankfully Galaxy is used but we also have Citra and Columbus hops joining the party. This really is not a bad thing AT ALL but with a name like TRIP TO GALAXY there was a fairly large head scratch going on.

Anyway, whatever, to the beer itself.

In both packaging and brew this beer is clean, tight and awesome.

I love the simplicity of the tin, but it’s kinda bringin the noize too in an understated way! #oxymoron.

Jymi’s notes on the brew:

Full of flavour and only 4.4%

Very refreshing, crisp with a great mouthfeel.

Light and zesty in the sip with an great build to bitterness in swallow and aftertaste.

Galaxy does take centre stage to be fair, Passion Fruit balanced with grassy notes.

In conclusion, go find, buy and enjoy!

Jymi’s Rating: 86%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 83%

MOB review next weekend: WHAKAHARI by PURPLE MOOSE BREWERY

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M O B 2023

NORADA

BEER REVIEW: 283

BREWER: Fiftytwo North (Woodforde’s Brewery), Norfolk, England

STYLE: Pale Ale 

ABV: 4.3%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 12th March 2023

 

JYMI SAY’S…

FiftyTwoNorth have something to prove to Jymi after their last outing for Muse on Booze in July ‘22. I seem to remember it being of one of the biggest differences in score that Sammy and I have had. I also seem to remember that Sammy thought the brew was ok but not off the charts. But I thought the beer, Voltage, was shocking. So as I say, something to prove…

But I’m sorry to say they have not turned the ship around, far from it. I think they have just set the coordinates for the nearest iceberg instead. Norada is a shocking beer, it’s as simple as that. There are no twists or turns nor tones or tickles, it just taste like beer, and a bad beer at that. A beer tasting like beer is not necessarily a bad thing though, as long as that beer tastes good.

But as stated somewhere upwards of 52 times now, Norada does not taste good and FiftyTwoNorth have their work cut out to turn this around for Jymi.

Jymi’s Rating: 22%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Norada is a decent drop. Not a world beater by any means. But decent. 

The aspect I like most about this brew, is the lemon theme that runs through it. Right from the outset, through the first sip to the last, there’s a nice subtle hint of lemon. This golden thread, which is evident throughout, makes Norada very refreshing. 

Ok, it’s not complex. It isn’t clever. But it is refreshing. And this makes it drinkable. 

So, how could this be improved? 

Well, for me, Norada could do with a little more body in the mouth. It’s a little light. Some might say it’s a little thin, when drinking. More body would make the lemon flavours pound on your tastebuds, rather than tickle them as it does currently. 

That said, more body would change the set up completely and that might damage what’s already good about this beer. 

All in all, good job.

Sammy’s Rating: 72%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 47%

MOB review next weekend: TRIP TO GALAXY by DORKING BREWERY

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M O B 2023

DOUBLE DRAGON

BEER REVIEW: 282

BREWER: Felinfoel Brewery, Carmarthenshire, Wales

STYLE: Red Ale 

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 44oml tin

DATE OF POST: 5th March 2023

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Double Dragon is a fantastic name for a beer. Though I had to go a long way to come back. See, the word double in beer terms nowadays suggests something strong, something dank, something big. So when I first got my mitts on this brew I was fully expecting to turn the tin around and be informed that this is an 8%+ bruiser of a beer from South West Wales. You can imagine my shock when I found out it was only coming in at 4.2%. Bit of a daft name for a beer then, I thought to myself. However I than began to explore the MANY words on this can.

MASTER BREWERS WITH OVER 150 YEARS OF BREWING HERITAGE WELSH CRAFT ALE SINCE 1878

BREWED BY WALES’ OLDEST BREWER FELINFOAL BREWERY

CELEBRATING OVER 80 YEARS OF CANNING CRAFT ALE 

And according to the Muse on Booze man on the ground in Wales, Michael P Anther, this brew has been knocking around for quite some time and almost certainly predates anything like a Double IPA that we find in our hipster bottle shops nowadays.

So, though misleading to the drinker initially, Double Dragon is a fantastic name for a beer!

Can’t say I’m much looking forward to it though as the can art is SHIT therefore making this brew unappealing before it’s even cracked.

But do not judge a book by it’s cover Jymi boi… let’s get DD poured…

Ok, sorry, I have to cut to the chase here. This is a terrible beer. It taste’s like flipping blackcurrant squash for crying out loud!! And not a very strong one at that. Now, listen, I don’t mind a blackcurrant squash (though I probably haven’t had one for over 20 years) but do I want it to have a hint of beer in it… no. And do I want my beer tasting like blackcurrant squash… no. And that is that.

Avoid.

Jymi’s Rating: 17%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

So, Double Dragon. It’s a beer. Good start.

Everything from this point on is downhill. 

For starters, the can looks like something more akin to something you might see from the orient as opposed to Wales. This is backed up by the name. To be fair, I get why the name is Double Dragon, but it all smacks of China rather than Wales. 

Anyway, let us not dwell too much on this. Let us move on.

And it’s not about to get better. 

The number of statements on the can is ludicrous. 

Best beer and brewer twice! When? And from whom?

National ale of Wales. Big claim. Others might have a little something to say about that. 

And then let me sum up Double Dragon as a consumption experience: Wet sock smell. Stale beer. Not the most pleasant.  In fact, it’s the opposite of pleasant. 

If you haven’t guessed, I don’t like this beer. Not one bit. 

Steer well clear, my friends. 

Sammy’s Rating: 19%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 18%

MOB review next weekend: NORADA by FIFTYTWO NORTH

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2023