BEER REVIEW: 235

BREWER: The Garden Brewery (collab with Freddo Fox), Zagreb, Croatia

STYLE: Imperial Sour

ABV: 6.4%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 10th April 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

When a brewery decides not to name a particular brew of theirs it’s not a real big deal but is a bit of a shame. I feel like the beer no matter how good or bad lacks a little identity without a name and I also miss the creativity that comes with the naming of a brew. If St Austell had just named their exquisite PROPER JOB simply, IPA I can’t help but feel I would love it a little less even though the beer would be exactly the same. The reason I’m going down this road though to be honest is that The Garden Brewery along with Freddo Fox have decided not to name the beer we have this week which just leaves us with the description of what it is as our name. But it’s not simply a Pale or Stout no no, it’s a fu**in IMPERIAL APRICOT, MANDARIN AND LEMON SOUR.

However, IAMALS actually sounds like a name so we’re going with that, leaving any negativity behind and focusing on the positives and oh my…  there are many!!!

This is an absolute beaut of a brew!

The quite simply stunning tropical nose leads you to your first sip that instantly loads you up with apricot. So. Much. Flavour. The sip remains very much apricot led then moves to an orange and lemon finish. Apricot slowly bleeds back in with the aftertaste and completes the complex fruity rollercoaster.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a fine fine beer and would have probably scored EVEN higher for me if I was a fan of apricot, which on the whole, I’m not.

But a fan of this beer I most certainly am.

Jymi’s Rating: 87%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ooo I say – what a cracker!

IAMLS is a sour. Sours are good. But, here’s the thing. It’s not the most sour of sours.

But it’s salty.

Yes, I know. Salt and beer sound like they shouldn’t work. But throw in some citrus fruits, add a little apricot and then hit it up with some cardamom and what you’ve got is a revelation of a beer.

Imagine going on a holiday that takes you to Seville, then onto India via North Africa, finishing up in Mexico. It would be incredible. And possibly not possible. Imagine then, trying to sum up that trip in 440ml of beer. Definitely near on impossible. Yet, that’s what the magicians at The Garden Brewery and Freddo Fox (yes, unbelievably this brew is a collaboration between a Croatian brewery and a Spanish brewery) have managed to do in a can! Sounds amazing. Well, IAMLS is amazing.

It’s unique. It’s well conceived. It’s well balanced. And it’s well brewed. IAMLS is well good.

Sammy’s Rating: 95%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 91%

MOB review next weekend: EL PERRO NEGRO by WILLIAMS BROS. BREWING CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

 

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 234

BREWER: BrewDog, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

STYLE: Milkshake IPA

ABV: 6.3%

VESSEL: 44oml tin

DATE OF POST:  3rd April 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

BrewDog pretty much introduced me to the new and wonderful world of Craft Beer, and for that I thank them. There was a time where I would say to people, sometimes randomly in the street, these dogs can do no wrong. Punk was a f’ing cracker. A top top beer that was fairly accessible and pretty affordable. Dead Pony Club proved to me that lower ABV beers can still pack a punch and actually be really tasty.

However, of more recent times BrewDog have lost it. Punk is still drinkable and ok but not even half the beer it used to be. DPC is no longer drinkable it’s so shite. The vast majority of BD beers nowadays are average at very best, and if I’m being honest, actually way below average.

Now what we have for review today, Tony’s Hopolonely, does not fall into the way below average bracket. It’s worse than that. It is utter bollocks.

There was early promise from this very badly packaged product, at least. The smell of sweet Raspberries came through well. However once drinking you’re wishing you hadn’t. ALL THE RASPBERRY comes at you with the flavour yet little to no chocolate. Big raspberry hits done well can be a delight. But this hasn’t been done well. It feels rushed and forced and is quite frankly, shit. However, more promise raised its head briefly as the sweet / sour from the raspberry offered a nice balance to the beer. But it’s not too long before you’re back to the gawd awful flavour. Also, the fact this is a collab with an overpriced substandard chocolate maker and the beer doesn’t even taste of chocolate makes this whole enterprise absurd.

A brewery that in my eyes has gone from being able to do no wrong to suddenly doing everything wrong. If you’re happy drinking shit beer from a company with seemingly zero morals, then crack on with BrewDog. If you’re not, then boycott them. Like I am doing as of… now.

They need us. We don’t need them.

Jymi’s Rating: 27%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Right. Where to start.

I’m not sure what this beer is actually called so we won’t give it a name. But one thing is clear is it’s a mash up between Brewdog and Tony’s Chocolonely. Two big companies (shows you how far the Scottish brewery has come (I’ll reserve posting a view about that now)).

The packaging is distinctive. But it’s also shocking. Not shockingly good, sadly, but rather shockingly bad!

The one thing that gave me hope about this beer is the nose. It’s amazing. Almost like squash on a summer’s day.

Sadly, that’s where the positives end.

There’s definitely raspberry in the drink. Its bitter after that followed by smoothness. Then back to bitterness. But through it all there’s an underlying sweetness which doesn’t feel right. Too, unbeerish. And all in all that’s where the lacklustre adventure ends.

Whilst it’s interesting and different, I don’t like it. It’s too much novelty for me. It’s more bling than brew, which is a shame.

Brewdog have the resources at their disposal to do interesting and ‘out there’ things with beers. But this, whatever it is, is too forced. It’s too much about the amalgamation not the product.

Sammy’s Rating: 37%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 32%

MOB review next weekend: IMPERIAL APRICOT, MANDARIN & LEMON SOUR by THE GARDEN BREWERY & FREDDO FOX

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

M O B 2020

BEER REVIEW: 233

BREWER: Dolphin Brewery, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Sour Saison

ABV: 6.1%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 27th March 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Dolphin are a teeny tiny two person brewery based in Reading. For the last year or so they have been making quite the impression locally for brewing some utterly sensational beer. What’s more getting hold of one of these aforementioned beers is hard! No sooner have they hit the bottle shop shelves they are gone. And then the wait for the next batch to arrive begins. Dolphin have been mainly focused on sour’s since they began, I don’t know the reason for this but can only imagine it is because the feedback has been soooooo good!

The few beers I have managed to get hold of have been nothing short of great. I also really like the simplicity of the bottle art, one-word names and knock out logo. It’s a very well thought out brand and backed up by cracking beer… these kids will go far!

Conjuror, our Dolphin beer from last week was a massive hit for Muse on Booze. Now it’s time to see how Composer will fare.

We all know I’m a fan of a Sour, but a Saison, not so much. I think that is because I am yet to come across a good one. Now a Sour and Saison blend I have never had so I am intrigued to say the least. We have also established that we are in good hands / fins here with Dolphin so the intrigue has built to excitement over the last few days.

Lid lifted, we are away…

Oh my, this is incredible!!!

All sour upfront with a magnificent fresh blackcurrant zing and the most awesome mouthfeel. You can really tell how much care and thought has gone into this. The saison side of life turns up in the aftertaste drying out the fruity vibe you get from the initial sip. Leaving the drinker looking at their drink, still in hand, with a massive smile of their face probably thinking… HOOOOOLY SHIIIIIT THAT’S GOOOOOOD!

Any they would be most correct.

Keep at it team Dolphin, you are splashing it out the park.

Jymi’s Rating: 91%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

So, here we are. The follow-up review for a Dolphin beer.

Last week it felt like we’d reached a spurt peak with Conjuror. It felt like we were on top of the sour beer world with the only way being down.

Turns out we weren’t because Dolphin have gone and bloody done it again with Composer.

It has an unbelievable blackcurrant nose. Simply summer. Amazing. It really does smell like a hedgerow in deep summer. But in a good way of course.

Then Composer delivers its crescendo with its Blackcurrant, almost salty, sour delightful flavour. The mouthfeel is sublimely intense .

Simply amazing from Dolphin.

Two cracking sours. One amazing brewery.

Sammy’s Rating: 93%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 92%

MOB review next weekend: TONY’S HOPOLONELY by BREWDOG

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

 

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 232

BREWER: Dolphin Brewery, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Sour

ABV: 4.7%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 20th March 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Do you like Peaches Jymi?

Yep.

How about Peach flavoured stuff?

No, not really.

What about Strawberries, are you a fan?

Yes, but it has to be a good fresh batch. Most nowadays struggle for flavour.

Do you like strawberry flavoured things?

No, not really. Though the odd McDonald’s strawberry milkshake has snuck through the net I have to admit.

What about Sour’s, do you like Sour’s?

I think you know Jymi better than that Jymi, I love Sour’s.

Do you like Conjuror – Dolphin Brewery’s Peach & Strawberry Sour, that you have in front of you today for review?

I don’t just like it, I adore it! It’s fantastic!!! And I’m very much looking forward to next week when we are testing Composer from this up and coming ultra-microbrewery from Berkshire.

Jymi’s Rating: 88%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Conjuror is the first of two beers from Dolphin Brewery that we’re reviewing over the next two weeks. Apart from the obvious brewery connection, both of these brews are at the sour end of the spectrum.

And it’s no secret I love a sour….

Conjuror does not disappoint. It’s quite a wonderful beer.

The nose oozes strawberries and peaches in abundance. There’s no hints here. It is full on fruity punching!!!  The only slight draw back on the nose is the sweetness; it’s a little too much when you’re expecting a sour…

However, once into the drinking Conjuror has the most amazing mouthfeel. It’s simply incredible. The sharp bite upfront mellows into middle sweetness all to be rounded off with a finishing sharpness. A very enjoyable drinking journey if I may.

Conjuror is perfectly balanced. It’s fair to say this beer is magic (sorry I couldn’t resist).

Sammy’s Rating: 90%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 89%

MOB review next weekend: COMPOSER by DOLPHIN BREWERY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

 

M O B 2022 

BEER REVIEW: 231

BREWER: Cassels, Canterbury, New Zealand

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 5.3%

VESSEL: 330ml tin 

DATE OF POST: 14th March 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

A decent beer this but it took me a while to get into it…

See, with Cassels packaging nothing is given away. As far as I know all of their cans are very very similar. So as cool as the packaging is it didn’t really inspire or excite me into this brew. Also the name we have here is just poor, it’s not even a name, just a description. Not that it really matters but again did nothing to inspire or excite. But I did know that I was getting a NZ Pale Ale and that is never a bad thing…

But this did not taste at all like any NZ pales I have had in the past! Which totally threw me if I’m honest and with only 330ml of this brew available I quickly needed to get my head in the game.

Now with a NZ you expect super smooth mouthfeel and an understated hoppy taste, not prominent but lovely. But this offering from Cassels was nothing like that at all. NZP is hop forward! And while the texture of this brew is pleasant it is nowhere near the super soft feel you would expect.

However, once I got my head around NZPA it became clear I was dealing with a tasty drop that would go down a storm in the sun I’m sure.

Jymi’s Rating: 72%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

What’s a New Zealand pale ale? you may wonder. Well, it’s a pale ale brewed with NZ hops. Makes sense really.  Anyway, that’s what we are testing this week. And it’s brewed by Cassels.

There’s something I really like about NZPA. It could be the old school bitter finish. Or it could be the hint of floral notes punctuating the light tropical flavours. Or it could be the lovely crispness. Or it could even be its ridiculously short finish which works very well indeed.

Whatever it is that makes it so, NZPA is an incredible beer. Forget comparing it to IPAs or APAs. It’s just very different. And in a good way.

I’d happily chug one of these down on any occasion.  Can’t wait to get me hands on another to be honest!

Sammy’s Rating: 84%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78%

MOB review next weekend: CONJUROR by DOLPHIN BREWERY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

 

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 230

BREWER: Crafty Cats Brewing Company, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 4.7%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 6th March 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Because I had a part in KC coming to life it is VERY hard to be subjective. Especially when your instant thoughts are that both packaging and beer are really f’ing good! But I’m sorry, they are. And whether you had a hand in it or not, it’s just a fact.

The Crafty Cats can art angle is GENUIS for me. Quirky feline characters giving their beer not just a character but an advantage over other shelf dwellers for not just simply looking awesome, but for being just a little bit different without trying too hard to be zany.

Beer wise what we have here is equally clever…

See, it’s not the greatest beer to ever be swilled but oh my, does it have some supersonic qualities!

The Citra hop level for this pale is absolutely on point. ON POINT. The balance provided by the other hops and additions of oats and wheat combined with the delicate touch in the brewing make this 4.7% brew very very quaffable indeed.

Last October I ran a can bar for a ‘beer fest’ and Kitten County featured alongside some fairly major players in the craft scene. It out sold every other beer by at least 2 : 1

Make of that what you will…

Cats cats cats

Jymi’s Rating: 85%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 88%

MOB review next weekend: NZ PALE ALE by CASSELS

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 229

BREWER: Labietis, Riga, Latvia

STYLE: American Pale Ale

ABV: 5%

VESSEL: 0.5l brown bottle 

DATE OF POST: 27th February 2022

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Simple can be effective. And so is the case with the label on Tris Indiani. So much so, that it deserves a special mention. It’s not groundbreaking. But it is definitely effective and plucks you in.

Enough waffle  (not the food – the meaningless rambling). Let’s crack her open…

I can’t understand the label on TI. But I do understand that it’s an APA (that part is in English). The nose certainly doesn’t hint at major hoppiness. In fact, while it’s not unpleasant, there’s hardly an odour of note.

And then the drinking – well, it’s ok. Quite sharp at front and then if you sit on it long enough without taking another pull TI gives some subtle floral notes. But nothing to write home about.

All in all, it’s pretty average. Nowt else to say!

Sammy’s Rating: 51%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Everybody should have a GO BAG. OK, maybe I’ve watched too many movies over the years, but everybody should have a GO BAG… Just in case. Just in case of what I’m not too sure, again maybe too many movies, but, just in case.

Of course everybody’s bag will be put together differently and the amount of filthy cash in there will vary depending on what you can afford but below is a guide to some fairly obvious essentials for any GB:

Socks.

£10k cash.

Rolling tobacco.

Fake nose.

$10k cash.

Matches.

Swimming trunks.

Spork.

Toothpicks.

Jumper.

5k cash Brazilian Real.

Fold up brush.

Fake Passport.

Now, I’ll be honest, it’s the fake passport that links this waffle and beer review. See, the name on my fake passport is TRISTAN INDIANI, but my  friends call me Tris.

 

And so to the beer and a first from Latvia for the MOB crew!

First off, AWESOME looking bottle! So simple but fantastic.

Lid lifted and beer poured and the nose was the next thing to please. Again, much like the packaging of this beer, not complex but really delivering. Citrus zings just tempting you in.

Taste wise this brew isn’t gonna knock you off your chair with excitement but it is a really tasty drop. A good citrus vibe kicks around throughout the drinking from that initial sniff, to sip, to TI’s lovely aftertaste. I think for an APA I would like more hop content but all in all  Tris is crisp and crushable and I look forward to one day sipping one in the Riga sun.

Jymi’s Rating: 69%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 60%

MOB review next weekend: KITTEN COUNTY by CRAFTY CATS BREWING COMPANY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 228

BREWER: Brew York, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Cyro Pop™ Pale Ale

ABV: 5.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 20th February 2022

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

A beer named after a wrestler – who’d of thunk it?  Yet, here it is: Big Poppa Pump. It’s one of Brew York’s Survivor Series, Cryo Pop.

For a beer that’s named after a wrestler, it’s lighter than you might think, or hope for. BPP dances across the tongue rather than body slamming into it (sorry, couldn’t resist). And, although it’s decent enough, it’s not world beating.

The Cryo Hop technique applied here does give some hoppy notes. But you’d expect that it would pop more than it does. Somehow, it tastes manufactured. And that’s a shame because brewing a beer is a natural process.

I’m going to lay it out straight: I am not a fan of this beer. BPP doesn’t improve as you move down the glass. Actually, it gets less enjoyable.

This is not one for me. Despite my initial excitement about BPP I am left somewhat disappointed.

Oh well, it’s only a beer.

Sammy’s Rating: 54%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I was expecting a lot from this beer…

In Brew York I trust. In a hop developed by Yakima Chief Hops I trust (I suppose). In a brew named after wrestling legend Scott Steiner, I trust. And with can art this cool, I trust, though I know it can be foolish to do so.

However this beer has not lived up to expectation. I mean, it is drinkable and pleasant enough but nowhere near the level it should be considering who are involved here.

The hop level isn’t high or intense enough. The body isn’t full enough. The aftertaste dips out far too quickly though does return with a long and rather likeable linger.

All in all the name and tin are fantastic here but the beer itself I’m afraid to say is average. Which is surprising. And considering what you would likely pay for a tin of this (I know we don’t often mention value for money) I would urge potential consumers to look elsewhere.

Jymi’s Rating: 60%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 57%

MOB review next weekend: TRīS INDIĀNI by LABIETIS

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

 

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 227

BREWER: Cold Town Brewery, Midlothian, Scotland

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 4.1%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 13th February 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I’m sorry… I tried to like this beer from start to finish, but it let me down… from start to finish.

I wanted this to work as it’s from a brewer I’ve not heard of until now so naturally want to discover something special. But unfortunately, at every turn thing’s did not go well.

I’m going to have to start with the name… what the fuck is it called? My initial notes called it COLD TOWN BEER as it says that on the tin. My first draft of this post called it COLD SMASH BEER as it says that on the tin as well . Sammy’s review that was emailed to me to upload was titled CHINOOK SMASH PALE as it says that on the tin too!!?  I mean, I was confused but can’t help but feel that it was not my fault.

Moving onto the beer I do admire a single hop and single malt approach as it leaves the brewer nowhere to hide. It’s a brave thing to take on. There have been some outstanding efforts but also some that have left the drinker very much wanting, and I’m afraid to say COLD TOWN BEER / COLD SMASH BEER / CHINOOK SMASH PALE (what is it with this SMASH thing??) is very much the latter.

This is a poor beer I’m sorry to say. The lack of carbonation doesn’t help it from the off. Literally zero aftertaste wasn’t great for this beer when it came to the scoring side of life either. The taste in sip does pass muster but is in and out in a flash. This is where I tried to push through some positivity… but no, I’m sorry, this is just a substandard brew.

Jymi’s Rating: 29%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

So, a single hopped beer (chinook) smashed with Marris otter barley. I love the concept. And that’s exactly what Chinook Smash is.

Whilst there’s not depth in the flavour, the caramel and lemon notes are unmistakable. And the simplicity of the beer makes it an easy drink. It slips down with no complaints.

Look, this is a good beer. It’s just never going to excel because of what it is. CSP is great for cutting your teeth on a single hopped beer. Like similar concept beers, it’ll help hone one’s ability to pick out notes of specific hops.

Also, given this at a social gathering, it’s easy to drink and will provide a discussion point.  But CSP is not one to have for an enjoyable beer of and evening.

In summary, CSP is great for improving tasting skills and slipping down the gullet at a social event. But it’s not particularly one to be enjoyed mulling over life at home.

Sammy’s Rating: 62%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 45.5%

MOB review next weekend: BIG POPPA PUMP by BREW YORK

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

 

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 226

BREWER: Moon Gazer, Norfolk, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 4.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 6th February 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I think, I think, it’s fair to say that 440ml tins of beer are more associated with the modern side of life when it comes to craft beer. The more traditional style of brewing normally get’s served to us in a 500ml glass bottle.

Now what Moon Gazer have done is somehow bring a traditional look to a 440ml can. Pretty clever to be fair, but I’m afraid they have also missed out on the opportunity to produce a really cool looking vessel. See, the top half of the can is very good indeed with all those little hare’s sitting behind the larger more prominent hare. If they had stuck with this for the whole can art it would have been a hats off moment I think. But with the bottom half of the art as it is, I’m just not that much of a fan. It is really confused and clunky.

Beer wise. what was I going to get?

A modern zingy citrus hazy pale. Or a traditional English Pale Ale? I had no idea…

Once sipping it became apparent that it was somewhere in between the two, again pretty clever. But again missing the mark a little. The citrus hoppy upfront flavour certainly nodded to a more craft style but it’s lack of punch and haze made it feel like there were nods to a more traditional beer style too.

A pleasant enough brew but nothing to write home about.

Jymi’s Rating: 53%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 65.5%

MOB review next weekend: COLD SMASH BEER by COLD TOWN BREWERY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze since 2017

 

M O B 2022