BEER REVIEW: 401

BREWER: Augustinerbräu, Bavaria, Germany

STYLE: Helles

ABV: 5.2%

VESSEL: 50cl brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 13th June 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Well this is a cracking ol’ beer we have here, and continues our decent run of lagers since almost a year ago with Jinny Howlett from Traktor Shed. Oh, apart from Warsteiner, but I’ve written that first bit now so, whatever…

Anyway, it came as no surprise that this was decent swig. Firstly, Augustinebrau are the OG from that there beer mecca that is Munich. Still family owned and still going STRONG it would seem. Absolute hats off. Secondly our boi Dan over on Insta and TikTok as 1minbeerreview raves about this liquid and that lad knows his way around a brew I can assure you.

Lagerbier Hell starts off a touch shaky however as the nose ain’t great, but once you’ve got your snout wet things really do get going. Though the flavour upfront doesn’t knock it out the park the texture most certainly does. Once swallowed the behaviour of the flavour starts to get going for sure… its got a hoppy bite for a lager but the texture remains soft. BUT, it’s the aftertaste that really sets this one off. It’s long, looong, loooooong (remember we’re dealing with a Helles Lager here peeps)! But the aftertaste also contains a soft spice and subtle little hop spikes too. Flippin’ marv!

A very good beer for sure and I would just like to add that the label design donning our brown bottle has not been changed since 1994. I absolutely love that!

Jymi’s Rating: 75%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

You came for a Helles, and that’s exactly what you got. No twists, no frills—just a straight-down-the-middle, malt-forward lager.

Nose? Mild citrus. Taste? Classic, uncomplicated. Malty with a touch of creaminess. Mouthfeel? Smooth enough. Packaging? Old-school charm. A happy monk.

Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it well-made? Yes. Would you drink another? Without hesitation.

It delivers exactly what’s promised—nothing more, nothing less. 

Strong lager.

Sammy’s Rating: 77%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 76%

MOB review next weekend: DELIRIUM ARGENTUM by BROUWERIJ HUYGHE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 400

BREWER: Dark Element Brew Co, Caerphilly, Wales

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 7.2%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 6th June 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

There’s something thrilling about cracking open a landmark beer—one that should embody all the craft, character, and excellence a brewery can muster. Milestone, with its bold packaging and aggressive branding, certainly sets up expectations for a beer worthy of its name. But once the pour begins, the anticipation quickly fades.

On the nose, there’s a whisper of grapefruit, laced with hints of grass and pine. It’s restrained—pleasant enough, but lacking the punch you might expect from a beer meant to mark a momentous occasion.

Then comes the taste, where disappointment truly sets in. An artificial sweetness dominates the palate, clashing awkwardly with a bitterness that feels more like an afterthought than a carefully placed finishing note. As the glass dwindles, things don’t improve—the artificial edge lingers, growing increasingly cloying, making each sip feel like more of a chore than a celebration.

It’s not an outright disaster, but it’s far from inspiring. For a beer named Milestone, one might expect complexity, depth, and maybe even a touch of grandeur. Instead, it’s a brew that barely registers. Not a milestone in taste—only in branding.

A forgettable brew dressed up for an occasion it can’t quite live up to.

Sammy’s Rating: 38%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Right, I’m not going to mess about here kidderellos…

Our 400^th week, therefore 400^th review, therefore 400^th beer, has brought us an absolute baller of a brew I’m telling you!

Just wow.

These cats from Caerphilly have absolutely nailed it!

The aptly named Milestone begins its consumer pleasing journey by being delivered to us in an astonishing matt black tin with a top heavy birthday cake face on it. Big tick.

Next up the nose. Ok, while probably not the highlight of this beer, its still lovely, with a subtle apricot vibe inviting you to take your first sip.

Now that first sip I have to say… is something else! Sooooooooooooo soooooooooooo sooooooooooo soft in mouthfeel it is ridiculous. With a little apricot sweetness leading the way but before you fully absorb that this hoppy / grapefruit / pepper bomb drops from the roof of your mouth cutting that initial sweetness straight in half and providing the PERFECT balance. Absolutely DELIGHTFUL.

We then move onto the juicy finish that shifts to a dryness during the latter aftertaste.

It was at this stage that marks were getting awarded left, right and centre but further into the drinking things REALLY began to kick off…

See, the more I worked my way through the more the pepper from the earlier mid-sip began to creep into the aftertaste. Sounds odd I know but it is an incredible twist that actually keeps building. To the point of my last note in the manual tasting pad was… I think this ends up spicy!

Dark Element, I take my dark hat off to you, Milestone is an incredible beer and t’was an honour to sling down ones gullet on such a momentous Muse on Booze day.

Jymi’s Rating: 93%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 65.5%

MOB review next weekend: LAGERBIER HELL by AUGUSTINERBRÄU

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 399

BREWER: Polly’s, Flintshire, Wales

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 5.6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 30th May 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ah, what a delight it is to explore a beer that attempts to capture the delicate essence of the garden. Rosebud presents itself with the gentle embrace of a well-tended flower bed, drawing you in with aromas that transport you straight to an English summer’s afternoon—where roses unfurl their petals and citrus fruits glisten in the sunshine.

Upon lifting the glass, the nose is instantly met with a bright and fragrant bouquet: soft rose mingles effortlessly with crisp grapefruit. It’s a scent that promises intrigue, much like a garden in bloom—subtle, balanced, and evocative.

Now, on to the sip itself—where the true nature of this brew reveals itself. The rose carries through but plays a modest role, settling beneath the surface rather than bursting forth like a climber scaling a trellis. A gentle sweetness emerges—honeydew melon, almost—giving the beer a rounded and smooth character. The bitterness is reserved, allowing the floral and fruity notes to weave together like intertwined vines, creating a gentle but enjoyable drinking experience.

One might wish for the rose to assert itself with greater confidence, standing proudly like the centrepiece of a well-designed border. Yet, even in its restraint, Rosebud brings a touch of garden elegance to the table—a beer that echoes the tranquility of a flowering landscape, pleasant and easygoing.

A quiet floral companion, lovely in its subtlety, though a bolder bloom would have made for a more memorable sip.

Sammy’s Rating: 73%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I think one could be forgiven for expecting the flavour of rose or rose water when approaching a brew named Rosebud. And that may well be the case (I haven’t opened it yet, you see). I have to admit, I checked the info on the can pre-crack to see if that was going to be the case. Sadly, our brewer today has decided to give us absolutely no information on the beer—other than the four hops used (and what a hop quartet it is, to be fair: Citra, Galaxy, Mosaic, and Simcoe!). I’m concluding that, with this hop lineup, there’ll be no taste of rose… but hey, you never really know!

Let’s get to work.
And, predictably, there isn’t! What there is a taste of—again, predictably—is an abundance of stone fruits, thanks to those four powerhouse hops. But where Rosebud really excels is in the mouthfeel. It’s not just that it’s smooth (which it is). No, it’s the texture transitions that really stand out in this brew.

See, once it goes in your gob, Rosebud has a very thick mouthfeel. Not only is it thick, but it’s juicy too. Then comes the masterstroke. On the swallow, the texture shifts to more of a medium body, instantly making the beer more drinkable. You get the luxurious flavour and thickness upfront to mellow into, but then a sessionable, easy-drinking medium body to keep things ticking over nicely. It’s the perfect mouthfeel setup, to be fair.

On a side note, I’d just like to mention how this beer looks—in both tin art and in the glass. In the glass, it looks fantastic, as Polly’s brews always do. Normally, I’d be saying the same about the packaging…

I’m not sure why (actually, I think I am sure why), but our North Welsh brewer has left behind their distinctive teardrop-only logo on the front of the tin, making way for the brewery name and an infinitely smaller logo. It still makes the can look okay overall—just—but it’s a large step away from how utterly fantastic their cans used to look.

Have confidence in your brand. Embrace the mystique.

Still, overall? A good beer, this.

Jymi’s Rating: 77%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 75%

MOB review next weekend: MILESTONE by DARK ELEMENT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 398

BREWER: Turning Point Brew Co, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 5.1%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 23rd May 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Being a man of groove and a fan of the colour pink you would think that I would have been looking forward to a brew dressed like this and named as so…

But I wasn’t.

Why?

Well, the can art is nothing short of atrocious!

I needed something to get me going, spark me up, give me inspiration…

So I wandered to my record player and stuck on Inspiration by Chicago. Awful track. Did not do the job at all. Next up was Inspiration by Elkie Brookes. Same song, it’s a cover of Chicago. Beyond awful track. Come on Jymi, pull yourself together man, I thought to myself… and then it came to me, Brother Green (the Disco King) by Roy Ayres Ubiquity. So the album Mystic Voyage was cued and I was about to be inspired…

DO IT BROTHER, DO IT BROTHER, DO IT

BROTHER GREEN, BROTHER GREEN

DO IT BROTHER, DO IT BROTHER, DO IT

THE DISCO KING, THE DISCO KING

Now I’m flippin’ ready to pop this puppy!

OK, let’s try and imagine this brew as a Disco King hitting a club during the groove explosion that was the 70s.

Smelling mighty fine our coolest of cats enters the building, the instant reaction is GEEEEEEET DOWN, LOOK AT THIS CAT! Smoooooth as anything and oozing personality upfront. Some instant moves n shapes and folk are transfixed by our boy. However, it then takes a certain confidence to pull what happens next. See, instead of carrying on busting out what has already woooed the crowd our cat (beer) decides to take a break. Kicking it on the nearest seat and kinda not really doing a lot.

Is it OK for a Disco King to be doing this? I’m not totally sure that it is if I’m being honest.

And I’m not too sure that a beer should be pulling such a move either. See after the extremely good velvety and pillow smooth with notes of orange and pine opening in sip, for the body and flavour to dip so much ultimately leads to disappointment.

However, this is not to say that this brew falls off of a cliff. It just dips out way more than expected or should.

With better packaging and a fuller end then Disco King really could have gone to the next level and beyond… but as it is it’s just a pretty good beer.

Jymi’s Rating: 74%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Disco King: A Beer for the Dancefloor?

Alright, man, let’s set the scene—Saturday night, bell-bottoms on, record player spinning, and a cold one cracked open. But does Disco King bring the funk, or does it leave me standing awkwardly under the neon lights wondering where the groove went?

First off, the name and the vibe? Eh. Not feeling it. If you’re gonna slap “Disco King” on a can, I want something loud, flashy, dripping in gold and excess—this one? Kind of a letdown, like turning up to Studio 54 only to find it’s just another dingy pub with sticky floors. The font? Not doing it for me either.

But hey, a beer’s about what’s inside, and this one does bring some moves. That nose—big tropical, heavy pineapple vibes. It’s got that fresh, sweet aroma that makes you want to dive right in. And when you do, the taste follows the same beat—a bit of an unripe pineapple tang, light on bitterness, leaning into a simple groove. Not the most complex composition, but sometimes a single, clean note is all you need.

Sure, it’s not winning awards at the groove festival, but you know what? I’d crack another one. Could it use more bitterness to amp up the drama? Absolutely. But sometimes, you just need a smooth drink to keep the night rolling without stealing the show.

Like a one-hit wonder—gets the job done, but don’t expect it to change the game.

Sammy’s Rating: 76%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 75%

MOB review next weekend: ROSEBUD by POLLY’S

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 397

BREWER: Northern Monk, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 7%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 16th May 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Transient.

Transient.

Transient?

Transient???

Is this possibly the worst name for a beer ever?

Doesn’t transient mean… short stay, moving through, …

Oh FFS I’m gonna have to flippin #Google it.

 

Adjective: lasting only for a short time. Impermanent.

Noun: a person who is staying in a place for only a short time.

Ok, ok, ok, let’s calm down a little. I was getting a bit frothy there and I’ve not even pulled the pin on this 7% grenade yet.

If Northern Monk have named this brew so because it’s a small batch, never to return again beer then fine. That’s cool, really cool in fact. But is does not tell us if this is the case on the tin. So, I’m back to why the flip would you call a beer transient??? I’m getting frothy again. I think it is time to pull that pin…

Some may say I need to get over this Transient name thing but sorry I’m back again going right on about it! And the reason why is, this is a really good beer!

Is it lasting for only a short time?

Well, no. The very first thing I noted was its length. No dip after sip and the aftertaste goes on and on like… (the 80s kids can finish that sentence for ya boi Jymi).

Is it staying in a place for only a short time?

Well, no. The slight mango sweetness starts proceedings. This then saunters to a satsuma middle bitterness. Before easing into the long and very pleasant bittersweet aforementioned aftertaste.

F me, I can’t let this go, haha… other than transient being a lovely word to say I literally have no idea why NM, or anyone for that matter would name a beer like this, like this. It lets down what is a genuinely good brew.

If, it’s a short stay limited beer then fair, it renders 99% of this review void. But tell us on the tin if that is the case, surely?

But look, all in all this is a very good and enjoyable IPA.

I’m going for a lay down.

Jymi’s Rating: 76%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Transient makes a strong first impression with its thoughtfully designed packaging. The interplay of purple and blue against a beige background creates a visually appealing, well-themed aesthetic that sets the tone before the first sip.

True to its hazy moniker, it pours with a beautifully opaque glow, radiating a light, golden hue that invites exploration. On the nose, a distinct bitter lychee aroma wafts forward—fragrant and intriguing.

The mouthfeel is superb, offering a smooth, pleasant mouthfeel that makes each drink effortless. The initial taste carries those lychee notes forward, accompanied by a gentle touch of pineapple. As you work down the glass, an unexpected tea-like character begins to emerge, adding depth and nuance. The medium-bitter finish ties everything together with precision, lending balance to the experience.

If there’s one area for refinement, it would be an extra push in flavour intensity—just a little more oomph to elevate its profile further. Still, Transient delivers a rewarding, well-crafted hazy brew that holds attention with its complexity and smooth execution.

A balanced, flavourful hazy that could shine even brighter with a touch more impact.

Sammy’s Rating: 81%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78.5%

MOB review next weekend: DISCO KING by TURNING POINT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 396

BREWER: Flower Pots Brewery, Hampshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 9th May 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

A Gardener’s Disappointed Pour: A Review of Flower Pots IPA

As a keen gardener and a lover of beer, I approached Flower Pots IPA with the kind of optimism reserved for the first shoots of spring—ready to embrace freshness, complexity, and that crisp bite of something truly rewarding. Instead, this beer felt more like a wilted bloom—full of promise but ultimately lacking vigour.

At first glance, I appreciated the floral theme and the elephant nod, suggesting a brew rooted in tradition and earthiness. But beyond the packaging, things began to stray. The nose—pine, metallic, and grassy—felt less like a welcoming breeze through a thriving garden and more like the remnants of an overly fertilised patch struggling under an unexpected frost.

The red-amber hue in the glass carried promise, like the rich tones of autumn soil, but the taste let it all down. There was a meadow-like sweetness, a touch of citrus, and the familiar pine elements that should have lifted it, yet the flavours seemed hesitant, never fully blossoming into anything remarkable. Instead of a satisfying evolution, the finish was anticlimactic—a whisper rather than a flourish.

Perhaps the creeping chocolate notes could have grounded it, offering depth, but instead, the upfront sweetness lacked balance, leaving me longing for a sharper bitterness to prune the excess. Instead of a sturdy, thriving IPA bursting with life, I found myself sipping through something that, while passable, failed to cultivate excitement.

Some might enjoy this—those who prefer their beers leaning toward gentle meadows rather than robust hedgerows—but for me, this one left my taste buds like an overwatered plant: unimpressed and hoping for something fresher next time.

More compost than craftsmanship.

Sammy’s Rating: 44%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I love gardening, I truly do. I wouldn’t say I have green fingers, nor that I’m a hortif**kinculturist, as I have next to no real knowledge on the subject. However, a bit of pruning, edging, cutting, hoeing, mowing, potting, and pottering around the outdoor space on a sunny summer’s day… I love.

And what better reward after a hard day’s toil than to retire to the shed, fetch your crappy old ’70s deckchair, roll up a roll-up, and pop open a brew?

The name and artwork on today’s bottle absolutely evoke this scene—hard yet enjoyable labour in the garden, followed by a well-earned moment of relaxation with a cig and a beer.

The trouble is, if the beer you’d selected for such a moment was Flower Pots IPA, it would only end in disappointment. And that’s a shame because it starts off so well…

Yes, the artwork and name bring to mind a laidback garden potter, and I really love both. The quirky shaped label, with an Indian elephant nestled atop a flower pot, is nothing short of brilliant. The nose from FPIPA is also fantastic, with huge notes of blackcurrant making their way up your nostrils. The initial sip is great too, packed with oodles of orange, berry, and spice.

Unfortunately, this is where the brew kinda falls apart—much like that crappy old ’70s deckchair. Once your sip is swallowed, two things are missing—both vital to an IPA and essential to balancing those upfront flavours: body and bitterness. And in Flower Pots IPA, they’re seriously lacking.

It’s a shame because there was so much early promise. But without at least a bitter, hoppy middle and finish, this was never going to work as a beer. In fact, without it, it’s hard to call this an IPA at all.

Jymi’s Rating: 51%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 47.5%

MOB review next weekend: TRANSIENT by NORTHERN MONK

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 395

BREWER: Cheddar Ales, Somerset, England

STYLE: Golden Ale

ABV: 4.3%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 2nd May 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I started off writing this review going down the road of an elaborate story about Potholing, the fairly mental recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems. Not for the claustrophobic. The further I got into the story, the deeper we got into the cave, the tighter the cave became. It was at this point that I realised that my palms were sweating so much that my laptop was beginning to malfunction.

So, I’ve aborted the Potholing story angle and have now decided to go to the total opposite end of the reviewing spectrum…

Yep, I’m literally going to type out the notes that I made in my notebook about today’s Golden Ale, Potholer. It tells you all you need to know.

Lovely bright orange nose.

Tiny notes of spice.

Fruity, sharp, mild bitterness.

Great dryness in the middle and then again in the very late aftertaste.

Awesome session beer.

Great name.

Incredible amount of info on the label.

 

That’s it, great beer!

See you next weekend folks!

Jymi’s Rating: 80%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Simply gorge-ous—and yes, that’s a Cheddar Gorge nod (and one that the creatives beat me to)! Potholer is a well-crafted brew that stays true to its roots, both in name and theme. The packaging is spot on, tying into the rugged beauty of its origin with earthy, natural colours that complement the beer’s character.

Potholer a lively pop upon opening—maybe just my bottle, but it certainly added some excitement. On the nose, you’re hit with a fresh burst of orange zest and grassy notes, which set up the sip nicely. It’s bright, inviting, and well-balanced.

The light orangey taste carries through beautifully, offering a crisp and refreshing experience. It’s a smooth ride through most of the sip, though it does taper off a little towards the end. That said, the rounded flavours and clean finish make it a strong offering overall.

Potholer is a beer that delivers on its theme—from the name to the taste, everything flows together as naturally as water carving through limestone. It’s a definite winner and a brew worth returning to. Whether you’re exploring deep gorges or just unwinding, this one’s a solid choice.

Sammy’s Rating: 85%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 82.5%

MOB review next weekend: FLOWER POTS IPA by FLOWER POTS BREWERY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 394

BREWER: Bespoke Brewing Co., Gloucestershire, England

STYLE: Golden Ale

ABV: 4%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 25th April 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Just over a year ago I was lucky enough to spend a week away with my family in the Forest of Dean, where today’s brew is brewed. We were in a  wooden cabin in the middle of the forest with not much to do other then go for wild wet walks then warm up by the cozy fire of an evening. Idyllic. So simple yet so lovely.

This whole simplistic yet lovely vibe absolutely transfers into Forest Gold. Honestly, this Golden Ale is so uncomplex it’s ridiculous. I literally could not pick up any notes of anything! Also, to say it’s one dimensional is an understatement. However, there is a medium bitterness to this brew from start to finish, add in a pretty good mouthfeel and solid body and what you get is actually really nice!

Look, this sucker ain’t gonna win any awards nor get folk chatting about it. But sometimes just a simple straight forward beer of good quality can actually be a very enjoyable experience.

Jymi’s Rating: 62%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Much like the sprawling woodlands it’s named after, Forest Gold is a beer that invites exploration. Its name is a clever nod to both its golden ale status and its origins in the Forest of Dean, setting the stage for a brew that’s as rich and layered as the landscape itself.

Broadly, the packaging works well with its earthy colour scheme, though the graphic design doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. However, the blurb on the bottle adds a nice touch, especially with its nod to freelancers—an unexpected but intriguing connection. On the nose, the beer delivers malty warmth, exactly what you’d expect from a brew rooted in nature.

From the first sip, Forest Gold impresses with its superb mouthfeel—light yet full of character. It’s balanced on the palate, but don’t let that fool you; this beer still carries plenty of punch. The flavour profile is refreshingly earthy, with subtle pine notes and a delicate hint of lime zest that lingers. For a 4% ABV beer, it packs a surprising amount of depth and keeps going long after the initial sip.

This is the kind of beer that suits almost any occasion—reliable, flavourful, and deeply refreshing. Whether you’re unwinding after a day’s work or kicking back in the heart of the forest itself, Forest Gold delivers a taste of the wild with every sip. It’s a rock-solid offering that I’d happily come back to again.

Sammy’s Rating: 81%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 71.5%

MOB review next weekend: POTHOLER by CHEDDAR ALES

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

BEER REVIEW: 393

BREWER: Indie Rabble, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Crumble Sour

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 18th April 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

I was so ready for this beer. The name? Clever. The concept? Intriguing. Pear and almond crumble in a beer? Sounds like a dream. I cracked it open, expecting a wave of juicy pear sweetness and nutty warmth wrapped in a tart, refreshing sour.

To begin with, the can design had potential, but it felt a bit all over the place. The Jungle Book reference? Sure, I get it. Pear and almonds? Makes sense. But the execution? A little messy—much like the beer itself.

Once unleashed in the glass, I leaned in, eager for a fresh burst of pear. Instead… sour. Just sour. A faint whisper of fruit lingered in the background, but it wasn’t the vibrant, juicy aroma I had hoped for.

Okay, the big event: the taste. It is a sour, so I braced myself in expectation. The pear and almond crumble flavours are there, but they don’t quite land. Instead of a balanced dessert-inspired treat, it felt like two separate ideas awkwardly mashed together. The tartness overpowered the subtle pear, and the almond note got lost somewhere along the way. Drinkable? Yes. Memorable? Not really.

This beer had so much potential, but it just didn’t deliver. I wanted a harmonious mix of sweet, nutty, and tart—but what I got was a sour lacking punch that left me feeling a little empty.

Overall, this was a journey from excitement to letdown.

Sammy’s Rating: 59%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I think most street stomping youths went through a Cider phase. Mine didn’t last massively long before I drifted back into the world of shite mass produced lager.

However, around 10 years ago while visiting the lovely country county of Dorset for a long weekend I stumbled across perry, which is pear cider. Turns out, I liked perry WAY more than cider, which, to be fair figures, as I like pears WAY more than apples. And as I’ve mentioned in a previous beer review (literally no idea which one we’ve done so flippin’ many now!) the humble pear makes it into my top 3 fruits (raspberry and grapefruit are the other two for those interested).

And this brings us, quite seamlessly, to today’s brew, Pear Necessities. Now PN isn’t just a Pear sour, no no, it’s a Pear and Almond Crumble sour.

And my first take is that everything is present…

Pear – yep

Almond – yup

Crumble – yerp

Sour – yarf

There is nothing more annoying than a beer professing to be something and tasting nothing like the description, even if it tastes good. It irritates me. Just change the description if you’ve shanked the brew?? I know that’s cheating but to promise something and then it taste nothing like that promise is frankly… IRRITATING!! I’m buggin now, haha, back to the positive mind set. F me.

Here is how the relatively new, yet award winning Indie Rabble’s nailing of the description went…

Soft almond nose.

Almond leading taste in sip.

Pear there in flavour and adding to the texture too. Like a soft floaty perry (see above, concentrate at the back will ya).

Going into the early aftertaste pear then becomes the dominant force in flavour.

But once the aftertaste fully settles down it’s basically a Pear & Almond Crumble.

So good!

Now, if I’m being totally honest, I think I want a wee bit more crumble texture just to thicken the brew up. However, that could, and almost certainly would, detracting from how drinkable Pear Necessities is.

But when all is said and done… she’s a beaut.

Indie Rabble have done a full Ronseal here.

Jymi’s Rating: 78%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 68.5%

MOB review next weekend: FOREST GOLD by BESPOKE BREWING CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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BEER REVIEW: 392

BREWER: Burning Sky, East Sussex, England

STYLE: Pilsner

ABV: 4.6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 11th April 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

NZ Pils, a beer that caught me off guard in the best way possible, exceeded my expectations. I had anticipated a standard pilsner, but this one brought a unique twist to the table.

The beer’s packaging is a standout feature. The white and green colour scheme is fresh, clean, and distinctly Kiwi. The fern motif is a clever touch that establishes a strong connection to New Zealand without being overpowering. It’s simple, stylish, and truly effective.

Upon initial sniff, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Pilsners can sometimes be a bit muted in aroma. However, this beer had a delightful floral malt aroma that set the stage for something refreshing. It was subtle yet inviting, piquing my curiosity.

The sip was equally impressive. The malt character shone through beautifully, infusing the beer with a touch of sweetness that lingered just enough before the finish. It was lighter than I had anticipated for a pilsner, but that actually made it even more refreshing. The malt was not overly complex, but it was far from boring.

What began as a casual sip transformed into a genuinely enjoyable surprise. NZ Pils surpasses the average lager by striking a perfect balance between sweetness and crispness. It’s a beer that can be enjoyed in any setting, whether you’re relaxing by the coast or cooling off after a long hike.

Sammy’s Rating: 77%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Anything that starts with NZ is alright by me.

Pilsner, yep, I’m a fan. Though lager is nowhere near my first choice of beer style nowadays, I do still enjoy a good ol’ Pils once in a while.

Burning Sky Brewery. Well, I haven’t tried a huge amount of their offerings, but the ones that I have, have been nothing short of exceptional.

Soooooooo, with a brew by Burning Sky named simply NZ Pils, we should be onto a winner here…

Ring pull pulled, let’s go.

Yep, it’s lovely…

Starting off with a fresh limey nose you almost instantly know you’re potentially onto the aforementioned winner. In the sip NZP is so smooth it’s ridiculous (think we probably have those New Zealand hops to thank for this). As the flavour begins to build the lime notes from the nose are left behind only to be replaced by a sensational subtle lemon. The aftertaste is VERY DRY and utterly divine I have to say. But with all this said, there is a slight chink in NZPs armour. We’ve established that the sip, texture and aftertaste are very good indeed, but it’s in the middle that this brew is a little on the average side. It’s fine, it’s ok, but just doesn’t do an awful lot in the mid-section of the drinking.

However, when all is said and done, this is indeed a great lager and one I would most certainly recommend.

Jymi’s Rating: 77%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 77%

MOB review next weekend: PEAR NECESSITIES by INDIE RABBLE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

museonbooze.com