PRIME TIME SESSION IPA

BEER REVIEW: 381

BREWER: The Innovative Brewing Co., West London, England

STYLE: Session IPA

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 24th January 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Good gawd… whatta shocker!

Look, I see what The Innovative Brewing Co have tried to do here. Basically, brew a tasty IPA but containing far fewer calories and carbs than your regular beverage. I get it, I do, but it’s hardly innovative now is it?!

The trouble is when attempting such a feat, you kinda need to make sure the beer you produce is at least half decent. I understand that it would be incredibly tough to brew a showstopper when producing a beer of this ilk, but come on, half decent is all I ask.

But this brew falls well short of half decent I’m afraid. It’s really poor. From the seaweed nose to the seaweed aftertaste and the total lack of anything body wise in between, it really was a struggle to get this down. There was a glimmer of hoppy flavour in the sip but it didn’t amount to much nor was it particularly pleasant.

The can art and content were also not really doing anything for me, other than cause mild irritation once I realised how bad the beer was. So many statements, that end up kinda meaningless are thrown at us via the little green vessel…

IPA BUT BETTER

BEER BUT BETTER

FOR THOSE WHO DEMAND MORE

FULL FLAVOUR, FULL BODY BEER, WITHOUT THE GUILT

FOLLOW US & BECOME A #PRIMEMATE

BREWED TO THE HIGHEST BRITISH BREWING STANDARDS

I’m sure this isn’t the case but it almost seems like more time went into attempted catchy slogans and statements rather than producing a quality drinkable product.

If the Innovative slogan team got hold of concluding my review it would be a whole lot longer but luckily it’s me in charge of the keys and I can conclude in just one word…

AVOID.

Jymi’s Rating: 12%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

“Prime Time” is a misnomer—this beer doesn’t live up to its name. Let’s be clear, it’s far from prime drinking material.  It misses the mark, leaving behind an underwhelming impression in almost every department.

The aroma starts with a faint whiff of dank citrus, a fleeting promise of the IPA character you’d hope for. Unfortunately, it feels muddled and lacks the vibrant hop-forward punch typical of the style. There’s something slightly off, leaving the nose feeling incomplete.

While there’s a whisper of hops at the start of the drinking, the flavour quickly fizzles into an unremarkable blandness. The bitterness is muted, the malt profile is barely present, and the finish is flat. It lacks the complexity or body to make any lasting impact, making each sip more forgettable than the last.

Prime Time IPA is, at best, a placeholder on the shelf. It offers little to entice or engage the drinker, with a flat flavour profile and pretty average execution. There are too many great IPAs on the market to waste time on this one. Best left as a forgettable footnote in the IPA world.

Sammy’s Rating: 38%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 25%

MOB review next weekend: LIFE & DEATH by VOCATION

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BLACK IPA

BEER REVIEW: 380

BREWER: Brazenor’s Brews, Buckinghamshire, England

STYLE: Black IPA

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 17th January 2024

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

While not a showstopper, this Black IPA delivers a decent and enjoyable drinking experience. With a bit more refinement in its flavour profile, it could rise above its current rank. If you’re a fan of bold, bitter brews with a hint of stout character, this beer is defo worth a try.

The aroma immediately evokes stout-like qualities, with rich notes of chocolate and coffee complemented by a faint undertone of burnt oats. It’s a warm and inviting nose, delivering a pleasant first impression.

The bitterness dominates the palate, but as it develops, subtle coffee and chocolate notes emerge, adding some welcome complexity. Unfortunately, the finish leans too acrid, overshadowing the beer’s initial subtleties. A touch more balance—perhaps a creamier or less aggressive hop profile—could elevate its flavour to the next level.  But this is the price paid for being a black IPA as opposed to a porter or stout.

Good but not great.  I would definitely revisit but it’s not top of my list.

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Ah, the ol’ Black IPA, for me, probably the most curious of beer styles. A stout like IPA. Again, for me, stout and  IPA are not really styles that sit particularly close to one another nor ones you would really want to put together. So it’s amazing really that black IPA as a style even made it to the ideas table, let alone the tank and then the gullet. But it did, and although it’s not the most common type of beer out there, it is making somewhat of a resurgence. Why? Well, because if done well a black IPA can be nothing short of spectacular.

Over the years of sampling some, though not that many, with BIPAs I’ve come to realise that I prefer them if they are slightly leaning more towards the stout side of life. Braz’s BIPA sits bang in the middle of the two however. Stoutlike upfront with a more hoppy bitter IPA hit nearer the end. Now as a beer reviewer this is good, as this Bucks brewer has absolutely nailed the style! But just as Jymi the consumer (in both meanings of the word) it is just a bit too bitter and IPA like at the end detracting from the chocolate notes that lead.

As mentioned, the style has been nailed here and this is without doubt a good beer with early meandering tones of chocolate and coffee developing into a hoppy finish with a slight bitter coffee note in the aftertaste.

Putting personal preference aside I think this brew probably would have chalked up a few more marks.

But either way, it’s still a good beer.

Jymi’s Rating: 73%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 71.5%

MOB review next weekend: PRIME TIME SESSION IPA by THE INNOVATIVE BREWING CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025

A OVER T

BEER REVIEW: 379

BREWER: Hogs Back, Surrey, England

STYLE: Barley Wine

ABV: 9%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 11th January 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

I had high hopes for A Over T, a barley wine that promised sophistication and bold flavours. Sadly, my experience didn’t quite live up to those expectations.

Let us begin with one of the A’ over T’s strongest suits: its presentation. The packaging is top-notch—suave and striking, with a red and black colour scheme that’s as appealing as it is stylish.

The nose offers promise with a rich, sweet scent that hints at what might follow. There’s a pleasing nuttiness and barleyness on the aroma front that continues the promise given by the packaging.

Unfortunately, the drinking is where A Over T falters. It leans too heavily on sweetness, leaving little room for complexity or evolution. It’s one-dimensional, and the initial nutty, sweet barley notes fail to progress into anything memorable. A faint bitter finish tries to round things off but doesn’t do enough to save the palate experience.

A Over T isn’t the worst barley wine I’ve had, but it’s far from the best. It’s a beer that excels in presentation but struggles to deliver where it counts: in the glass.

Sammy’s Rating: 58%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

First up we have to talk about the name of this 9% Barley Wine. A over T. I mean it is just a work of total genius. A over T stands for Aromas over Tongham, Tongham being the Surrey village where Hogs Back are based. And it’s then when the brewers are conjuring up this brew the aromas over said village would, I’m sure, be delightful. However A over T is also a colloquial English idiom meaning Arse over Tit, which in turn means falling over in a pretty spectacular way… as you almost certainly would if you took too many 9% Barley Wines on board.

So as I said, the name for this beer is just brilliant.

Second up. The packaging. Also, brilliant. So smart. So well presented. From the colours used to the varying fonts to the lay out and abundance of info… they’ve just nailed it.

And so to the beer itself…

A big boy barley is always going to be bring a certain bang to to the beer drinker. The question is always, for me anyway, how will the balance be. Bad Barleys can sometimes be too sweet. There can also, sometimes, not really be enough complexity going on for what should always be a pretty complex beer.

And because of the insanely good name and presentation of A over T, it saddens me to say that this brew is too sweet and not complex enough to excite me.

That’s not to say that it’s a bad beer or nasty to drink, because it’s not. It’s good, just not any better than that. And as mentioned that resulted in disappointment after the prodigious build up.

A over T brings caramel, almond, cherry and blackcurrant in the flavour wave. It’s very rich, very sweet and incredibly cloying up front but this does settle down mid drink to be fair. This eventually progresses to a comforting warm and settling aftertaste. It is complex enough but unfortunately didn’t take me on the journey I was hoping for, but still, one to savour in front of the fire at the end of the night.

And when all is said and done, though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend, I would certainly not want to put you off trying one. It’s good and for you, could well be great.

Jymi’s Rating: 70%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 64%

MOB review next weekend: BLACK IPA by BRAZENOR’S BREWS

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M O B 2025

MARSHMALLOW MOUNTAIN

BEER REVIEW: 378

BREWER: Siren Craft Brew, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Porter

ABV: 5.1%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 3rd January 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

As far as I’m aware, though I cannot confirm as was not present on brew day over in Finchampstead, no marshmallows were harmed in the making of Marshmallow Mountain.

Though from the mouthfeel for this particular porter you would think that there had been a marshmallow massacre over in the small Berkshire town on brew day.

Honestly, the pillowy smooth texture of this beer is just insanely good! And a lovely lovely lovely carrier of the slight chocolate with a good vanilla accompaniment makes for a very good beer indeed!

MMM is a soft warming delight and one I’ll 100% grab again once available.

Jymi’s Rating: 84%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

If you were to dream of a marshmallow porter, then it’s likely Marshmallow Mountain would be the ideal scenario.  It delivers a cozy, dessert-like experience that’s as comforting as it is indulgent. From the moment you lay eyes on the can to the last sip, it’s a fluffy, marshmallow-filled delight.

From the first whiff, you know you’re in for something special. It smells like a toasty cup of hot chocolate topped with melty marshmallows, underscored by the deep, roasty notes of a classic porter. The aroma alone is a hug in a glass.

Marshmallow Mountain is exactly what it promises in the drinking: marshmallow goodness in liquid form. The flavour is well-balanced, with fluffy marshmallow sweetness melding perfectly with the chocolate and biscuit notes of the porter. It’s rich without being cloying and indulgent without feeling heavy. Every sip is like a dessert experience that doesn’t overwhelm.

Let’s not beat around the bush: the mouthfeel is absolutely sublime. The cloud like, light mouthfeel paired with the perfectly balanced flavour profile makes this an incredibly drinkable porter. Whether sipping by the fire or sharing with friends, this beer shines in every scenario.

Marshmallow Mountain is a standout porter that delivers on all fronts. It’s comforting, creative, and downright delicious. This one’s a banger—perfect for those who love dessert-inspired beers or just want a porter with a twist.

Sammy’s Rating: 95%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 89.5%

MOB review next weekend A OVER T by HOGS BACK BREWERY

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M O B 2025

BAD KITTY

BEER REVIEW: 377

BREWER: Brass Castle Brewery, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Vanilla Porter

ABV: 5.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 28th December 2024

 

JYMI SAY’S…

There have been brews we’ve reviewed before that have been a bit of a journey within a can / bottle.

There have also been brews that you know almost instantly are an absolute winner.

There have also been brews that you know almost instantly are not very good at all.

Bad Kitty, falls into the first in that list. A journey for sure, but I’m not certain in the way it was intended.

And because of this I’m going to have to issue a RAMBLE ALERT*

*the following may have zero cohesion, major grammar errors and contain mainly waffling (‘no change there’, the haters will say, and they would be correct).

As soon as the first sip was swallowed my mind went on the wonk. What just happened there? Tasty for sure and there is some body and some aftertaste but it’s lacking something.

I had no clue what. There was flavour, body and aftertaste. But it was lacking? What was it lacking? This doesn’t make sense.

On the second sip n swallow nothing changed. I actually had to ask myself if I was enjoying it so far. I didn’t know. I was confused. I was searching. I was waffling in my manual beer tasting notes. I was now embarking on sip n swallow 3.

Ah there is some vanilla there. Things were looking up. But I was still waiting for this beer to actually do something. What, I wasn’t sure. But please just do something.

I plodded on. The flavours began to build a little yes, but still I waited for a spark. Something to excite me.

But it didn’t come…

I thought…

Until I’d given up hope and concluded that this was an ok beer, that had something yes but was also lacking a bit of beef (not the flavour you Neanderthal’s). Of what and what I wasn’t sure so threw down the last gulp in one (was actually two gulps as there was more left in the glass than I’d anticipated) but it was in these last two visits that Bad Kitty came out of her shell. Suddenly it was full bodied. Tasty. More vanilla-er-y.

But it was over.

No more to now genuinely enjoy.

It’s hard to score and conclude this one. Would things have been different if there was 60 more ml given to the drinker?  Would things have been different if we were allowed to move on to a second tin as part of the reviewing process?

I’m not sure we will ever truly know.

Jymi’s Rating: 63%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ah, Bad Kitty—a beer that pounces on your palate with promise but leaves you scratching your head by the end. It’s a brew that intrigues, bemuses, and eventually overwhelms, much like a real-life feline with a flair for chaos.

Hints of vanilla and burnt barley give the nose a comforting warmth, like snuggling a cat that’s behaving (for now). Light coffee notes add a welcome complexity.

The opening sip is all drama—vanilla in its boldest, loudest form, purring with sweetness and confidence. It barrels through the flavourscape, but this initial flair overstays its welcome. By the end, it’s like sipping cold hot chocolate—a shadow of the porter notes you might have hoped for, but still undeniably sweet.

It’s easy to drink—at first. But as the vanilla turns from playful to overpowering, you might find yourself sipping less enthusiastically as the sweetness starts to cloy.

At first pour, Bad Kitty is full of promise—a curious creature stalking its prey. The vanilla leads the charge with vigour, supported by burnt barley and subtle coffee, but its strength becomes its downfall. As you drink, the sweetness overwhelms, and what began as a complex flavour journey turns into a one-note experience.

It’s a beer with personality, no doubt, but one that might need a firmer hand to tame its wilder tendencies. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, this might just be your thing—but don’t be surprised if it leaves you scratching your head (or your tongue for that matter).

Sammy’s Rating: 69%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 66%

 

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL FROM SAMMY & JYMI 

X

MOB review next weekend: MARSHMALLOW MOUNTAIN by SIREN CRAFT BREW

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M O B 2024

GUINNESS FOREIGN EXTRA

BEER REVIEW: 376

BREWER: Guinness Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria 

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 7.5%

VESSEL: 325ml brown bottle 

DATE OF POST: 24th December 2024

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

This beer strides into the glass like a heavyweight champion, flexing its rich, jet-black body and capped with a creamy tan head that demands respect. It’s Guinness—but louder, stronger, and ready to throw a punch.

From the first sip, it’s a tidal wave of bold roasted malt flavours, amped up to 11. Bitter dark chocolate and espresso notes slug it out on your palate, with a subtle undercurrent of molasses and burnt caramel adding depth. There’s a surprising sweetness buried under the robust bitterness, like a moment of calm in a storm. This beer doesn’t just linger; it camps out, unapologetic and unrelenting.

Guinness Foreign Extra is not a casual sipper; it’s a beer you wrestle with. Each sip is dense, commanding, and unapologetically heavy. One bottle feels like a meal—and it would be a struggle to have another one immediately afterwards.

It’s an unforgettable beer that pushes boundaries. However, its boldness might not be for everyone. Some drinkers will revel in its intensity; others might tap out after a few rounds.

To sum up, this beer is a turbocharged, maxed-out version of a classic stout. It’s Guinness after hitting the gym, doubling its squat PB, and then tossing a keg across the room just to show off. It’s rich, powerful, and demands your full attention.

Not for the faint of heart, but for those who crave boldness, this beer is an unforgettable experience. Drink it slowly, savour it thoroughly, and maybe prepare a nap for afterward—you will have earned it.

Sammy’s Rating: 75%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I dunno about you folk, but I massively associate Guinness with Christmas. There was a time, maybe 15 or so years ago, where I would only drink Guinness in during the month of December. And though I will still mainly drink Guinness only in the colder darker months, I have rid myself of such crazy limitations like ONLY IN DECEMBER.

But the nostalgic links between this time of year and the black stuff remain.

But today we do not just have a regular draught Guinness with its famous widget and its smooth, warming and slightly bitter tones.

Nor do we have Guinness Original with its slightly more elegant feel to the draught version. Original isn’t one for a session but more a comfy chair on a slow snowy Sunday arvo.

No, today we have Guinness Foreign Extra. And blimey, whatta hit!

So, take the smoothness from the Draught version. Take the refinement and slightly more intense flavours of the Original version. Dial the ABV up to a ridiculous 7.5% and taaaaadaaaaaa… there you have your Foreign Extra brew!

This thing is an absolute beer bomb of intensity! While clinging on to the clear Guinness roots GFE brings with it big ol’ coffee, chocolate and cherry smacks. It’s bold, it’s rich, it’s lovely… but you would not want to move onto another.

This is your archetypal sip back and savour brew. Long and slow whilst back in that comfy chair. And you know what, after the intense flavour ride, the mellowness that GFE brings, along with it’s endless and glorious bitter aftertaste… it may just send you off into the land of nod for a wee while.

Merry Christmas my friends x

Jymi’s Rating: 83%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 79%

MOB review next weekend:BAD KITTY by BRASS CASTLE

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M O B 2024

BLACK STOUT

BEER REVIEW: 375

BREWER: Whitstable Bay, Kent, England

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 13th December 2024

 

JYMI SAY’S…

What I really love about this weekly beer testing journey that Sammy and I embarked on over 7 years ago is that not only has it opened our eyes to so many different styles of beer, it’s also opened our eyes to a certain style in certain situations and also certain situations within a style. Still with me?!

Take last weeks absolute banger for instance. An 8% monster of a Chai Stout. Would I want to settle down on a day like Christmas day for instance for a loooooong sloooooow all day sitting with it? Frankly, no, I wouldn’t. That brew is far too rich, strong and complex for that. But a brew like today’s one, Black Stout (I hope the person that came up with that name got a promotion instantly (#eyes)), though massively inferior to last week absolutely sits in that all day winter session bracket. It’s not rich, it’s not complex (even though the label says that it is) it’s just really enjoyable to drink.

And you know what, I think I’m gonna leave it there.

Exceptional this is not. However, for a very drinkable, sessionable stout that’s readily available and very affordable… you won’t go far wrong here.

Jymi’s Rating: 67%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Whitstable Bay Black Stout came in as a pleasant surprise. At first glance, the packaging doesn’t set high expectations—the label is a bit lacklustre, though the dark colour of the stout itself gives it an oddly sophisticated look that works in its favour. Whether intentional or not, the deep black hue adds a level of allure that the design alone doesn’t quite manage.

On the nose, there are some light hints of coffee, nothing overwhelming or complex, but just enough to promise that classic stout experience. This stout doesn’t throw out a maze of flavours to get lost in, and that turns out to be one of its strengths. The first few sips reveal the essentials: coffee, roasted barley, and a hint of dark chocolate that lingers and grows as you make your way through the glass.

While it’s not quite as bold or complex as some stouts, the straightforward flavour profile works in its favour. Sometimes, simplicity is all you need, and Whitstable Bay Black Stout sticks to a tried-and-true formula without veering off course. Yes, it tails off a little quickly on the finish, and a bit more intensity might have elevated it, but as you sip, the flavours start to settle in nicely, and it becomes more enjoyable with every mouthful.

For anyone looking for a solid, no-nonsense stout that delivers the classic flavours without any frills, Whitstable Bay Black Stout is a winner. It’s easy to enjoy, pleasantly balanced, and, honestly, quite a rewarding find.

Sammy’s Rating: 79%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 73%

MOB review next weekend: GUINNESS FOREIGN EXTRA by GUINNESS

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M O B 2024

AS THE SUN SETS SLOWLY IN THE WEST

BEER REVIEW: 374

BREWER: MakeMake, Hampshire, England

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 8%

VESSEL: 500ml tin

DATE OF POST: 6th December 2024

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

As the golden orb dips below the horizon, its last rays painting the world in hues of amber and crimson, so too does this stout unfold on the palate—a journey through light and shadow.

The nose hints at the story to come—a fragrant blend of dark caramel and chai spice. It’s as inviting as the first glimpse of a fiery sunset, promising depth and richness that largely delivers.

The first sip evokes a rich, earthy warmth, much like the lingering heat of a sun-kissed evening. Notes of chai spice weave through the experience like the soft threads of twilight clouds, bringing a welcome sweetness that mirrors the final burst of daylight before night fully claims the sky. However, the sweetness grows insistent, much like a sunset that lingers just a bit too long, blurring the line between pleasing and cloying.

This is a stout meant for slow, thoughtful enjoyment. It’s not the beer you grab for a casual evening—it’s a fireside contemplation, a solitary walk at dusk.

While it offers intrigue and richness, it doesn’t completely transcend into an unforgettable sunset moment. Some of the flavours feel slightly unbalanced, like a horizon where clouds obscure the full brilliance.

Pouring this beer is like pouring liquid dusk into your glass—thick and gloopy, with a luscious mouthfeel that settles warmly. It’s a stout that belongs to special occasions, as rare and fleeting as the perfect sunset. The chai-spiced sweetness, while enchanting at first, risks overpowering the balance, leaving it as a beer best savoured in moments of stillness and reflection.

Raise your glass to the setting sun and sip this slowly. It’s a toast to transitions, the day fading into night, and the beauty found in fleeting moments.

Sammy’s Rating: 82%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Firstly, I’d like to thank our brewery today for popping their beer into a 500ml tin. It wasn’t necessary and in the world of the 440 I’m sure I would have bought in this size guise too. So the way I see it, I’ve got 60ml of bonus beer.

Secondly, I’d like to thank our brewery today for making this pup 8%. Look I haven’t tasted it yet and it could be terrible. However, let’s assume it’s not… A warming 8%er to kick off December and the Christmas season? Yes pleeeeeeease!

Thirdly, I’d like to thank our brewery today for the exceptional tin art, produced by Cheryl Maslen (@cherylmaslen). Does it work well on a can of stout? Does it make the brew stand out from the crowd? Frankly, I don’t care that much this time around as it is just a beautiful piece.

Fourthly. I’d like to thank our brewery today for putting on their Instagram profile just how the brewery name is pronounced. Because it’s not as you would think. No no, MAKE MAKE it is not. It’s also not Maa Maa, as I heard some cool cat of a bearded beatnik beer nerd who wore a curtain for a coat and shoe protectors as actual shoes around Bermondsey call it. No, it’s pronounced MAH-KAY-MAH-KAY.

Fifthly, I’d like to thank our brewery today for brewing an absolutely sublime Stout. (I’ve obviously popped the pup now). Seriously, this is serious. Tones of cinnamon, ginger and cloves are straight up in your grill but my initial take away from sip one was how smooth this beauty is. Absolute silk.

Sixthly, I’d like to thank our brewery today for just nailing it in every department.

What a beer and what a start to December and the festive period.

Jymi’s Rating: 89%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 85.5%

MOB review next weekend: BLACK STOUT by FAVERSHAM STEAM BREWERY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2024

GOLD

BEER REVIEW: 373

BREWER: Wainwright, Cumbria, England

STYLE: Golden Ale 

ABV: 4.1%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 29th November 2024

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Wainwright Gold, a golden ale from Wainwright Brewery, opens with promise but, unfortunately, falls short in delivering an enjoyable drinking experience.

Aroma: On the nose, the beer offers a bright and refreshing citrus aroma, which is arguably the high point. The zesty citrus notes create a positive first impression and hint at something crisp and vibrant.

Taste: The initial sip is fairly decent, with the citrus flavour continuing from the nose to the palate, but it doesn’t quite live up to expectations. While not terrible, it lacks depth and complexity, and the mouthfeel is somewhat uninspiring.

Aftertaste: Unfortunately, the aftertaste is where things go south, very south! A heavy malt character dominates, leaving an unpleasant, lingering flavour. There’s a biscuity undertone mixed with a banana like note, which feels off balance and detracts from the overall experience.

Packaging: The packaging could also use some improvement. Although it’s packed with plenty of information, the overall design doesn’t do much to enhance the appeal of the beer.

Verdict: Wainwright Gold starts strong with its bright citrus aroma, but it loses steam quickly. With a bland sip and an unpleasant malty aftertaste, it’s a beer that fails to impress. Not one I’d recommend visiting.

Jymi’s Rating: 19%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Wainwright Gold is exactly what it sounds like: a straightforward, easy going beer that doesn’t try too hard to impress—and mostly succeeds at not disappointing. 

The nose offers a light hint of citrus and grass, subtle but refreshing, like a faint breeze on a spring day. It’s not bold, but it’s pleasant enough to set the tone.

On the palate, Wainwright Gold is crisp and clean with a gentle citrus flavour that comes through without fanfare. The mouthfeel is thin but refreshing, making it easy to drink even if it lacks the depth or complexity of some more ambitious ales. This is not a beer that’s here to make waves; it’s brewed with a “straight bat” approach that delivers on exactly what it promises: a simple, no-nonsense ale.

While it’s not brimming with character, there’s nothing off putting here either. It’s smooth, inoffensive, and easy drinking—a dependable choice for a casual pint. Would I rush out to buy another? Probably not. But if someone offered me one, I wouldn’t turn it down either.

In short, Wainwright Gold is the beer equivalent of a comfortable old chair: it’s not going to wow anyone, but it’s perfectly serviceable for a relaxed drink when you’re not in the mood for anything complicated.

Sammy’s Rating: 46%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 32.5%

MOB review next weekend: AS THE SUN SETS SLOWLY IN THE WEST  by MAKEMAKE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2024

RUDDLES BEST

BEER REVIEW: 372

BREWER: Greene King, Suffolk, England

STYLE: Best Bitter

ABV: 3.4%

VESSEL: 500ml clear bottle

DATE OF POST: 22nd November 2024

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ruddles Best claims to be a “classic English ale,” promising notes of hoppy bitterness, citrus undertones, and a dash of sweetness. What it delivers, however, is an unholy trifecta of disappointment, regret, and an aftertaste that lingers like a bad decision.

The bottle design—a clear bottle that does nothing to hide the unappetising amber liquid within—somehow manages to be both cheap-looking and uninviting. It practically screams “avoid,” and if only I’d followed my gut…

Upon cracking it open, there’s a faint malty aroma, but “faint” is putting it kindly. More accurately, the nose is like someone whispered “malt” across the room and called it a day.

There’s no complexity here—just a weak, half-hearted attempt at smelling like beer.

Now, the taste. Oh, the taste. Imagine licking a rusty tin can that someone accidentally dropped in a weak malt extract. That’s Ruddles Best. The tinny flavour hits hard and fast, but thankfully it disappears just as quickly. Ordinarily, you might bemoan a flavour that fades so fast, but in this case, the rapid vanishing act is a blessing.

And mouthfeel? Let’s just say I’d sooner sip motor oil than subject myself to more than a single mouthful of this “Best.”

Ruddles Best’s tagline should really be “Ruddy Awful.” If it had an emoji, it would be the green-faced sick one, mid-vomit.

In summary, Ruddles Best is the kind of beer you’d give to someone you don’t like very much. My advice: leave this on the shelf, and maybe go wash out your mouth if you’ve already made the mistake.

Ruddles Best: A “Best” Left Behind

Sammy’s Rating: 11%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

During lockdown my downstairs toilet got a booze paraphernalia make over. What’s the point of having a beer mat collection if no one can see it, I said to myself. What’s the point in having a (empty) gin miniatures collection if no one can see it, I said to myself. What’s the point of having a bottle cap collection if no one can see it, I said to myself. What’s the point of having a collection of tap heads if no can see it, I said to myself.

So, for the first time in a long time I had time to spare and the make over began. The beer mats went up on the walls. The gin miniatures got lined up on a shelf. The bottle caps were arranged nicely on another shelf above the cistern. And the tap heads joined the mats on the walls.

Four years on, much has been added, mainly beer mat wise. We’re currently in the region of 300.

Anyway, there I was the other day stood taking a Jimmy Riddle in said toilet and my eyes caught the Ruddles mat. Ooooooh, I thought, that’s that beer we’re testing in a few weeks.

Once I’d taken care of business I took a closer look at the mat. Cask conditioned it says. 3.7% it says. Maybe it might just be alright (I wasn’t holding out much hope prior to this mat engagement though as it looks absolutely awful in its clear bottle, more of this later).

I went about the rest of my day / week and thought nothing more of it.

Then test day came along and these thoughts came flooding back… however, on our bottle there was no mention of any cask conditioning, nor it being 3.7%.

Oh dear, thought I, they must have cut some corners here to save some pennies and have crossed their fingers hoping no one would notice.

Right, on with how this brew actually was…

As mentioned, expectation was low due to just how poorly presented it is. Who on earth signed off on a label quite that bad going on a clear glass bottle containing a cider looking liquid that is supposed to be a Best Bitter is beyond me. I mean, what the actual F is that all about?? “Yep, that looks good, let’s go with that” literally can not have been uttered in any meeting ever over at Ruddles HQ, yet here we are. Unbelievable.

Right, on with how this brew actually was… again…

Shit. Basically. But not to the point of undrinkable as there were some positives. I lie. There was one positive.

But that one positive isn’t actually a positive, just not as awful as everything else.

It’s the taste in sip which is ok. It’s quite bright and citrusy. It’s passable, but not good by any means. However, the body and any flavour in swallow is non-existent. And the aftertaste is poor. There is a faint bitterness in the very last part of the aftertaste to be fair to RBB, but it is very very faint.

All in all, this is one to avoid. Which I’m sure you would anyway due to the state of the packaging.

Jymi’s Rating: 21%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 16%

MOB review next weekend: GOLD by WAINWRIGHT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2024