BREWER: Biere des Amis, Liège, Belgium

STYLE: Belge Blonde

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle

TWITTER: #bieredesamis

INSTAGRAM: #bieredesamis

DATE OF POST: 15th January 2023

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It’s the packaging that’s leading the way once again this week!

I absolutely love what BDA have done here. So simple but sooooooo effective! The bottle itself is nothing special or different and the only other thing involved is a font I suppose. But what a font it is and the general lay out of the words and sizing is nothing short of spectacular. It’s a massive hats off to this Belgian bunch.

However the beer itself, though actually fairly enjoyable, doesn’t fall in line with it’s incredible housing.

First up this brew is very dry, I’ve not got an issue with this at all and actually because of the dryness I found this beer strangely alluring leaving me with a want to get back after every sip. However ultimately there isn’t too much going on here. BDA is crisp, zesty and quite floral upfront with an almost subtle banana taste going on in the midsip. What took me slightly aback was the foam up in the mouth. Not unpleasant, a bit weird, but almost helped what ever flavour there was kicking around.

Certainly worth a go this beer but don’t expect to get too excited about it.

Jymi’s Rating: 58%

SAMMY SAY’S…

Biere Des Amis is a blonde Belgian. Beer that is. Not a human. And blondes (again, beers) can be a little punchy in the wheat flavour department. For me, I’m not particularly a big fan of that. However, BDA has a hint of that wheat flavour and I think it really works. It’s not complicated or indeed clever, but it is refreshing.

If you’re looking for a Belgian with a standout complex flavour profile, then BDA definitely won’t tick many boxes. In fact, it’s quite likely that you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re looking for any beer that’s got a hint of wheatiness and is very refreshing, then this may just be the beer for you. 

It’s strange because I do like BDA. And that may make the scoring of this beer a little harsh. You must bear in mind that it’s not very complicated. It’s playing a straight bat. And for that reason, it’s not going to pick up huge points. 

All that having been said, I’d happily have another one of these. 

Sammy’s Rating: 61%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 59.5%

MOB review next weekend: APPETITE by BY THE HORNS BREWING CO.

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BREWER: Dynamite Valley Brewing Co., Cornwall, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 500ml wrapped brown bottle

TWITTER: @DynamiteValley

INSTAGRAM: dynamitevalleybrewingco

DATE OF POST: 8th January 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

To begin with, I wasn’t sure if I liked the idea of the paper packaging. To be honest, I wasn’t really tempted by the beer as it resided in my beer fridge for a month or so. However, two things have convinced me that I actually love the paper wrap:

1. The bottle itself is plain. Nothing else on it. So the paper is the packaging. 
2. The paper rolled out is very enjoyable to read through and you could spend a fair amount of time studying it. 

So the packaging is a huge tick on this TNT IPA. 

When drinking, TNT is pleasant. It has an underlying caramel note running from the nose all the way to the finish. 

While it has an ok mouthfeel at the outset, this dissipates somewhat as you move down the glass. It doesn’t disappear altogether. But it definitely lessens the more you drink and this is a little underwhelming. 

All in all, this is not a bad beer. But it has to be said that the most exciting thing, and the biggest talking point, is the packaging. 

All of that having been said, I’d like to redeem my token (part of the packaging) in the brewers beer cafe.  Only problem is, it’s in Cornwall which is a bit of a trek for me. Hopefully by the time I’m in their neck of the woods the token will still be valid!!

Sammy’s Rating: 68%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Well there is an obvious talking point here isn’t there?!

There I was at the back end of the Summer on holiday in Cornwall (not sure if I’ve mentioned this before). Jymi and the fam went on a lovely wee day trip to Polperro. After being warned not to go on a boat trip as there was a system coming in we decided to call it a day and take a leisurely stroll back to the car. We made it about 11 metres and THE SYSTEM CAME RIGHT IN. We took immediate shelter in the first shops we could find. Oddly my wife and daughters ended up in a pet shop and Jymi in… a bottle shop. What are the chances eh?

So there I was waiting for the storm to pass giving me plenty of time to peruse the shelves and see what was on offer. It did not take long for me to spot the selection from Dynamite Valley for a very obvious reason. I mean, I’m not going to say this packaging is sensational, because it isn’t. However it 100% made me buy the beer so has without doubt done it’s job.

And it turns out the beer is a goodun’ too!

So I’ve bought it because of the packaging and it’s delivered as a decent brew. This my beer drinking buddies is the way you do it. Well flippin’ done DVBC!

TNT as a name for a brew is nothing short of exceptional. Once the lid is lifted however the nose is nothing to get excited about, nor is the initial sweetness from the first sip. But once the hop rockets over take the sweetness you understand why it’s there.

A well balanced very enjoyable brew AND I have a beer token to go redeem!!!

The 243 miles between MOBHQ and DVBC will have to get eaten up soon.

Jymi’s Rating: 79%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 73.5%

MOB review next weekend: BIERE DES AMIS by BIERE DES AMIS

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BREWER: Delphic Brewing Co., Berkshire, England 

STYLE: Milk Stout

ABV: 6%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

TWITTER: @delphicbrew

INSTAGRAM: delphicbrew

DATE OF POST: 2nd January 2023

 

JYMI SAY’S…

On the 7th November 2021 we reviewed the original version of ISBP. And let’s just say that it very well indeed scoring a mighty 91% overall!

Highlights from my musings included statements like…

OUTSTANDING

F-ME, WE ARE AT NEW LEVELS OF GENIUS HERE

HOW THE F IS THIS BREW SOOOOOOOOO SMOOTH

TOTAL AND UTTER WONDERMENT

DELPHIC HAVE NAILED IT

THIS BEER IS INCREDIBLE

And all of this is still true for the Barrel-Aged version. It’s just a flippin’ fantastic beer.

The main point of difference from this outing is it comes across way more boozy. It has a spirit taste running through it as a backbone which turns it into a real sit back, sip and savour kinda brew.

Brilliant!

Jymi’s Rating: 90%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 90%

MOB review next weekend: TNT IPA by DYNAMITE VALLEY BREWING CO.

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BREWER: Fullers, West London, England

STYLE: Vintage Ale

ABV: 8.5%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

TWITTER: @Fullers

INSTAGRAM: fullers

DATE OF POST: 29th December 2022

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Something a little special (we hope) for the festive season. From a big brew house, Fullers, I am hoping this brew delivers on many aspects. I want it to be a treat. A spark of light in these hard times. 

Vintage Ale pops with notes of honey and orange. It’s deep and rich and, well, dare I say it, perfect for the season.  While it’s definitely not a beer you’d have in session, VA is one to enjoy, probably as your first of the day, to put you in a good mood. 

The travels outlined by Fullers on their packaging in creating this beer does it justice. It does have a special feel about it. And that is something to be celebrated. 

If nothing else, this Vintage Ale will put a big smile on your face and make some of those troubles seem a little distant as you get drawn into its unctuousness. 

I hoped for something special and that’s what I got. And maybe, just maybe, a little something on top of that too. 

Sammy’s Rating: 84%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Oh wow, a special beer for a special time year we have here! ♥

The 2019 edition of Fuller’s Vintage Ale is nothing short of a masterclass in brewing. It’s rich, full bodied and smooth as hell!!! The mouth feel of this cracker really is something to behold.

The whole feel and flavour of our beer is so warming, almost like it’s giving you a hug. But oddly there is almost a lime like backbone to this brew. Not something you would at all associate with warming but somehow it works.

2019 Vintage Ale really is a beer to sit back and savour. Scarcely available and wildly expensive but if you can find one and want to treat your self, then go right ahead.

Jymi’s Rating: 85%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 84.5%

MOB review next weekend: I SEE ‘BARREL AGED’ BREAD PEOPLE by DELPHIC BREWING CO.

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BREWER: St Austell, Cornwall, England

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 4.5%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle 

TWITTER: @StAustellBrew

INSTAGRAM: st_austell_brewery

DATE OF POST: 18th December 2022

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Mena Dhu, meaning black hill in Cornish, is a cracking name for a stout from Cornwall. Not significant in any way to reviewing this beer, but worthy of a mention, nonetheless. 

Stouts, when done well, are a delight. MD has coffee bitterness with a slightly hint of the smokiness picked up from the roasting process. Together, they make a pleasant drinking experience. Alongside this, they also make it easy to get through the brew as there is a pleasant enough mouthfeel. 

While this all sounds good, and it is good, MD is not elevated in any area. It’s solid, worthy of being called a stout, but falls short of being a delight.  

I’d happily drink this on a cold winter’s evening. It would bring the fuzzy feeling that a stout should. I’d even go as far to say it would give me that warm hug of a feeling that stouts can. And that’s praise indeed for MD. 

What it wouldn’t do, is get me to comment to me pal, who’d be sharing winter tales with me, about how amazing it is. 

Sammy’s Rating: 69%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Great name! Great packaging! Almost a great beer actually, but ultimately fell a bit short.

See the aroma coming from MD the second you lift the lid on the bottle is fantastic! The lovely rich and almost smoky whiff continues well into the the pour and continues flowing up one’s snout during the initial fantastic sip. I really, really thought we were on to an absolute winner here!! The taste accompanying the delightful nose matches it perfectly with a touch and chocolate and the continuing smoke. DIVINE!

However, things didn’t necessarily go wrong from here on in but they did go down hill.

The taste doesn’t fall off a cliff but without doubt dissipate at a rate quicker than it should. It’s then replaced by a really lovely soft chocolate aftertaste which stoked the hope fire but THEN, the after aftertaste became a little acrid!

Defo a journey this one. Defo a lot of positives. And with some minor tweaks this has the potential to be a cracking beer. But as I said at the beginning, it ultimately falls short of that.

Jymi’s Rating: 69%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 69%

MOB review next weekend: 2019 VINTAGE ALE by FULLER’S

 

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BREWER: Cassels, Canterbury Region, New Zealand

STYLE: Milk Stout 

ABV: 5.2%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

TWITTER: @Cassels_Brewery

INSTAGRAM: casselsbrewingco

DATE OF POST: 10th December 2022

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

JYMI SAY’S…

I bleedin’ love an Agi show.

For those of you that haven’t got the first clue what I’m going on about, an Agi Show is an Agricultural Show. A very British (I assume, excuse my ignorance) thing where folk flock to a huge field to admire the finest cows, pigs, sheep, tractors and local cider. There are also things like dogs agility shows, shire horse & cart comps as well as the quirky compare for the day… FIRE FIRE, THE FAYRE’S ON FIRE!!! I just love the simplicity of them. No glitz or glamour, just uncomplicated British rural life in the summertime.

Now why do I mention this. Well our beer this week has a milk cow, with a blindfold on, on the the front of the tin. All makes perfect sense seeing as it’s housing a milk stout. The blindfold is sporting the words, BEST IN SHOW (an award given to the cow of the day at an Agi Show). Now, this could possibly be the name of the beer here, but I’m not totally sure it is if we’re following the normal Cassel’s non naming script. Either way, I was confused. I mean, it could be alluding to the fact this Stout is a multiple award winner? But what came first, the award or the name? Let’s leave it there, though the tin does look pretty cool.

Moving to the beer itself, I very much enjoyed it, though cannot help but think it could have been even better!

NZMS / Best in show starts off with a pleasant soft and creamy chocolate nose. In the mouth there is an expected lovely smooth mouthfeel but that is accompanied but a slight carbonation which wasn’t particularly welcome. Taste wise there is a defo a slightly sweet coffee and cream thing going on which is delightful and balanced out but malty bitterness. However, personally I think they have slightly over cooked the bitterness here. Yes you need the bitterness to balance this boy out but it’s just a bit too much for me. Slightly less and I think this brew would be nothing short of spectacular but as it is, it’s just pretty good.

Jymi’s Rating: 77%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 74%

MOB review next weekend: MENA DHU by ST. AUSTELL

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BREWER: Williams Bros. Brewing Co., Clackmannanshire, Scotland

STYLE: Mocha Stout

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 500ml tin

TWITTER: @Williamsbrewery

INSTAGRAM: williamsbrosbrewingco

DATE OF POST: 4th December 2022

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Chokka Blokka is potentially one heck of a divisive name for a beer (add to that it’s called a mocha stout. Put it all together and you get…). I am torn between whether I like it or not. On the one hand, it kind of covers everything this beer states it’s about. On the other, it’s the kind of name a nursery child might come up with for a beer (of course, children of that age should never be naming a beer for all of the obvious reasons).  

Anyhow, the theme of CB is Mayan. Slightly odd in itself. Except that cocoa and coffee could both be linked with this ancient civilisation. So, I sort of get it.

What I don’t get, is tonnes of the promised coffee and cocoa flavours. Yes, they are there in the first contact of beer with mouth. But they soon dissipate, only to be replaced with… well, watery notes. 

There’s not enough depth in CB. It should be more unctuous. It’s thin and not got enough to carry through the promised land of coffee and cocoa. I can’t help but feel a little more abv would ramp up things a little here. But alas, it is what it is. 

I don’t want to do CB a disservice. It’s an ok beer. It’s not terrible. But if you’re promising strong flavours, give ‘em to us for heaven’s sake.   And if your beer is inspired by an ancient civilisation, you need to make the beer epic. 

And epic this stout is not. 

Sammy’s Rating: 53%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It’s December! It’s Stout season! I know a stout can be drunk all the year round and of more recent years I have come on board with this. Though I do think it’s fair to say and is certainly my opinion anyway, a Stout will taste even better of a cold winter night in a cozy pub with an open fire rather than just coming off of the surf in 40° heat. It’s just a fact.

To Chokka Blokka we go… other than quite liking the tin art and being appreciative of the 500ml offering rather than the usual 44oml it did not get off to a very good start I’m afraid. My first power notes read…

NOSE A TOUCH METALLIC – NEEDS MORE CHOC – NEEDS MORE COF – THINS OUT WAY TOO QUICKLY

Now considering this is branded a Mocha Stout with descriptive words such as RICH and CHOCOLATEY on the front of the tin I was left feeling pretty disappointed. It’s not rich, it’s not chocolatey. There is another descriptive word on the front of the tin, DARK. Well, they nailed that one I suppose

Now although things did pick up a little through the drinking that feeling of disappointment did not go away.

Once about halfway through the brew a there is a very slight and pleasant hint of chocolate in the aftertaste that begins to develop. It is still nowhere near enough and you really need to search for it but once found as I said, is pleasant

Chokka Blokka is certainly not disgusting but most definitely disappointing.

Jymi’s Rating: 59%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 56%

MOB review next weekend: NEW ZEALAND MILK STOUT by CASSELS

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BREWER: Vocation, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Sour IPA

ABV: 6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

TWITTER: @vocationbrewery

INSTAGRAM: vocationbrewery

DATE OF POST: 28th November 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It’s fair to say that when I have ventured into the world of sour IPA’s in the past it’s gone one of two ways. I have either ABSOLUTLY LOVED it or ABSOLUTLY HATED it.

Now, Vocation are a brewery that I trust. They have gotten a little bigger of late but their beer has remained good. So I was kinda thinking things were gonna work out just fine with this beer.

And they did, this is a truly cracking brew!

First, the picture I took doesn’t really do the colour of this beer justice. It looks sooooooo inviting and juicy. And on the taste it really is just that! I was getting tonnes of grapefruit sitting on top of an incredible mouthfeel. This citrus explosion is then balanced out by an oh so subtle honey backnote. So drinkable it is ridiculous.

I’d say Stargazer sits more in the world of sours rather than IPA but I’m totally fine with that.

This is a beer that you’ll want to go back to over and over.

Jymi’s Rating: 90%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ok. So, let’s unpick Stargazer from the beginning. It’s a sour IPA. These usually fail miserably or achieve greatness. To add to that, Vocation promises us that it’s tangy, citrusy and hoppy. A lot to pack into a can. 

But here’s the thing. Stargazer delivers. It delivers bags of citrus flavour with a sweet honey backbite. And although not the most sour of beers, it’s got enough sourness to remind you of some of your favourite sour sweets. 

The only downside, and there are not many, to Stargazer is the shortness of the aftertaste. With a little bit of extra length, this would be up there with the best in the field. 

Well balanced, some levels of complexity and a great mouthfeel, there is no denying that this is a beer to try. 

Stargazer would fit well on any occasion. It’s a bit of a triumph to be fair. 

Very well done, indeed. Much enjoyed!

Sammy’s Rating: 90%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 90%

MOB review next weekend: CHOKKA BLOKKA by WILLIAMS BROS. BREWING CO.

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BREWER: Anarchy Brew Co., Tyne and Wear, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

TWITTER: @AnarchyBrewCo

INSTAGRAM: anarchybrewco

DATE OF POST: 21st November 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I’m a little at sea with this one. Decent enough brew yeah but a fair amount I wasn’t happy with.

Let’s start positive though…

Out of the great looking tin comes a beer with a cracking mouthfeel and tonnes of flavour considering that it’s only 4.2%. There is a stone fruit undertone with the flavour, though not sweetness of lychee sitting on top. Tasty.

Now my first issue is that this is not a Pale Ale. It say’s that it is. But it is not. It’s WAY too bitter, hoppy and intense for a Pale Ale. It is verging on a West Coast IPA for me. I mean, I’m ok with that, but Anarchy have described it as a Hazy Pale Ale and that, quite simply is not what the drinker gets from their pink tin.

Also, the aftertaste is pleasant, for a bit. However, after a few seconds it becomes very intense and dries out your mouth. Much like after you have eaten a fresh orange. This gacky, cloying thing develops making you NEED to take another sip rather than necessarily want to.

All said though, I did enjoy this beer. I think it has just missed the mark by quite a lot for what it is supposed to be.

Put simply, it’s not Ronseal, and folks, I want my beer to be Ronseal! ö

Jymi’s Rating: 74%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Who’d of thought it? A pink can for a beer. But even more so, it actually looks pretty smart. And the graphics, for the most part, tattooed over the can also work! Skin Deep, is hopefully a little more than can deep! (See what I’ve done there). 

I guess the place to start is that, while SD is a good beer, it’s not elevated to greatness. It’s well balanced, not complicated, and has nice hoppy notes. It’s everything you’d expect. And in some ways, it’s also this middle of the roadness that could be its slight Achilles heel. 

SD doesn’t stand out from the crowd. It stands with it. It is very good but not in any way unique. And I suppose that poses the question, does it need to? In answer to that, no it doesn’t. Just keep on doing what you’re doing because it’s a-ok to be with the pack when the pack is a strong place to be. 

Sammy’s Rating: 76%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 75%

MOB review next weekend: STARGAZER by VOCATION

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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BREWER: Timmermans, Flemish Brabant, Belgium

STYLE: Kriek

ABV: 4%

VESSEL: 25cl brown bottle

TWITTER: #Timmermans

INSTAGRAM: timmermans_beers 

DATE OF POST: 14th November 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

THE TALE OF THE BOY AND THE CHERRY BAKEWELL

James was a well brought up little chap. Please and thank you with a smile was the norm. Respect your elders, dress smart, be polite and be kind was also up there in the way to go about your day.

On a weekend away one summer wee James went to stay at his Grandparents on the south-coast of England. This was always a special time as the lad got treated like a Prince. Breakfast made to order, choice of any yogurt he wanted from the supermarket, tickets to the shows on the pier on tap… you name it, the kid wanted for nothing.

However, on the Saturday morning of said trip things went a little off-piste. James and his Granny and Granddad took a trip to a cafe overlooking the English Channel. Situated on the first floor with panoramic views this really was a Michelin star greasy spoon. However, the staff, one in particular, let the whole experience down for the trio.

James’ Granddad, one of the nicest and funniest people you would ever meet didn’t have the best hearing and did get a little distracted from time to time (oh a wandering mind eh!). Now, when it was time for him to place his order he didn’t hear the waitress straight away and, well let’s just say her eyes rolled and head shook.

Now, polite young James suddenly felt a side of him flair up that he didn’t know existed. I mean he was only about 8 but in his head it went a little something like, “if you fuck with my beautiful Granddad then you fuck with me”.

Let’s just say the end of the trip to the cafe didn’t go amazingly but I was promised a cake on Sunday evening if I got myself back in line. I did. The cake was a Cherry Bakewell. Turns out I didn’t like a Cherry Bakewell.

I’ve no idea what the moral of the story is here but AM FULLY AWARE that went from THE TALE OF THE BOY AND THE CHERRY BAKEWELL to some sort of get it off your chest after 30 odd years self-therapy session!! Ö

And breathe…

Wow, this Timmermans Kriek smells EXACTLY like a Cherry Bakewell on the nose! And unsurprisingly I wasn’t a fan… HOWEVER, you could instantly tell this was a well made brew regardless of my personal taste. But in the drinking it became even more obvious. This is a very good beer indeed!

Coming in at only 4% it is amazing just how much flavour this brew carries. ALL THE CHERRY then moving to the most wonderful soft and almost creamy (in texture) aftertaste.

This beer is soooooo drinkable and I have to say the wee 250ml bottle only lasted a few visits. But in saying that I’m not sure I could settle into too many of these, though again I think that is more a personal thing.

Go find a bottle. It will be well, well worth it I assure you.

Jymi’s Rating: 83%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 87.5%

MOB review next weekend: SKIN DEEP by ANARCHY BREW CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Twitter: @museonbooze

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