BEER REVIEW: 280

BREWER: Left Handed Giant, Bristol, England

STYLE: Sour

ABV: 5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 21st February 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

I feel like I need to give Ancient Lands’ can an honourable mention.  There’s something about the pink hue that gives it an awesome impression.  If you’re a Led Zep fan (as I am), think Houses of the Holy and you’ll be in the right ball park.  The graphic on the can captures the feel and concept of the beer really well.

But the good things about AL doesn’t stop at the can. Oh no, my friends, that’s just the beginning.  

Once set free into the glass, you’re faced with a lush orange liquid.  And it needs to be said, although perhaps a little obvious – this look is very tempting indeed.

AL itself, is a hit of a beer.  It’s sourness holds off until right until the end, when it’s joined by a plethora of botanical notes.  Unlike so many other sours, it actually gets more sour as you go down the glass.  

The mouthfeel is also rather syrupy.  I know this might sound off putting.  But with AL, it’s actually a plus.  It makes for a luxurious feel, which carries the flavours of the beer really well.

As you might have guessed by now, I like this beer.  I like the concept.  I especially like the brew.  You might be asking, why then doesn’t it score slightly higher?

Well, it would if it just had a little more clarity in it’s notes.  While I do like it, the flavour becomes a little bit meshed together and the subtly of what could have been is lost.

Still, do not shy away from AL, it’s definitely one worth giving a go. 

Sammy’s Rating: 83%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

With the changing of seasons, particularly Winter into Spring, folk tend to lose their minds when it comes to what clobber to saddle up with…

You’ll catch nut bars like Jymi rocking flipflops, shorts, a hoodie, sunglasses and a Minnesota Vikings bobble hat.

Folk like Ralph, our favourite landlord hitting up the wellies, tracky Bs, T-shirt and scarf look.

And we can’t ignore scary Sammy with his biker boots, salopettes, string vest and motorcycle helmet.

However, I get it, folk are longing for spring. And with thoughts of spring, dreams on supping on a Gin and Tonic of a warmer afternoon begin to enter the wandering mind.

Though it is still February, we are reviewing a Botanical Sour this week!!! A beer produced to celebrate the seasonal Gin that is Ana, by Psychopomp Microdistillery.

And wow, this a good drop!

Ancient Lands pours a fantastic orange with a nose of mango instantly making it’s way to the beer drinkers snout. The mouthfeel is exceptional. Taste wise, it’s sweet, then slightly sour with a flavour for me that was all mango and the soft carbonation really does make this brew sing. As the beer progresses the sourness begins to creep in more and more, as does hints of lime. The aftertaste is sour, really sour, and that is a good thing as brings the beer to a natural conclusion. My only tiny gripe is that it drops away a little too much before the aftertaste jets kick in.

Therefore we have an absolute cracker of a beer, but not necessarily a worldy.

#springready

Jymi’s Rating: 84%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 83.5%

MOB review next weekend: CARDINAL DRED by BREWBOARD

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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 279

BREWER: Lyme Regis Brewery, Dorset, England

STYLE: Best Bitter

ABV: 4.5%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle 

DATE OF POST: 13th February 2023

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Without naming any names (Great Yarmouth, Bournemouth), some British seasides are a bit shit. I was speaking to someone from eastern Europe the other day and they mentioned that until recently they thought British seaside towns were just a bit shabby… until they visited the west country. The tucked away bays of Devon and Cornwall blew her away.

Now our beer today is brewed out that way. More specifically, Lyme Regis in Dorset (I know Bournemouth is in Dorset as well but the West and East are very different beasts).

Lyme Regis is pretty idyllic. Epic views due to the steep decent down to the coastline as well as a lot of the trading being fairly independent and local.

And so we come to Town Mill Best. Instantly I was in two minds over the packaging. I like the colour. I really like the art. But all coming together as a label for a bottle of beer… I wasn’t so sure.

This brew is very smooth indeed, and tastes great to be fair with flashes of caramel and berries, but is lacking a touch of body and length towards the end. Don’t get me wrong, the ultimate aftertaste is pretty nice but the thinning out on the tongue prior does let TMB down.

In no way will you ever be disappointed by this beer but the chances of you rushing home to wake your sleeping partner to tell them about it are… slim.

Jymi’s Rating: 70%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

A best bitter should be, as promised, best. It’s in the name. 

So, it goes without saying, whenever one’s on the menu, I quite look forward to it. 

They should speak of the quality of the brew from a brewery. They’re a representative if you like. They’re a diplomat. They stand for what the brewery is aspiring to. 

We can sum up, then, that a best bitter best be good. 

Town Mill Best, I’m pleased to say, delivers. 

While it has nothing that’s original or gimmicky, it’s just all round good. Or as you might like to say, it’s best (but not quite). 

You see, while it ticks all the boxes, TMB has no USP. That doesn’t bother me. Not in the slightest. 

Why doesn’t it?

Well, it’s a damn good beer. It doesn’t need to have a USP. It just needs to be enjoyed whenever you want to enjoy a beer. 

And, therefore, my friends, TMB is a success. 

Sammy’s Rating: 82%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 76%

MOB review next weekend: ANCIENT LANDS by LEFT HANDED GIANT

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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 278

BREWER: AB InBev, Lancashire, England

STYLE: Bitter

ABV: 3.5%

VESSEL: 44oml tin

DATE OF POST: 5th February 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Where do you go with a beer like this?

Back in the day, this was an easy to find beer. It was successful. A go to option for many. To be honest, I have no idea why. 

Boddies is watery. But not in a washed-out way. You see, the flavour is distinctly like dishwater.  And that’s shocking. 

There is no occasion where you’d want to get your hands on one of these. 

The can deserves a mention. And that’s where it ends. 

Avoid at all costs. No beer would be better than this. 

Sammy’s Rating: 14%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Though I was fairly sure this beer wasn’t ever going to shoot the lights out there was a part of me that thought it might actually be OK and pleasant enough to drink.

The reason I was pretty sure no lights were getting shot out is that this is a 3.5% creamflow Bitter and is produced in the absolute bucket load by macro big boys AB InBev.

The reason I thought this might actually be somehow OK was that about 500 years ago when my old man used to pass me one over on Christmas Day, I quite enjoyed it.

Now, I was correct in thinking this wouldn’t be something special. I however was incorrect thinking it may be pleasant enough…

It’s not.

It is a f’ing car crash of a beer. Complete and utter horror show.

How it even got to the score I awarded amazes me but there are some positives I suppose…

The look of the can though not amazing, is pretty iconic and quite cool. The drink itself, though disgusting, is very smooth and if somehow you did enjoy this beer it would be very drinkable because of this.

But in conclusion… it’s utter shit.

Jymi’s Rating: 17%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 15.5%

MOB review next weekend: TOWN MILL BEST by LYME REGIS BREWERY

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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 277

BREWER: Bullhouse Brew Co., Leinster, Ireland

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 5.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 29th January 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Rolling Papers. What a terrible name for a beer. 

Have you ever had the misfortune to drink from a fag ashed can? You know, the one that everyone has used for their ashtray, mostly filled with dog ends and a little bit of backwashed beer. 

I have. 

And it’s terrible. 

And, to be clear Rolling Papers doesn’t taste of that. Not in the slightest. But to call a beer Rolling Papers… I mean, come on! 

If you’re wondering, the beer itself isn’t too bad. It’s perfectly fine. Nothing to write home about. 

But I was lost at the name. Checked out. And the beer ain’t good enough to outshine that.

End of. 

In my opinion, anyway. 

Sammy’s Rating: 54%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

There are many way’s of earning points when a beer goes under the hooters of MOB.

Some decent packaging will get a brew a few. A good name will chalk up a few more. If the beer has a decent aroma some more marks will be awarded. And obviously if a beer tastes good then the majority of points will be dished out here.

Now for me Rolling Papers ticks all of the boxes. The concept is a little flawed yes, but from name to tin art to taste… I’m all over this brew.

Simple but very cool can! Awesome name! Bangin nose! Great look in glass as well as mouthfeel! And a really tasty drop!

Our Dublin based brewers have created a very well balanced and easy drinking pale here. Early sweetness replaced by bitterness make Rolling Papers a crushable and very enjoyable beer indeed.

Jymi’s Rating: 88%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 71%

MOB review next weekend: BODDINGTONS by AB InBev

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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 276

BREWER: By the Horns, Surrey, England

STYLE: Imperial Stout

ABV: 8.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 22nd January 2023

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Appetite is a cracking beer. It’s an absolute belter. 

We could split hairs and waste time discussing the packaging and the name (which is all linked to Guns N Roses (the band)), but the reality is, it’s the brew that deserves the limelight here. 

We are promised coffee and coconut with Appetite, which is a stout. And we are delivered both of them in abundance, in a top-notch brew of a beer. 

Straight from the aroma, through to the last sip, Appetite delivers. It hits every high note and keeps getting better the more you drink. 

Its complexity is managed well in the brew. Impressive. It is impressive. 

While this is one for a special occasion and definitely not a session brew, the mouthfeel is luxurious and delight to behold. It’s like your mouth is taken on a silky journey (whatever one of them may be). 

Awesome beer. 

Sammy’s Rating: 86%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

There is literally only one negative thing to say about this beer and it’s not even about the beer itself AND it’s regarding my unnecessarily critical arty eye AND I even say it’s a non point! Fook, let’s get to it…

Look, there is all the positive to come but I just need to get this off of my chest…

The font used for the name doesn’t sit particularly well with the rest of the frankly ridiculously good tin art. There, that’s it. And the font used is ripped straight from the Guns n’ Roses 1987 debut (YES, F’ING DEBUT) album Appetite For Destruction. Now considering this beer is inspired by this album, it makes the font totally appropriate and my earlier points mute… WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE BABY, WELCOME TO THE FUCKING JUNGLE!

This is a flippin’ fantastic drop people let me tell you!

When you think Imperial Stout you think, full on, I’m gonna need / take time to sip this down. Reason for this is an Impy stout is strong, should be stacked with flavour and full bodied.

Now, Appetite is defo strong, defo STACKED with flavour BUT isn’t full bodied. This is not to say it’s thin, because it is far from that, but it has a viscosity that say’s drink me quicker than my ABV suggests. Which is f’ing dangerous and dare I say even makes this brew kinda sessionable?! (FYI, I tried, it’s not). #canalroll

Appetite is not just an Imperial Stout, it’s a Coffee & Coconut Imperial Stout! Now, the last time coconut got involved with a beer for a MOB test was way back in 2018 with Coco Cocoa by the normally very reliable Thornbridge. I seem to remember my conclusion was that is tasted like sun lotion, which let’s be honest, is not a positive thing. However By the Horns have managed to deliver a very subtle amount of coconut in the flavour and let me tell you it’s just the ticket! The coffee flavour as well, though certainly prominent, is not at all over powering. All backed up by a chocolate backdrop making Appetite a formidable brew let me tell you.

Go get your hands on some.

Jymi’s Rating: 91%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 88.5%

MOB review next weekend: ROLLING PAPERS by BULLHOUSE BREW CO.

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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 275

BREWER: Biere des Amis, Liège, Belgium

STYLE: Belge Blonde

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle

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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Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 274

BREWER: Dynamite Valley Brewing Co., Cornwall, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 500ml wrapped brown bottle

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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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 273

BREWER: Delphic Brewing Co., Berkshire, England 

STYLE: Milk Stout

ABV: 6%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

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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M O B 2023

BEER REVIEW: 272

BREWER: Fullers, West London, England

STYLE: Vintage Ale

ABV: 8.5%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

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.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

 

M O B 2022

BEER REVIEW: 271

BREWER: St Austell, Cornwall, England

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 4.5%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle 

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 slight 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 dissipates 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

 

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

 

M O B 2022