BEER REVIEW: 132

BREWER: Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle, Antwerp, Belgium

STYLE: Dubbel

ABV: 7%

VESSEL: 33CL brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 17th April 2020

SAMMY SAY’S…

Westmalle Dubbel is, as you’d expect for a Trappist, dark in colour. And that makes it look a little foreboding, as is often the case with this style of beer. But it’s not. It’s light and easy to drink.

In fact, I could see myself supping WD very happily on a warm summer’s day in a bustling Belgian square. Sound idyllic doesn’t it? Well, that’s what I’m dreaming of while swigging it back in my garden during our countries current lockdown.

But it gets me thinking, dreaming perhaps, of a beer trip to Belgium. Drinking the local beers in their natural habitat with not a care in the world (except about which beer next). Oh the places we’d go! The things we’d see (more and more blearily as the trip progressed and the beers flowed)!

As I said, just dreaming. But that’s what WD has done for me during this sunny spring lockdown day in the UK.

Time you tried one I reckon…

Sammy’s Rating: 87%

JYMI SAY’s…

Craft beers used to be really hard to get hold of in the UK and some still are to be fair. Some of the relatively everyday beers from around our globe also used to be very hard to source. You may have known a guy who knew a guy that knew a shop where one could venture many miles to get some of the less mainstream and international beer offerings. But other than that, unless you got lucky, the variety available to us beer drinkers was fairly limited.
Nowadays, things have changed. I have to say I am always amazed at the selection available in most UK supermarkets. Yes you still have the classic 24 lagers for 14p offerings but now you can find a literal wall of ale, as well as an adjoining craft beer wall. The selection is vast and the price is mostly fair if not cheap. Now I don’t care if you’re a purist or not, this has to be a good thing. Tesco winning awards for independent beer retailer of the year in this field is a step too far, I concede, but quality beers well priced that are easily accessible to the masses has to be positive. It HAS TO BE. The fact you can pick up the worldy of a beer that is this Trappist Westmalle Dubbel from a supermarket for under £3 just underlines this.

This beer is an absolute superstar, I am telling you now!

Before you even get to tasting WD the senses of sight and smell get a good working over. This dubbel presents itself an incredible cherry red and the lacing up the side of the glass reassures you that you’re in good hands.

Once drinking, a beaut of a sour cherry nose leads the way into a light and soft sip with the most delicate of touches (please remember this beast is 7%, it will pay to concentrate here). During the sipping experience an almost marzipan thing comes along but even for the almond haters among us this is honestly a good thing. There is such a full dark fruit cherry flavour to Westmalle’s Dubbel but not so much that is comes anywhere near to taking your head off (it’s 7% remember so it will take your head off).

A superb beer that isn’t too complex. Dare I say a starter Belgian?
Can’t actually believe I wrote that.

Jymi’s Rating: 91%

Jymi’s Rating: 91%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 89%

MOB review next weekend: CUCUMELON SOUR by ADNAMS

M O B 2020

BEER REVIEW: 131

BREWER: Ascot Brewing Company, Surrey, England

STYLE: Golden Ale 

ABV: 4.6%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE POSTED: 10th April 2020

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Before I even lift the lid on this sucker I need to get a few things off my chest. Ascot ales have gone down the horse racing road of branding with their range. Pretty clever really seeing as Royal Ascot race week is world famous. Now my first and biggest issue here is that their beers are not brewed in Ascot. They are brewed in Camberley, which is 10 miles away AND not even in the same flippin’ county. Now I’m sure business wise this makes perfect sense but I just find it pretty irritating if I’m being perfectly honest. What also irritates me is the name and label. I know we’re on the horse racing theme but 5/4 Favourite as a name? Really? Surely ‘The Favourite’ or just 5/4 would be better? Oh I don’t know. Also going down the jockey silks road for the label I like, but please do better if you do. Please.

Anyway, I need a beer after all that ranting!

And thank the good laaaawd that it is a good one! In fact, it’s a great one!!
5/4 Fav pours a gorgeous thick brown that then brings us a light citrus nose. When getting into the taste the amount of flavour coming from this beer tells you that you are instantly onto a winner, and I suppose at odds against that is a good thing. There is a lovely build of lemon that then turns to an almighty bitter burst. It really is delightful.

All in all, as I’m sure you have to come realise, this is a splendid beer all dressed up in ridiculous robes. But at least this Surrey brewer has got the most important part oh so very right.

Jymi’s Rating: 75%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

I’ve never had much luck on the gee gees. But then, I’ve never put a bet on a favourite, especially not a 5/4 favourite. The thing is, I’ve had more luck in the beer world. I’ve had the pleasure of trying many beers, you see. Some of them good, some of them great, some of them less so. And just a few come in as a good old favourite.

I have to say, much about Ascot’s offering impresses me. I’m on board with the whole racing theme. I mean, what else is there in good old Ascot? And there is the danger that such a theme could be gimmicky and lack any sort of punch in the drinking. Happily, that’s not the case with 5/4. It’s quite a charming beer. For a golden ale, it has some great bitter notes, but not too many. And its crisp, light and enticing.

Funnily enough, 5/4 Favourite would be right at home at the races. Unlike me. But when I come across one of these bad boys on tap, I’m going to be seriously tempted into supping one down, any time of the year on any occasion.

Well done Ascot Brewing Company, you could put Ascot on the map for something other than horse racing. Except it’s brewed in Camberley, which is a different county altogether. Oh well, doesn’t detract from the beer!

Sammy’s Rating: 82%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78.5%

MOB review next weekend: WESTMALLE DUBBEL by BROUWERIJ DER TRAPPISTEN VAN WESTMALLE

 M O B 2020

BEER REVIEW: 130

BREWER: Vibrant Forest, Hampshire, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 4.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE POSTED: 4th April 2020

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

There are things in life that are good. They fit the bill. They tick boxes and make you happy. But they could be better. They almost hit the mark; they’re close but you feel they’ve left something in the tank. And then the whole overall experience, while being ok, is just a little bit of a let down.

Pupa is like that.

It’s got lots going for it. And I like it. But it somehow just falls short. It’s light and crisp. And the nose is great. But the drinking, it’s just not packing enough of a punch. And for some beers, that works really well. But for Pupa, it feels like it stops too early. It’s got more to give but it’s held back.

I don’t want to be hard on it because Pupa is good. It could just be better. And that’s a bit of a problem for it because there are beers out that in its class that are better. A lot better.

Oh well, you can’t have everything…

Sammy’s Rating: 77%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

The New Forest, a quintessentially English region of Great Britain. It bares such quaint towns like Lyndhurst and Lymington, as well as hundreds of idyllic English villages. Relatively left alone on the south coast, if you ever have the good fortune to drive through certain areas of the New Forest, wild horses roam freely across the roads, whilst seemingly endless landscapes are in abundance. It really is just a splendid part of England’s green and pleasant land.
Now, Vibrant Forest have waltzed along with their rather multicoloured neon flag and jammed it straight in that New Forest ground. A pretty brave move. This packaging is hardly quintessentially English and I’m sure this beer isn’t going to be either.
The packaging is fantastic however! So sinister yet bright, dark yet…Vibrant. FANTASTIC!

Let’s see if the beer is…

Well it’s not fantastic, but it is very good.
It all starts with the olfactory thrill of passionfruit up the schnozz. It makes this pale alluring beyond belief. Next is that first sip… well the passionfruit does not transfer from hooter to moosh but the flavour is still good and one of citrus. Pupa is also lovely and dry which complements the flavours nicely. However, where this brew falls down, I believe, is in the body. It’s too thin for me and detracts from all the positives already mentioned. It just needs to be a bit fuller to take it up a wee notch towards greatness and beyond.

But all said, this is without doubt a good beer and if I saw it again I would happily dive into a few.

Jymi’s Rating: 80%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78.5% 

MOB review next weekend: 5/4 FAVOURITE by ASCOT BREWING COMPANY

M O B 2020

BEER REVIEW: 129

BREWER: Castelain, Hauts-de-France, France

STYLE: Biere Blonde

ABV: 6.4%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle

DATE POSTED: 27th March 2020

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Pretty ugly looking little brute this isn’t it?!

Can you imagine… you’re laying there in your deck chair enjoying the mid afternoon French sun when the thought crosses your mind. “I fancy a bloomin beer I do”. So you mop your brow and reach for one of those little bell things that rich folk have in the movies. You ring said bell and Bruno your trusty butler appears from nowhere to tend to your need. “What can I get you sir”? “Can I please have an ice cold beer my good man”. “Of course sir”. Bruno then whizzes inside with alarming pace to fetch your request. Upon his return the mood turns rather sour. It’s not Bruno’s fault, he didn’t design this thing. Bruno can see the disappointed look on your face and you spend the next 2 hours explaining to him that although the look of a beer bottle doesn’t affect the taste of the beer it certainly goes a long way towards a beer being appealing or not. Eventually you get to the moment where you crack this gloomy looking mess open only to discover that sunshine does lay inside.

Ch’ti, as is to be expected from a French blonde, is light, crisp and smooth with a touch of sweetness knocking around. It is about as classic as it gets really when it comes to this style of beer. And it is certainly good. But it is not great. It does the job. However there are superior brews out there in this style that are simply doing a better one.

Jymi’s Rating: 67%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

I’m going to get it out there straight away: as an English speaking person, this is a pretty awful name for a beer. I mean, I’m sure in it’s native France, it’s pronounced in a perfectly acceptable way. But here, you can’t escape the giggles that follow as soon as the name of this beer is uttered: Chti…

As a product, it’s very acceptable. It’s quite light, it’s easy to drink and it has a pleasant sweetness about it. Chti (still giggling) is what you’d expect from a French beer.

However, for me, it doesn’t do too much to impress. It’s got no, how do you say it? Ah yes, je ne sais quoi.

Would I have one again? Most definitely.

Would it be top of my list? Most definitely not.

Are there better beers out there? Yes.

Are there better French beers out there? Yes.

Sammy’s Rating: 74%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 70.5% 

MOB review next weekend: PUPA by VIBRANT FOREST

M O B 2020

BEER REVIEW: 128

BREWER: Jubel Beer, South London, England

STYLE: Flavoured Lager

ABV: 4%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE POSTED: 21st March 2020

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Urban suggests something cool, on trend, hip even. Yet this Urban is cut with elderflower. And let’s be honest, that’s not very urban at all, is it? Actually, it’s quite rural. And, almost a little bit gimmicky.

But let us not shoot it down before the lids even been popped off of the bottle…

Smelling like elderflower cordial is good, if you’re looking for an elderflower cordial. I’m not sure it works so well on a beer, particularly one called Urban. Not quite getting the vibe of this yet.

Look, when you drink Urban, it’s not terrible. But it’s not good. It’s quite watery and not really beer like. I’d say it’s more like a shandy with elderflower laced through it. And that folks, ain’t how I like to drink my beer.

Would I drink it again? Hmmm, possibly yes, as a replacement for a thirst quenching shandy. However, the thing is, I’d rather have a thirst quenching beer. Like a proper beer. After all, that’s what this whole blog is about. Urban is like, well, it’s like a cordial. It’s gone in seconds but I’m not left feeling satisfied after the whole experience.

Urban is not very urban. And it’s most definitely not for this cat.

It don’t look like beer. It don’t smell like beer. It don’t taste like beer. So I’m declaring that it ain’t a beer.

Sammy’s Rating: 40%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I like beer me.

One does also like the delicate and quaint taste of the elderflower. Wonderful.

But do I like BEER CUT WITH ELDERFLOWER as Jubel so obviously tell us? No, not really.

I have to say as soon as I knew this was coming up to test my head thought that Elderflower beer could defiantly NOT work unless it was a super light ale or a lager. Thankfully when I read the slightly off the wall writings (I know, I can’t talk) on the back of the bottle I was told that Urban was a lager. So it had a chance of at least working. But it didn’t.

The taste, well, is one of elderflower at the start and then cuts to lager. Though not disgusting it really isn’t what you want from your brew. The only positive that can be drawn is that in a super hot setting like a beach chill or over at a pals for a BBQ, as long as super cold it would go down well, almost like a soft drink. However it would actually become very sickly very quickly.

This is just a confused beer really, if you can even call it a beer. I admire the bravery and innovation here but sorry Jubel, I’m just not a fan.

Jymi’s Rating: 47%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 43.5% 

MOB review next weekend: CH’TI by CASTELAIN

M O B 2020

BEER REVIEW: 127

BREWER: Heineken, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Brown Ale 

ABV: 4.7%

VESSEL: 550ml clear bottle 

DATE POSTED: 13th March 2020

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I‘m fairly sure it was a Friday during the early Spring of 1996. My Mum announced that she and my younger sister were heading to Cornwall for the weekend. I looked at my Dad and my Dad looked at his 15 year old son… FREE HOUSE!!! (we both said in our heads). So I went about calling my chums Sammy and Oli to hatch a plan. My Dad went about calling his pal Malc to see if he maybe fancied a pint later. He did.

Fast forward a few hours and somehow a plan was set for the five of us to go and watch a band in the pub down the road. Solid. Fast forward a few more hours and it was time to depart for the White Horse in Winkfield Row near Ascot (it’s now an Argentine Restaurant in case you lot thinking about flocking).

Now, as the cab rolled up another glance was exchanged between my Pop and I. This time it was him saying to me in his head, ‘Don’t f*”k this up’.  ‘Cool ya jets old man, I got this’ I said back, again with no words actually spoken.

We arrived. The other three were already there at the bar with three lagers in front of them. My Dad ordered up a pint of Best and then attention switched to me. Now the expectation was that I would simply slip into a lager too but no, I thought that I would mix it up a bit. I had seen some pretty slick cats kicking around drinking Newkie B from the bottle and seeing that I was wearing a fake fur coat I thought it was time to join this crew.

I flippin’ loved this ale and it flew down!! Like really FLEW DOWN!! The night pumped along nicely I seem to remember and everyone was on top form. And I was holding it together too which was pretty surprising seeing as I had necked about 200 bottles of Dog in 3 hours. We said our goodbyes and all headed back home. Now, this is where things suddenly took a turn. Once in bed with my eyes shut the room suddenly went into what can only be described as a South Shields spin. I was in trouble, big trouble. After the flying down there was now a large concern that things were going to fly up. Let’s just say that I didn’t quite make it to the toilet in time shall we…

Until now, I had not touched NBA since. Not necessarily because of my experience with the Broon that night but more circumstance. I went back to lager for a bit and once the ale stage came along in my life there were about a million to choose from and Newkie just didn’t come into my thinking.

So, how is it then?

GOOOOOD!!!

We have one of the most iconic beers ever here and she is a winner! There is a fair amount of carbonation but that does not stop this brew being very smooth in the sip. The texture is really thin too which again helps it slip down well. I can now see how I ended up in trouble with this ale all those years ago. It really does FLY DOWN!! Once into the taste a lovely soft caramel develops slowly to accompany the slightly bittersweet and nutty flavour.

Classic and class.

Jymi’s Rating: 77%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

In days gone by, it used to be that Newcastle Brown Ale was a staple of a night. And for many I bet it still is. But, sadly, for me, I left it as a regular in my menagerie of tipples when I waved goodbye to those heady university days.

The thing is, now that I’m reacquainted with it, I find myself wondering why I left it behind. With it’s aroma sending me straight back to the student union, I feel young again. But this is not just a young person’s drink. Oh no, it’s so much more than that. This is a big hitter. As in, think of a drive from a young Tiger Woods kind of big hitter.

I like NBA’s mild flavours. It sits well in the range of beers available. And considering that range has increased since I was a uni student, that’s impressive.

Truth be told, I really enjoyed having a trip down memory lane drinking this. And yes, an old flame has been rekindled. It’s back on the (ever growing) list of beers for a night out!

Sammy’s Rating: 83%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 80%

MOB review next weekend: URBAN by JUBEL BEER

M O B 2020

The MOB SQUAD say…

 

Tom Norton: TASTY, SIMPLE, MOREISH, SWEET, DECENT – 88%

Lava: CLASSIC, LEGEND, SESSION, TASTY, LIGHT – 70%

Steve C: MOREISH, ICONIC, SILKY, THIN, CARAMEL – 78%

Capone: SIXTIES, ANCIENT, MEMORIES, LUSCIOUS, EVERLASTING – 95%

cWobble: AVERAGE, MOREISH, NUTTY, SMOOTH, DISTINCTIVE – 61%

Cornish Drinkers: DARK, BITTER, NUTTY, STRONG, HISTORY – 70%

VK: SWEET, NUTTY, SMOOTH, FLYER, CLASSIC – 70%

Tulane: THIN, SESSION, TRADITIONAL, ICONIC, TASTY – 74%

B.I.T.G. – GOOD, LIGHT, SESSION, BROON, TOON – 79%

JLarc: TOASTY, SWEET MALTS, CARAMELLY, RUBY BROWN, CLASSIC – 74%

Skeletor: TOFFEE, SWEET, RUBY, CREAMY, LIGHT – 72%

Rush: LUSH, THIN, TOFFEE, ALL NIGHTER, DOG – 77%

PanthBrew: CLASSIC, METAL HEADS, MOTORBIKES, NOSTALGIC, NE DOG – 84%

OJ: SMOOTH, COFFEE, TOFFEE, SURPRISING, ESPRESSO – 66%

LeeDub: GOLDEN, EASY, SMOOTH, OLD SCHOOL, WORKING CLASS – 90%

 

MOB SQUAD RATING: 76.54%

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT THE MOB SQUAD SAID ABOUT BIG WAVE by KONA AND JAIPUR by THORNBRIDGE

 

MOB SQUAD’S NEXT OUTING IS ON MAY 15th AND WILL BE CLOCKWORK TANGERINE by BREWDOG

GET INVOLVED!!!

CONTACT US AND WE’LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AT

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BEER IS BETTER TOGETHER

MUSEONBOOZE.COM

BEER REVIEW: 126

BREWER: Verhaeghe Vichte, West Flanders, Belgium

STYLE: Red Ale 

ABV: 6.2%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle

DATE POSTED: 6th March 2020

 

JYMI SAY’S…

When people look at me I know what they see…

They see a guy that is clearly an ultra elite beer reviewer.

When people read my words I know what they feel…

They feel the beer soul they never knew they had busting out from inside of them.

So people listen hard and listen now…. the label of this beer scares the s*”t out of me. To the point of I’ve had to leave a light on at night for a whole week. It’s just the face on the bottle, it’s so damn eerie. And the expression on the bird she is holding suggests our avian friend is expecting her to do an Ozzie bat trick at any moment (you may need to zoom in on the picture to fully appreciate this).

ANYWAY, what comes our way with the all important contents of this Flemish vessel is utterly astonishing and had my head shaking and hand scratching the shaking head throughout the 33cl experience.

Let me try and explain…

Ok, for starters the nose of this brew totally caught me off guard. It was like nothing I had ever whiffed from a beer before. And after a lot of deep sniffing and thinking I concluded that I absolutely HATED the smell. So much so I declared to my wife there and then that if this beer tasted like it smelt then I was going to award zero points. She looked up from something way less important than a beer review and said… huh? I moved on.

So I delved in with a certain amount of trepidation not really knowing what to expect.

HOLY F~*KIN S**T!!! I said out loud.

My wife glanced up from the unimportant stuff once more wondering what was going on and why I was talking to myself. I moved on.

The beer DID taste like it smelt but I absolutely LOVED IT!!. The dark look of the brew takes you down a path where one would expect certain flavours. But oh no no no, Duchesse De Bourgogne brings you a sour, acidic, fruity, cherry but sweet master class. It is absolutely stunning.

This Belgian Red is so individual, so brain scrambling, but oh so good.

Jymi’s Rating: 85%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Well-known for their brewing, the Belgians create a wide-range of beers. Some good, some bad. But, hey, that’s always a matter of taste. We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Now, Duchesse De Bourgogne is an interesting beer. It’s packed full of acidic notes.
And the thing is, this is an absolute belter of a beer. It’s outstanding. Mesmeric.

DDB has the power to turn a non-beer drinker into a beer lover. It’s different. It’s honey meets lemon texture is smashing. I love its point of difference: it looks dark and you expect a dark beer. You just don’t get one. You get something crisp, light, with different points of interest.

Belgians most certainly can brew beers. And if you ever needed proof, then here it is. DDB takes the rule book, rips it up, then stamps all over it’s ashes. And the beer world is all the better for it.

Sammy’s Rating: 91%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 88% 

MOB review next weekend: NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE by HEINEKEN

M O B 2020

BEER REVIEW: 125

BREWER: Marstons, Staffordshire (for Sainsburys), England

STYLE: AIPA 

ABV: 5.6%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE POSTED: 28th February 2020

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

American Pale Ales are a friend of mine. I tend to like them. That’s not a surprise, seeing as I like a citrusy hoppy beer.

And therein lies the problem for me. Hyde and Wilde lacks being able to pack punch. It’s like a fighter with a glass jaw, a shark with no teeth. It’s not terrible, it’s just not good. Which, I guess, makes it terrible.

The promised land of citrus hoppiness never comes to fruition with H&W. To be more accurate, it’s like venturing to the world of wateriness. And it’s not a flavoursome one. It’s brewed badly. Imagine a used teabag being run through a mug of luke warm water in an attempt to make a smashing cup of tea. H & W is the equivalent in the beer world.

Really, there’s not much else to say about it. Except, perhaps, skip over it whenever you see it on the shelf.

Sammy’s Rating: 48%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

So some bright spark at Sainsburys plc thought, hmmm, why don’t we brew our own craft beer range as folk nowadays seem to be liking this stuff.

Then an even brighter spark came along and brought to the table that Sainburys were not brewers and they should probably just get an actual brewer to do it. Clever.

Then the brightest of all the sparks conjured up the idea of creating the illusion of a craft brewery called Hyde & Wilde that was exclusive to Sainsburys.

QUICK DISCLAIMER AS I DON’T WANT TO TAKE ON THE MIGHT OF SAINSBURYS PLC – I DON’T KNOW IF THE EVENTS THAT I HAVE JUST DEPICTED ARE ACTUALLY TRUE. IN FACT THEY ARE PROBABLY NOT BUT THOSE THOUGHT PROCESSES MUST HAVE HAPPENED AT SOME POINT I’M SURE.

So what we have ended with is a beer brewed by Marstons exclusively for Sainsburys. Pretty good idea if you ask me and business wise it must make sense as this range has been perching on those shelves for a while now.

Even though the tin is a bit of a mess I’m enjoying the colour concept and that bear… is awesome!!

Unfortunately taste wise, I was thoroughly underwhelmed by this American style IPA (is this the same as an American Pale Ale?? Blimey, all these styles, honestly).

The texture is thin and the flavour is basic. I can’t say I was particularly surprised but if you’re parading as an AIPA then I’m sorry the beer has to smack you round the chops with a big hoppy, dry citrus fist… and this beer does not.

It’s not horrible. It’s not good. It’s average. It’s the lower end of average. And that is that.

Jymi’s Rating: 51%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 49.5%

 

MOB review next weekend: DUCHESSE DE BOURGOGNE by VERHAEGHE VICHTE

m o b 2020