POWER MOVE

BEER REVIEW: 406

BREWER: Neon Raptor, Nottinghamshire, England

STYLE: New England IPA

ABV: 6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 18th July 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

If you’re looking for a brew that captures the too-much-is-never-enough ethos of the 80s, Power Move certainly makes an effort. The all-black can? Peak synthwave chic, like it just rolled off the set of “Tron” or got handed out at a Duran Duran afterparty. The branding? Cohesive, committed, and confident—a neon-lit tribute to an era that didn’t know the meaning of restraint.
And it starts strong. That citrus nose hits like the opening chords of a power ballad—grapefruit dominates, but with a lemon-lime riff that adds just enough complexity to keep things interesting. But then, much like a shoulder-padded blazer that looks the part but doesn’t quite fit, the taste doesn’t hold up quite as well. The grapefruit and lime show up, sure, but it’s thinner than a Miami Vice plotline—lacking the depth to really carry it through the finish.
The mouthfeel? Light—almost too light, like a dance floor packed with leg warmers but no real rhythm. It wants to be bold, but it settles into something a little artificial instead—think canned pop with the sugar dialled up.
That said, for a retro-themed brew, it lands squarely in the era’s lane. It’s not quite a leading beer, but a reliable backup dancer—there in the mix, bringing the energy, but not taking centre stage. You’ll enjoy it if you love the aesthetic, but if you’re looking for something with real staying power, you might need a bit more… well, oomph.

Sammy’s Rating: 61%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It’s hard this beer reviewing lark ya know!

It’s very easy for each review to kinda sound the same regardless of the beer. You make a comment about the packaging, nose and general flavour etc etc and it’s done. This is why we try and mix it up a little bit I suppose. Me, sometimes it may be a wee tale (whether it be true or false (I’ll let you be the judge of that!)), or straight down the line say it as it is review. Sometimes it’s a short to the point number and sometimes, it may go on and on. But over the years I’ve sometimes gone for the actual notes in the notebook. When going down this route there have been occasions where I’ve been pushed for time and the pressure has been on to post. But there have also been times where for whatever reason it just seems to make sense to do so.

And this is one of those times…

Power Move manual notes

Looks great in the glass I have to say.

Lovely thick nose of passion fruit, peach and citrus.

Nose 100% transfers to the taste. Thick with sweet undertones of passionfruit and citrus spikes.

I want / need a touch more bitterness at the end.

Touch sweet all the way through for my liking.

Maybe just lacking a bit of balance but a pleasant enough beer.

 And that’s that!  Bye!

 

(you can tell I was pushed for time too can’t you?!)

Jymi’s Rating: 68%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 64.5%

MOB review next weekend: LUNAR HAZE by BEAVERTOWN

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

BIG DAY

BEER REVIEW: 405

BREWER: Jiddler’s Tipple, North London, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 5.2%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 11th July 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

First up, what a fantastic name for a beer! Ultimately it doesn’t quite live up to it but hey, it’s still a great name!

Let’s start with the positives…

Big Day is a very drinkable brew with faint lime undertones, a medium body and a very pleasant mouthfeel. It’s the kind of beer that flies down. The mouthfeel is one of almost coconut milk and because of this I swear I was picking up VERY faint notes of coconut in the flavour too!

When it comes to the negatives, I’m not too sure about the tin art. It’s vintage shirt print, which is synonymous with this brewery, though quite cool just doesn’t quite do it for me.

The head on pour was also disappointing, making what is ultimately a good beer look particularly uninviting.

To conclude, Big Day is a pretty tasty brew but no more than that. And coming with its heavyweight name, one that points to grandeur and occasion, I was left kinda wanting.

Jymi’s Rating: 67%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Big Day Pale Ale sits outside Jiddler’s Tipple’s core range due to its ABV exceeding 3.8%. The packaging is neutral—not particularly eye-catching, but not off-putting either. 

While there’s a lot of information on the can, much of it is generic to the brewery rather than specific to this beer.

In terms of the drinking experience, it’s a pleasant, easy-going pale ale. The nose is solid, offering fresh and inviting aromas. The mouthfeel is good, making it a smooth and approachable drink. 

On the palate, there’s a well-balanced combination of lime and grassy notes, with a hint of sweet tea. While it doesn’t deliver much complexity, the flavours work well together, culminating in a refreshing, lightly bitter finish.

Overall, this is a decent beer—nothing exceptional, but enjoyable for those looking for a straightforward and easy-drinking pale ale.

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 68.5%

MOB review next weekend: POWER MOVE by NEON RAPTOR

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

SUMMERLEAZE

BEER REVIEW: 404

BREWER: Firebrand Brewing, Cornwall, England

STYLE: Hazy Pale Ale

ABV: 4%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 4th July 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Seeing as I have family that live in Launceston (the Cornish town where this brew is brewed) it was only ever a matter of time before I visited the Firebrand tap room. And a little earlier on this year, I did just that. With my sister and cousins we nattered the night away with fine food and pints of Summerleaze. A lovely time was had by all and the swig was greatly enjoyed. In my slight haze I had the clever brainwave of picking up a couple of tins for Sammy and I to review.

And here we are today…

Now unfortunately for me this one didn’t land too well. It was the aftertaste that really let it down. But, even though Summerleaze has not scored at all well for me I’m going to leave the negativity there. Because there are actually plenty of positives…

The peachy nose that leads the way is great, moving to a more citrus taste in mouth but still with elements of peach. The texture, though a touch thin, does make Summerleaze very drinkable and this is where this beer does well… situations like mine with my family at their taproom or as mentioned on the tin, a sunny beach gathering with friends.

It’s just for me, under test conditions, it struggled.

Jymi’s Rating: 42%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Step back in time to the golden glow of a Cornish sunset, where the sea breeze mingles with the scent of salt and ale. Summerleaze delivers a nostalgic nod to the past, wrapped in bold concentric waves of red, yellow, and orange, straight out of a 1970s surf shack.
On the nose? A tropical embrace of sweet pineapple, as inviting as a sun-drenched afternoon on the dunes. The first sip lands with pineapple upfront, a burst of smooth, juicy sweetness before giving way to a clean, bitter finish—a straight bat approach that doesn’t mess around. At 4% ABV, it doesn’t boast fireworks, but it packs a solid, no-nonsense flavour, perfect for a session after a day riding the Atlantic rollers.
Groundbreaking? Not quite. Strong offering? Without a doubt.
Summerleaze isn’t here to reinvent the wheel—it’s here to remind you why a well-balanced pint can still hold its own. A proper pint for a proper Cornish moment.

Sammy’s Rating: 77%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 59.5%

MOB review next weekend: BIG DAY by JIDDLER’S TIPPLE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025

SINGHA

BEER REVIEW: 403

BREWER: Singha / Shepherd Neame, Kent, England

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 630ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 27th June 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It was 7607 days ago that Sammy and I reviewed Singha for the first time. Though Muse on Booze didn’t get going until 2017 we did have a brief stint of reviewing beers back in 2004 when we lived together in West London. Back then, we didn’t really have a clue what we were going on about (cue, nothing has changed much then) due to our diet mainly consisting of mass produced lager and the odd Guinness. Luckily, there was a pretty cool bottle shop near us that imported a few brews from around the globe so we were able to have a fair crack at some brews that were not readily available.

Singha was imported back then. Though it wasn’t that hard to get hold of, it most certainly was not easy either. So this was a bit of a treat for us and we loved it! I gave it a rather healthy 50/60 with accompanying notes of…

Very very nice. Big fan of the taste and the packaging is great. Not too dry for an eastern beer either.

Insightful stuff hey?!

Anyway, fast forward to today and here we are again with a Singha in front of us ready to be inhaled.

Has anything changed?  Well, yes.

The packaging, though quite similar to 21 years ago, has been tweaked. I still like it, but is nowhere near as good as it was.

Where this brew is brewed has also changed. The offering we had in 2004 had been crafted in the Boon Rawd Brewery in Bangkok. The beer we have today (though overseen by Singha operatives) is actually brewed in Kent.

Unsurprisingly the ABV has dropped too. Coming down from a heady 6% to an everyday duty avoiding 4.8%.

And it’s also available in Tesco.

Has the beer suffered because of all of this? Of course it has.

But you know what… it’s still actually really good! There is a little sweetness, a little dryness and a wee bit of spice too. It’s refreshing, highly drinkable and for a macro lager has a fantastic nose all things considered!

And I for one am really glad we have tried this again, as you can pick up 3 x 630ml bottles on offer down at my local shop.

So, this will quickly become a summer fridge filler let me tell you!

Though this is not a patch on what it once was, Singha is still a decent and distinctive lager.

Jymi’s Rating: 68%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

This one steps onto the stage with a confident stride—classic in its look, reliable in its presence. The packaging? It’s got that old-school charm, a tip of the hat to tradition. Nothing flashy, but it knows its lane and sticks to it like a seasoned performer.

On the nose, well, it’s singing the standard lager tune—no unexpected high notes, no groundbreaking riffs. But hey, sometimes consistency is what keeps the crowd engaged.

Taste-wise, Singha isn’t looking to win any international vocal competitions, but it delivers a solid set. Crisp, refreshing, and finishing with a sharp little flourish—almost a sherbet-like zing that perks up the senses. It’s the kind of performer that doesn’t steal the spotlight but keeps the energy steady in a crowded lineup.

Now, mouthfeel—this is where Singha shines. Five stars for easy-drinking swagger. It’s the dependable backup vocalist in a mass-produced beer ensemble, harmonising beautifully without taking over the show.

Would I book Singha for another gig? Absolutely. It’s not a headliner, but it’s a reliable act that knows how to play to the masses. A good offering, steady and solid, delivering the kind of easygoing experience you expect from a well-rehearsed lager.

Sammy’s Rating: 68%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 68%

MOB review next weekend: SUMMERLEAZE by FIREBRAND BREWING

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025

DELIRIUM ARGENTUM

BEER REVIEW: 402

BREWER: Brouwerij Huyghe, East Flanders, Belgium

STYLE: Amber IPA

ABV: 7%

VESSEL: 330ml ceramic bottle

DATE OF POST: 20th June 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

With a Pink Elephant driving your brand it’s hard to go wrong. But somehow Huyghe have… this time at least. The Silver just does not work on the ceramic bottle here I’m afraid. I mean it doesn’t look terrible terrible but when you’ve got a Pink Elephant in your corner anything less than the best is a fail IMO.

Point two (f sake, I’m going negative again)… Argentum is an Amber IPA. This for me is a worry. Huyghe certainly know their way around a Belgian ale but to veer into the IPA world scares me. That said, I have tried Belgian style ales from British brewers, and they have been fine if not good even.

Quick positive note before we get into the inside of the bottle. Argentum means Silver. I suppose that helps the label out a little but presumably has nothing to do with the beer? Negative thoughts are looming again… right, let’s just crack her open FFS.

Ok, I dunno if this brew has just caught me on a bad day but for me our offering this weekend is neither here nor there… and why is it so dark?? I know it’s an amber IPA but flippin eck, it looks like a Best Bitter! Argentum starts off very Belgian. Predicable? Maybe. But not when the beer is an IPA. Further into the drinking the hoppy bitterness you expect from an IPA does rear it’s head however. I say rear, it’s more like a gentle glance around a fence post. Add in a foamy mouthfeel (not fizzy, foamy) due to an over carbonation and I conclude that this brew just misses the mark I’m afraid.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad but feels a little confused.

On another day I could have given Delirium Argentum the benefit of doubt for delivering a Belgium twang with an IPA tickle, but on this (as I said, possibly a bad day) I’m not.

Stick to what you know best Huyghe.

Jymi’s Rating: 51%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Despite the glittering fanfare of a metallic label and the perennial charm of that bemused pink elephant, Delirium Argentum strolls into the room with the energy of someone who’s just remembered they left the oven on. Yes, it looks the part—eye-catching, confidently branded—but beyond the façade lies a brew that hums quietly rather than sings.
On the nose, there’s a bucolic summer meadow vibe: wildflowers, a dab of wheat, and a whisper of pine—as though the hops RSVP’d to the party but never actually showed up. The flavour opens with sweet, floral intentions, but they quickly get weighed down by a syrupy mouthfeel that overstays its welcome like clingy sunshine on a stuffy July train carriage. There’s some IPA bitterness lingering in the shadows, sure, but not enough to redeem it from its stylistic identity crisis.
It’s not bad. It’s just… fine. Like listening to someone else describe a great night out. The pink elephant might be dancing, but you’ll be nursing this one politely until the next act arrives.

Sammy’s Rating: 63%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 57%

MOB review next weekend: SINGHA by SINGHA CORP with SHEPHERD NEAME

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

LAGERBIER HELL

BEER REVIEW: 401

BREWER: Augustinerbräu, Bavaria, Germany

STYLE: Helles

ABV: 5.2%

VESSEL: 50cl brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 13th June 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

Jymi’s Rating: 75%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

Strong lager.

Sammy’s Rating: 77%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 76%

MOB review next weekend: DELIRIUM ARGENTUM by BROUWERIJ HUYGHE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

MILESTONE

BEER REVIEW: 400

BREWER: Dark Element Brew Co, Caerphilly, Wales

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 7.2%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 6th June 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

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

Sammy’s Rating: 38%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

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

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

Just wow.

These cats from Caerphilly have absolutely nailed it!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jymi’s Rating: 93%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 65.5%

MOB review next weekend: LAGERBIER HELL by AUGUSTINERBRÄU

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025

ROSEBUD

BEER REVIEW: 399

BREWER: Polly’s, Flintshire, Wales

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 5.6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 30th May 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

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

Sammy’s Rating: 73%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

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

Have confidence in your brand. Embrace the mystique.

Still, overall? A good beer, this.

Jymi’s Rating: 77%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 75%

MOB review next weekend: MILESTONE by DARK ELEMENT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2025

DISCO KING

BEER REVIEW: 398

BREWER: Turning Point Brew Co, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Pale Ale

ABV: 5.1%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 23rd May 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

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

But I wasn’t.

Why?

Well, the can art is nothing short of atrocious!

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

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

DO IT BROTHER, DO IT BROTHER, DO IT

BROTHER GREEN, BROTHER GREEN

DO IT BROTHER, DO IT BROTHER, DO IT

THE DISCO KING, THE DISCO KING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jymi’s Rating: 74%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Disco King: A Beer for the Dancefloor?

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

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

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

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

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

Sammy’s Rating: 76%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 75%

MOB review next weekend: ROSEBUD by POLLY’S

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

Instagram: muse.on.booze

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M O B 2025

TRANSIENT

BEER REVIEW: 397

BREWER: Northern Monk, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 7%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 16th May 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Transient.

Transient.

Transient?

Transient???

Is this possibly the worst name for a beer ever?

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

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

 

Adjective: lasting only for a short time. Impermanent.

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

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

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

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

Is it lasting for only a short time?

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m going for a lay down.

Jymi’s Rating: 76%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

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

Sammy’s Rating: 81%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78.5%

MOB review next weekend: DISCO KING by TURNING POINT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025