BEER REVIEW: 386

BREWER: Bristol Beer Factory, Bristol, England

STYLE: US Pale Ale

ABV: 4.6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 28th February 2025

JYMI SAY’S…

Upon receipt of this can from Sam I didn’t think much of the packaging… that’s not to say I didn’t like it, no no, I was just a wee bit ambivalent toward it, it didn’t strike me.

It was only when it came to test day that I realised what was actually on the tin… a map of flippin’ Bristol, where this brew is brewed, that included the life blood and reason the city become the city… yep, the mighty river Avon is running through our tin art in an exceptional neon pink.

Now, I LOVE a map. Always have. Local, regional, national, international… it doesn’t matter. I LOVE a map. And it’s lucky that I do as once the decision was made not to go to university and just start earning some dough and see what happens I immediately needed my ability to read, understand and enjoy a map to see me through. See, I got a job as a 7.5 tonne truck driver, at the age of 17, and had only held my car license for a matter of months. Smooth moves! To be fair I actually really enjoyed it! Heading up and down the country and sometimes to Europe, kipping in the cab and exploring new places.

One place, that I had been to as a boy but had never explored as an older boy, was Bristol. If memory serves me correctly, I’d done a few drops in Gloucestershire and South Wales and then parked up in Fishponds (an area of Bristol) ready for a very early morning delivery the following day. Truck parked, it was time to explore.

Now I’m fairly sure the legal drinking age was about 14 back in 1998 as basically I headed to the first pub I could find. That’s the way of the road bud.

Now in said pub I opted for a Dry Blackthorne Cider (I was 17 remember). Now as I settled into my apple based brew I noticed that all the locals were also on DBC, but, they all had a fresh slice of lemon in theirs! I approached the closest lad (I was braver back then) and said ‘what’s the lemon all about boy’?

‘What, you’ve not tried Blackthorne with lemon?’

He then proceeded to order me a fresh pint to try the apparent delight even though I was only a 1/3 of the way down my first. Let’s just say it was indeed incredible and turned into a very long night. I did, however, still make the delivery the next morning… apparently.

Because of this night as well as family links to the west country, I have a huge affection for Bristol and that obviously is where our beer today is from.

Independence as a beer is good. Starting with a light sweet nose going into a very smooth textured beer in mouth. However, yes this beer is tasty but the slight lack of body does impact the flavour of this brew a little. At the back end of the sip there is a subtle bitterness that creeps in that is both welcome and good.

As mentioned, Independence is good, but nothing more than that. And I have to say, seeing all the double dry hopping that has gone into this brew, I was expecting a little more.

Jymi’s Rating: 65%

SAMMY SAY’S…

Alright me babber, let’s talk about Independence! A proper Bristol brew, this one’s all about standing tall and doing its own thing—proudly independent, just like the name says. It’s a decent drop, though it could do with a touch more oomph to really make it sing.

Typical tropical vibes on the nose, leaning heavily towards grapefruit. It’s fresh and inviting, a good preview of what’s to come.

The flavour’s got its moments—lime and grapefruit take the lead, giving it that tropical zing you’d expect from a DDH APA. There’s a bit of bitterness tagging along, but it’s not quite punchy enough for my liking. Still, it’s pleasant and refreshing, with a mouthfeel that’s a bit like a Refresher sweet. Easy on the palate but leaves you wanting a bit more firepower.

Very drinkable—goes down smooth and keeps you coming back for more. Could be dangerous on a hot day, mind!

You’ve got to love what the brewery stands for. Proudly independent, just like Bristol itself, and they’ve nailed that spirit.

Independence is a solid choice for a fridge filler, especially if you’re after something that’s easy-drinking with a tropical twist. That said, for a DDH APA, it’s missing a bit of bitterness and punch to really stand out. I like it, but I don’t love it. Still, it’s worth a go, if only to raise a can to independent brewing and the proper Bristolian spirit. Cheers, me ol’ luvver!

Sammy’s Rating: 72%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 68.5%

MOB review next weekend: OXFORD HELLES by CHADLINGTON

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BEER REVIEW: 385

BREWER: Loose Cannon Brewery, Oxfordshire, England

STYLE: Golden Ale

ABV: 3.4%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 21st February 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ah, Gunner’s Gold—a tipple worthy of raising a glass in the officers’ mess. This ale pays homage to the gallant Lancaster gunners of old, and its light, crisp character does justice to the courage and grace of its namesake.

The aroma is a delight—floral with a hint of apricot. It’s a refreshing prelude to the experience, like the whiff of air before takeoff.

A straightforward brew, this one. Light and crisp on the palate, with grassy after-notes that linger like the scent of a summer meadow. Pine and summer flowers weave in and out, creating a delicate tapestry of flavour. It may not have the explosive punch of a Spitfire’s guns, but that’s not its purpose—it’s a beer for quieter moments.

This old boy is a steady sipper. While it won’t have you glugging with abandon, it’s a beer that encourages thoughtful enjoyment—ideal for long chats over stories of derring-do.

A true salute to history, the story of the Lancaster gunner gives this beer its unique charm. Its character matches the spirit of its inspiration: unpretentious, dependable, and enduring.

Gunner’s Gold is a beer for the reflective drinker, one who appreciates the light and floral qualities of a well-crafted ale. It doesn’t seek to dazzle but instead stands as a dependable companion. Much like the Lancaster gunners it honours, it gets the job done with quiet resolve and a touch of charm. Drink this one with a sense of occasion, and raise a toast to those who soared before us.

Sammy’s Rating: 74%

JYMI SAY’S…

Gunners Gold, named after the mighty Stan Bradford. Stan was a mid-upper gunner on the Lancaster Bomber and winner of the Distinguished Flying Medal, a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and other British armed forces, and formerly to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for “exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy”.

Basically, Stan = legend.

And this brew is not too far off legendary status too, to be fair. The 3.4% ABV nature of the beer is both it’s strength and it’s weakness however…

I hate saying considering it’s a low abv beer because GG is a really good brew regardless of its weak nature but… it is the lack of body and kick near the end that prevents this Golden Ale going intergalactic, and that is down to it’s low percentage nature.

But look, you will not go far wrong should you select GG as your drink of choice for the evening / day. From the bright zesty nose to the vibrant orange and lemon notes midsip, to the soft bitterness not long after, this is a beer that will keep you coming back for more.

Soooooooo drinkable.

Soooooooo sessionable.

It’s defo well done Loose Cannon from MOB Jymi.

Jymi’s Rating: 77%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 75.5%

MOB review next weekend: INDEPENDANCE by BRISTOL BEER FACTORY

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BEER REVIEW: 384

BREWER: Brouwerj Bosteels, East Flanders, Belgium 

STYLE: Tripel

ABV: 8.4%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 14th February 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

Tripel Karmeliet is a solid but somewhat average Belgian tripel, delivering a familiar profile without pushing any boundaries.

Pleasant banana esters are present on the nose, although they not particularly complex.  This is potentially one of the most interesting aspects of this beer.  I have to say, banana and beers don’t often mix well together but on this occasion the nose kind of works.

The taste leans heavily on floral notes, which may appeal to some but feels a bit excessive for my preference. While it’s smooth and easy to drink for its ABV, it lacks depth and complexity, making it somewhat forgettable compared to other tripels.

Overall, Tripel Karmeliet does the job, but it doesn’t stand out. While its floral profile might win over some drinkers, I found it a bit overpowering. The balance and drinkability are its strong suits, but it doesn’t quite reach the complexity that makes for a truly exceptional tripel.

Sammy’s Rating: 62%

JYMI SAY’S…

You kinda know when you embark on a Belgian that you’re gonna get a solid brew in you, though of course they’re not always belters, but very rarely do you get a bad Belge.

TK falls into the not a belter but OK bracket.

But let’s start on a huge positive. The nose is spectacular, quite subtle but spectacular, nonetheless. This does lure you into thinking the beer is going to be spectacular also, so ultimately from the whiff, disappointment is only just around the corner. For a whopping 8.4%er TKs body is oddly thin and for me the beer is also over carbonated. These two things without doubt lower the flavour intensity resulting in the yeah not bad but mind drift. There is a bananaesqe mouthfeel and flavour to this tripel as well as all of your usual characteristics from the Belgian yeast.

When all is said and done, though TK is perfectly drinkable, there are way better Trips out there so I would go search them out if I were you rather than taking on board this unfortunately pretty average brew.

Jymi’s Rating: 64%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 63%

MOB review next weekend: GUNNERS GOLD by LOOSE CANNON BREWERY

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BEER REVIEW: 383

BREWER: Queer Brewing, East London, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 7th February 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

This beer has a strong concept and purpose.  Coming from Queer Brewing, it is rooted in supporting and championing LGBTQ+ communities.  In this case, Urge to Merge is drawing attention to lesbians and this is well developed in the concept.

Urge to Merge offers a light, refreshing profile dominated by grapefruit and cut grass flavours. It’s straightforward and crisp, making it an enjoyable beer, though it lacks the complexity some may crave.  Easy to sip, this beer strikes a nice balance between lightness and hops, making it suitable for a casual drink or pairing with pizza.

While this beer is not a stand out great, it is very enjoyable and one that I’d have time and again.  It doesn’t particularly excel in any area but it does tick many boxes and before you know it, you’ve got to the bottom of your glass.

Sammy’s Rating: 73%

JYMI SAY’S…

I’m just going to mention a couple of negatives before I get the actual review of the beer itself underway (don’t worry, ultimately this is a cracker)…

As much as I love, and get, the tin art, I don’t actually like it very much (that makes perfect sense right??). Look, the concept and idea are sound. And once the creators had settled on this idea then the can was only ever going to look this way. My trouble with it is that, although it certainly stands out, I’m not too sure it looks all that appealing? Well, it certainly didn’t to me anyway.

Also, UTM pours very uncarbonated. Is this intentional? I honestly don’t know. But once in the glass I did worry that this could be a bad one due to the lack of any fizz.

I didn’t need to worry. Though I do think a little dial up on the bubbles could elevate this brew, I also think it’s an absolutely cracking drop. So complex without scrambling the ol’ brain. Let me explain…

UTM starts off with a soft element of coconut in the taste as well as giving it an ever so slightly creamy texture. A touch of lime also comes along cutting through the coconut and working its way in to perfectly balance this brew. The slight bitterness at the end rounds things off very nicely indeed. But it’s not until the aftertaste that Urge to Merge really lifts off. There are waves of again coconut and lime but other citrus fruits too just ebbing and flowing, coming and going, developing and fading in and out, dancing the tango on the tongue.

A very interesting and well brewed beer indeed. Hat’s off from Jymi.

Jymi’s Rating: 83%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78%

MOB review next weekend: TRIPEL KARMELIET by BROUWERJ BOSTEELS

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BEER REVIEW: 382

BREWER: Vocation, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 31st January 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

I really do like Life And Death.  As a readily available, mass produced ‘craft’ beer, it does better than many of it competitors.  It achieves something unique where they fail.

This brew strikes an excellent balance between sweetness and bitterness, with a solid bitter start and finish. Notes of grapefruit and lime pop throughout, adding a bright, zesty character that keeps things interesting from the first sip to the last.

While it might not break new ground, Life After Death nails the fundamentals of a quality IPA. Exceptionally easy to drink, this beer flows smoothly and leaves you reaching for another without hesitation. Its approachable flavour profile makes it dangerously sippable.

All of this is enhanced by strong, eye-catching packaging that aligns well with the beer’s bold but balanced character.

Life After Death is a great go-to beer for any occasion. It’s versatile, satisfying, and dangerously easy to drink, making it ideal as a fridge staple. Whether you’re enjoying it solo or sharing with friends, this IPA delivers reliable quality in every sip. Just keep an eye on how many you’ve had—its easy-drinking nature, paired with a relatively high ABV, can catch you off guard if you’re not careful.

Sammy’s Rating: 81%

JYMI SAY’S…

I’m going to open with a statement folks. And it’s a rather large one.

In my opinion, this is the best value for money brew in the UK right now.

Is it the best? No

Is it the cheapest? No

But it is very very good indeed and is not at all expensive. In fact the tin I supped on for today’s review cost me just £1.63. Life & Death also weighs in at a fairly hefty 6.5% so you are getting some serious bang for your buck here. It’s almost the ultimate fridge filler but to label it as such almost detracts from how good this beer actually is.

Before even taking a sip you know you’re almost certainly onto a winner. The packaging is strong, the look in glass is great and the nose is SUBLIME. Putting out a tropical air for one’s hooter to hoover.

Upon sip the tropical delight continues with a fantastic explosion of stone fruit juiciness. This then develops into a medium bitter pine aftertaste and then onto a lovely almost slightly dry finish.

Some craft beer can be outrageously expensive. I fully understand why that is. But when you’re sometimes not getting much change out of £20 for 3 cans it really can be a wallet breaker.

So, when a beer of this quality comes along at such an affordable price you have to buy it… ALL.

Jymi’s Rating: 84%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 82.5 %

MOB review next weekend: URGE TO MERGE by QUEER BREWING

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BEER REVIEW: 381

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

STYLE: Session IPA

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 24th January 2025

JYMI SAY’S…

Good gawd… whatta shocker!

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

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

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

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

IPA BUT BETTER

BEER BUT BETTER

FOR THOSE WHO DEMAND MORE

FULL FLAVOUR, FULL BODY BEER, WITHOUT THE GUILT

FOLLOW US & BECOME A #PRIMEMATE

BREWED TO THE HIGHEST BRITISH BREWING STANDARDS

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

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

AVOID.

Jymi’s Rating: 12%

SAMMY SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

Sammy’s Rating: 38%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 25%

MOB review next weekend: LIFE & DEATH by VOCATION

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BEER REVIEW: 380

BREWER: Brazenor’s Brews, Buckinghamshire, England

STYLE: Black IPA

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 17th January 2024

SAMMY SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

JYMI SAY’S…

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

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

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

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

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

Jymi’s Rating: 73%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 71.5%

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

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M O B 2025