A beer that's been brewed in Edinburgh

Edinburgh beer factory

Paolozzi 5.2%

My first beer from Beerhive. This one of the beers that guy suggested to me. To be honest I looked at the label and thought it looks good I'll have that. What I didn't realise that it was a Lager, in fact I didn't even know that it was a lager until I looked at the bottle in order to write the name for the blog. This is just interesting its not special but its a lager so hard to write about. 

My first beer in Scotland

Stewart Brewery - First World Problems 6.2%

So after taking the train to go to Edinburgh, which took over 6 hours to get here. My first thought is I need a beer and some food. So I went and found a pub and this was my first beer that I had. I asked the bartender to allow me to take a photo of the beer before it was poured. 

This beer is described as a Belgian IPA???? I didn't know that breweries from Belgian shipped beer to India. What this brewery has done is imported hops from from America and then made a wheat style / european style IPA. As for the taste drinking out of the Thames would taste better. I gave this back to the bartender and told him that the Thames water would be nicer, he did apologise and offer to get me something else, which I did. I hope the rest of Scotland's beer isn't as bad as this

Whilst I was having my lunch i google a beer shop in Edinburgh and then I went to said shop. The shop was called Beerhive and they also have a website. The bloke was very knowledgeable about Scotland's beer and told me that Stewart brewery can be very hit and miss. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have spent as much as did. 

Bristol Beer Factory Bristol Hefe. 4.8abv
I bought this thinking,my a different style of beer what a good idea.
I was unaware hefe is wheat beer,I dont like wheat beer.The two photos of the label are because the label is simple.The two photos of the beer is to show how supposedly it should look.They say pour half the beer(photo one) and you can see it is relatively clear.Then swirl the remains in the bottle and pour as the beer should be cloudy(photo two).Whatever its still wheat beer and I still dont like itThank you and good night..

Brighton Bier Company Downtown Charlie Brown.
Thrown the can out so cant tell you how strong it was but it was strong enough.This is a very dark brown ale but a great flavour,The wife nicked the first one so was very grateful I had two.You don't see many true brown ales nowadays.Upsetting People from Newcastle isn't a wise idea, but that thin stuff they call brown ale well .However if you can get it Newcastle Amber is a really good Bitter.May have saved my life there.Enough about Newcastle,Quickly off to Brighton with you and seek this out.

FourPure Session IPA

FourPure Session IPA 4.2%

I can't seem to remember where I bought this, but anyway that doesn't really matter (it's the drinking that counts)  This beer describes itself been based on New York City, which to me I thought this was going to be big bold and exciting, and to be fair it does live upto that. It's a session IPA rather than a beer that's got a high ABV. I would describe it has being hoppy, tasty and it's use of american hops is a great advantage to this beer.  I'm slowly understanding the benefit of canning beer it does keep the beer fresh and stop light getting into the beer. The other advantage is  the weight compared to bottles. I would still like to be able to get a pint, maybe someone could tell me why when we go to the pub we always ask for pint of something and yet the trend in drinking at home is halves. Do our drinking habits change at home?

Based on this beer I have just gone an ordered some more of their range which should be with me by next week. I ordered them from http://www.beermerchants.com/browse/brewery/fourpure-brewery/. I also ordered some american and a japanese beer, which I look forward to trying soon.

Modus Hoperandi 6.8%

Modus Hoperandi 6.8%

This beer is from the USA and for an hour I have been trying to work this beer out ( I would like to point out that I have not been drinking for an hour, I mean that would crazy right?). As the names suggests it does have a hoppy taste. For a beer that's 6.8% I hadn't noticed that it was this strong. The one thing I did like was the size of the can, it's slightly larger compared to the ones I've had from the UK. My first thought on this beer was that I didn't like it, but felt I should continue drinking this imported beer. I had to do a little bit of research on American beers for this post as I thought they were all like Bud light and Miller both rubbish beers (and yes I know I reviewed another from the states recently) It would seem that American breweries are taking inspiration from Belgian and British beers and this fits into the latter. I still unconvinced on the beer but would be willing to give this another go. (Oh and by the way I'm not going to review Bud light I mean what do they think it is a soda.....)

Maharaja IPA

Maharaja IPA

This is my last beer from West berkshire Brewery.This is was an interesting beer that was singing on all the right notes. Lately I've had lots of IPA's and some of them were interesting, dull or so exciting. This beer comes in the interesting category. In fact I want another one, (Damn I don't have any more). Its interesting because its not too strong and has lots of flavour. Also what helped to make this beer even better I had a curry for dinner, not a spicy curry but a fish curry, which went well with beer. 

Andwell Brewing Ruddy Darter 4.9abv
Those looking at the pictures can probably see my not so deliberate mistake.I half drank it before I took the photo.Never mind The ruddy darter is some sort of Hampshire dragonfly apparently.This is quite nice.If thats not damning with faint praise I dont know what is.Its O.K. Its alright.Your following my reasoning by now I hope.I know Terry likes this a lot more than me.But then Terrys in scotland bird watching.Its not for everyone.

Downton Brewery Dark Delight 5.5abv.
Need a sleep after this one.A heavy dark ale good chocolate and coffee after taste and easy drinking.
At 5.5 per cent its a little powerful but not so much your falling over.Downton are in Wiltshire and brew this with 5 hops.Dont drive home after this one though.

HOBGOBLIN GOLD - WYCHWOOD BREWERY

A four hopped golden beer from Wychwood with a strong element of wheat and malted barley. On first sip I found it quite harsh, not very balanced at all. It actually grew on me as it went on, certainly not a favourite but not altogether unpleasant. Needs further exploration! Brewed by Wychwood in Witney, Oxfordshire. Part of Marstons PLC. 4.5% volume.

Nearly 80th post

Mister Swift's Pale Ale 4%

My second beer and my last for tonight and again i don't seem to be able to pour a pint! This is my type of beer hoppy and light. If this went up just one more notch it would be perfect. How the brewery can make this any better i don't know (i'm a beer drinker not a beer brewer) As it is almost very good and yes I can drink this a lot. On the bottle it says has a pineapple smell which I interpreted as being sweet. I couldn't smell pineapple which is a plus in my opinion and its not sweet at all. If I was rating this beer I would rate this as 3.5 out  of 5 pleasant but not perfect,

West Berkshire Brewery

 Good old Boy 4%

So my first beer from the West berkshire Brewery. I brought four today but not from brewery but from a farm shop just outside Basingstoke. It was not till I got home that I realised that one was a mild. I am not a fan of dark beers I find them too heavy and as of yet not enjoyed one. You could say I don't like the dark side.... So will give this beer to Andy next time I see him.

So first up is a beer called Good old boy at 4%. So first off it has a taste of chocolate and coffee, this is not something usually associate with red ales. In itself not a bad combination but not for me. 

As a beer of 4% I would expect this to be a session style beer but this isn't one. It's slightly hard drinking and I'm not sure the chocolate and coffee is helping to make this easy to drink

Next up Mister Swift's pale ale

PUNK IPA - BREWDOG

I was  not looking forward to this after the Dead Pony episode. However this is a gem. Full flavoured IPA with attitude. Love it to bits. Really lingers on the palate, a mouthwatering feast for the senses. Thanks Brewdog there's life in the old dog yet!
A mighty fine 5.6% volume. Brewed in Ellon, Scotland.

Flat and Tasteless

Adnams Southwold Bitter 4.1%

This is so boring and flat and rather taste less. In fact I would rather drink dish water. The only thing is I seem to not be able to pour a pint this evening. I hope my next beer is better

DEAD PONY CLUB - SESSION PALE ALE - BREWDOG

Not tried any Brewdog beers on my journey as yet. Seen them in supermarkets, bold labelling, and crazy names. This is a Session Pale Ale 3.8% Volume. First  impressions, blimey it don't half look like Lucozade! Really strong aromas too, floral/sweet (erm...Lucozade??) On to drinking it then... Oh dear. Don't like this. Tastes like throat lozenges, and makes your mouth go numb. Sorry fellas, love the ethos but that flavour is lost on me. Brewed & bottled by Brewdog in Ellon, Scotland.
(I Apologise  for Butting in here,this is Andy writing.I thought can it really be that bad.All sorts of dead pony jokes in the office,so I went out to buy one.I grant you it was a bit strange but I actually find it refreshing.But and a big but I wont be going out to buy another one.Says something but worth trying.)

Bowman Warbler 4.8
Made in conjunction with the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight wildlife trust.I gave this to my wife to try and tested it myself.Light,thin and O.K. was the verdict.Not whole hearted praise I will grant and watch out for the sediment which is more substantial than most,A good strength bitter a little lacking in flavour.Bowman are in Southampton.

Itchen Valley Royal Green Jackets 4.5 abv.
Another Itchen Valley from Arlesford in Hampshire good colour easy drinking,a bit of lack of flavour guys sorry.One of those where the label is better than the beer.Those in the know will see two of Henning Mankells books in the background.They are not mine.And nordik noir does not really go with beer.This or any other.You have to break out the Vodka for that sort of literature.

Badger Leaping Legend 4.8%

Badger Leaping Legend 4.8%

My next beer is from the Badger brewery which is based in Dorset. This is one I've not come across before so is new to me. The first thing I notice once the cap was off was the smell of grapefruit, which I thought was going to put me off. The beer is light and refreshing and has a really good after taste. I would be very happy to drink this all day. This is in my opinion one of Badger's best beer it's not as good as Hopping Hare and again that's just my opinion. Some of badger's have a very floral smell and some taste like you are drinking flowers which doesn't appeal to me one bit (I'm not a Hummingbird!). But I can say this is not one of them. This is a very interesting and modern type beer

Butcombe Bitter 4.5%

Butcombe Bitter 4.5%

Found this beer in my local supermarket. It's from a brewery that I usually like,just finding their beers has been a challenge of late. This one I've not had before. 

It tastes heavy and dry which is not my sort of beer. It also has a peppery type smell ,which I'm guessing comes from the hops. I'm finding this beer very hard going. It doesn't have the normal bitter taste. This beer i'm not so keen on. It could just be me having an off day and not enjoying this beer, I think what i'm trying to say is i'm going to have to try another one of these at a later date

WILD RIVER DOUBLE HOPPED PALE ALE - FULLERS

Yes very nice. A pleasing blend of 4 American Hops, Liberty, Willamette, Cascade and Chinook perfectly balanced with a citrus tang and a subtle bitter finish. Really enjoyed this, flavour, refreshment, bubbles. The whole nine yards. Brewed by the Thames in Chiswick by Fullers since 1845. 4.5 % volume.

PROWLER PALE - RED CAT BREWING

Bottle says we don't do boring. Erm. this is just that. Doesn't really taste much of anything. Sorry folks, love the label and the write up etc. but does not float my boat. 3.6% volume, maybe on a good day! Brewed by Red Cat Brewing in Winchester.

PALE RIDER PALE ALE - KELHAM ISLAND BREWERY

Not bad. Not super fantastic hats in the air. Just a clean and refreshing, light hoppy finish pale ale. Brewed by Kelham Island Brewery in Sheffield. 5.2% volume.

Itchen Valley Russian Winter 5.3 abv.
I have been looking forward to  this one.Just look at that,almost no light passes through it.
5.3 for an imperial Russian stout is actually a little light and it is but still has a reasonable body.I have had thinner stouts.This has a good coffee taste finish and is lovely and dry.Itchen Valley brewery is famous nay some say infamous for lack of bubbles for those obssessed by such things this has very
few.