Ok, it's been a while since I've posted some beer "reviews" from the previous swaps, so here goes!
First up,
Insight's Ginger Beer - Loved it! I'm a big ginger beer fan, and boy did this one pack a ginger punch! It's the first time I've really had an alcoholic GB, but yeah, really nice. I reckon I could pass this one off to my mum and she doesn't drink beer at all (hates the stuff!).. Recipe please!
Gulpa's Porter - Very nice indeed. A bit more coffee flavoured than my one I thought. I'd almost say that it leant towards a light stouty kind of porter. Delicious though none-the-less. I thought it perhaps a little too carbonated though? but that's easy to fix
BenHobbs' IPA - Amber? check. Strong? check. Hoppy? check. Bitter? double-check. Ben, I don't imagine that the IPA is an incredibly easy beer to make, but you've done better than I could! It started out nicely, but towards the end of the pint I thought it turned a bit too bitter. Maybe it was just that the last bit had warmed up more than the start. Not really to my personal liking sorry mate, but don't let me sway you from re-making it!
Barls' Vanilla Bean Amber Ale Why can't I put my finger on that taste? I personally reckon there wasn't quite enough vanilla flavour in it... but maybe I was expecting more from the name, if you know what I mean. All-in-all a nice different beer, but I don't reckon I could do too many in one sitting. I guess you could call it a connoisseur beer, rather than a quaffer. Not a bad thing at all
Pete's Screaming Toucan Stout This wasn't part of the swap, but Pete kindly gave me a bottle to try. This one was friggen fantastic! For a simple (?) two can kit beer, I reckon this had more flavour, aroma and body than the Guinness Extra Stout from the shops. You're definitely onto a winner with this one mate. Even better that most non-brewers "don't like dark beers" - There's more left for you! I definitely owe you a beer for this one.
Gulpa's Scottish Ale - Drinking a pint of this as I type. Lovely malty flavour and aroma. great body and perfect carbonation. And the taste? Well, this is the first Scottish Ale I've ever had, but let me assure you that I will be brewing one of these in the not too distant future! Bloody fantastic little brew. Recipe please? I think I'll keep it for myself though - too good to waste on the great unwashed i.e. my mates. Only thing is, I reckon she's a lot heavier than 4.5%. I've only had your one bottle tonight, but I feel like I've had three tall-boys!
hmm, what else... I think that's it.
What have I got left to drink - Andrew's APA, Thommo's Cali Common, MVZ's Winter Ale, MVZ's Lager (how much longer???)... umm, and one other plastic bottle with a black cap... No idea what it is, so it will be a nice surprise ;-)
Take care all.
Regards,
Tim.
