Today we have Charlie Don’t Surf by the Alphabet Brewing Co. A session IPA at 4%. I’m assuming the cat on the can is Charlie but who knows.
A light hoppy smell on this one. Hoppy taste as well. Leaves a long lasting sourness in the after taste as well.
Finally another Jade! Jade V.S 1898 from France standing at 65%. This one has more of a bite to it. In aroma and taste. Like a jab of bitter herb before letting the other flavours take the stage. Wormwood is king for this one too, there’s a little anise, a spike of sweetness. I am also noticing a lot more of a numbing even prickly effect compared to others. Only a gentle warmth remains once the glass has reached the table. Will mention the classic peridot colour turns into a classic milky louche, a textbook absinthe. A very well done absinthe. Very balanced.
A non bland session beer? That sound’s good to me. Here we have Endless Summer by the Black Iris Brewery. A session IPA at 4.5%.
The first taste really reminded me of a lighter version of Punk IPA, but that has quickly changed. There is light floral hints to the smell. The taste is difficult for me to pick out, but its both sharp and sour without being a distraction. As I get further into this, there is a hint of fruity/citrus. This is one I would be interested in trying in a session to see if the flavour alters any more.
I was hopeful for this one as the clerk in the shop explained when they got the delivery he instantly bought six cans.
TROPICAL STOUT! Add in some nice artwork on the can and you got me. Tonight’s beer is Cloudwater’s Tropical Stout at an impressive 8%.
After all the beers I had earlier that had a citrus smell to them, I was expecting the same from this one. Nope, it smells malty. It tastes like a stout and still no hint of the tropical namesake. Though for a stout, it is quite a clean drink with a pleasant aftertaste (assuming you like stouts).
Here we have La Pontissalienne, France, from distillery Guy standing at 56%. This one is super interesting. It is very gentle and much easier to drink than some I have had. But has a real herby alcohol kick at the end. And quite refreshing. Louched at its own pace, could see the oils mix and cloud as the water dripped in. Aroma is predominatly liquorice, with only hints of wormwood, and a sweet anise, this is impressively layered. Taste is sweet, big anise and mellow liquorice. Though the aftertaste strong, wormwood, liquorice remains, a real warmth, a tingle, then leaves your palate quite clean and cool. Leaving you wanting more. Nice one mate.
Didnt I have a Fontaine not long back? This one is French, named Blanche standing at 55%. So far the clear ones have performed well. And this is no exception. The louche occurs with very little water. For its thick texture to is not clingy at all. I’m having trouble with the aroma, my nose is broken tonight or it is very mellow. This is actually a well balance absinthe. You can taste the wormwood, anise, something lightly flowery in equal measure. Leaving the same aftertaste for a short time. Nearly didn’t mention that it is quite smooth as well
Given the gold award on the neck of the bottle, I was expecting more from 13 Guns by Thwaites Brewery. It is a American IPA at 5.5%.
Much like yesterday’s entry, there isn’t much to this one. No smell to it. The “hit of hops” listed on the label is there at the start but it has faded over the tasting. By no means the worst beer I’ve had but it doesn’t stand out.
Colin
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