Coronado Brewing Co. – Idiot IPA

Brewery –           Coronado

Beer –                  Idiot IPA

Alcohol –             8.5%

Origin –              Coronado, California

Style –                American IPA

Season –           Spring

Apt name me thinks. Not for those who purchase this beverage but in reverence to the person who decided to hop the hell out of this ale. Whomever you are I salute you!

Okay let’s get the formalities out the way so we can get onto the elephant in the room.

One sexy looking beer. Golden Amber Orange, lively and vibrant with a white cloudy frothy overflowing head.

Citrusy and oddly spicy and tingly on the nose which I think is to do with the hops jumping out to grab your nose hairs.

Now let’s get down to business…

I have never tasted such a hoppy mother in all my life! It hits you like a headbutt, and I’ve got a 6 month old son so I know what a headbutt feels like!

Insanely bitter grapefruit tongue swelling flavours bombard the mouth with just a slither of sweetness keeping you from throwing in the towel.

It’s a mouth cleanser alright,; garlic gone, coffee cleared, onions ousted… a between courses palate neutraliser.

Its bitterness is so intense that it almost has a charcoal like finish; abrasive and crisp.

As you can imagine, Bitter would be the word to describe the finish, however there is a satisfying warming syrupy alcohol feeling that develops down the throat which helps contrast the crazy hoppy bitter madness!

Currently Hoppy the frogs most hoppy of ales!

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Marble – Dobber

Brewery –          Manchester Marble

Beer –                  Dobber

Alcohol –           5.9%

Origin –              Manchester, England

Style –                I.P.A

Season –           Summer

I know what you’re thinking… 5.9%,  IPA,   Central Northern English Brewery…. Yes my friends it’s another Jaipur challenger!

Looks the part with its orange amber colouring and hazy glow, topped off by its lively white frothy head.

Scents of Lily’s and other floral notes give it a light and airy nose. Hoppy undertones and sweet passionfruit help give it the extra depth.

A decent amount of carbonation give this ale a fresh, zesty, and lively mouthfeel balanced by its bitter hoppy backbone. Intense grapefruit, is a welcoming contrast to the sweet tropical fruit notes.

The finish is extremely bitter, to the extent that it provides almost a minty numbness leaving you begging for the next swig.

Solid, Satisfying, Thirst Quenching, Exciting, and packed full of flavour.

Jaipur or Dobber… it’s too close to call! Let me know which is your favourite?! 

 

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Harviestoun – Schiehallion

Brewery –          Harviestoun

Beer –               Schiehallion

Alcohol –           4.8%

Origin –             Hillfoots Village, Scotland

Style –              Cask Lager

Season –          Summer

I’m a big fan of cask lagers, and this is one of the first and best available.

Bright golden, and inviting, with a creamy white head.

Light, floral, fresh, with the smell of cut grass.

A smooth mouthfeel, wonderfully refreshing, with hints of grapefruit, and tropical fruits, zesty, leading to a bitter sweet finish.

Perfect for drinking on a cool summers night. A great compliment to a BBQ.

 

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Butcombe – Brunel 200

 

Brewery –          Butcombe

Beer –                  Brunel 200

Alcohol –           5%

Origin –              Bristol, Avon

Style –               IPA

Season –          Spring

What a looker! Dark Amber with a lively white head, it certainly looks the part.

Sweet Orangy with tropical fruit notes on the nose with a  hoppy bite to boot.

It’s quite a robust IPA at 5% with strong hoppy notes but an odd bitter grapefruit undertone, and a long bitter-sweet dry finish.

 I know it’s called Brunel but this beer taste like it has history behind it; a good depth of character, a strong hoppy backbone.  Well put together

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