Brewdog Zeitgeist

 

Brewery: Brewdog

Beer: Zeitgeist

Style: Schwarzbier

ABV: 4.9%

Date: 17^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Half-Pint)

 

Not a huge fan of schwarzbiers but I thought Brewdog might work their magic. Zeitgeist is ultimately a little disappointing though. Looks good in the glass and there is a fairly intriguing peppery aroma that I picked up on as well, but in the event it is actually a little too fizzy and bitter to appreciate some of the nice malty flavours. Not one I’d have again personally but as I said, schwarzbiers aren’t massively to my taste.

 

Rating: 2.5 (Potential Pint)

 

Mordue Panda Frog Pandazilla

 

Brewery: Mordue / Panda Frog

Beer: Pandazilla

Style: IPA

ABV: 7.0%

Date: 14^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Half-Pint)

 

A black IPA, a gorgeous one in appearance actually, lovely oily colour. Thin head. You can smell the alcohol on this one and there are also some slight dark berry hints coming through to me. Pretty heavy and a bit of a slow drinker but by no means unpleasant. Maybe could actually benefit from a bit less alcohol to let the citrus and chocolate flavours come out a bit more. They are definitely there but you can’t always get a grip on them, which is a shame.

 

Rating: 3 (Worth a shot)

 

 

 

Emelisse Rauchbier

 

Brewery: Emelisse

Beer: Rauchbier

Style: Smoked Beer

ABV: 6.5%

Date: 17^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Bottle)

 

Dutch take on the rauchbier style perfected by Aecht Schlenkerla. Tastes very similar to those beers, but the smoky bacon like sweetness is slightly more subtle. Dark brown and cloudy out of the bottle with a thinnish head. Some nice spice elements in the taste mean that it is very pleasant to drink and you could undoubtedly knock a fair few back. Would like to have it again.

 

Rating: 4 (Recommended)

 

Haandbryggeriet Kreklingøl

 

Brewery: Haandbryggeriet

Beer: Kreklingøl

Style: Fruit Beer

ABV: 7.0%

Date: 17^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Half-Pint)

 

Intrigued by the minimalistic label I gave this Norwegian crownberry based creation a try. Dark cloudy appearance, think along the same lines as Orval with a small white head. Very sweet berry aromas coming off with very strong fruity flavours in the mouth. In a sense it is perhaps a little too tart but I don’t like my fruit beers to be too sweet so the overall effect was quite pleasing for me. Probably won’t ever see it again but was worth having.

 

Rating: 3.5 (Give it a try)

Leikeim Original Steinbier

 

Brewery: Leikeim

Beer: Original Steinbier

Style: Smoked Beer

ABV: 5.8%

Date: 17^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Bottle)

 

Billed as a German smoked beer along the lines of the Aecht Schlenkerla masterpieces, but it is a whole deal more subtle than those beers. Comes in a swingtop bottle and is similar to Tap 7 Schneider in appearance with a cloudy orange feel and a fading head. There’s a really nice subtle sweetness on the nose and in the mouth, almost like the smoked fish equivalent to the bacon of the aforementioned Schlenkerla rauchbiers. The finish has a bit of bitterness but not quite enough in my opinion. Not amazing but worth a try if you see it anywhere.

 

Rating: 3.5 (Give it a try)

 

Durham Magus

 

Brewery: Durham

Beer: Magus

Style: Golden Ale

ABV: 3.8%

Date: 17^th February 2013

Venue: The Grove Inn, Huddersfield (Pint)

 

A real refresher of a pint this one. Lovely hints of grapefruit on the nose are carried over into the taste which has a nice little touch of zing. Very pale golden ale which is really pleasant to drink. Would make a good sessioner actually, partly because of the low ABV but also partially because it has a full enough taste to be genuinely worth drinking. I would have it again.

 

Rating: 4 (Recommended)