Ruthx
31 May, 2009
June tasting.....
Ruthx
21 May, 2009
More Girls Please.......
I was always a little reluctant to try Ales and Bitters probably because of the association I drew between them and Coronation street....
I am officially an ale drinker, attractive, possibly not in a woman- obviously that's only something I can say.
Theres huge similarities between tasting a good ale and a wine and I was surprised by the complexity and layered flavours that developed in the glass- as completely anorak as that sounds!!
The usual suspects arrived at 6.30 along with some new members. We kicked off with the new Youngs London ale and Youngs bitter, I'd had them chilling for the afternoon and they were a little too cold. Initially they were very similar in style, citrusy zesty palates, clean and surprisingly easy drinking. I was a little disappointed by there likeness but as the tasting wore on and the bottles resembled something close to room temperature there was definitely differences evident on both the palate and the nose. London Ale was a riper more full bodied style lacking the sharp finish of the bitter. Youngs Bitter displayed more citrus notes with a zingy hopped finish.
We moved on to Fullers 1845 at 6.3%. Bottle conditioned and aged for 100 days. This was full of dried fruit, caramel and a slight spiciness with a really smooth long finish. The touch of sweetness in the middle makes it really wintery and an ideal Sunday roast ale.
My favourite of the night was the 4th beer - Well's Banana bread beer 5.2%. On the nose it smells like toasted bread with hints of fresh banana, on the palate it's like cake mix, cloves,
banana and some spice with a dry finish .
Fullers Golden Pride was next. 8.5% and apart from the sweetness this was the only way I could detect the alcohol content. Creamy, surprisingly fresh fruit, ripe apples and pears, big and really smooth.
The last of the night was Youngs double chocolate stout. This is made with real dark chocolate and is one of those beers you'd find difficult to forget. A really complex and interesting palate of coffee, chocolate, malt a little bit of clove with a really dry finish. Creamy and almost like a meal in a bottle. Theres quite alot of tannin evident in this so a great accompaniment to red meat or a chocolate dessert. I was in South-Africa at a friends wedding a couple of years ago and I had a chili chocolate steak in a restaurant. It was a bit like liquid marmite I couldn't decide whether I liked it or thought it was horrendous this was along the same lines of indecisiveness. Definitely one to try though. Especially the serious stout drinkers.
As always it was great having you all here. The stock for our June tasting is en-route so I'll post up dates next week. Again can I stress the need for more female attendance. It's becoming like a gentleman's club without the inappropriate dancers.
Thanks, see you next month.
Ruthxx
20 May, 2009
Matt, Marty and the Grappa......
15 May, 2009
G.F.A - Gluten and Wheat Free
Things are looking up even though you still can't have a crisp sandwich!!!
Available in Deveney's of Dundrum.
Ruthxx
The May Line-up...........
For some of you this is great news as I'll be hosting 2 English Ale nights over the summer.
Thursday 21st May, the menu consists of :
Youngs, Wells and Fullers.
Four of the six are new to Deveney's.
Hoping that you can all make it.......
See you Thursday between 6.30 and 8pm.
Usual Venue: Deveney's Dundrum.
(The Anti- Recessional get-together)
O&O Ruthxx
13 May, 2009
Flensburger Gold and 'Twilight'.......
12 May, 2009
Joe's Burger and Vedett.
The first time I came across Vedett extra blond was on a date in a famous hamburger joint in Rathmines. Myself and Michael didn't really hit it off but there was a scene from 'Serendipity' experienced between the bacon and brie hamburger and the Vedett extra blond - what a couple!!
I've relived that love I found between a good cold beer and a meat patty many a time since and never been disappointed.
Vedett extra blond is an ideal premium comfort food accompaniment. Fresh clean beer with citrus and biscuit notes, the palate is crisp and zesty with a long finish. Drink really cold with a steak sandwich or homemade burger and a good boxset- better than any date!!!
O&O -1999, B.C campus, Vancouver, Cheese burger challenge winner, Ruth Deveneyxx
In Bruges minus Colin.....
06 May, 2009
This weeks Special.....
On Special this week in Deveney's is one of the best German Pilsner available.
Its Brewed in Sauerland near Dortmund to the German Purity Law of 1516, using natural spring water from it's own mountain.
The style:A dry and clean palate with a slight bitterness and a light citrus finish. 4.8%
4 x 500ml Bottles €10, €3.29 each.... Great for necking..... Drink responsibly though!!!Rxx
05 May, 2009
May Beer meeting......
02 May, 2009
Review of Scottish Tasting.....
At our Beer Club meeting a couple of weeks ago this little Scottish Ale was the gold winner, it's not just us that think it though it was CAMRA Champion '04, '05 & '06, SIBA UK Champion '06 & '08 and CAMRA Champion Beer of Scotland '04. Cairngorm Brewery Established in 2001 are situated in Aviemore in the Highlands of Scotland, for a relatively new brewery they have a decent portfolio with awards to match. This is lively citrusy and really fruity, the nose is biscuit and elderflower and the palate smooth really fresh and easy drinking. €3.69
We also tasted Broughtons Organic Angel, a Scottish lager, very light and soft, good 'garden drinkin beer' but quite pricey for just that, €3.99.
Bitter and Twisted by Harviestouns, an old favourite and remains to be. Citrusy, spicey and fresh, quite alot going on in this but still light enough to drink all night without feeling like you won the cheeseburger challenge. €3.89.
Broughtons Old Jock and Harviestouns Old Engine Oil were a different story altogether. Old Jock was big, loaded with dried fruit, caramel and slightly smokey, a little sweet, almost like a fortified wine.
The Old Engine Oil - porter in style, coffee, chocolate, malty and very heavy. Ideal for a stout drinker and I was pleasantly surprised, I liked it!!!
Overall the tasting was a success despite the Macbeth-esq wind and rain. A great turn-out and lovely beers!!!
Looking forward to the May tasting - English Ales.
See you all soon.
O&O Ruthx