25 January, 2014

Hoppy Christmas, Brewdog.

For all those that received The Beer Box this December 2013, you more than likely unwrapped one of these...

This replaced the highly criticised label ''There is no Santa'' by Brewdog, in our line-up, which appeared in our 2012
Original Beer Box. 
I was under strict instructions from some of our corporate clients, to NOT feature it again, as a result of
''An inappropriate bottle statement'' and recipients having to wrap ''said'' bottle in Christmas paper, in order to consume in the presence of children.
In essence, Brewdog/ Beerbox.ie potentially ruined Christmas for 100's of literate Santa believers, however, it wasn't the only barred beer from the 2013 box, Santa's Butt, Reindeer Droppings and Pearl Necklace were to name but a few...

So, we settled on Hoppy Christmas, the festive Pale Ale and I'm happy with the substitute!
At 7,2% though, a few of these down your neck and you could end up ruining Christmas yourself...

A golden Pale Ale with flecks of red.
The nose, an array of tropical fruits, mango, grapefruit, pineapple - a Caribbean Fruit cocktail and pretty mouthwatering at that.
The Palate displays strong grapefruit flavours with a slice of  papaya and a crunchy granny smith on the finish.
For a hoppy Pale from Brewdog, renowned for their hop enthusiasm, there's little-to-no hop astringency on the finish, a true Pale Ale.

If you haven't gotten stuck in already, do it, with that much fruit, it has to comply with your January juicing diet.

Ruth.

16 January, 2014

The Devil's Half Acre, 2014.

I think, without being the promoter of negativity, I'd be pretty confident in saying that January, of all 12 months of the year, happens to be a really bad month...

Apart from having to contend with ambitious New Years Resolutions (for those that make them), you are also required to curb socialising as a result of abstemious friends and this year, more so than any previous, there seems to be an increase in this.

I've grown tired of  a few words in the last 15 days, the top 3 being - 'Detox', 'Kettle Bells' and 'Juicing', I'd be fonder of you all if you said things like... ''What's our plan for the weekend?'' or ''Fancy a glass of wine on Tuesday?''.

I have been beating the anti-Abstinence drum for a number of years but to no avail, so, instead of joining you, I'm having a relatively solo celebration (bar one or 2 hardcore friends) and in honour of this, I'm pulling out the big guns tonight and reviewing a 13.5% black IPA, not just any though...
The Devils HalfAcre by Porterhouse Brewery 


Porterhouse, who never disappoint, have played an absolute blinder with this Limited Edition.
A black IPA aged in Kilbeggan cask, bottle conditioned and unpasteurised.
This pours like a porter with a frothy stout head.
The nose is packed with coffee, black liquorice and some cocoa and that same characteristic synonymous with Black IPA's... Germolene, it's definitely there, despite what you say!

The palate is treacly with espresso and black liquorice and the minute it hits your stomach, you feel that 13.5% abv but not unpleasantly, it's like someones kick-started the furnace.

As with all Porterhouse beers, they're amazing value and quality and consistency is their family attributes.

Buy it or regret it later, a must for 2014.

Hope you all have a 13.5% January.

Ruth