Happy 4th of July to those that care.

Last night I had some friends from Cork staying over. It was a lovely evening and we spent it in the garden. My friend enjoyed My chocoholic stout and my beggars belief pale ale. He also liked the taste of this beer when I let him try it. His wife and mine are both American so I am well aware that today was Independence day. No fireworks or party as we are a little rough from last night.

This is Cairngorm Wildcat which is a lovely Scottish Red ale with notes of caramel and fruit and lightly hopped. It was lovely. My first beer from Cairngorm.





Next up was Sheepshagger also from Cairgorm. Obviously I bought this purely because of the name. It reminded my a joke VelkyAl told me about a BBC reporter going around Wales asking about sheep shagging.

Anyway this was a clear amber ale with an aroma of malt, floral hops and honey. It tasted like a light ale, very lightly hopped and a little malty
Nothing offensive here but not very complex.
They say its The best beer baa none! but I think they are trying to pull the wool over our eyes. I am sorry but I could not resist.




I often wander around the beer section in Tesco on the off chance that there is something new and interesting or at least that there is a special offer on O'Haras or some other good beer. I am often disapointed in the something new department but last week I found two cases I had not seen at a Tesco in Ireland before. There was Fullers ESB which I left as I have had it before but this one I did try as it was new to me.
Lancaster Bomber from Thwaites is a very yummy ale I have to say. It pours dark amber with a good white head. It smells of malt, hint of smoke? Also wood? It also tasted to me of oak, a little metallic but not in a bad way and also had a grassy taste to it. This actually reminded me a little of bishops finger. If you have never tried it, go find some!




Next up are two Sierra Nevada beers I have never had.
First up was the Porter. This was a very good porter, I would not say it is the best I have ever had but it is certainly up there. It smells sweet but it tastes of roast barley, malt, caramel. I found it a little sweeter than I would have liked but it did not take away from the beer and I enjoyed it.








Today, as in I just finished it 20 minutes ago, I had a Torpedo. Probably the bitterest IPA I have ever had at 70 IBU. It is also pretty strong at 7.2%. This is not as smooth as the Anniversary ale but it is a hop bomb. The usual citrus, grapefruit characters are there but the hops overpower that. The hops linger, I can still taste them
Very nice ale but I doubt I could drink too many of them in one session.






This morning was the one week taste test of Razzamatazz.
On the nose I got a hint of Raspberry but not so much in the mouth. It was certainly a little more bitter than the base beer and had an obvious tartness. It might be better next week when it is fully conditioned though.
My wife tasted it and liked it so since I brewed it for her that is all that matters.