Monthly Archives: October 2020

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Beer Reviews, England, IPA - New England / Hazy Double, Magic Rock Brewing

Magic Rock What Are The Odds

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Brewery: Magic Rock Brewing
Country: England
ABV: 8.3%
Style: New England / Hazy Double IPA
Other Notes: DDH DIPA. Malts – Golden Promise, Malted Wheat & Dextrin Malt. Hops – T90 – Citra, Simcoe, Nelson Sauvin & Sabro / Cryo – Citra, Simcoe & Mosaic. Yeast – WLP066 London Fog

Brewer Description: (from website) Double dry-hopped for double the flavour with mango and citrus on the nose, followed by a big tropically fruity, full mouthfeel. Wheat in the mash aids haze and flavour, while fermentation with London Fog carries a big fruity aroma and a huge juicy finish.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.94
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.8

Intro: A 440ml can with a best before date of 2nd July 2021. Poured into a Lost Abbey teku glass.
Appearance: A hazy orange colour with an almost two finger white head that had good retention and left lots of lacing.
Aroma: Orange, citrus zest, peach, mango, with notes of pine resin.
Taste: Tropical fruit sweetness, mango, peach, honeydew melon, lightly bitter, orange zest, citrus rind, with a lasting bittersweet finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Good fruit aroma and flavours, but despite there being some bitter notes, the sweetness cuts through it easily, and it was perhaps a little too sweet for me in the end.

4 - Good (buy), American IPA, Beer Reviews, Cigar City Brewing, USA

Cigar City Jai Alai Spanish Cedar

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Brewery: Cigar City Brewing
Country: USA
ABV: 7.5%
Style: American IPA
Other Notes: 65 IBUs. Rested on Spanish Cedar

Brewer Description: (from can) The bold citrus qualities of Jai Alai IPA are complemented by sandalwood and cracked pepper notes imparted by Spanish cedar, the same wood used to build the world’s finest cigar humidors.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.31
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.2

Intro: A 12 fl. oz. can with a canned on date of 8th June 2020. Poured into a Lost Abbey teku glass.
Appearance: A mostly clear copper orange colour with an almost two finger white head that had good retention and left nice lacing.
Aroma: Piney, wood, perfumy wood, cedar?, herbal, floral, with citrusy and pepper notes.
Taste: Herbal bitterness, wood, light sweetness, biscuit malt, pine, citrus, lemon, peppery spice.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: I’m enjoying these wood aged Jai Alai IPAs even more than the base beer, and this Spanish Cedar variant is no different. Very interesting perfumy, herbal, and floral wood notes.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Casey Brewing & Blending, Farmhouse Saison, USA

Casey Fruit Stand Cherry (Montmorency)

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Brewery: Casey Brewing & Blending
Country: USA
ABV: 5.5%
Style: Farmhouse Saison (Fruited)

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Ale aged in oak barrel with cherries (Montmorency) added.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.16
My ratebeer.com rating: 4

Intro: A 750ml corked and caged bottle, bottled on 15th October 2015. Poured into a Holy Mountain tulip glass.
Appearance: A hazy grapefruit pinkish orange colour with a thin white head that dissipated fairly quickly to a ring around the glass, and left only sparse lacing.
Aroma: Sweet and tart cherry, lightly candied, oak, light funk, with a touch of citrusy lemon zest.
Taste: Sour, tart, cherry, lemon, oak, with light funk notes.
Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Enjoyable cherry and citrus balance that isn’t overwhelmingly fruity, but just enough to complement the base Saison.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Casey Brewing & Blending, Farmhouse Saison, USA

Casey The Low End (Wet Hop)

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Brewery: Casey Brewing & Blending
Country: USA
ABV: 4.5%
Style: Farmhouse Saison

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Ale aged in oak barrels.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.21
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.1

Intro: So, unfortunately this bottle got forgotten in my cellar for almost 5 years, but after tasting it, it’s aged well. A 750ml corked and caged bottle, bottled on 28th October 2015. Poured into a Holy Mountain tulip glass.
Appearance: A mostly clear golden colour with a one finger white head that had pretty good retention and left some lacing.
Aroma: Tart, lemon zest, melon, honey, oak, light funk and brett notes.
Taste: Tangy, tart, lemon, lemon zest, lime, white grapes, light funk, brett, and a touch of minerality.
Mouthfeel: Dry, light bodied with moderate to soft carbonation.
Overall: A forgotten bottle in my cellar that I did not get to try fresh, but this tastes great right now. I can’t comment on the wet hops, but it’s got good fruity citrus and white grape flavours that were nicely balanced with the funk and brett. Refreshing and enjoyable to drink.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Casey Brewing & Blending, Farmhouse Saison, USA

Casey Fruit Stand Grape (Viognier)

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Brewery: Casey Brewing & Blending
Country: USA
ABV: 6%
Style: Farmhouse Saison (Fruited)

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Ale aged in oak barrels with grapes (Viognier).

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.01
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.9

Intro: A 750ml corked and caged bottle, bottled on 20th January 2017. Poured into a Holy Mountain tulip glass.
Appearance: A mostly clear golden colour with a thin white head that dissipated quickly and left no lacing.
Aroma: White grape, vinous, oak, vanilla, funk, with peach and citrus notes.
Taste: Tart, lightly sour, white grape, vinous, oak, funk, and stonefruit.
Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Nice, refreshing and enjoyable with interesting fruity flavours, on top of the white grape Viognier, coming through nicely.