Brodie's, Dalston Black

Finally, finally, finally. Having already eulogised about Brodie's beers in this post I figure it will suffice to say here that this one hit the spot. One point of note though - the best before date was mid-February and I drank it just recently, so it wasn't too fresh I guess. Still had knockout aromas and bags of tropical hop character though. I'm lazy so if you don't know what to expect from this beer, read one of Matt Curtis' early blog posts here.

Wild Beer Co, Ninkasi

Very much an occasion beer. Slight cidery (not sweet and crap kind but the sort of breton-y, funky apple thing) and overripe satsuma nose. The champagne style fizziness flattened out quite quickly. The taste was a new one on me - the combo of a definite saisoniness and some refreshers from the Kiwi hops was something I understood. However, coupled with the champagne/prosecco and some definite apple (not cider) elements (which were thankfully not at all intrusive - was worried to be honest), it definitely felt altogther like a separate genre of beer. It was fun to drink and to pick out the flavours (far too easily I might add - there was absolutely zero trace of the 9% abv) I wouldn't want to drink this too often but I would definitely feel better knowing I had some in the cupboard at all times.