Wild Beer Co, Epic Saison

Not quite so epic, but categorically not rubbish either. Another of these 'modern style' hopped saisons, this time with Sorachi Ace. Sorachi not my fave - I preferred the similarly styled Weird Beard effort. That said, in lieu of a more striking alternative, I will certainly drink this again. As far as Wild Beer saisons go, I might rather have the Ninkasi or perhaps even the Schnoodlepip, but Epic Saison is certainly an above par component of a brewery's core range and well worth £2.30 of anyone's money (price from the website shop).

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.

Wild Beer Co, Wildebeest

I'd been after this impy stout from Wild for a while now. The generous chaps at Market Row had some in so a snaffled it as soon as I saw it. Smoke and coffee on the nose, gentle meat and wet mushroom in the taste. Minimal sweet notes (vanilla and liquorice). A nice after-bitterness, which I like in my impys. Appreciated! Highly carbonated which could have unfortunately been the main reason why I was left with the feeling of something not quite gelling here with this stout. I watched Yuzna's Society whilst drinking this. Billy Warlock's in it! Sequel due soon I hope.

Wild Beer Co, Bliss

Argh - I really wanted to get into this one from Wild, but try as I might, I just couldn't help but think that there simply wasn't anything massively special about it. Having said that, I remember thinking something similar about their IPA, and have subsequently come to realise that it's actually quite brilliant. So it may well be that I'll appreciate this saison better the second time around. Perhaps I drank it a bit too cold, or maybe I should've left it on the shelf longer?

Wild Beer Company, Fresh

I drank this Fresh from the Wild Beer Co almost a month ago, and have since had a half of this on draft at Craft Beer Co Brixton which I think has coloured my perception of this beer slightly. (I suppose it should be mentioned that I had the half at the end of a relatively substantial 'pub crawl' so my enjoyment my not have quite been the same had I had it at the beginning of the evening....)

I quite liked the Madness IPA, but unfortunately, I don't think this beer is my cup of tea (beer). All the elements are there, but something didn't quite gel for me. Can't for the life of me tell you the reason though - was it in fact the freshness element that was throwing me off? Usually that's a good thing right? Piney and grassy, an almost imperceptible fruitiness was overcome by the massive pine flavour. Crisp and clearly fresh on the palette, big stinging on my gums. According to the code on the bottle, this drink was prepared with Pacific Jade whole cone hops in the kettle, and then a Centennial dry hop. I had chicken + chips with Encona hot sauce for my tea before drinking this. Maybe the encona affected this? Will definitely try another one when the next batch materializes.

Wild Beer Co, Madness IPA

Not sure if I accidentally poured any of the yeast into this Madness IPA by the Wild Beer Company - it poured very cloudy indeed. Citrusy and hoppy, a very West Coast style IPA. Immediately on sipping this there was a super fresh taste of something. It faded quite quickly, but it's a dimension to my drinks that I'm really starting to appreciate. Long bitter finish. I got this drink form the sterling Good Taste.