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.

Hardknott, Azimuth

Middling abv but full body for this IPA from Hardknott. Tropical nose not dissimilar to the Punk IPA. Orange flavour prominent, this drink recommended to me by the ever friendly chaps at Good Taste in Crystal Palace. As this drink warmed up, I started to really taste the caramel. The expiry date on this was 2015! This isn't a bad thing, but I think I prefer my pale ales bottle conditioned.

Red Willow Brewery, Ageless

My tasting notes say that this Ageless from Red Willow is similar to a West Coast IPA. I certainly remember that whilst it's similar in abv to the Remorseless, it's a very different style of IPA altogether. Part of the Red Willow core range, this IPA poured orange, there was a lovely creamy texture to this beer (perhaps due to a slightly languorous carbonation?) and good lacing down the inside of the glass. A very bitter drink, the tropics were there mildly - the accompanying oily and resiny hop character in ascendancy. No notes for what my food was that evening. There is absolutely no doubt I'll get this again - a damn good IPA from one of the UK's premier breweries.

Red Willow Brewery, Headless Pale Ale

Mild citrus nose for this 3.8% Headless from Red Willow. Gentle citrus flavour plays second fiddle to a great sense of freshness. High carbonation and then a minor grapefruit bitterness rounds it off. A very gentle modern twist on a traditional UK pale ale. Should really go without saying that this is a fantastic session beer - this really ought to be in every river pub up and down the country this summer.

Hog's Back Brewery, Hop Garden Gold

Decent enough drop from Hog's Back. Local to where I grew up, I've been drinking their TEA for years. Simon at CAMRGB did a write up of this beer. Go and read it (and the rest of his stuff too).

Buxton Brewery, SPA

Classic 'special pale ale' from Buxton. Another ale singly hopped with Citra. (I'm making a habit of this citra thing - purely by accident in most cases!) The usual citra affair - hoppy and fruity, lychees nose (learnt from Oakham blurb) with a gentle carbonation. Instant rounded grapefruity bitterness on the inside of the cheeks but it didn't hang about for too long. I drank this at room temperature for a change.

Fyne Ales, Hurricane Jack

Without being able to put my finger on it as such, I definitely got the instant impression of quality from this Hurricane Jack by Fyne Ales. Apparently lacing down the side of the glass is a key indicator of good quality beer? This beer had loads of that. Citrus nose, citrus taste, and very very pale. Not dissimilar to the Ilkley but very much a superior drink for me. Very decent body for a relatively low abv and a sharp bitterness across the gums. I possibly drank this a bit too cold (out of the fridge) but that's the way I drink 'em. My first Fyne Ale. Palette = chicken + sweet bagel.