Arty pints no.22



Photo - Paul Evans

 A session at the City Arms, Cardiff.

Barry Island IPA

This is a 6% IPA made by the Brains Craft Brewery, in collaboration with Simon Martin - otherwise known as @realaletoday on Twitter.

Photo - Paul Evans

The appearance is pale, obviously, with a lot of carbonation that leaves a lively frothy head, which calmed to a light bubbly coating.

The aroma is of citrus fruits and hops, some ripe banana and all bound together with an assured maltiness.

Photo - Paul Evans

Barry Island IPA is bitingly bitter on first taste, with a big blast of grapefruit that lingers in the mouth.  It has a good hoppy robustness, with a slight malt undertone that leaves a long, enduring bitterness.

Good stuff.

Great pub views no.12

Photo - Paul Evans

A stained glass window in the White Hart, Llanddarog.

Manchester Star Ale

This is a 7.3% porter by the J.W. Lees Brewery of Manchester. The recipe dates back to 1884 and the beer was re-launched in 2001 by then head brewer Giles Dennis, following his visit to the Brooklyn Brewery in New York.

It is brewed with Grist Goldings, Styrian and Hallertau hops, as well as chocolate malt.

Apologies for the lack of an original photo - I forgot to take one!

The beer is dark brown in appearance with a light tan head. The aroma has hints of roasted malts, liquorice and treacle. The taste is slightly spicy, balanced with a caramel sweetness, all bound together with a robust roasted malt flavour.

I wasn't that impressed by this beer.

2*

Gala Dry

This dry cider is made by the only cider producers in Carmarthernshire - the Coles Family, based in the White Hart thatched pub in Llanddarog.

Gala Dry is cold matured for over 6 months, to produce a light and sparkling cider.

Photo - Paul Evans

As usual, with the Coles Family, the bottle is nicely presented with a cork and cradle which adds a little Asturias touch to the drinking occasion. The cider when poured is very light, with a champagne style sparkle.

Photo - Paul Evans

When the cork pops there is an aroma blast of sweet, juicy red apples.  It's very lively in the nostrils and urges you to take a sip.

This is a dry cider with an oaky finish.  None of the sweetness of the aroma is present when tasted, although it is crisp and clean, and really cleanses your palette.

3*

Arty pints no.21

Photo - Paul Evans

A pint of Fuller's London Pride.

Hung Drawn and Slaughtered

This is a 10% Barley Wine produced in Cornwall by the Castle Brewery.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer is mahogany in appearance with a very short lasting head. It's not particularly attractive to look at but the aroma of sweet barley and black cherry is deliciously enticing.

Photo - Paul Evans

The taste is of juicy dark fruits, with hints of summer cherries and strawberries.  It's a warming beer with not much bitterness.  There is also an aftertaste of banoffee pie to add further complexities to the flavour.

I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. It's the perfect companion on these long winter nights.

4*