Tiny rebel brewing co

Last week, at the Commercial Inn in Risca, saw the launch of Wales' newest micro brewery.

I stumbled across Tiny Rebel Brewing on Twitter a few weeks ago, and I was instantly intrigued. The product branding was modern and fresh, and their philosophy of creating exciting and original beers really chimed with the type of beers I want to drink. It is also very encouraging to see this type of micro brewery spring up just down the road in Newport.



Branding
Photo - Paul Evans



It was a full house at the Commercial Inn, young and old, and even a few easily recognisable CAMRA members - the silver tankards are such a giveaway. A photographer was also on hand, who had installed and linked his camera with an i-pad, so you could instantly upload the launch photos to your desired social networking site, very modern.

The Commercial Room tasters!
Photo - Social Images



As a big India Pale Ale fan the Urban IPA was up first for me. It's a 5.5% amber coloured beer with a nice creamy white head. The initial aroma was hoppy and sweet, as was the first taste with recognisable malt and caramel notes. After the sweetness comes a massive hit of bitterness, it's the most dry finish to an IPA I've ever tried. It's a very modern beer (there's a theme emerging here) and if you like American style pale ale's and IPA's you'll love this.

Urban IPA
Photo - Paul Evans

Next I tried FUBAR which is a golden 4.4% beer.  It's very floral and hoppy, sweet at first with not quite as bitter a finish as Urban IPA. There is a definite spiciness in the finish which is a nice touch. Another good beer.



Fubar
Photo - Paul Evans



After trying the first few beers on tap at the bar, the prototype bottled beers were brought out to sample, along with some finger food which was delicious.  Mini burgers and pies, belly pork, and baskets of chips. The evening was well organised, with a good, jovial atmosphere.

We tried four prototype beers:

Smoked Oat Stout - a 4.8% stout made with fresh pine head oats.  This is an excellent stout, very complex and not overpoweringly smoky like a German Rauchbier.

Orange Weiss - this is a crisp wheat beer that's been infused with coriander.  It has huge flavour, and is a wheat beer made as it should be. Very tasty, aromatic, and refreshing. 5.6%

Full Nelson - a cracking single hop Nelson Sauvin Pale Ale. It's 5.2% and full of citrus fruit flavours with a great aroma to boot.

Chocoholic - this is a 6.8% speciality beer infused with cocoa.  It's got a rich, sumptuous dark  chocolate taste which is very moreish. A very good beer.

Pints & Samples
Photo - Ross Evans

So, all in all a very successful launch of what promises to be a very successful micro brewery. I was impressed with the beers, particularly Chocoholic and Full Nelson. Comparisons with Scotland's Brewdog are inevitable, but that's no bad thing. South East Wales has just found its very own unique, progressive and exciting brewers.