Arty pints no.13

Photo - Paul Evans

A pint of Caledonian Coffee porter at the Rummer tavern, Cardiff.

Saint Petersburg

This is a 7.7% Imperial Russian stout by Thornbridge.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer is extremely dark, with almost no light coming through when held to the light.  It has a lovely foaming dark blond head.  The aroma is subtle, with dark chocolate and sweet malts.

Photo - Paul Evans

This beer has a subtle smokiness, with a good dose of luxurious chocolate flavour.  It's a smooth beer, with a very slight bitterness, and a beautiful warming finish.  Top stuff again from Thornbridge.

5*

Great pub views no.7

Photo - Paul Evans

The bar in the Mochyn Du, Cardiff.

Ivanhoe

This is a 5.2% bottle conditioned 'English' pale ale by Ridgeway brewing of South Stoke, Oxfordshire.

Photo - Paul Evans

It is dark gold in colour with red hues.  It has a short lasting head, and is a very lively beer when poured in a glass.  The aroma is of malt and not much else.

Photo - Paul Evans

The taste is slightly bitter at first, which leads into an oily sweetness. The beer is, surprisingly, quite weak and watery given it's strength.  Not great.

2*

Arty pints no.12

Photo - Paul Evans

A pint of Wye Valley 'Butty Bach' outside the Black Cock Inn, Caerphilly mountain.

Toasted porter

This is a 6% toasted porter from the Einstok brewery in Iceland.

Photo - Paul Evans

It's very dark in appearance, almost black.  It has a good looking creamy white head. The aroma is of liquorice, strong coffee and roasted malts.



Photos - Paul Evans



The taste is full on, with espresso coffee and dark chocolate the headline flavours.  Mixed in are flavours of muscovado sugar, liquorice, and a mild nuttiness, which are all wrapped up in a creamy subtle smokiness.

4*

Chinook IPA

This is a 7.1% IPA by the Kernel Brewery, London.

Photo - Paul Evans

It is cloudy orange in appearance with a creamy head, it's very similar in looks to a German wheat beer.  The aroma is vividly hoppy, with sharp citrus notes in the nostrils.

Photo - Paul Evans

There is a bitter hop blast initially that leads into a creamy sensation.  There are flavours of marmalade, and mandarin, very moreish and refreshing.

4*