Arty pints no.19

Photo - Paul Evans

A pint of Skinner's Betty Stoggs at the Globe in Looe, Cornwall.

NZPA

This is a 6% New Zealand style Pale Ale from the Hawkshead Brewery of Staveley, Cumbria.

It is brewed with all New Zealand hops, including: Green bullet, Motueka, Riwaka and Nelson Sauvin.

Photo - Paul Evans

Its appearance is golden, very similar to a lager with a short lasting white head.

The aroma is of fresh hops and tropical fruits. There is an instant bitter hop hit that shakes the tongue on first tasting.  This mellows into tropical fruit flavours and bitter lemon.  There is a banana sweetness and creaminess in there also.  The finish is long lasting and satisfyingly bitter.

4*

Great pub views no.10

Photo - Paul Evans

The lounge of the Boar's Head in Tyla Garw, nr Pontyclun.

Gruut

This is a strong 8% Belgian Brown beer by the Gruut brewery, based in the centre of Ghent.  Gruut beers are claimed to be more healthy than normal beers as they are made with a mixture of spices, rather than hops.

Dark chestnut brown in appearance, with a short lasting head. The aroma is of caramel, toffee and chocolate.  It is a warming beer on first sip, sweet with a crisp bitter finish.



According to the label, a Gruut is an ancient Flemish coin
that was used to pay taxes on the richness of the beer.
Photo - Paul Evans



This is a decent Belgian beer - but I have tasted better - and the rather worrying slush brown appearance seriously lets it down.

2*

High Wire

This is a 5.5% West Coast Pale Ale, by Magic Rock Brewing.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer's appearance is very pale, and lager like.  There was not much of a head evident.  The aroma is fruity and hoppy, with hints of elderflower.



The beer tasted of tropical fruits, with lychee and pink grapefruit the headline flavours. The beer is quite smooth and creamy in the mouth at first, which dissipates into a not overly bitter, grapefruit finish.

4*

Arty pints no.18

Photo - Paul Evans

Brains V&B and Organ Morgan at the Goat Major.

Torpedo Extra

This is a 7.2% IPA by Sierra Nevada.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer is vivid golden orange in colour with a good frothy white head.  It is one of the most attractive looking beers I've come across.  The aroma is of citrus fruits and oranges, with hints of pine and a mild spiciness.

Photo - Paul Evans

On tasting there is a big hit of bitterness and big flavours of hops and Seville oranges. There are herby notes, particularly basil, and there's also a mild trace of parma violets that adds a little sweetness to the finish.

4*