The Kernel India Pale Ale Galaxy (England)

http://www.thekernelbrewery.com/
The Kernel India Pale Ale Galaxy
The Kernel Brewery London
7.4% ABV

The tasting of this beer was actually by accident.  Whilst at the bar at a boutique beer cafe in York I asked the barman for a recommendation.  He then directed me to a few different beers that I had previously tried.  It was infact the guy stood to the side of me that told me to try this as it had won numerous awards and was currently number one in a few of the different beer charts.  He had specifically come in to have a few of these.  When the penny dropped and I realised what it was, I was relieved that the guy had given me the recommendation, so thanks to that guy!  I did feel bad however as I received the last beer in the keg.  So apologies to that guy too.

Review

This beer is designed for hop heads....  It must be as immediately you get punched in the face with the immense pineapple and exotic fruit aromas.  The beer is a clear golden liquid with a thin white head.  The beer is quite light in body for a beer of this strength but with the expected bitter finish of a beer this hoppy.

Beautiful intense aromas and very bitter.

Scores : -

Aroma 8/10
Appearance 3/5
Taste 6/10
Palate 3/5
Overall 16/20

Total 72%

Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout (England)

www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk
Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout
Samuel Smiths Brewery
5% ABV

A very special beer this one.  Another beer that was on my must try beers.  The opening of a Samuel Smiths bottle always seems like an occasion and this is no different.

Review

The aroma of Tadcaster itself is present once the beer is poured.  Sweet oaty notes immediately hit the nose with a smokey quality.  The beer has a dark ruby hue with a tan head.  The beer looks rich.  When tasting; the oatmeal gives a sweetness to the beer with the richness of the malt combining to add chocolate qualities.  The beer is actually quite light in body but with a full flavour palate, the beer has a dry finish.  Natural carbonation adds to the texture along with the exceptionally smooth texture.

This is a brilliant beer absolutely perfect for a Tuesday night beer.

Scores: -

Aroma 7/10
Appearance 4/5
Taste 7/10
Palate 5/5
Overall 17/20

Total 80%

Samuel Smiths Imperial Stout (England)

www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk
Samuel Smiths Imperial Stout
Samuel Smiths Brewery
7% ABV

The beer is called Imperial Stout as it was originally brewed to withstand the abuses of shipping in foul weather to Imperial Russia.  It was a favourite with Russian nobility whose taste for fine food and drink was world famous.

This has won many awards over the many years it has been brewed.

Review

Initially on the first pour the dark black chocolate like liquid which is so dark it is hard to see if it is clear or opaque.  The beer has a brown head.  On the nose you get coffee and roasted barley notes.  On tasting you get the roasted coffee hit with a nice warmth of alcohol on the back of the palate.  The beer itself has a creamy, smooth texture with a medium body.  The beer is good, not the greatest but certainly good.

Scores: -

Aroma 5.5/10
Appearance 4/5
Taste 5/10
Palate 4/5
Overall 15/20

Total 67%

Samuel Smiths Nut Brown Ale (England)

www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk
Samuel Smiths Nut Brown Ale
Samuel Smiths Brewery
5% ABV

Samuel Smith's flagship ale.  A very popular bottled ale that is exported to the American market from Yorkshire's oldest brewery.

Review

On first pour a dark golden brown ale is presented with a just off white head.  Not a great deal going on  on the nose - some subtle malt tones perhaps some walnut characters.  On the tongue you get some nice caramel characters along with the malt although not too much bitterness.  A perfectly balanced beer, this is a perfect beer for a session.

Scores: -

Aroma 5/10
Appearance 3.5/5
Taste 5/10
Palate 5/5
Overall 15/20

Total 67%

Samuel Smiths Taddy Porter (England)

www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk
Samuel Smiths Taddy Porter
Samuel Smiths Brewery
5% ABV

The above webpage is just about as much information as you can find on the above beer.  But what the brewery lacks in marketing it certainly makes up for in amazing beers.  With an immense range of first class beers that are huge in the American market the only question that is to be asked is "Why won't they ship to Australia?"

The limited information on the beer states that the original well that was sunk in 1758 is still in use with the hard well water being drawn from 85 foot underground, malted barley, roasted malt, yeast and hops.  Fermented in stone Yorkshire Squares.

Review

The beer pours dark almost black liquid with a beige head, looking like black coffee.  A roasted caramel malt fragrance is on the nose with some dark fruit.   The taste is again of roasted malt with chocolate, coffee some caramel or fudge with a nice rich finish.  The beer is very smooth with a medium body.  Very well balanced and light carbonation.

Great beer - very session-able with some exceptional roasted qualities.

Scores: -

Aroma 6/10
Appearance 4/5
Taste 6/10
Palate 4/5
Overall 16/20

Total 72%

Otley Oxymoron (Wales)

www.otleybrewing.co.uk
Otley Oxymoron
Otley Brewing Company
5.5% ABV

This beer was one I have been looking forward to trying on a recent trip to the UK.  The Otley Brewery is certainly one of the most exciting breweries in the UK releasing quality beer after beer.

This aptly titled "Oxymoron" is a dark pale Ale.  Brewed in Pontypridd in Wales this continues along the lines of both innovation and pure class.  A limited release beer.  This contains more than 5 types of hops along with German Carafa malt.

I did enquire about this beer and currently they are not bottling this beer but do have future plans to bottle and export so look out for it.

Review

This cask conditioned beer was served at the Slip Inn in York, UK.  The beer was dark almost black in colour, a thick creamy looking beer with an off white head it certainly looked rather heavy.  Dark chocolate malts sat alongside piney hops and citrus notes on the nose.  Great depths of flavour with citrus possibly grapefruit on the palate, also maybe some black treacle or even liquorice.  Some smokey coffee malt flavours are also present.  Quite a surprisingly light beer despite the dark appearance but with perfect balance.  A good bitterness on the finish.

An amazing beer.

Scores: -

Aroma 6/10
Appearance 5/5
Taste 8/10
Palate 4/5
Overall 18.5/20

Total 83%

York Brewery - Yorkshire Terrier (England)

www.york-brewery.co.uk
Yorkshire Terrier
York Brewery
4.2% ABV

York Brewery's award winning bitter.  This beer is one of the breweries more commonly known beer.  

Review

A golden clear amber beer with a small white head is poured.  There is a moderate malt nose, toasted toffee, some fudge and a light grassy hop note.  A little sweetness is felt on the palate with an average bitterness.  The beer has a medium body with a little oily texture.

An average session beer.

Scores: -

Aroma 5/10
Appearance 3.5/5
Taste 5/10
Palate 3.5/5
Overall 13.5/20

Total 61%