Rip Snorter

Rip Snorter, from Hogs BAck Brewery, is reviewed by Craig Heap.

“…just enough to have you wobbling back to the bar after the first pint and saying, “Same again, please, landlord.””

Craft Beer Rising 2013: Craig Heap

Craft Beer Rising 2013 took place on Friday 22 and Saturday 23rd February. Two of our writers, Chris Hall and Craig Heap, were invited to take a look. Craig Heap considers the impact the new festival could have on the modern beer industry.

Citra

Citra, the first in a new beer range from Brains Craft Brewery, is reviewed by Craig Heap.

St. Peter’s Cream Stout

St. Peter’s Cream Stout is reviewed by Craig Heap

“What may overwhelm you, if you aren’t careful, are the umami flavours, the bursts of shellfish and strips of red meat, …”

Double Chocolate Stout

Double Chocolate Stout, from Young’s, is reviewed by Craig Heap.

“If you decide to drink it and not bombard it with theoretical particles, you’ll be rewarded with a thick, velvety stout that is immediately sweet upfront, but never cloying.”

Illusion

Illusion, from Moor Beer, is reviewed by Craig Heap.

“Illusion is very quaffable, masking its 4.7% and pretending to be something weaker to convince you that the morning is a fine time of day to take on this 660ml bottle.”

Smoked Porter

Smoked Porter, from Redwillow, is reviewed by Craig Heap.

Destiny

Destiny, made by Brains Craft Brewery in collaboration with Marverine Cole, The Beer Beauty, is reviewed by Craig Heap.

“Black IPAs are strange beasts, but Destiny knocks you off course from the first mouthful.”

Fruits of our Labours

Fruits of our Labours, from Brains Craft Brewery in collaboraton with Melissa Cole, is reviewed by Craig Heap.

“From first to last the mouthfeel is really pleasing; it has a fresh clarity brought on by a citric rind zest.”

 

RumFest 2012

Chris Hall and Craig Heap report back from this year’s RumFest, the UK’s leading celebration of rum, held at the London ExCel on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October.

Boutique RumFest Part 1: A look back at last year

Craig Heap takes a look back at last year’s Boutique RumFest and how some of the hopeful new rums have shaped up here in Britain.

The Boutique RumFest 2012 Rum Tastings

The Boutique 2012 Rum Tasting

We’ve divided the tastings into two categories: RumFest and Boutique. The rums we sampled at RumFest are available in the UK now (with the exception of Don Q Gran Anejo which is coming soon) while the Boutique rums aren’t yet distributed in the UK. The aim of the rum brands represented at Boutique is to obtain a distributor and break into the UK market as soon as possible, so you may see the Boutique rums on bar and shop shelves next month, next year or never at all.

RumFest 2012 Rum Tastings

The RumFest 2012 rum tastings

We’ve divided the tastings into two categories: RumFest and Boutique. The rums we sampled at RumFest are available in the UK now (with the exception of Don Q Gran Anejo which is coming soon) while the Boutique rums aren’t yet distributed in the UK. The aim of the rum brands represented at Boutique is to break into the UK market as soon as possible, so you may see the Boutique rums on bat and shop shelves next month or never at all.

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is reviewed by Craig Heap.

So, this rum is all things to all men, and one thing to one discerning drinker.

Isla N White rum

Isla N White Rum is reviewed by Craig Heap.