Y0ung Henrys - Newtowner Australian Pale Ale
👅👅👅👅 4 Nipples
Aroma
A faint malt aroma which seems to be supported with some crystal malt sweetness. The aroma is mild with hops characteristics that are neither absent nor over powering, some very faint hints of citrus and tropical fruit in the aroma. There are no evident yeast or other aromatics in the nose.
Appearance
Copper-golden in colour, there is some haze but it is very appealing. There is a nice white head that holds for a while before dropping, the head is fine and compact in texture.
Flavour
There is a pleasant balance between the malt and hops, the malt has some caramel toffee flavour that has a full mouth feeling. The hops bring tropical fruit and citrus flavours with a subtle resinous hint in the after taste.
Mouthfeel
There seems to be some mild slickness on the tongue about 10 seconds from swallowing, the mouth feel is medium and has no alcohol sensations present. The carbonation is medium and enjoyable, no astringency or harshness on the palate.
Overall
This is an easy beer to drink, it has no offending or harsh flavours that make some beers difficult to drink in quantity on a hot day, if you enjoy a lager you will enjoy this beer. The remaining slickness on the tongue is the only fault.
Bubble & Squeak - NEIPA
Aroma
A beautifully hop forward beer that has definitely been crafted to make the most of some fruity hops; strong Pineapple, gooseberry and some citrus with a rounded fruit punch aroma. There is no malt aroma present nor yeast or other aromatics.
Appearance
A beautiful dark golden colour with the signature cloudy appearance of a NEIPA. A strong white head that persists for quite a while and has a fine cloud like appearance and laces the glass beautifully.
Flavour
Boldly hop forward with more of the hop aroma in the flavour; pineapple, passion-fruit and fruit punch comes through strong. There are no discernible malt flavours as any would be overwhelmed by the hop flavour. There is a smooth finish that has the fruity flavours linger for a few minutes after a good sip.
Mouthfeel
Soft and pillowy as is so often experienced with NEIPA, there must be a good oat addition for some added creaminess which is very pleasant. There is no astringency or hop burn which can often plague a NEIPA that is over hopped. There is nice creamy sensation as you drink this beer with no alcohol flavour or burn. The carbonation is medium and is well suited to the style.
Overall
As the packaging says, a tropical fruit bomb! packed with some really nice tasting hops that give this beer a more fruit punch quality - I had to remind myself that this was a beer and not fruit juice, it is certainly easy to drink - even at 6.5% it packs a good punch after a few.
4.5 Nips 👅👅👅👅
This was a goodie - 4.3 Nips 👅👅👅👅
Hop Nation - Organic Lager
Aroma
A strong enjoyable smell of honey on the nose with a pleasant malty aroma that has a crisp clean smell. There is a low hop aroma but the light floral and fruity noble hops used can definitely be smelt.
Appearance
Straw yellow in colour, with a very slight haze, head disappeared surprisingly quickly but it did lace the glass as the beer was consumed.
Flavour
A very nice malt flavour showcased in this beer with a low hop flavour present. There is some light bitterness perceived but no more than any other lager I have tasted, there is very little remaining bitterness in the aftertaste. There is no evident diacetyl or other off flavours.
Mouthfeel
This beer medium-high in body, it has a really nice mouth feel with no perceivable alcohol warmth. There is a decent carbonation that suits this style well. There is no astringency or other off-putting flavours that are evident in so many badly brewed lagers.
Overall
I am not the biggest fans of pale lager styles, this may be from growing up and having this as the only drop available but this one has pleasantly surprised me. It has a crisp clean finish that is not too dry making it an effortless beer to drink that has a nicely complemented hop selection. A lager is hard to brew correctly and this is a stellar example of the style
3.6 nips for the Nomad - Budgy Smuggler Pale Ale 👅🍆👅
Aroma
Strong citrus and lemon with some faint hints of tropical fruit. Very faint crisp malt present with some light sweetness in the nose. Hops are definitely what shine in this drop.
Appearance
Yellow almost golden in colour, not brilliantly clear but in no way is it hazy. A nice white head on the pour that persists for a while, some fine lacing on the glass as the beer was consumed.
Flavour
Only a small amount of malt flavour as the hops punch through, some lingering bitterness which is rather pleasant. only citrus flavours permeate in the flavour. No astringency or off flavours tasted.
Mouthfeel
Neither thin nor full bodied, this will be an easily sessionable beer to drink, budgy smuggler being a fitting name for hot summer days. No detectable alcohol warmth and a nice carbonation on the palette.
Overall
This is a nice beer for summer that would go down well at any BBQ. This was a very easy can to drink and it left me wanting more when it was done. Could have some more late hop or flame-out additions to get more hop flavour without bitterness
3 nips for Mountain Goat - Organic Steam Ale
👅👅👅
Aroma
Clean malt aroma that are complimented by a very mild hop chosen for this beer, this is definitely leaning towards a more malty profile. It is super cold tonight so I am not getting much on the hop aroma, there is some faint citrus and a tiny hint of resinous pine as the beer warms up. No other esters or aromatics detected.
Appearance
Light golden/straw in colour with a faint haze, a very appealing colour. There was little to no head on the pour and there was no head retention.
Flavour
A seriously malt forward punch in flavour with a very nice dry finish, something very unexpected. I could see this be an easy drinking, sessionable beer on a hot summers' day. There is not much in hop flavour but there is a very delicate bitterness hint that balances out the beer's after taste.
Mouthfeel
Moderate-high carbonation that gives a little bite, this dissipates quickly as the beer warms on your tongue. There is no alcohol warmth detected nor any astringency making it easy to drink. The mouth feeling is full and in no way thin, despite having a dry finish.
Overall
A nice beer to drink that i will definitely be trying again in summer months, it could have some more hop flavour punch through to balance out the malt. Reminiscent of an Australian Sparkling Ale but far less hopped and far dryer in finish.
3.6 Nips
Tonight we decided to test out BentSpoke - Red Nut. This was quite an interesting one.
Aroma
Sweet caramel smelling malt, high fruity and herbal smelling hops with strong hints of piney/citrus that each other compliment nicely. No yeast esters or DMS present.
Appearance
Copper-red coloured with a hazy appearance. No head retention after a few seconds.
Flavour
Punchy pine hops that taper off with a nice grapefruit and orange flavour. Fruity flavours linger in the after taste, some sweetness remains in the after taste too. Could be served very cold and the flavours would still come through nicely.
Mouthfeel
Medium carbonation, with no perceivable alcohol warmth even at 7%. No astringency detected. Body is neither thin nor full, there is some slight slickness on the tongue but it is pleasant.
Overall
A little sweet and would be great if it was a little dryer in the finish. Nicely balanced with malt and hops creating an enjoyable drink.
We’ll give this one 4.2 nipps 🤤
Green Beacon - Windjammer IPA
Aroma
No perceived malt character on this beer, as expected. A very nice piney and citrus character with a strongly hop forward on aroma characteristic of the style, a good representation of American hops.
Appearance
Hazy with little head retention, vibrant orange/amber in colour verging on copper - a bit dark for this style.
Flavour
Strong citrus on the tongue with the piney flavour coming forward once swallowed. Very nicely balance but there is a large amount of bitterness perceived. A full IPA flavoured beer.
Mouthfeel
Carbonation it tight and consistent with a pleasant effervescent feeling on the mouth roof, slight alcohol warmth remaining in the after taste which is not unpleasant. Well rounded and full bodied.
Overall
A nice IPA that represents the style fairly well. Piney flavour lingers and reminds you that you are drinking a good beer, a little bolder and something for a more adventurous drinker.
We give this one 3 nipples 👅👅👅
Our first review is up: NOMAD’s Rollin Haze - Hazy pale ale
Aroma
Hop forward, pleasantly fragrant with strong citrus and some stone fruit flavours. No malt aroma with neutral yeast flavours and no discernable esters.
Appearance
Straw to yellow in colour, little to no head retention with haziness reminiscent of the style
Flavour
Strong orange citrus and peach on the palette with gooseberry in the after taste from the Nelson Sauvin. There is some hop bite when the beer is cold but this dissipates as the beer warms up. There is little perceived bitterness making it an easy beer to drink
Mouthfeel
Pillowey and smooth on the mouth and tongue, a creamy sensation from the oats
Overall
A good representation of the style with great flavor and taste if you like something a little fruity and juice like and easy to drink
We give this 3.5/5 nipples 👅👅👅
