Reviews of Member's Homebrew

[Calum]

Good result Garth.

HH, you have echoed my feelings about the beer swap. You get to try styles of beer that you would not normally think to do yourself. It is also good to know that you can get the recipes and any other secrets from the brewer if you do want to give it a go.

[Garth]

Tonight, I have the pleasure of reviewing Calum's 'Malcolms Tower', a bitter/IPA in the style of White Shield. I love tasting beer but sometimes cannot put it into words very well, so bear with me.

Recieved this last week, thanks for the quick delivery Calum. I gave it a good few days to settle in the cool garage. On opening the bottle I found a good hiss and great carbonation, none lost at all, and even in the glass till the last bit there were a great deal of bubbles rising. It was a good strong copper colour. Firstly was a good hoppy aroma from the glass. The taste was extremely smooth, probably down the 6+ months maturing, it had fullness as well as a slight alcoholic taste. The finish had a mellow fruit to it which lingered just enough. No bad tastes/aroma were detected at all, it's already gone and I haven't even finished writing this. Top notch ale, thanks Calum. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Calum]

Glad you enjoyed it Garth. Had it cleared down okay (the photo doesn't look too bad)?

[Garth]

What you can see is probably a haze from being in the cold garage. Once warmed it was it was pretty clear. Great beer Calum, how you keep them that long is a mystery......

[Calum]

Tonight I'm going to start the evening with Garth's Chocolate Treacle Stout and then moving swiftly onto Mysterio's Oatmeal Stout. After that I would expect all hell to break loose as I start to drink my own stuff.

[Calum]

Garth's Chocolate Treacle Stout

First off, apologies to DaaB, I have nothing to complain about with these beers tonight.



Garth sent this last week so it had a good few days to settle. Poured with a great head and retained this right down the glass (as you can see in the photo below). Held up to the light it was a nice dark burgundy colour and clear. The nose had a lovely sweet malty aroma.

On tasting I thought it was quite sweet and not too bitter. Very silky mouthfeel with enormous length and no off flavours. As it opened up going down the glass the dark treacle was becoming more evident without taking over.



All in it was a really nice pint. I could have certainly gone back for more but I wouldn't put it down as a session beer on account of the sweetness.

[Calum]

Mysterio's Oatmeal Stout

This one was not as carbonated as Garths, this was probably down to the difference in bottle age. The head subsided quite quickly but it still retained nice condition to the bottom.

Although I only received this on Wednesday it was remarkably clear when held up to a strong light (due to the S-04 chaps being scared to let go of the bottom of the bottle ).

The initial nose was a bit of a roasted malt smack in the face however on tasting it wasn't quite as big although still quite heavy according to the style. The oilyness of the oats came through and it also had good length. The roasted malt delivered a nice bitter kick without being overly so. Working my way down the glass I started to get dark fruit aroma but these were not too prominent and certainly did not come through when drinking.



It was a good pint. Again, not one I would be able to drink all night but would happily have again.

I cannot remember the last time I started the night with 2 bottles of stout. Thanks for sending me the bottles chaps- it was good fun tasting. I also bottled 5 gallons of Oatmeal Stout last night so I know the height of the bar that I am trying to reach.

I am away to get myself something I can see through.

[Calum]

I'm going to send you a bottle of Tesco bitter one day under a pseudonym one day

If its anything like the Tesco delivery service I'll end up with a tube of toothpaste and a multipack of skips.

[Calum]

I'm going to send you a bottle of Tesco bitter one day under a pseudonym one day

If its anything like the Tesco delivery service I'll end up with a tube of toothpaste and a multipack of skips.

I'll still be interested to hear your review of it

I would also have to get the remegel ready.....infact thats also appropriate for the toothpaste and skips

[Vossy1]

I'm going to send you a bottle of Tesco bitter one day under a pseudonym one day

I think it's about time the master of words put fourth a sample one day

none of this "when I brew the perfect pint"...were not interested in perfect pints...just your own meagre attempts.....come on...lets ave it...wo/arts and all (pardon the pun )

The mods/admin lead a beer forum, lets see how good their beers are

I think we should nominate a taster for DaaB's pint, one who can't be nobbled ...I vote Mr D Edge...he'll tell it like it is

[spearmint-wino]

Ha ha DaaB don't do it, he'll be TOO truthful... Don't know if I'm prepared to repeat what he said about one of my beers not too long ago

(although in fairness it was a comment about the style rather than any faults)

[spearmint-wino]

^^ Oooops, better just qualify that - l wasn't trying to imply that he'd find your excellent beers anything less than top-notch, of course

[Vossy1]

If you don't strive for your own perfect pint then what's the point in it all when you can get good beer down the pub. I'm not interested in acceptance from other people

And therein lies the point A perfect pint to you will probably never be a perfect pint to another person, as you say you brew for yourself.
It doesn't matter if it has 'technical' faults in it, as long as it tastes great to you

The whole point behind members reviewing each other beers is not to critique, it's to see if they're generally acceptable ie, would you order another if you'd bought one at the pub.
If a member puts forward a pint with a fault that he can't explain that's where it may also be of assistance.
If there is a fault that the brewer may not be aware of this may help also, but if the pint is already 'good enough' for him/her, why would they change it...I wouldn't

BTW you're correct in you're assumption, Mr Edge is the only person i'd trust to give an accurate unbiased opinion of my beer. I may well send him one one day and ask him kindly for an opinion.

I don't think he can, I don't think anyone can. How can anyone convey their own tastes to someone else....through known standards I hear you say...which may be true, but only if you're trying to recreate a particular standardised style.

I love to hear negative feedback on my beers as that's the way I learn, however, if I liked my pint it doesn't matter what feedback I got I'd carry on brewing it , regardless

Off to watch Al Murray now

[AT]

If anybody is looking for an experienced taster to sample your beer, i'll carry that cross. In the interest of the forum and for the greater good

[spearmint-wino]

Speaking perfect sense there V1 I too brew for my own taste and don't pay too much attention to styles though there's nothing wrong with brewing to style if that's your bag, especially if you're getting good feedback - its a great way of honing your technique.