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13-06-2022, 09:00
Visit The Beer Nut site (https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2022/06/back-in-game.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbHB7Iq1XNQoZAkGzZlB208VldKRcqB2fEIe8xfjeC4 CavQv3j2RGNeqYZVlYtfhHP_CcZqMGR4EyORrqLgI8rIPQDtIE slvlctG3Ro7GjkgZiXSzURDeQgp7ksCqWog3svVoTt-2u1L8QI8H-AtnVd3CZpUxdGp5oqumnyBm8LTKiKLaybE/w200-h161/rising_sons_shield_maiden_norwegian_orange_ale.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbHB7Iq1XNQoZAkGzZlB208VldKRcqB2fEIe8xfjeC4 CavQv3j2RGNeqYZVlYtfhHP_CcZqMGR4EyORrqLgI8rIPQDtIE slvlctG3Ro7GjkgZiXSzURDeQgp7ksCqWog3svVoTt-2u1L8QI8H-AtnVd3CZpUxdGp5oqumnyBm8LTKiKLaybE/s1920/rising_sons_shield_maiden_norwegian_orange_ale.jpg )My summer of beer festivals began in Cork, with the return of the Franciscan Well's Easter gig, delayed a month or so. It was a wise choice as the weather was beautiful.
I started in Rising Sons, for a pre-gig look at their new offerings, the first being Shield Maiden, a kviek-fermented orange ale. I thought it was going to be sour but it's not. This 5.1% ABV pale amber coloured beer is rather sweet, tasting of orangeade with a mild cinnamon spicing. There's a little old-fashioned hop bitterness in the finish but not much. It's light bodied and that gives the overall impression of a lager with a dash of fruit syrup in it. Kveik yeast may be exciting to use, but the beer it created here is rather bland.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_NBnA2P5r4S-PpdCD57kisU6wNtPA1K5o7XlV6Zn4UbhYUXxDNurHWSU1t-9E9WZ1g0TsOmp9L0IAeHVEJEhWDnuBwFE3ocQNCTEieu8FhVv4 gLKNcf0ywPDTKvOGwcDhaHnz8MTeDnHlmBlms7XwJF86PPTG9N PvQbTI8ED0UBH2nwzAZs/w200-h146/rising_sons_the_dark_one_porter.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_NBnA2P5r4S-PpdCD57kisU6wNtPA1K5o7XlV6Zn4UbhYUXxDNurHWSU1t-9E9WZ1g0TsOmp9L0IAeHVEJEhWDnuBwFE3ocQNCTEieu8FhVv4 gLKNcf0ywPDTKvOGwcDhaHnz8MTeDnHlmBlms7XwJF86PPTG9N PvQbTI8ED0UBH2nwzAZs/s2190/rising_sons_the_dark_one_porter.jpg)Beside it was pouring The Dark One, a porter. This is also 5.1% ABV and cola-coloured. There's a huge amount of roast in the aroma, and the flavour is fully bitter, with smoke and tar in the ascendant, plus an edge of cherry with side notes of beech nut and aniseed. The mouthfeel is quite thin and fizzy, but for me that made an incredibly complex beer accessible and refreshing. This is pretty much exactly how I like porter to be.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKEq0ZaVUf1YhGWQwphqasjq9VxfaMUPkEiGm2oGN6q LWTWHfCNaKQiS1cjPrH1n8FWTUz0rRCeTtl4BBWpcjAEo_dnl5 ktwWMQEjWwALE3ZGeF_7EgBiBoQDgupoHwWpQ53d9M3275jpFY fkSLKMTbmJcqsbR4RKEShcsG3Yxn8qcMcIy2Q/w177-h200/rising_sons_heartbreaker_west_coast_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKEq0ZaVUf1YhGWQwphqasjq9VxfaMUPkEiGm2oGN6q LWTWHfCNaKQiS1cjPrH1n8FWTUz0rRCeTtl4BBWpcjAEo_dnl5 ktwWMQEjWwALE3ZGeF_7EgBiBoQDgupoHwWpQ53d9M3275jpFY fkSLKMTbmJcqsbR4RKEShcsG3Yxn8qcMcIy2Q/s2250/rising_sons_heartbreaker_west_coast_ipa.jpg)Across the Lee at Franciscan Well, proceedings were in full swing when I arrived at 1.30. Rising Sons was pouring here too, and I went with Heartbreaker, an IPA. Although it's only 5.3% ABV, this manages to squeeze in a lot of the attributes of much stronger American IPA, and in particular the heavy and resinous pine flavours. It's slightly hazy, so not completely west coast, but close enough for me. And while it doesn't do anything fancy or complex, it's very decent.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXYqrQ2Yttu5XVgKHwJNsLu5Tw_XBhFujHfhpuO7caQ cdcN4gQejcB6k9KUADyRyxGX9BSkjiqDHO2UxnysgsW406l6fD JjgU6azPIPzY_o0Fgvtn7bWf3915kXGn4wBFUSDDr8txiBfeU4 eniVQu9KlWQMdKNyOdPXduES3mpxk15jMuWvg/w154-h200/west_cork_spice_island_red.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXYqrQ2Yttu5XVgKHwJNsLu5Tw_XBhFujHfhpuO7caQ cdcN4gQejcB6k9KUADyRyxGX9BSkjiqDHO2UxnysgsW406l6fD JjgU6azPIPzY_o0Fgvtn7bWf3915kXGn4wBFUSDDr8txiBfeU4 eniVQu9KlWQMdKNyOdPXduES3mpxk15jMuWvg/s1365/west_cork_spice_island_red.jpg)West Cork Brewing was over from Baltimore, represented by new head brewer Tara, and with three beers all new to me. First there's Spice Island Red, a red ale with ginger, which is not something I'd seen before. It doesn't really work, however. While the ginger is perfectly pitched and gives it a beautiful summery zing, there's a slightly sweaty staleness caused, I think, by its interaction with the toffee-flavoured malt. It doesn't ruin the experience completely but it's not ideal. Perhaps choosing a different style to give the spice treatment to would work better.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvy4Ovhi72aEsru-oIBP480g2vS_CAMq1u7vWFITt01GVqooenCkAoB1PcfyZdJFlG zmw4ZMQpXaokih8pyM1RsG1lWX4NrW-ti_8qzW1niZN1X_YGrsS31gcbT1Gg9Y6S9dp9ve0FCvFKART0a VbW_BKX1bC_ZXCeTUjbeZL0tkIRW6qCN4/w136-h200/west_cork_beacon_of_hops_american_pale_ale.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvy4Ovhi72aEsru-oIBP480g2vS_CAMq1u7vWFITt01GVqooenCkAoB1PcfyZdJFlG zmw4ZMQpXaokih8pyM1RsG1lWX4NrW-ti_8qzW1niZN1X_YGrsS31gcbT1Gg9Y6S9dp9ve0FCvFKART0a VbW_BKX1bC_ZXCeTUjbeZL0tkIRW6qCN4/s3320/west_cork_beacon_of_hops_american_pale_ale.jpg)The pale ale is called Beacon of Hops and is 4.1% ABV. This is fresh, light and lemony; softly textured so resembling somewhat a witbier. Though fruity and not very bitter, it finishes dry, which makes it delightfully moreish. Just what you want from a brewpub pale ale.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2i5WyBEtfPEd5e4tjnP_Og8wZR0BEzTXvD4sNVs1uh HVlo6DYbeR0PED6rMs0picJzQeMlTCuMVM8zxizoWAr6xK8_7A 2zy-ee7Ut1MEi_8CDmhFvrkquQoV2R4Mpt7s1RwFgiOl6lDimyEVnz 2z500wxGUqu2jW74m7QiJHLTFNHGmpSt0/w156-h200/west_cork_cape_haze_west_coast_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2i5WyBEtfPEd5e4tjnP_Og8wZR0BEzTXvD4sNVs1uh HVlo6DYbeR0PED6rMs0picJzQeMlTCuMVM8zxizoWAr6xK8_7A 2zy-ee7Ut1MEi_8CDmhFvrkquQoV2R4Mpt7s1RwFgiOl6lDimyEVnz 2z500wxGUqu2jW74m7QiJHLTFNHGmpSt0/s2510/west_cork_cape_haze_west_coast_ipa.jpg)Finally, a west coast IPA given the faux-amis name Cape Haze. It is a little hazy, in fairness, but that's not a principal feature. It's a dark gold colour and very dank in both aroma and flavour, piling on the oily resin. There's a strange but not unpleasant sulphurous burnt-rubber note, and a crisply dry finish. Much like Heartbreaker above, this channels the main points of the style well, and this time at an even lower ABV of 4.7%. You'd never know it was that light from drinking it.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs6udL-HCffdIoTcc7nAAq_OCQ_RFtilxEPEOYm7vwkw62jxCuzbl4mK9 Bh4jOxzyRSg1j4Ln3D2o4lWhoUdOSlNWdNBFc4etSNL-rWh5k4exyFbR7YsRggRloDij2kxOnFrD-9mYPMa86j1SqaNNDLEA_WMUjOlqrqnx-R18tTHO8UzSKj0/w194-h200/lineman_stopover_blond_ale.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs6udL-HCffdIoTcc7nAAq_OCQ_RFtilxEPEOYm7vwkw62jxCuzbl4mK9 Bh4jOxzyRSg1j4Ln3D2o4lWhoUdOSlNWdNBFc4etSNL-rWh5k4exyFbR7YsRggRloDij2kxOnFrD-9mYPMa86j1SqaNNDLEA_WMUjOlqrqnx-R18tTHO8UzSKj0/s2325/lineman_stopover_blond_ale.jpg)Lineman was in town for a tap takeover at Bierhaus and had two new beers at the 'Well. First there's Stopover, a blond ale broadly in the English tradition -- 5.1% ABV with flavours of vanilla, honey and cereal. The finish is crisp, though not in a lagerish way. This is quite plain fare and made an excellent palate cleanser when served cold from the tap on the warm day it was. I'm not sure what I'd make of it canned at home.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWot4icIwlvdHAcOzM1LrVVLE-ud14pjrxndUNhgNWuRBgz0bLPAFdBSRk6eSZt_94WaCX9mCUSe 3zVQKWejGjUjukPFqyp0EFadoHHfP9-JxvI9tcZqN71VsoXcOvEdR2M5a6lzND80PszLp2oICWgbXIvMr cQFWkhyFwIG2VHGtwzhT383A/w200-h153/lineman_green_light_west_coast_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWot4icIwlvdHAcOzM1LrVVLE-ud14pjrxndUNhgNWuRBgz0bLPAFdBSRk6eSZt_94WaCX9mCUSe 3zVQKWejGjUjukPFqyp0EFadoHHfP9-JxvI9tcZqN71VsoXcOvEdR2M5a6lzND80PszLp2oICWgbXIvMr cQFWkhyFwIG2VHGtwzhT383A/s1720/lineman_green_light_west_coast_ipa.jpg)And there was a new IPA as well. No trying to give a false impression of strength here: Green Light is the full 7% ABV and a clear golden colour. It's bright and fresh and clean, and while perhaps a little low on bitterness -- no teeth-squeaking acidity here -- the flavour is absolutely full-on with all the pine and grapefruit you could want. I think I'd prefer it to be a little more challenging and assertive, but it's still lovely as-is.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHLZ5PPrNYxZHLqilXFtpcUyLO_KgBXQ-fcXKtC1XcGss0lQnRUWzuOa8V6r7abxxc5RssucYj3zmAHGD12 HuMSVaNmENUnPs9AdiB372YqdKN-GjBhnzmxA8a3ZN6hGcq-phIPFNStXWva6HHqsMDAsfbJs268dSczMI5-rQ-B4PyoEmA3M/w200-h171/wicklow_wolf_you_cant_handle_the_fruit_tropical_so ur.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHLZ5PPrNYxZHLqilXFtpcUyLO_KgBXQ-fcXKtC1XcGss0lQnRUWzuOa8V6r7abxxc5RssucYj3zmAHGD12 HuMSVaNmENUnPs9AdiB372YqdKN-GjBhnzmxA8a3ZN6hGcq-phIPFNStXWva6HHqsMDAsfbJs268dSczMI5-rQ-B4PyoEmA3M/s2125/wicklow_wolf_you_cant_handle_the_fruit_tropical_so ur.jpg)I missed one of the new Wicklow Wolf beers but caught the other: You Can't Handle The Fruit. This is sour and contains apricot, blood orange, passionfruit and pineapple. I'm not sure there's much point adding lots of other things once there's passionfruit, because it's only going to taste of passionfruit and this absolutely does. A small citric bite in the finish is the only place where anything else gets a word in. Nevertheless, it's very tasty, with a good pinch of sourness and a lovely soft texture. Absolutely what summer days are made for.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiTqHxQb7p6hMKJaC2MOeQSvtXtl98M-uavOZ7cf_dEqX2RBtYtlmOMIE1SAaAa2fJ_vPWNTjffQS7LxxS ZVwKLaswNGfA7x-OZ4pr2EtzBE9LTcIQuNPxiYtCLKhwdv2ASa16bLi1ibiNCxEIk Jgp7pS6J4LVbaKjzm1OLDjNVzW0gITW0w/w200-h179/whiplash_stigbergets_to_evil_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiTqHxQb7p6hMKJaC2MOeQSvtXtl98M-uavOZ7cf_dEqX2RBtYtlmOMIE1SAaAa2fJ_vPWNTjffQS7LxxS ZVwKLaswNGfA7x-OZ4pr2EtzBE9LTcIQuNPxiYtCLKhwdv2ASa16bLi1ibiNCxEIk Jgp7pS6J4LVbaKjzm1OLDjNVzW0gITW0w/s1705/whiplash_stigbergets_to_evil_ipa.jpg)Whiplash too was selling rapidly through the beers and all that was left for me was their Stigbergets collaboration To Evil. It's a medium hazy yellow, looking light and innocent but is all of 7.5% ABV. That brings a density and an oily flavour, with coconut prominent in the foretaste before it settles out to mango and lemon zest with a hint of vanilla. It's fine, but for something close to double IPA strength I think I'd like more going on.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjSvwZhbOIdWSL--zE5tZXPqxBrn3YVi33sTNNIhHRICFy4QdUI1e1S4ICI6DrfXbU 41rJxT2M5hPQzTJd1WM2_mJlgCd5lDcg2BU88UuLa5WthP0pbm PVL2zkIzc1HvTfj58_Ou6aW1AqNJyLj7rsgCIJzvs_FH2B1o_R GyY52GJ9MQgXUc/w166-h200/whitefield_brewery_sunset_lager.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjSvwZhbOIdWSL--zE5tZXPqxBrn3YVi33sTNNIhHRICFy4QdUI1e1S4ICI6DrfXbU 41rJxT2M5hPQzTJd1WM2_mJlgCd5lDcg2BU88UuLa5WthP0pbm PVL2zkIzc1HvTfj58_Ou6aW1AqNJyLj7rsgCIJzvs_FH2B1o_R GyY52GJ9MQgXUc/s2725/whitefield_brewery_sunset_lager.jpg)The final brewery is WhiteField, their first outing since rebranding from White Gypsy. They had a lager they brew for the Cashel Palace Hotel, a 5.2% ABV job called Sunset. It's quite a fruity one with a peach and apricot sweetness and just a lightly bitter herbal grassy side. The body is full and there's a lovely pale-toast crispness too, giving it a bit of a Champagne vibe. This definitely isn't a by-the-numbers lager and shows bags of character.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhaRDZt_Nub23zL6dFsO4oJ8r3CeW9wfHkUYp4JqAF gAnBA-adq87zoAxGByh26XN4nXszsEoPc0fd7mEm_xlSZTufUsN73PoN 426fQVeMZn0KXBa_CUagqrtEspxEuK4UOPTiOz0kuU-iAswB5MYqVe8RzwkAErzgZUEM0_-TqL61ANBTw/w149-h200/whitefield_brewery_resolve_kellerbier.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhaRDZt_Nub23zL6dFsO4oJ8r3CeW9wfHkUYp4JqAF gAnBA-adq87zoAxGByh26XN4nXszsEoPc0fd7mEm_xlSZTufUsN73PoN 426fQVeMZn0KXBa_CUagqrtEspxEuK4UOPTiOz0kuU-iAswB5MYqVe8RzwkAErzgZUEM0_-TqL61ANBTw/s3045/whitefield_brewery_resolve_kellerbier.jpg)Sticking with lager, the brewery has also brewed one as a fundraiser for Ukraine. It's called Resolve and I brought a bottle home with me. It's a kellerbier, which means it's fully murky, an opaque amber colour. The carbonation is high so there was plenty of head, which lasted. A sweet aroma starts us off, with notes of flowers and honey. The flavour goes in a different direction, offering savoury brown bread and a spicy herbal bitterness: rosemary, aniseed and cloves. That's all set on a heavy, chewy body, for the full wholesome and rustic effect. It's quality stuff, an on-point and characterful take on the kellerbier style. Its humanitarian credentials are a bonus.
And that was it for the festival. It was a fantastic day out, and great to catch up with folk I haven't seen since the Before Times. I imagine there'll be a lot of that this summer.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25OWsuxWnQYUHPm0-wpWAhjRhp4uEDU8UzTm-gctcBUEPevIx6d1tVyaEv3GCVf4cDSq3MyXeV1dmLAfUsKltbG q1UlsgvkoAXxh9X1SNBOiqyhEHgqn5okzqFU7sZ6fj76Q5RsO4 o3ianqC0jRLMObyQrZfV3NcihIJUaPWsX5m9eZfPJoM/w640-h202/franciscan_well_easter_beer_festival_2022.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25OWsuxWnQYUHPm0-wpWAhjRhp4uEDU8UzTm-gctcBUEPevIx6d1tVyaEv3GCVf4cDSq3MyXeV1dmLAfUsKltbG q1UlsgvkoAXxh9X1SNBOiqyhEHgqn5okzqFU7sZ6fj76Q5RsO4 o3ianqC0jRLMObyQrZfV3NcihIJUaPWsX5m9eZfPJoM/s3117/franciscan_well_easter_beer_festival_2022.jpg)
More... (https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2022/06/back-in-game.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbHB7Iq1XNQoZAkGzZlB208VldKRcqB2fEIe8xfjeC4 CavQv3j2RGNeqYZVlYtfhHP_CcZqMGR4EyORrqLgI8rIPQDtIE slvlctG3Ro7GjkgZiXSzURDeQgp7ksCqWog3svVoTt-2u1L8QI8H-AtnVd3CZpUxdGp5oqumnyBm8LTKiKLaybE/w200-h161/rising_sons_shield_maiden_norwegian_orange_ale.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbHB7Iq1XNQoZAkGzZlB208VldKRcqB2fEIe8xfjeC4 CavQv3j2RGNeqYZVlYtfhHP_CcZqMGR4EyORrqLgI8rIPQDtIE slvlctG3Ro7GjkgZiXSzURDeQgp7ksCqWog3svVoTt-2u1L8QI8H-AtnVd3CZpUxdGp5oqumnyBm8LTKiKLaybE/s1920/rising_sons_shield_maiden_norwegian_orange_ale.jpg )My summer of beer festivals began in Cork, with the return of the Franciscan Well's Easter gig, delayed a month or so. It was a wise choice as the weather was beautiful.
I started in Rising Sons, for a pre-gig look at their new offerings, the first being Shield Maiden, a kviek-fermented orange ale. I thought it was going to be sour but it's not. This 5.1% ABV pale amber coloured beer is rather sweet, tasting of orangeade with a mild cinnamon spicing. There's a little old-fashioned hop bitterness in the finish but not much. It's light bodied and that gives the overall impression of a lager with a dash of fruit syrup in it. Kveik yeast may be exciting to use, but the beer it created here is rather bland.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_NBnA2P5r4S-PpdCD57kisU6wNtPA1K5o7XlV6Zn4UbhYUXxDNurHWSU1t-9E9WZ1g0TsOmp9L0IAeHVEJEhWDnuBwFE3ocQNCTEieu8FhVv4 gLKNcf0ywPDTKvOGwcDhaHnz8MTeDnHlmBlms7XwJF86PPTG9N PvQbTI8ED0UBH2nwzAZs/w200-h146/rising_sons_the_dark_one_porter.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_NBnA2P5r4S-PpdCD57kisU6wNtPA1K5o7XlV6Zn4UbhYUXxDNurHWSU1t-9E9WZ1g0TsOmp9L0IAeHVEJEhWDnuBwFE3ocQNCTEieu8FhVv4 gLKNcf0ywPDTKvOGwcDhaHnz8MTeDnHlmBlms7XwJF86PPTG9N PvQbTI8ED0UBH2nwzAZs/s2190/rising_sons_the_dark_one_porter.jpg)Beside it was pouring The Dark One, a porter. This is also 5.1% ABV and cola-coloured. There's a huge amount of roast in the aroma, and the flavour is fully bitter, with smoke and tar in the ascendant, plus an edge of cherry with side notes of beech nut and aniseed. The mouthfeel is quite thin and fizzy, but for me that made an incredibly complex beer accessible and refreshing. This is pretty much exactly how I like porter to be.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKEq0ZaVUf1YhGWQwphqasjq9VxfaMUPkEiGm2oGN6q LWTWHfCNaKQiS1cjPrH1n8FWTUz0rRCeTtl4BBWpcjAEo_dnl5 ktwWMQEjWwALE3ZGeF_7EgBiBoQDgupoHwWpQ53d9M3275jpFY fkSLKMTbmJcqsbR4RKEShcsG3Yxn8qcMcIy2Q/w177-h200/rising_sons_heartbreaker_west_coast_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKEq0ZaVUf1YhGWQwphqasjq9VxfaMUPkEiGm2oGN6q LWTWHfCNaKQiS1cjPrH1n8FWTUz0rRCeTtl4BBWpcjAEo_dnl5 ktwWMQEjWwALE3ZGeF_7EgBiBoQDgupoHwWpQ53d9M3275jpFY fkSLKMTbmJcqsbR4RKEShcsG3Yxn8qcMcIy2Q/s2250/rising_sons_heartbreaker_west_coast_ipa.jpg)Across the Lee at Franciscan Well, proceedings were in full swing when I arrived at 1.30. Rising Sons was pouring here too, and I went with Heartbreaker, an IPA. Although it's only 5.3% ABV, this manages to squeeze in a lot of the attributes of much stronger American IPA, and in particular the heavy and resinous pine flavours. It's slightly hazy, so not completely west coast, but close enough for me. And while it doesn't do anything fancy or complex, it's very decent.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXYqrQ2Yttu5XVgKHwJNsLu5Tw_XBhFujHfhpuO7caQ cdcN4gQejcB6k9KUADyRyxGX9BSkjiqDHO2UxnysgsW406l6fD JjgU6azPIPzY_o0Fgvtn7bWf3915kXGn4wBFUSDDr8txiBfeU4 eniVQu9KlWQMdKNyOdPXduES3mpxk15jMuWvg/w154-h200/west_cork_spice_island_red.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXYqrQ2Yttu5XVgKHwJNsLu5Tw_XBhFujHfhpuO7caQ cdcN4gQejcB6k9KUADyRyxGX9BSkjiqDHO2UxnysgsW406l6fD JjgU6azPIPzY_o0Fgvtn7bWf3915kXGn4wBFUSDDr8txiBfeU4 eniVQu9KlWQMdKNyOdPXduES3mpxk15jMuWvg/s1365/west_cork_spice_island_red.jpg)West Cork Brewing was over from Baltimore, represented by new head brewer Tara, and with three beers all new to me. First there's Spice Island Red, a red ale with ginger, which is not something I'd seen before. It doesn't really work, however. While the ginger is perfectly pitched and gives it a beautiful summery zing, there's a slightly sweaty staleness caused, I think, by its interaction with the toffee-flavoured malt. It doesn't ruin the experience completely but it's not ideal. Perhaps choosing a different style to give the spice treatment to would work better.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvy4Ovhi72aEsru-oIBP480g2vS_CAMq1u7vWFITt01GVqooenCkAoB1PcfyZdJFlG zmw4ZMQpXaokih8pyM1RsG1lWX4NrW-ti_8qzW1niZN1X_YGrsS31gcbT1Gg9Y6S9dp9ve0FCvFKART0a VbW_BKX1bC_ZXCeTUjbeZL0tkIRW6qCN4/w136-h200/west_cork_beacon_of_hops_american_pale_ale.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvy4Ovhi72aEsru-oIBP480g2vS_CAMq1u7vWFITt01GVqooenCkAoB1PcfyZdJFlG zmw4ZMQpXaokih8pyM1RsG1lWX4NrW-ti_8qzW1niZN1X_YGrsS31gcbT1Gg9Y6S9dp9ve0FCvFKART0a VbW_BKX1bC_ZXCeTUjbeZL0tkIRW6qCN4/s3320/west_cork_beacon_of_hops_american_pale_ale.jpg)The pale ale is called Beacon of Hops and is 4.1% ABV. This is fresh, light and lemony; softly textured so resembling somewhat a witbier. Though fruity and not very bitter, it finishes dry, which makes it delightfully moreish. Just what you want from a brewpub pale ale.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2i5WyBEtfPEd5e4tjnP_Og8wZR0BEzTXvD4sNVs1uh HVlo6DYbeR0PED6rMs0picJzQeMlTCuMVM8zxizoWAr6xK8_7A 2zy-ee7Ut1MEi_8CDmhFvrkquQoV2R4Mpt7s1RwFgiOl6lDimyEVnz 2z500wxGUqu2jW74m7QiJHLTFNHGmpSt0/w156-h200/west_cork_cape_haze_west_coast_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2i5WyBEtfPEd5e4tjnP_Og8wZR0BEzTXvD4sNVs1uh HVlo6DYbeR0PED6rMs0picJzQeMlTCuMVM8zxizoWAr6xK8_7A 2zy-ee7Ut1MEi_8CDmhFvrkquQoV2R4Mpt7s1RwFgiOl6lDimyEVnz 2z500wxGUqu2jW74m7QiJHLTFNHGmpSt0/s2510/west_cork_cape_haze_west_coast_ipa.jpg)Finally, a west coast IPA given the faux-amis name Cape Haze. It is a little hazy, in fairness, but that's not a principal feature. It's a dark gold colour and very dank in both aroma and flavour, piling on the oily resin. There's a strange but not unpleasant sulphurous burnt-rubber note, and a crisply dry finish. Much like Heartbreaker above, this channels the main points of the style well, and this time at an even lower ABV of 4.7%. You'd never know it was that light from drinking it.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs6udL-HCffdIoTcc7nAAq_OCQ_RFtilxEPEOYm7vwkw62jxCuzbl4mK9 Bh4jOxzyRSg1j4Ln3D2o4lWhoUdOSlNWdNBFc4etSNL-rWh5k4exyFbR7YsRggRloDij2kxOnFrD-9mYPMa86j1SqaNNDLEA_WMUjOlqrqnx-R18tTHO8UzSKj0/w194-h200/lineman_stopover_blond_ale.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUs6udL-HCffdIoTcc7nAAq_OCQ_RFtilxEPEOYm7vwkw62jxCuzbl4mK9 Bh4jOxzyRSg1j4Ln3D2o4lWhoUdOSlNWdNBFc4etSNL-rWh5k4exyFbR7YsRggRloDij2kxOnFrD-9mYPMa86j1SqaNNDLEA_WMUjOlqrqnx-R18tTHO8UzSKj0/s2325/lineman_stopover_blond_ale.jpg)Lineman was in town for a tap takeover at Bierhaus and had two new beers at the 'Well. First there's Stopover, a blond ale broadly in the English tradition -- 5.1% ABV with flavours of vanilla, honey and cereal. The finish is crisp, though not in a lagerish way. This is quite plain fare and made an excellent palate cleanser when served cold from the tap on the warm day it was. I'm not sure what I'd make of it canned at home.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWot4icIwlvdHAcOzM1LrVVLE-ud14pjrxndUNhgNWuRBgz0bLPAFdBSRk6eSZt_94WaCX9mCUSe 3zVQKWejGjUjukPFqyp0EFadoHHfP9-JxvI9tcZqN71VsoXcOvEdR2M5a6lzND80PszLp2oICWgbXIvMr cQFWkhyFwIG2VHGtwzhT383A/w200-h153/lineman_green_light_west_coast_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWot4icIwlvdHAcOzM1LrVVLE-ud14pjrxndUNhgNWuRBgz0bLPAFdBSRk6eSZt_94WaCX9mCUSe 3zVQKWejGjUjukPFqyp0EFadoHHfP9-JxvI9tcZqN71VsoXcOvEdR2M5a6lzND80PszLp2oICWgbXIvMr cQFWkhyFwIG2VHGtwzhT383A/s1720/lineman_green_light_west_coast_ipa.jpg)And there was a new IPA as well. No trying to give a false impression of strength here: Green Light is the full 7% ABV and a clear golden colour. It's bright and fresh and clean, and while perhaps a little low on bitterness -- no teeth-squeaking acidity here -- the flavour is absolutely full-on with all the pine and grapefruit you could want. I think I'd prefer it to be a little more challenging and assertive, but it's still lovely as-is.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHLZ5PPrNYxZHLqilXFtpcUyLO_KgBXQ-fcXKtC1XcGss0lQnRUWzuOa8V6r7abxxc5RssucYj3zmAHGD12 HuMSVaNmENUnPs9AdiB372YqdKN-GjBhnzmxA8a3ZN6hGcq-phIPFNStXWva6HHqsMDAsfbJs268dSczMI5-rQ-B4PyoEmA3M/w200-h171/wicklow_wolf_you_cant_handle_the_fruit_tropical_so ur.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHLZ5PPrNYxZHLqilXFtpcUyLO_KgBXQ-fcXKtC1XcGss0lQnRUWzuOa8V6r7abxxc5RssucYj3zmAHGD12 HuMSVaNmENUnPs9AdiB372YqdKN-GjBhnzmxA8a3ZN6hGcq-phIPFNStXWva6HHqsMDAsfbJs268dSczMI5-rQ-B4PyoEmA3M/s2125/wicklow_wolf_you_cant_handle_the_fruit_tropical_so ur.jpg)I missed one of the new Wicklow Wolf beers but caught the other: You Can't Handle The Fruit. This is sour and contains apricot, blood orange, passionfruit and pineapple. I'm not sure there's much point adding lots of other things once there's passionfruit, because it's only going to taste of passionfruit and this absolutely does. A small citric bite in the finish is the only place where anything else gets a word in. Nevertheless, it's very tasty, with a good pinch of sourness and a lovely soft texture. Absolutely what summer days are made for.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiTqHxQb7p6hMKJaC2MOeQSvtXtl98M-uavOZ7cf_dEqX2RBtYtlmOMIE1SAaAa2fJ_vPWNTjffQS7LxxS ZVwKLaswNGfA7x-OZ4pr2EtzBE9LTcIQuNPxiYtCLKhwdv2ASa16bLi1ibiNCxEIk Jgp7pS6J4LVbaKjzm1OLDjNVzW0gITW0w/w200-h179/whiplash_stigbergets_to_evil_ipa.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiTqHxQb7p6hMKJaC2MOeQSvtXtl98M-uavOZ7cf_dEqX2RBtYtlmOMIE1SAaAa2fJ_vPWNTjffQS7LxxS ZVwKLaswNGfA7x-OZ4pr2EtzBE9LTcIQuNPxiYtCLKhwdv2ASa16bLi1ibiNCxEIk Jgp7pS6J4LVbaKjzm1OLDjNVzW0gITW0w/s1705/whiplash_stigbergets_to_evil_ipa.jpg)Whiplash too was selling rapidly through the beers and all that was left for me was their Stigbergets collaboration To Evil. It's a medium hazy yellow, looking light and innocent but is all of 7.5% ABV. That brings a density and an oily flavour, with coconut prominent in the foretaste before it settles out to mango and lemon zest with a hint of vanilla. It's fine, but for something close to double IPA strength I think I'd like more going on.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjSvwZhbOIdWSL--zE5tZXPqxBrn3YVi33sTNNIhHRICFy4QdUI1e1S4ICI6DrfXbU 41rJxT2M5hPQzTJd1WM2_mJlgCd5lDcg2BU88UuLa5WthP0pbm PVL2zkIzc1HvTfj58_Ou6aW1AqNJyLj7rsgCIJzvs_FH2B1o_R GyY52GJ9MQgXUc/w166-h200/whitefield_brewery_sunset_lager.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjSvwZhbOIdWSL--zE5tZXPqxBrn3YVi33sTNNIhHRICFy4QdUI1e1S4ICI6DrfXbU 41rJxT2M5hPQzTJd1WM2_mJlgCd5lDcg2BU88UuLa5WthP0pbm PVL2zkIzc1HvTfj58_Ou6aW1AqNJyLj7rsgCIJzvs_FH2B1o_R GyY52GJ9MQgXUc/s2725/whitefield_brewery_sunset_lager.jpg)The final brewery is WhiteField, their first outing since rebranding from White Gypsy. They had a lager they brew for the Cashel Palace Hotel, a 5.2% ABV job called Sunset. It's quite a fruity one with a peach and apricot sweetness and just a lightly bitter herbal grassy side. The body is full and there's a lovely pale-toast crispness too, giving it a bit of a Champagne vibe. This definitely isn't a by-the-numbers lager and shows bags of character.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhaRDZt_Nub23zL6dFsO4oJ8r3CeW9wfHkUYp4JqAF gAnBA-adq87zoAxGByh26XN4nXszsEoPc0fd7mEm_xlSZTufUsN73PoN 426fQVeMZn0KXBa_CUagqrtEspxEuK4UOPTiOz0kuU-iAswB5MYqVe8RzwkAErzgZUEM0_-TqL61ANBTw/w149-h200/whitefield_brewery_resolve_kellerbier.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhaRDZt_Nub23zL6dFsO4oJ8r3CeW9wfHkUYp4JqAF gAnBA-adq87zoAxGByh26XN4nXszsEoPc0fd7mEm_xlSZTufUsN73PoN 426fQVeMZn0KXBa_CUagqrtEspxEuK4UOPTiOz0kuU-iAswB5MYqVe8RzwkAErzgZUEM0_-TqL61ANBTw/s3045/whitefield_brewery_resolve_kellerbier.jpg)Sticking with lager, the brewery has also brewed one as a fundraiser for Ukraine. It's called Resolve and I brought a bottle home with me. It's a kellerbier, which means it's fully murky, an opaque amber colour. The carbonation is high so there was plenty of head, which lasted. A sweet aroma starts us off, with notes of flowers and honey. The flavour goes in a different direction, offering savoury brown bread and a spicy herbal bitterness: rosemary, aniseed and cloves. That's all set on a heavy, chewy body, for the full wholesome and rustic effect. It's quality stuff, an on-point and characterful take on the kellerbier style. Its humanitarian credentials are a bonus.
And that was it for the festival. It was a fantastic day out, and great to catch up with folk I haven't seen since the Before Times. I imagine there'll be a lot of that this summer.
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