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04-03-2011, 17:03
Visit the The Good Stuff site (http://goodpeopleeats.blogspot.com/2011/03/thornbridge-italia.html)
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Thornbridge's Italia was a beer that I'd been waiting for with particular interest; I'm a big fan of Lager - when done right, good Lager can be so good. But we don't get a lot of that good stuff over here. Italia (4.8%abv) is the result of a collaboration with Maurizio Folli of Birrificio Italiano (http://www.birrificio.it/); properly lagered, and is loaded with Hallertau Northern Brewer, Perle and Spalter Select hops.
But is it any good? I bought this the same weekend as Sharp's Monsieur Rock (http://goodpeopleeats.blogspot.com/2011/02/sharps-monsieur-rock.html), but held off drinking them both in the same session - I feared they would be too alike. I was quite wrong - Italia is unashamedly Lager; Uber-Pale, good carbonation, and meant to be served chilled. There's the malty, biscuity backbone that I was hoping for; a creamy, malted-milk heart. On top of that there's Lime and Lemon, and I actually thought the Lime-zest nose got more intense as the pint wore on. It's citrus all the way, but not too sweet. I liked it a lot, but I don't think I could drink a lot of it - it's not a session beer; the flavours are too big. But that's not a bad thing.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H7-mlZEPheY/TXEoF1VdHQI/AAAAAAAABe0/ML9sFLPh9-I/s200/010%2B%25283%2529.JPG (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H7-mlZEPheY/TXEoF1VdHQI/AAAAAAAABe0/ML9sFLPh9-I/s1600/010%2B%25283%2529.JPG)
In fact, it formed part of a very enjoyable meal - chunks of Coley, dredged in flour, paprika and pepper, deep fried until golden and served with a Garlic and Lime mayo. Perfect finger-food, and accompanied by a great, sharp, citrussy beer. Hang on - Lager. Watch out for it on keg at various pubs around the country.
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More... (http://goodpeopleeats.blogspot.com/2011/03/thornbridge-italia.html)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkAcnV2rb1g/TXEpCEo5XrI/AAAAAAAABe8/zUe5h2GJuFE/s200/003%2B%25283%2529.JPG (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkAcnV2rb1g/TXEpCEo5XrI/AAAAAAAABe8/zUe5h2GJuFE/s1600/003%2B%25283%2529.JPG)
Thornbridge's Italia was a beer that I'd been waiting for with particular interest; I'm a big fan of Lager - when done right, good Lager can be so good. But we don't get a lot of that good stuff over here. Italia (4.8%abv) is the result of a collaboration with Maurizio Folli of Birrificio Italiano (http://www.birrificio.it/); properly lagered, and is loaded with Hallertau Northern Brewer, Perle and Spalter Select hops.
But is it any good? I bought this the same weekend as Sharp's Monsieur Rock (http://goodpeopleeats.blogspot.com/2011/02/sharps-monsieur-rock.html), but held off drinking them both in the same session - I feared they would be too alike. I was quite wrong - Italia is unashamedly Lager; Uber-Pale, good carbonation, and meant to be served chilled. There's the malty, biscuity backbone that I was hoping for; a creamy, malted-milk heart. On top of that there's Lime and Lemon, and I actually thought the Lime-zest nose got more intense as the pint wore on. It's citrus all the way, but not too sweet. I liked it a lot, but I don't think I could drink a lot of it - it's not a session beer; the flavours are too big. But that's not a bad thing.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H7-mlZEPheY/TXEoF1VdHQI/AAAAAAAABe0/ML9sFLPh9-I/s200/010%2B%25283%2529.JPG (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H7-mlZEPheY/TXEoF1VdHQI/AAAAAAAABe0/ML9sFLPh9-I/s1600/010%2B%25283%2529.JPG)
In fact, it formed part of a very enjoyable meal - chunks of Coley, dredged in flour, paprika and pepper, deep fried until golden and served with a Garlic and Lime mayo. Perfect finger-food, and accompanied by a great, sharp, citrussy beer. Hang on - Lager. Watch out for it on keg at various pubs around the country.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/38739054-4839119505563004638?l=goodpeopleeats.blogspot.com
More... (http://goodpeopleeats.blogspot.com/2011/03/thornbridge-italia.html)