Two of the Welsh beers I got last week from Stori Beers of Bala have been staring piteously at me from the fridge every time I reach for the soya milk. I've been ignoring them, because there's nothing worse than someone who is desperate for you to like them (just look at our prime minister if you don't believe me), but this has gone on for too long and they're taking up room that other, possibly better beers than them, could be occupying, so tonight is their night. Just two beers, because they are both 8.2% and 440ml, or 3.6 units each, which is quite enough for me these days.
Polly's Heavy Moon Double IPA is a single hop IPA brewed with
kveik yeast, although on the can it says "kviek". At least
mosaic has been spelt correctly, and the blurb also tells me that oats and wheat have been added to the "extra pale" barley malt. Having said which, the beer passed me by in the blink of an eye, which means it's very drinkable - for anyone who's not put off by the WD40 smell that I get from these over-hopped beers. Hey, at least it's not grapefruit all the way down, like some I've had recently. A bitter finish would have been nice, but you can't have everything.
This is the kind of beer that
london calling has sworn off this week, if I'm not mistaken. I'm drinking it so you don't have to, John. No need to thank me.
I'm pondering why this one cost £5.90 for a 440ml can, while it's shelf-mate was only £5.40. Only time will tell.
...and here we are at the start of the second half, and would you believe it - Polly's have come out with the same bloody beer following the half time team talk. OK, it says
Polly's Fallow Plans Double IPA, and it's hopped with a combination of citra, eldorado, mosaic and simcoe, and there's no mention of yeast types on this can, but otherwise I'd swear it's the same beer. WD40? Yes. Murk? Yes. Sweet taste like fruit juice? Yes. Bitter finish? Bitter what? Are you joking? No, of course it hasn't got a bitter finish. Easy drinking? Now you're talking. Actually, it's probably got a little more depth of fruit juice than the other beer. Hints of different fruits, perhaps. I'm no expert.
I reckon these two beers should count towards my five a day. No, not five beers. Five portions of fruit and vegetables.
Next up, blind tastings of various combinations of fruit smoothies, vodka and just a dash of WD40.