Recent Tasting Notes
Over the past few weeks we’ve been inundated with samples from reps, all of which are brand spanking new releases. We’ve slowly been working our way through them. (It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!!)
Holgate Brewhouse Temptress Chocolate Porter (6%ABV)
13/20
Wow, delivers a surprising jet-black appearance (odd for a porter…) with a medium tan coloured head. Nose is dominated by milk chocolate and hazelnut with some roasted malt presence. (Still not convinced it’s a porter) Mouth feel is quite full, not viscous like a stout, but fuller than I’d expect, even for a robust porter. Again more choc-hazelnut with a hint of caramel, highly kilned malt delivers a bittersweet finish. It’s really quite nice but I guess I’m just a bit thrown by the style. (Although adding cocoa powder to the boil would presumably add palate weight…)
Holgate Brewhouse Hopinator Double IPA (7%ABV)
14/20
Righto, this one has big shoes to fill! (Murrays and Jamieson being the front-runners for the style) Body displays a deep crimson colour, tending to copper and is quite hazy. Sports a rather substantial beige coloured head that persists and laces quite well. Nose is really fragrant, as expected. Shows an abundance of sweet malt, with penetrating stone fruit and piney notes from the rigorous hopping. Palate is full on! (Wouldn’t have it any other way!) Sweet malt introduces some candied fruit and a hint of caramel fudge. Grapefruit and apricot fill out the mid palate before a substantial pine and resin hop presence drive home a long finish, with lingering bitterness. Really impressive!
Barossa Valley Brewing Organic Ale (5%ABV)
12/20
Pours a hazy orange tending to amber with a substantial, nicely packed off white head. Aromas are nice and quite lifted. Sweet malt dominates with tropical fruit nuances prevalent. Palate is quite light and fizzy, (reminds me of wicked elf pale) however still has substantial sweet malt presence and some resiny hop bitterness. All in all a rather approachable interpretation of the APA style.
Holgate Brewhouse Temptress Chocolate Porter (6%ABV)
13/20
Wow, delivers a surprising jet-black appearance (odd for a porter…) with a medium tan coloured head. Nose is dominated by milk chocolate and hazelnut with some roasted malt presence. (Still not convinced it’s a porter) Mouth feel is quite full, not viscous like a stout, but fuller than I’d expect, even for a robust porter. Again more choc-hazelnut with a hint of caramel, highly kilned malt delivers a bittersweet finish. It’s really quite nice but I guess I’m just a bit thrown by the style. (Although adding cocoa powder to the boil would presumably add palate weight…)
Holgate Brewhouse Hopinator Double IPA (7%ABV)
14/20
Righto, this one has big shoes to fill! (Murrays and Jamieson being the front-runners for the style) Body displays a deep crimson colour, tending to copper and is quite hazy. Sports a rather substantial beige coloured head that persists and laces quite well. Nose is really fragrant, as expected. Shows an abundance of sweet malt, with penetrating stone fruit and piney notes from the rigorous hopping. Palate is full on! (Wouldn’t have it any other way!) Sweet malt introduces some candied fruit and a hint of caramel fudge. Grapefruit and apricot fill out the mid palate before a substantial pine and resin hop presence drive home a long finish, with lingering bitterness. Really impressive!
Barossa Valley Brewing Organic Ale (5%ABV)
12/20
Pours a hazy orange tending to amber with a substantial, nicely packed off white head. Aromas are nice and quite lifted. Sweet malt dominates with tropical fruit nuances prevalent. Palate is quite light and fizzy, (reminds me of wicked elf pale) however still has substantial sweet malt presence and some resiny hop bitterness. All in all a rather approachable interpretation of the APA style.
Labels: Recent Tasting Notes
posted by Chris Menichelli at
10:13 am
7 Comments:
The Holgates are bottled, and not just on tap? Sounds good... Have you spotted the heather-flavoured barleywine too?
By
Anonymous, at 11:25 am
Lach,
Just checked my price list...barely wine is indeed available although a price has not been set....10.5%!
By
Stewart Went, at 2:38 pm
So will you be getting them in? I had those both at the Holgate pub and they were pretty good. Like mentioned already...know anything about the Barleywine?
By
Anonymous, at 2:40 pm
Yep, bottled versions of the Double IPA and Chocolate Porter were due for release on the 1st Aug. Samples didnt have labels, perhaps that is why they are a little behind schedule...Will have them in stock asap!
By
Chris Menichelli, at 4:06 pm
Sweet as, thanks.
By
Anonymous, at 7:13 am
Hey Chris - Like your blog. Met you at the Local Alestars. Any way of signing up to your blog ... saves me having to check back.
Cheers
G
By
reeksy, at 10:31 am
Graham,
We are a bit basic here on the tech front and even RSS feed things are beyond me...but I can add your email address to a feeder that lets you know when a new post is published. If you are keen shoot your preferred email address through.
cheers, Stew
By
Stewart Went, at 6:45 pm
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