Patio Beers

We had a beautiful evening yesterday and it was the perfect weather to sit on the deck and sample a couple of my new beers. Joined by my wife (it was our anniversary I had to let her join me, only joking Angel!) this is the perfect way to relax and I did just that.

With this kind of weather something pale and hoppy is called for and I put my choice in the fridge for a short burst to get them to perfect serving temperature. I chose to start with Adnams Innovation followed by Wensleydales Forrester.

ADNAMS INNOVATION

This limited edition offering from the east coast brewery boast a powerful 6.7% abv. Bottled stylishly with a black label with raised writing and a silver name shouts out class. On the first sip you know they are backing this up with substance. By their own admission they are trying there hand at a hop packed American IPA style. This pours as promised a satisfying gold with an enduring white head. The nose is met with a subtle aroma of what I can best describe as toffee apple and slightly grassy. The taste is predominantly grapefruit with elements of Peach but the grapefruit doesn't overpower like in their explorer ale. Balanced with a caramel maltiness creating a smooth mouthfeel. Plenty of life and a bitter after-taste. All in all a very satisfying drink that I will score 4.5 out of 5.

WENSLEYDALE FORRESTERS BITTER

The Wensleydale brewery founded in 2003 can found in Leysdale North Yorkshire. They supply on cask throughout the Dales and also bottle their ales for a wider market. This is a brewery that seems very much in their infancy if their labels are any indication. The Forresters Bitter is labelled as an ideal session bitter and is a modest 3.7% abv. It pours a slightly cloudy straw colour and loses it's head quite quickly. The nose is met with strong aromas of caramel and butterscotch anticipating a sweet beer. I was suprised to be met with quite the opposite a very zesty lemon slightly spicey flavour. Their was little maltiness and a slightly sour feel on the tongue. A strong bitter aftertaste leaving the pallet with a pleasant dryness. I wouldn't personally fancy this as a session bitter as it wasn't smooth enough but nod a bad effort from a burgeoning brewery. I would score this at 3.5 out of 5