CorkBillyBeers #1
Craft journey with a mix: Third Barrel, Whiplash, Black Donkey, West Cork Brewing
Today, we start a new series and will be trying to get beers from all over the country, including from small breweries who may not be able to produce specials every week, so lots of core beers to be included.
Some weeks, the focus may be on one brewery, another week may concentrate on a style - I have one on stout coming up. Again, it will be mostly Irish beer but I will throw in a "visitor" from time to time!
Just let me know your stockist(s) in Cork where I can buy them. I know some of you have terrific boxes for sale online but I don't need six or twelve of the same beer. As a regular blogger, I need six or twelve different beers!
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Third Barrel Electric Eyes Idaho & El Dorado IPA, 5.6% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys
Volatile thiols are highly impactful aroma compounds that evoke grapefruit, passion fruit, and guava and are found in a variety of tropical fruits, wine grapes, and hops, according to a producer.
Here, Electric Eyes “has been fermented with a thiol boosting yeast, from our friends in WHC Lab in Wicklow, which produces savage esters of tropical fruits (Pineapple and Mango). On top of this, we loaded it with a stupid amounts of Idaho 7 and El Dorado hops, all wrapped up in a sessionable 5.6% abv.”
Since the hops used also produce exotic results, including pineapple from Idaho and tropical from El Dorada, we have a good idea of what to expect!
This one is hazy and certainly juicy and, as they say themselves, “pops with aromas of pineapple and citrus”. And so it continues on the juicy palate. But, for all the boosting yeast and the particular hops used, there is a certain balance and the fruity side, while certainly prominent (pleasingly so), is not at all over the top. And that’s the way I like it!
Geek Bits
Hops: Idaho 7 and El Dorado (both USA)
Plato – 13.56
Available in 24 x 440ml cans and 30l Key Keg
Very Highly Recommended
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Whiplash Alma Witbier 5.0%, 440 ml can Bradleys
Very engaging, on the light side, full of flavour and totally drinkable. My immediate verdict on a second “reading” (after a six months absence), of the Whiplash Alma Witbier.
Bright fresh lemon peel, tangerine, white wine, limes, white pepper and a hint of clove dominate the initial aroma while the body and flavour is airy, silky, fluffy, gently sweet and reassuringly citrus forward.
A Belgian style beer from Whiplash, a Witbier. Amarillo is the main hop and it is used in the dry hop while the other two, Nelson Sauvin (gooseberry, Grape, passion fruit) and Motueka (tropical, lime, lemon), both from New Zealand, are small additions to the brew at the whirlpool stage. Just before finishing they add fresh lemon zest to the tank, “electrifying the whole affair and transforming this Wit into something extremely special.”
Colour is a light orange, hazy for sure. Aromas are zesty as is the first impression on the palate. The lovely and lively lemony zestiness continues strongly on the palate, with peach and pine there also.
Whiplash say they “always approach our Belgian style beers in a less than traditional way” and the divergence continues throughout, though you may find little hints of clove in the aromas and at the end. Something different, something special as they say themselves.
Geek Bits
ABV 5.0%
440ml Cans & draught
Artwork by @sophie_devere
Pilsner Malt
Wheat Malt
Amarillo
Lemon Zest
WLP550 (yeast)
Very Highly Recommended
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Black Donkey Western Warrior Irish Lager, 4.2% ABV, 500ml bottle BD Online
Like all their beers, this Western Warrior lager from Black Donkey, is unfiltered, unpasteurised and bottle and keg conditioned and so a little murky in their own tall glass.
It is a close to orange colour with a short-lived head. The aromatics are of modest intensity, with malt leading the way. Malt too leads on the slightly sweet palate but there is a soft bitter counter, courtesthe traditional noble hops. But make no mistake about it, this understated lager is one supple and refreshing drink with a lovely lip-smacking malt-licking finish, flavour all the way to the very satisfying finalé.
They say: Truly a beer for any and every day. Versatile would be an understatement. Lets start with fish; scallops, sushi, steamed mussels, even oysters. Grilled pork chops and schnitzel, traditional sauerkraut and its accompanying smoked meats and sausages (natürlich!). Round it off with a slice of lemon meringue pie and all you need is cheese; just about any cheese you fancy. Personally, I’d be inclined to go fish and chips!
It is available in 500 and 330ml bottles and 30L kegs
Highly Recommended
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West Cork Brewing Spice Island Red Ginger Irish Red Ale, 5.1% ABV, 500ml bottle Ballymaloe Craft Fair
In Ireland traditionally, redheads are nicknamed ginger. So, in a reverse of that, a beer with ginger as an ingredient, is called an Irish Red Ale. And it is really red with a white top that doesn’t really hang around to see what’s going on in Baltimore, home of the West Cork Brewing Company who claim it as Ireland’s most southerly brewery..
And that ginger starts in the aromas. And continues to the palate where you get the spicy lift along with notes of honey and biscuit. Must say I rather like the ginger, particularly towards the warming finalé. Just goes to show West Cork Brewing are following their own compass, exploring new paths and making very interesting beers indeed.
As always, their beers are brewed using their own spring water, are bottle conditioned, unfiltered and vegan friendly. West Cork Brewing was launched in December 2014 by Dominic Casey, Henry Thornhill and brewer Kevin Waugh.
An interesting beer. Recommended
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