Lots of great photos and beers this year.
Day 1
Spotty dog double west coast IPA 9.6%
Starting off strong. A whole lot of bitterness that you expect from a strong west coast IPA. Smells piney and a little dank. Taste hits the spot without being very exciting. 8/10
Day 2
Mountain culture esky in the boot 8.0%
A bit of burnt hops to start but that faded quickly. Has a mild fruity smell with a bit of orange. The alcohol comes through a little in the taste which is otherwise bitter and fruity. Feels like there’s something missing 7.5/10
Day 3
New England Dapper 5.5%
It delivers what I expect from a special bitter. But the bitterness is combined with an ashy taste in the way you get from an English hand pump ale. Smells much the same as it tastes with a biscuity aroma. I got used to it as I was drinking but it’s not the style for me. 4.5/10
Day 4
Yullis smoked mango chilli sour 4.7%
Smoke > chilli > sour > mango. It’s a lot to put in a light beer and it doesn’t balance out that well. I like all these things separately but they don’t work together. 4/10
Day 5
Blackmans citra cryo 4.6%
A fair amount of dank for a pale ale. Reminds me of a classic IPA but a little milder. Smells piney and fresh. It’snothing new but would be great to have a few of these. 8/10
Day 6
Deeds Eight maids a milking 6.5%
My kind of beer, a nice creamy IPA. Smells citrusy and floral and tastes oh so smooth. A little bit of burnt hops in the bottom of the can. 8/10
Day 7
Hop Nation Czech Pilsner 4.5%
Pretty standard pilsner which sits on the lighter side. Low on malt making for a crisp finish. 7/10
Day 8
Banks Smoochin with everybody 6.9%
Very fruity in the smell. Tastes a lot like it looks. Strong in flavour but still has delicate notes and very little harshness. The more I drink the more I want. 9/10
Day 9
Kaiju! No Ragrets 11.1%
Surprisingly easy to drink. Smells very sweet and with dark chocolate but it’s more bitter in taste. I expected deeper flavours in something this strong. It gets better towards the end, or maybe I’m just drunk. 6/10
Day 10
Range trapped under ice 6.4%
Doesn’t hit those common citrus IPA flavours. Has just a bit of dank hops that sits on the tip of the tongue. Very little harshness or lingering bitterness 8/10
Day 11
Akasha hop alone 4.2%
Quite a smooth hop profile. Smells earthy. Tastes quite similar to the Akasha XPA but richer in flavour. 7.5/10
Day 12
Freshwater wave chaser pils 4.5%
Quite a bitter pils. Kind of plain and boring 5.5/10
Day 13
Reckless black IPA 6.0%
Not very hoppy, much more on the sweet malty side. But it is really easy drinking. Leaves a nice bit of sweetness in the mouth. 7.5/10
Day 14
Molly Rose Wit’s the season 4.5%
Not sure I like what they’ve done to this. The pepper flavour covers up the usual banana flavours. Maybe I was just too excited for a standard Wit. 5/10
Day 15
Slow lane Pass the Bock 6.5%
A great dark beer that isn’t too heavy. More a very malty rich lager. It’s well crafted and on point for the style. 8/10
Day 16
Seven mile quiver killer 7.5%
Perfect classic IPA. Super bitter at first but the malt overcomes it so it doesn’t last. Very easy drinking and I wish I had more. 9/10
Day 17
Little Bang Utopia 5.0%
Poured and initially tasted like the can had gone sour but that faded. There wasn’t much flavour left though. It’s a decent pale ale but not special. 6.5/10
Day 18
Green beacon strawberry creaming soda ice cream sour 4.2%
There’s a lot in the name, not sure there is so much in the taste. It does have a slight creaminess but that can’t win past the sour. There’s also very little sweetness. One of the better sours I’ve had and it does taste a bit like strawberries. 8/10
Day 19
Bridge road fog Jnr 3.4%
A lot of juicy aroma for a weak beer. Carries quite nicely through into the taste as well. Kind of like a really nice IPA that has been watered down. Great for a session full of flavour 8/10
Day 20
Good lands steez 5.8%
Has a strange musty taste. Never quite becomes what I would expect from an IPA 6/10
Day 21
Aether lemongrass kölsch 4.5%
Tastes like a cheap lager with a tiny bit of lemon 4/10
Day 22
Boatrocker Belgium calling 5.7%
More bitter than I expected but has the distinctive belgian flavours. Gets better the more I have 7.5/10
Day 23
White bay you’ve been naughty 7.0%
A very nice red IPA. A great mix of hops, bitterness and malt. Very enjoyable and I want another. 8.5/10
Day 24
Hawkers Canadian Christmas Party 10.5%
Sweet and syrupy without being cloying. Tastes a bit like maple syrup. One of the better barley wines that I’ve had that really makes me want more. Also it just looks delicious. 9/10
Day 25
Frenchies giant naked sky Santa has exploded 9.5%
Great name. One of my favourite styles and done very well. Goes down very easy. Like taking a regular beer and ramping everything up 9/10
