| DUNKLES & JAFFA CAKES |
The 21st of July 2007 was another giant leap for mankind, when the three Royal blokes of The Dunkles & Jaffa Cakes team held their inaugural Committee Meeting at The Blue Dragon Bar & Grill, home of Lord Tim and Lady Colleen. It was said several countries declared a National Holiday to celebrate our meeting, and that Kew Gardens in London named a rose in our honour. Brilliant stuff ! But enough of our worldwide congratulations...let's go straight to the beers.... 1). Samuel Adams Boston Ale -- First ale of the evening, and indeed the flagship ale of the Sam Adams brewery. It came over to this reviewer's taste buds as being a rich, malty, and syrupy ale. It became maltier as it warmed up, which was not really what I was looking for. Still, a sturdy dependable ale that won't let you down in a rainstorm. 5/10. 2). Erie Brewing Co. Presque Isle Pilsner (4.2% ABV) -- The colour was a problem to start with; it had an almost fluorescent yellow glow to it, which you could see through. It was a worrying start, and it didn't get any better. The Presque Isle Pilsner needs to go to the gym and get some muscles as this was a very weak effort for a pilsner. I was drinking it from an Arrogant Bastard Ale glass which said "Fizzy, yellow beer is for wussies". Obviously, it was time for me to change my glass as this was a fizzy, yellow beer. To be fair, the beer had a slight pale hoppy pilsner taste, but otherwise it was a pilsner that had been clearly neutered -- anemic in every sense of the word. 1/10. 3). Stone's Vertical Epic Ale 07/07/07 (8.4% ABV) -- This ale left us all speechless. How an ale could have so much complexity with such an abundance of smells and tastes led to great discussions between us. This Belgian-style ale, a cross between a Saison Ale and a Triple Ale was pale yellow in colour with an initial aroma of cardamom. It had a pronounced peppery finish. As it warmed up, the ale gave gingery, tangerine flavours with the tartness of grapefruit peel. There was pepper all over the place with this ale. A classic book and bedtime ale -- absolutely delicious. The empty glass smelled of a citrus orchard. One of the top ales of 2007. 11/10. 4). Pennsylvania Brewing Co. Penn Pilsner (4% ABV) -- This sprightly young pilsner was pale yellow in colour, with a classic hoppy pilsner smell from the Hallertau hops. I found it to be flavoursome and slightly bitter, with a more-ish aftertaste. Not exactly Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold, but if you can overlook the somewhat weakish character, then the Penn Pilsner can hold it's own in any given situation. 6/10. |
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| IAN'S 7/21/2007 COMMITTEE MEETING REVIEW |