Galway Bay Resin & Rye, American Barleywine, 10.7%

Now that the irrepressible social connector @SimonSaysBeer is off to pastures new I thought an homage to his former employers with this Resin & Rye American Barleywine was overdue.

That bready rye nose is evident on the frothy top.

For a barleywine – at least the ones I’m used to – its quite light on the palate.

I can get the old school hops – which pleases me – & makes me want to put some old skool bangin’ beats on the stereo.

Resin & Rye does get heavier on the finish.

It reminds me of flavours I used to enjoy when old skool music was current.

It wasn’t Simon says back then,

What Charly says went!

Sláinte

Galway Bay Brewery website here.

Simon has moved onto Four Corners here.

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Innis & Gunn, Caribbean Rum Cask, Scottish Red Beer, 6.8%

Innis & Gunn were one of the first beer companies I encountered using barrel ageing to give additional flavours to their brews.

This Caribbean Rum Cask is the latest I picked up in a local Co-op on my Scottish travels.

It’s slightly unusual in using Red Beer as the donor brew rather than the commoner stouts normally found.

I do like the neck collar motif proudly displaying ‘Aged 51 Days‘.

There’s a lovely foamy head on pouring.

I’m getting a dark, rich malty aroma.

The palate is almost luxurious – sweet & heavy.

Suits my tastes.

Another nice one from Innis & Gunn!

Innis & Gunn website here.

All images authors own.

Lidl De Luxe Beer Battered Onion Rings

Maybe it was the pubs being closed?

Yearning c/othewhiskeynut

Spotting these Beer Battered Onion Rings in my local Lidl reminded me of pre-pandemic carefree days.

They made my basket.

They made my oven.

They made my plate.

Memories c/othewhiskeynut

They brought back memories of the good days,

And yearnings of days yet to come.

Sláinte

8 Degrees, Devil’s Ladder Belgian Tripel, Sherry Cask Aged, 11.5%

Very rich tasting.

Very moreish.

A mountain of a beer at 11.5%.

Devil’s Ladder c/othewhiskeynut

Part of 8 Degrees Brewing Irish Munro series – this beer’s casks are in turn used to age a whiskey creating the Crested Devil’s Ladder version.

Crested Devil’s Ladder c/oCelticWhiskeyShop

As both 8 Degrees & Crested are owned by Pernod Ricard – it’s great to see further developments from this partnership.

Enjoy them while you can!

Sláinte

The Greatest Beer Run Ever, John ‘Chick’ Donohue & JT Molloy.

Hey!

Let’s deliver some beer to our buddies!

Sounds like a good plan.

There’s just the minor inconvenience of these buddies fighting a war in Vietnam – but the plan hatched in a New York bar grows legs.

The Book, The Beer, The Movie? c/othewhiskeynut

The Greatest Beer Run Ever is a mad cap adventure only the young or foolish would contemplate.

Written years after the event it’ s full of humanity – both brutal and kind – as well as reflections of a life well lived.

Sit back, pour yourself a beer & enjoy the ride!

Sláinte

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier, Märzen, 5.1%

I’m smitten with Märzen.

Smoky heaven c/othewhiskeynut

The smoky BBQ flavours just win me over.

Using barley dried over a beechwood log fire – the richness, depth & above all – smokiness – of this traditional German style screams out YES to my palate.

Smokebeer! c/othewhiskeynut

I’ve moved over to the Rauchbier side!

Prost!

X-Mark, Gold Rum Beer, 5.9%

Rather than bother with the hassle of barrel ageing – X-Mark simply throw some of the flavouring agent into the mix.

X didn’t hit the spot. c/othewhiskeynut

You certainly get the hint of rum from this concoction – but it’s like drinking an ordinary lager with a dash of rum on top.

Ingredients c/othewhiskeynut

Other than the novelty – I don’t think I’ll be indulging again.

Sláinte

DOT Brew Batch IV, Barrel Aged Rum Red Dark, 8.9%

It’s not only whiskey that’s exploring different varieties of barrel ageing – the craft beer world is too!

DOT BatchIV c/othewhiskeynut

DOT Brew excel in barrel ageing.

This Red Ale has been aged in used Irish Whiskey barrels that previously held rum.

Label info c/othewhiskeynut

Pours a lovely dark ruby red with a decent head.

Rich sweet dark caramel nose.

Quite a welcoming heavy molassey palate – very engaging.

All topped off with a winter warming hug of rum.

8.9% enjoyment! c/othewhiskeynut

Nice!

Sláinte

DOT Brew, Session Rye Revisited, 4%

I don’t just enjoy a rye whiskey – I’m also partial to rye in beer.

The grain imparts different qualities to the beverages.

In whiskey there’s usually a light sweet aroma, rather dry palate & a gorgeous spiciness to finish.

In beer I loose the spice.

Rye beer c/othewhiskeynut

With this Session Rye from DOT Brew a light sweet & fruity nose kicks things off.

Definitely dry on the palate.

Then fades rather quickly leaving you wanting more!

Back label c/othewhiskeynut

Rye grain is harder to work with – which is probably why it’s use faded over the years.

Makes it all the more enjoyable to savour when it does appear!

Sláinte

Tullibardine Whisky Beer, 7%

Any whisky distillery that displays a row of beers proudly bearing it’s name always endears itself to me.

Tullibardine is one such distillery.

1488 Whisky Beer is a collaboration between Tullibardine Distillery – who provide the barrels – and Black Wolf Brewery – who make the beer.

I do like a dark ale! c/othewhiskeynut

1488 is the year a young James IV ordered some beers from a local Tullibardine brewery.

This modern ale celebrates that long tradition of brewing & distilling in Tullibardine.

Alas there is no longer a brewery in the town – so nearby Black Wolf Brewery of Stirling do the honours.

Let the wolf howl! c/othewhiskeynut

A dark brown ale colour & consistency.

A malty, bready nose.

Quite light on the palate with mild carbonation.

The whisky barrel ageing gives a heavier treacly undertow to the proceedings.

Back story c/othewhiskeynut

An enjoyable pour that symbolises the rich history & craftship of brewing & distilling in the Central Belt of Scotland.

Sláinte