OnTap Magazine

BREW REVIEWS "Rugged softness” is the order of the day, and this chunky ale definitely lives up to that. It pours reddish-black with a tan head that lingers, but not for too long. The aroma is dark, big and boozy with a little smoke, and a hint of coffee that gives way to vanilla and plenty of roast malts to back it all up. Deep and dark flavours hit you on the first sip and with minimal hop bitterness, this is one smooth beer. There is some coffee and dark chocolate hiding out too, making way for the woody flavours of real maple syrup. A little extra burnt-roastiness may take this beer up a notch, but we love and live fire, so we may be a bit biased. 3.6 / 5 GG & KT - tasted from bottle. Describing this beer is quite easy: HOPS! A strong punch of citrus, tropical fruit and pine resin are all there when you open the can, when you pour the beer, when you take the first (and last) sip, and linger long after the glass is empty. Next to the hops is an equally strong bitterness, but it is balanced with a really good malt backbone that makes this beer disturbingly easy to drink. This is a great beer, so get it now and drink it fresh! 4.1/5 JHA - tasted from can. Fraser’s barrel-aged wild yeast-fermented fruit ale displays interesting Brettanomyces characteristics on aroma including a wonderful complex barnyard-like character. A mix of fresh raspberries and puree coats the mouth with sweet and tart fruit flavours and the secondary fermentation with champagne yeast leaves the beer bone dry. This wild fruit beer could be used to convert wine drinkers to beer with its balance fruit and acidity and high attenuation. A very solid attempt in taming nature. To quote Othello ‘Tis true there is magic in the web of it’. 3.8/5 MS - tasted from bottle. Such a pretty and welcoming sight: a clear, golden beer with slight amber hues and a tight, white head that lingers for a while. This beer does not have aggressive aromas, but caramel, floral and fruity notes are easy to find. The flavours are similar to the aromas, again showcasing the malt, hops and yeast in a balanced and not-overly-subtle way. The beer has a medium-low bitterness and a dry finish that makes every sip an encouragement for the next. A great English pint, with enough complexity to add some extra flavour between a few lagers, while still being approachable even to the most fainthearted of beer-drinkers. 4/5 JHA - tasted from bottle. Darling Brew ARROWHEAD RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT (8% ) Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. SPACE LLAMA DOUBLE IPA (9.5%) Fraser's Folly TNT Brewery SUMMER ALE (4%) BREW NEWS WILD RASPBERRY SOUR ALE (7.2%) 66 | Spring 2018 | ontapmag.co.za