OnTap Magazine

BREW REVIEWS REVIEWERS: Reviewers: Lucy Corne (LC), Brian Leopold (BL) BREWNEWS Aegir Project Independent Brewery AGE OF THE MANGO (9.1% ABV) 4.1 It’s not the first time that Aegir Project’s Rory Lancellas has had the honour of using Vin de Constance grape must in one of his hybrid beers. This time, the grape juice was blended with golden ale wort (pre-fermented beer) and aged in oak for 18 months. The final touch – 100kg of mango pulp – helped to transform this into a remarkably complex beverage. It kicks off with a wave of funk – that tell-tale barnyardy Brettanomyces aroma. Hiding behind it is a subtle sourness and a waft of mango, although the fruit only fully comes through when you sip. Tropical fruit flavours dominate, offering a juicy, tart mouthful that finishes crisp and dry. It’s an extremely refreshing brew that belies its high ABV. Grab a bottle as a Christmas gift for the special beer lover in your life, or simply buy it along with a slab of aged gouda and treat yourself – you deserve it. - LC When dedicating something special in your life, a lot of people would immediately look to an idol that inspired them or maybe a family member who helped lead them on the path they have chosen. The inspiration for this beer however, came from the brewing team’s furry four-legged friends: McGruff, Olla and Simon. This unique beer doesn't follow a specific beer style but rather creates its own. Roasted molasses malt aromas are backed by some Arabic coffee and dark fruit. On the palate, coffee dominates again but with sweet malt, dark fruits and dark chocolate in a supporting role. There is a level of creaminess that really helps make this beer moreish, and I believe that many a stout fan will thoroughly enjoy it. - BL Hey Joe Brewing Company 3.7 PAPA JOE SERIES BELGIAN STOUT (7% ABV) “One Time Only”, the can proclaims and this is the philosophy of brand new Jump Brewing, brainchild of Murray Middleton (ex- Metal Lane). The first of Jump’s one-off, single batch brews is a NEIPA brewed under contract at Devil’s Peak. If the first bite is with the eye, as they say, then Jump’s debut grabs you before you’ve even opened it. There’s a lot of info on the can from tasting notes, hop varietals used, suggested serving temperature and IBU count, as well as a few other quirky splashes. Happily, what’s inside the can is just as good as the label. It begins with a whack-you-in-the-face aroma of guava, mango and touch of green pepper and once it warms up a little, a hint of papaya. It’s hazy without being fully opaque and despite the low IBUs (20), still manages to remain balanced and give a refreshing finish. “Here for a good time, not for a long time”, the label tells you. Buy some while you can. - LC Jump Brewing 3.9 NEW ENGLAND IPA (5.7% ABV) The Brut IPA is a fairly new addition to the beer world and brings in new taste profiles to delight our ever-relentless search for unique beverages. It's a style of beer that was invented in 2017 at a brewpub in San Francisco and is best described as an IPA with a champagne-like dryness. Saggy Stone’s Sabro, named for the hop used to bring it to life, is a shining example of this. Bursting with citrus, peach and tropical fruits on both nose and palate, this beer style’s unique champagne-like dry attributes bring a perfect balance and allow for an endlessly drinkable summer-time beer. - BL Saggy Stone Brewing Co SABRO BRUT IPA (6%ABV) 4.2 62 | Summer 2020 | ontapmag.co.za