OnTap Magazine

BREW REVIEWS REVIEWERS: Rob Cass (RC), Lucy Corne (LC), Shawn Duthie (SD), Marcel Harper (MH) Camelthorn, being part of a fairly large brewery, has taken the predictable step of trying to make their IPA a mass-appeal beer which is, according to the bottle, “surprisingly easy drinking.” And it is easy drinking, though it’s unlikely to get the hopheads excited. At 5% ABV and 40 IBUs, it’s really more of a pale ale than an IPA, but it does have a nice grapefruit and floral nose and is distinctly more bitter than many other local brews whose labels promise an ‘easy-drinking’ IPA. In a way, it’s reminiscent of the earlier American IPAs, which were more about using hops for bitterness than aroma. There is quite a bit of caramel-malt sweetness on the palate but this does actually work nicely with the bitter finish and the copper colour suggests a good amount of speciality malts in the mash. – SD Camelthorn Brewing Co. BREWNEWS IPA BEER (5%) 3.2 New Brixton’s flagship beer is a moreish, flavoursome exemplar of the English bitter style. It's odd that we don't see more bitters here in SA, but even if we did, I suspect that this one would be leading the pack. The art deco-style label design is a joy and the beer also looks good in the glass: deep amber and crystal clear. Aromas of candy floss and aromatic malts predominate. Taste-wise, the ale has a solid biscuit and caramel backbone supported by herbaceous, earthy bitterness. It finishes dry with a slight woody aftertaste. This will be a great pairing with any traditional Sunday roast. – MH New Brixton Brewing BRIXTON BITTER (4.5%) Some microbreweries are guilty of never innovating; never releasing anything outside their core range of blonde, red, Weiss and stout. Darling tend to have the opposite problem – they release too many beers and consumers struggle to tell their Thunderbird from their Godfather. Some of the specials come and go without much fanfare. I think Black Mist Orange – a reinvention of their dark ale – is the best they’ve brought out in years. The orange peel is bold but not overpowering and for me – a colossal fan of chocolate and orange flavours together – it is perfectly balanced. Alongside that chocolate note there is a touch of smoke, a hint of coffee grounds and something ever so slightly meaty, but the orange is the star. The aromas follow through when you sip – first the smoke and a slight meatiness, then the orange kicks in. The beer – a velvety sipper, perfect for the winter months – does well at a warmer temperature: leave it out of the fridge for 20 minutes before you pour. And do not pair it with chocolate or orange – there’s no quicker way to ruin your enjoyment of this limited edition beer. Trust me. – LC Darling Brew BLACK MIST ORANGE (5%) 3.9 3.9 There’s a strong floral nose at first, then the violets give way to a slightly muted orange peel note. I’ve had the beer on numerous occasions and never picked up on the buchu listed on the label – a difficult ingredient to use subtly but in this case it’s perhaps a little too subtle! Slightly bready and slightly sweet, at least up front, the beer finishes with a tartness that is characteristic of a Belgian witbier. It’s a little full-bodied for the style, but that doesn’t detract from the refreshing character of Hey Joe’s flagship. One thing I would add is that the beer is quite superior on tap – plan a visit out to the taproom (open at long last) to taste it at the source. – LC Hey Joe Brewing Company WIT (4.8%) 3.4 64 | Winter 2019 | ontapmag.co.za