Dublin Beer Views

Devenney's of Dundrum have done it again The Christmas beer box, an ideal pressie for your beer nerd realtive. 12 specially selected beers, a snack (nuts etc) a branded glass (all nerds love branded glassware) and delivery of the wrapped box all in for €50. My darling wife ordered one up for me and it arrived mid December. I was NOT allowed go near it until Christmas day and whilst the kids dived into the wrapping paper, plastic, singing dolls and batteries, I eagerly unwrapped my box. I was very very happy with the contents. I'll blog each of the beers over the holiday period.

We've had a month of freezing temperatures and snow that has brought the country to a standstill. But snow is not without its uses !!!!

I know it says Lager on the label,m but forget that. Consider this a lighlty hopped Pils. Its about as moreish as beer gets. chewy mouthfeel, loads of yummy malt, and hop, not too much but enough to be fresh. I want to be in NYC with a pitcher of this. Available in the supermarkets, Tesco usually have a carry pack, 6 pack for €9.99. And well worth that.

Yes, thats right, Guinness Lager, no not Harp, its a black lager, on sale as a trial in Northern Ireland only. Its aimed at Guinness drinkers who are ashamed of a draft can whilst on the dancefloor apparently. More show than go. Thats how it tastes too, its ok, beats the usual "bud" but its too thin, too light, too , well icky. I drank all 4 like water, which is just about what it feels like. Not for me.

Now thats what I call hopped. I tried this last year and the hop was way way to acidic, it was raw lemon concentrate, it burned. This year it does not, I was advised to give it a second go and I'm delighted I did. The deal here is that the well established and respected Sierra Nevada, brewery, USA, take fresh hop, just picked and use it directly i the boil. No drying out, no use at your leisure. Thereby preserving ad utilising all that nature provides. It certainly works, ad this time its nicely balanced with good robust malt. Delivered in a large bottle, it makes for a pleasant evening. This was my treat to me, whilst the Mrs was at her Christmas doo with ladies.