Tasting Notes: the Beer Swap three [#beerswap]
First up was Ascot Ales Alligator Ale, a golden ale brewed with single-varietal (US cascade) hops. I was expecting something light and refreshing, but this 4.6% ABV ended up punching well above its expected weight. It poured a slightly cloudy (although that may have been my fault, I might not have been as careful with the sediment as I should have been, distracted as I was by watching the World Cup draw) dark gold colour, with a very thin head. The first sip delivered a big hit of rich malt, which took on a chocolatey character as the beer warmed up. The hop finish was sneaky: it crept up and slugged my taste buds when I wasn't looking, but hung around for ages afterwards in the lingering, dry finish. There was a hint of citrus sourness in there as well; a mix of bitter orange and acid drops. Very little in the way of sweetness, but with plenty of character and flavour, I definitely enjoyed my first Alligator encounter.
Second round: Dark Star Imperial Stout. I had a strong suspicion that I'd get on with this one very well indeed, Imperial Stout being pretty much my all-time favourite beer style, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. This 2008 vintage, 10.5% ABV roast-malt monster poured a lovely opaque black, with no head whatsoever. The first sip released a cascade of big, big flavours: rich, dark chocolate, sour cherries, port wine were the first three I scribbled down as tears of pure joy leaked from the corners of my eyes. After that I noted treacle, liquorice and then a definite vanilla, toasted almond, marzipan-esque semi-sweetness began to creep through. The sweeter flavours became more pronounced as I sipped my way down the glass, but at no point did they take over or become cloying; that bitter-sour note was ever-present, keeping the whole thing in quite wonderful balance. Delicious. Absolutely delicious. I'd happily drink a bottle of Dark Star Imperial Stout any day of the week.
And so to round three: Harvey's Imperial Extra Double Stout. Not just Imperial. Not even just Imperial Extra. No, this one's Imperial Extra Double Stout... so I was expecting something that was going to be nothing less than absolutely incredible. Bottled in 2003, this beer had already been maturing for six years when I cracked it open on Friday evening. I have no idea what it tasted like when it was young, but aged for 60 months or so, it was... well... I started off with 'smells like christmas cake' (when it was still in the bottle) and moved on to 'looks like used engine oil', this second observation provided by Jo, after the pour. And it tasted like... rubber. And burnt coffee. And red wine vinegar. And... okay, you know how the phrase 'a bit of a Marmite beer' is usually used metaphorically? in the case of Harvey's IEDS it's quite literal, too. Individually, there's not a flavour there that should have endeared me to Harvey's ober-stout, but slam them all together and you get something that really works. In an oddly savoury, distinctly medicinal, weirdly masochistic way, it all just works. I managed to finish the bottle, anyhow (which surprised me almost as much as it did Jo) and, although I wouldn't rush back to it, I'd still give it another go. I think. Tell you what, offer me another one and we'll see what happens...
Huge, huge thanks to Beer Viking crew member Simon B for sending me this eclectic, interesting and extremely generous selection. Some genuinely remarkable (and surprising) flavours, there. I'm very happy indeed that I took part in the first round of the Beer Swap project, and I'll be glad to volunteer for the next one.
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