Secret Santa 2019 Reviews

[MackemBrew]

View attachment 22045Could have been great . This is the 2nd beer of 2 which were very kindly sent. Boozy aroma but no carbonation on opening , no head (could be due to fruits used) thin body & slight sourness from cherries at the start not enough flavour for me , a great experiment , up carbonation & adjuncts next time get more body in & that could be great. I’m going to try this flavour combo later in the year for Christmas the cherry flavour could be a winner. Your 1st stout was 10/10 for me this one not so.

Hi mate, glad you enjoyed the first one! I was guttered with the Christmas one didnt work as I'd planned, definitely going to try it again next year though

 

[jceg316]

First beer. A great malty bitter, notes of grain and bread. Was delicious to drink! Thanks for sending this.

Second beer beer, a lovely brown ale. Quite a bready aroma and a peppery taste, with a citrus hoppy flavour. Quite a full mouth feel. Thanks for the lovely label and kind message too!

Thank you both for sending great beers.

 

[uDicko]

1 of 2: Grapefruit IPA

Good nose and a nice colour (as you can see) good carbonation. Just where I like it.
Came with some comprehensive instructions to ensure quality of the pour (sorry peeps who got my beers... Seriously lacking guidance).

Would drink this again for sure. Nice beer.

Well done Santa, good to see you have diversified your skill set.

 

[fury_tea]

1 of 2: Grapefruit IPA

Good nose and a nice colour (as you can see) good carbonation. Just where I like it.
Came with some comprehensive instructions to ensure quality of the pour (sorry peeps who got my beers... Seriously lacking guidance).

Would drink this again for sure. Nice beer.

Well done Santa, good to see you have diversified your skill set.

View attachment 22057

Wooo this one was mine. Glad you liked it. It was a bit of an experiment and I'm fairly happy with how it came out for a pimped kit jobby. Merry Christmas mate!

 

[Ajhutch]

@samale @Subtle Duck

I sent you the American amber ale. Glad to hear you both enjoyed it. It’s a style I’ve brewed a few different versions of over the years, normally as the hoppy beer for Christmas, and I think this was the happiest I’ve been with the malt bill. It was 70% Pale, 24% Munich and 3% each of crystal 60 and 120. The Munich really helps with depth of flavour. I brew it to around 1.056, and bitter to 25 IBUs with Magnum. For this version I used 25g each of Hallertau Blanc and Huell Melon at flameout and the same again plus 25g of Citra to dry hop. On balance I think I prefer it with more traditional American hops like Cascade and Centennial but it was a nice experiment.

This particular beer was great about ten days ago but the hop flavour has faded quite badly (I’ve been drinking it yesterday and today) since then.

 

[pmh]

That was mine! Happy Christmas, and glad you liked it. Feel free to post the recipe, it was a good one but sadly I've none left...

Here's the recipe, very kind for sharing it

 

[samale]

@samale @Subtle Duck

I sent you the American amber ale. Glad to hear you both enjoyed it. It’s a style I’ve brewed a few different versions of over the years, normally as the hoppy beer for Christmas, and I think this was the happiest I’ve been with the malt bill. It was 70% Pale, 24% Munich and 3% each of crystal 60 and 120. The Munich really helps with depth of flavour. I brew it to around 1.056, and bitter to 25 IBUs with Magnum. For this version I used 25g each of Hallertau Blanc and Huell Melon at flameout and the same again plus 25g of Citra to dry hop. On balance I think I prefer it with more traditional American hops like Cascade and Centennial but it was a nice experiment.

This particular beer was great about ten days ago but the hop flavour has faded quite badly (I’ve been drinking it yesterday and today) since then.

I had this beer I thought it was great. I got little hops in it but the malt flavour was great. What yeast did you use

 

[samale]

@samale @Subtle Duck

I sent you the American amber ale. Glad to hear you both enjoyed it. It’s a style I’ve brewed a few different versions of over the years, normally as the hoppy beer for Christmas, and I think this was the happiest I’ve been with the malt bill. It was 70% Pale, 24% Munich and 3% each of crystal 60 and 120. The Munich really helps with depth of flavour. I brew it to around 1.056, and bitter to 25 IBUs with Magnum. For this version I used 25g each of Hallertau Blanc and Huell Melon at flameout and the same again plus 25g of Citra to dry hop. On balance I think I prefer it with more traditional American hops like Cascade and Centennial but it was a nice experiment.

This particular beer was great about ten days ago but the hop flavour has faded quite badly (I’ve been drinking it yesterday and today) since then.

I had this beer I thought it was great. I got little hops in it but the malt flavour was great. What yeast did you use

 

[Cowman]

@Justin Dean @jceg316 I can own up to the brown ale. Thank you both for the kind feedback. Sorry about the clarity, its strange because all of them I've tried have been crystal clear.

 

[SteveH]

Tried my first today, a very tasty chocolate stout

Smooth with a clean bitterness and a nice subtle chocolatey aftertaste, not super roasty which made it easy to drink. Perfect carbonation and a nice persistent head.

Really enjoyed this, thanks very much to the sender and Merry Christmas!

 

[Ajhutch]

I had this beer I thought it was great. I got little hops in it but the malt flavour was great. What yeast did you use

US05 yeast at 18C, so should be pretty clean. Yeh I thought the bitterness and balance had held up well but the hop flavour was really faded.

 

[Ajhutch]

I had this beer I thought it was great. I got little hops in it but the malt flavour was great. What yeast did you use

US05 yeast at 18C, so should be pretty clean. Yeh I thought the bitterness and balance had held up well but the hop flavour was really faded.

 

[samale]

US05 yeast at 18C, so should be pretty clean. Yeh I thought the bitterness and balance had held up well but the hop flavour was really faded.

This will be brewed soon I will let you know how I get on

 

[user 23602]

Starting to get worried that I've killed my 2 Secret Santas.

 

[samale]

Starting to get worried that I've killed my 2 Secret Santas.

 

[Ajhutch]

I’ve got an Export Stout and a Midland Mild at home. I’m with family until Friday so I’ll taste them when I get back.

 

[MickDundee]

Starting to get worried that I've killed my 2 Secret Santas.

I’ve not seen my 2 on this thread either, and I’m pretty sure one of mine was a regular contributor to the Secret Santa sign up thread (judging by his username and the name I sent mine to, and the time he confirmed receipt compared to when I sent it) so slightly concerned I’ve done the same.

I’ll be drinking my 2 tonight once we’ve tidied up and put the kids to bed.

 

[Leon103]

We are only at day 2 of the reviews

 

[Subtle Duck]

Next up is a Belgian dubbel.
Light ish amber colour with a very big fluffy white head which is expected from the style. Rich malt aroma with minimal alcohol on the nose. This followed through on tasting, considering this was 8.5%, it was a very easy to not notice the strength. Good Belgiany taste. A very nice beer, would love the recipe if you're willing to supply it.

 

[pmh]

Next up is a Belgian dubbel.
Light ish amber colour with a very big fluffy white head which is expected from the style. Rich malt aroma with minimal alcohol on the nose. This followed through on tasting, considering this was 8.5%, it was a very easy to not notice the strength. Good Belgiany taste. A very nice beer, would love the recipe if you're willing to supply it.

That does look very good