Secret Santa Reviews 2024

[Justin Dean]

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After spending an enjoyable couple of days with the family, I've now got the house to myself so I can give these the attention they deserve.

First up is an Oatmeal Stout. Very dark brown to black colour with a tan head that retains well. A very inviting chocolate aroma, which carries through to the flavour where it is backed up by some caramel sweetness and dried fruits. Smooth mouthfeel and a good level of carbonation make for a very easy drinking beer.

Thanks for sharing - a very nice beer!

Thank you for reviewing. Glad you enjoyed. It was basically the Greg Hughes Recipe but I changed half the cascade bittering hops with norrhdown

 

[Justin Dean]

Sorry not to have done reviews but away at the moment. Will do early January

 

[Stu]

I've not come across this before either, very intrigued

Me neither.

Have a read.
https://www.hopculture.com/cold-ipa/

This beer was exactly like it described.

 

[allotment_fox]

Sadly my final Secret Santa of 2024 Big boy dry hopped bitter beer it's weight @ 4 % bottled in October 2024

A good hiss with light smoke, always a jug at the ready in case of a gusher after it's post office adventures to the allotmentfox towers, but never a chance it's going to be needed It's just a lovely beer to poor, as seen In my photo.

A nice ice white soft fluffy head that sticks to my straight glass. Not a sign of the dreaded HB twang anywhere just a sweet light hop aroma & lemon twist

The beer is nicely conditioned clearly an all grain brewed amber beer, but also very clear and travelled well in the bottle for a bottle conditioned beer

A light toffee bitter taste with good mouth feel a good combination of hops in this one, got to have used some water treatment this is not just tap water (the sort of beer you want in a pub on hand pull for sure) and a beer you could happily sink 3 or 4 on a Friday night on draft.
Dam it my glass is empty

Thanks very much Santa another 5 star beer any brewer would be proud to havemade, would love to see the recipe.

 

[stubrewworx]

3rd and final ss beer - spiced winter warmer.

I always approach these beers with trepidation as I’m not keen on spiced beers, but this was lovely.

Colour was an ideal reddish brown, pulling you in from the cold and providing a warm reassurance.

Poured into same glass after the ESB and kept a small head, actually enlarged after this photo. Again, carbed just right.

Caramel and toffee with a hint of spices (guessing cinnamon was there?), a bit more hop flavour than the ESB? But certainly sweeter finish as you’d expect.

Nice fire side beer.

Thanks to the two Santa’s

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And thanks to @Alastair70 of course

 

[Twostage]

Second SS review from me, Citra Gold IPA. Nice carbonation, slight haze, very hoppy flavour. Clean tasting. Had a hint of green apple which can be a fault but it seemed to add to the cleanness of the flavour.

Good lacing...

Thanks Santa.