Another Thursday bier tasting, this one featuring 3 different biers.
First up was Brad’s contribution, India Saison – a collaboration between Norwegian brewer Nøgne Ø and Australian brewer Bridge Road Brewers. This is a 7.5% Saison featuring some Australian hops (Stella and Galaxy).
This bier is a cloudy yellow with virtually no head. The aroma is passionfruit, lime, grapefruit, summer melons and pineapple. It starts sweet on the palate and ends with a bitter finish. The taste is fresh grapefruit, passionfruit and a hint of melon. Overall it was quite well balanced and refreshing, and sits in a harmonious middle-ground between the Saison and IPA styles.
Next up was Red Hill Scotch Ale, from Red Hill Brewery in Australia, clocking in at 5.8% ABV.
This bier is a clear rust colour with a small pale head. The aroma is strawberry, leather, raisins, lychee and caramel. It has a slightly creamy mouthfeel, a medium body, and is smooth on the palate with a sweet grainy finish and a slight tannin aftertaste. The taste is raisins, caramel, wood and toasted grain. Overall I found this a little lacking in substance for a Scotch Ale.
The final bier of the evening was Thisted Limfjords Porter/Double Brown Stout from Thisted Bryghus in Denmark, another bier I received recently in a trade. This one is a 7.9% Baltic Porter.
This bier pours a solid black with a good beige head that leaves behind some lacing. The aroma is liquorice, chocolate, leather, sandalwood, soy sauce and a touch of smoke. The mouthfeel is slightly oily and it has a roasty bitter finish with a hint of booze. The taste is liquorice, oak, burnt sugar and chicory. This was pretty decent but I really felt it could do with a little aging.