Icelandic Toasted Porter by Einstok

Icelandic Toasted Porter by Einstok (6%)

Icelandic Toasted Porter by Einstok

A salty malty aroma off this one, laced with coffee and a notch of spice. Poured dark, dark brown with a lively burnt head that didn't last long. Had a sweet, rounded malt flavour that worked mostly well with the fresh, green-tasting hops. The toast/roast was on the mild side I though, as was the bittering, though its smoothness belied its strength. Drank, appropriately, watching Game of Thrones.

I had been challenged to try out Einstok's beers after penning my round-up of new Scottish beers for The Herald online. Happy I did, and I'll try the others but I disagree strongly with the poster called Paul who commented on my choice of beers: "None as good as Einstock from Iceland...." 

2 Craigs unstout by Cromarty Brewing

2 Craigs unstout by Cromarty Brewing (2%)

2 Craigs unstout by Cromarty Brewing

Fresh pine, resin aroma on opening bottle that was more fragrant than flowery. The hops really dominated on this one, pushing much of the maltiness to the side, as you'd expect with its mighty low ABV and unstout moniker. It poured a thick and dark, dark brown. The head left quick, though grudgingly, leaving some splendid lacing. Had some dried fruits in there too, raisins and dates. Plenty of bittering on the aftertaste. Refreshing. Minded me of driving back from Skye and stopping at the Cluanie Inn for a Sweetheart Stout.

Balthan by Tryst Brewery

Blathan by Tryst Brewery

Blathan by Tryst Brewery (4%)

Single-hopped pale ale with some elderflowers chucked in. Absolutely delicious and heartwarmingly fresh. A fragrant, spiced fruit aroma. Crisp tangy flavour with tropical fruits and a saltiness coming through. Dry, bitter and crisp biscuit finish.  

Columbus by Brouwerij ‘t IJ

Columbus by Brouwerij ‘t IJ (9%)

This beer came all the way from Amsterdam courtesy of my brother in law, and damn it was fine. It was, it's fair to say, quite unlike any beer I can think of, but let's be honest, that's not saying much...

First off, you're punched slap bang in the face by a really smokey aroma. This, surprisingly, didn't carry through to the taste though. Alongside hefty helpings of hops, the big finish mellowed to notes of tart apple, and left a sour and bitter yet malty aftertaste. Unusual and complex; an acquired taste. 

Yoga Chef by Stewart's Brewing

Yoga Chef coffee-infused oatmeal stout by Stewart's Brewing (5.5%)

Yoga Chef by Stewart's Brewing

Wow. Keep your eyes open for this rather fine coffee stout. Plenty of bitterness from the hops which complement the sweet chocolate malts. Lively carbonation, light to medium body, with hints of orange citrus, fresh fruit and earthy love.

60 Degrees North by Lerwick Brewery

60 Degrees North, Shetland lager by Lerwick Brewery (4.8%)

60 Degrees North by Lerwick Brewery

A delicious, rounded lager, dangerously morish but sadly only comes in 330ml bottles. Happily, though, Lerwick is doing a bit of a mainland sales push so should be a bit easier to get your hands on. Taste of treacle and rich lager malts. Slight sourness beneath the moderate bittersweet finish. Hints of Marmite (mmmmm) and hay barns. Earthy, roasted and fresh. Smooth, and darker than your typical pilsner.

Sample courtesy of Lerwick Brewery

Dark Abbey by Top Out Brewery

It's been a busy month, and I've been trying lots of new beers; some freshly released from the brewery, others new to me. Some bought, some were samples. Over the next couple of weeks I've going to list these, do write-ups. Diary entries really; kind of what this site was intended for originally. So, to kick off we have:

Dark Abbey: A Belgian Style Ale from Top Out Brewery (8.9%)

Dark Abbey by Top out Brewery

Notes of treacle and lovely rich malts, not an overly pungent aroma. Poured dark with a carefree fizz, nothing aggressive. Had a sharp yeasty tang. Coke, vanilla, bit of cherry and dried dates. Bitterness at back of throat on the finish. Limited edition No1, and a lovely, lovely label.