647: Dhillons | Red Rebel IPA

The Brewery: “Dhillon’s Brewery, an award-winning microbrewery situated in Coventry in the heart of the Midlands, was founded in 2015 with one goal in mind – To Keep It Re’Ale.Our commander-in-chief Mr Dhillon had a dream of brewing beautifully crafted beer and started building his team to achieve this. Joined by Pedro our Head Brewer with a wealth of experience in the brewing industry, and with Gordon taking control of Sales and Marketing, the journey commenced.”

The Beer: “Our Red Rebel Ale is a classic IPA brewed with both American and European hops, paying tribute to the roots, transporting you back to the true origins of the IPA – sipping your way to the 17^th Century with explosions of bitter and citrus notes combined with warm caramel malty flavours – smooth, refreshing, and very moreish!”

After the disappointment of the Amber Gambler this was much better. Not my favourite style as you know but a quality ale without doubt. 6.2% A.B.V.

The Co-op, Balsall Common, Warwickshire. July 2020. Related entries.

646: Dhillons | The Amber Gambler

The Brewery: “Dhillon’s Brewery, an award-winning microbrewery situated in Coventry in the heart of the Midlands, was founded in 2015 with one goal in mind – To Keep It Re’Ale.Our commander-in-chief Mr Dhillon had a dream of brewing beautifully crafted beer and started building his team to achieve this. Joined by Pedro our Head Brewer with a wealth of experience in the brewing industry, and with Gordon taking control of Sales and Marketing, the journey commenced.”

The Beer: “Our Ambler Gambler is a homely honeyed medium body, with a frothy friendliness – European hops enhanced and balanced with Maris Otter and Munich malts, for a pique of perfect pine! The creamy honey flavour is hold your hand smooth, with a lighthearted laugh of floral freshness to make you reach for the next bottle – off the clock with a relaxing companion – you deserve it!”

After enjoying the GPA so much I was looking forward to this - a beer more my type. Sadly it had a bit of a twang that my awkward palate took an instant dislike to - so much so that I didn’t even finish it. Pity. Will look out for another to try in case I got a dud. 4.5% A.B.V

The Co-op, Balsall Common, Warwickshire. July 2018. Related entries.

645: Dhillons | Bright Eyes GPA

The Brewery: “Dhillon’s Brewery, an award-winning microbrewery situated in Coventry in the heart of the Midlands, was founded in 2015 with one goal in mind – To Keep It Re’Ale.Our commander-in-chief Mr Dhillon had a dream of brewing beautifully crafted beer and started building his team to achieve this. Joined by Pedro our Head Brewer with a wealth of experience in the brewing industry, and with Gordon taking control of Sales and Marketing, the journey commenced.”

The Beer: “Our Bright Eyes brew is the perfect Golden Pale Ale – trusted toffee undertones lit up by an explosion of bright orange sunlight on your taste buds – this is the go-to for any occasion that demands clean, fruitilicious refreshment – a crisp session companion that takes the biscuit!”

Not my favourite style of beer as regular was know but was please to discover some beers from a brewery I had not yet heard of.

As it turned out I quite enjoyed this; a nice summers afternoon outside whilst on tour in the caravan and, served a little colder, it was the perfect accompaniment. Nice and light too at 3.8% A.B.V.

The Co-op, Balsall Common, Warwickshire. July 2020. Related entries

644: Hunters | Full Bore

The Brewery: “Hunter’s is a family run brewery that’s been crafting top quality ales in the heart of the Devon’s countryside since 2008……Hunter’s was founded by Paul, with the aim of producing high quality ales with flavours that reflected the best Devon has to offer the craft beer industry. After finding premises on a local farm Hunter’s was born and Paul set about creating the core range of beers that many drinkers enjoy throughout Devon and the UK.”

The Beer: “With the aroma of roasted malt Full Bore is made with Devon Honey to produce a warm full taste of caramel with a smooth bitter sweet finish…..Enjoy along with your Sunday Roast and relax with a snooze afterwards!…..Strong roasted malt smell with bittersweet hop finish. Palate: Lovely malt flavours with the warm full taste of caramel.”

Wow. Full bore it certainly was and it certainly packed a punch. I enjoyed this very much but it’s potent stuff. Very tasty. 6.8% A.B.V

The Co-op, Balsall Common, Warwickshire. July 2020. Related entries

643: Harveys | Lewes Castle Brown

The brewery: “Harvey's Brewery is the oldest independent brewery in Sussex. A family business, the brewery has been in the guardianship of seven generations of John Harvey's descendants since 1790, with five family members from the seventh and eighth generations currently working here. Still a privately-owned limited company, Harvey's has no shares marketed for external investment.”

The beer: “A traditional brown ale. Brewed with roasted malt and dark sugars, it has a sweet, malty palate and a bittersweet finish derived from Fuggle and Progress aroma hops. There is a lush fullness, offset by a hint of burnt sugars. Sweet palate with notes of coffee and liquorice.”

A tad on the sweet side for me but an enjoyable lockdown quaff nonetheless. Another quality ale from Harveys. 4.8% A.B.V. May 2020. Related entries

642: Harveys | Star of Eastbourne

The brewery: “Harvey's Brewery is the oldest independent brewery in Sussex. A family business, the brewery has been in the guardianship of seven generations of John Harvey's descendants since 1790, with five family members from the seventh and eighth generations currently working here. Still a privately-owned limited company, Harvey's has no shares marketed for external investment.

The beer: “First brewed to mark the Eastbourne Beer Festival in October 2004. A strong, old style India Pale Ale reminiscent of the beers exported across the globe by British breweries during the early nineteenth century. This golden IPA exudes a full hop aroma, with subtle hints of marmalade. The crisp bitterness lingers on the palate giving a dry finish.”

Another new one to pass my lips during lockdown and what a cracker. It reminded me a bit of Abbot Ale though perhaps a bit lighter taste wise. Similar strength at 5.5% A.B.V and like Abbot, very appealing to my taste buds. May 2020. Related entries

641: Hepworth | Iron Horse

The brewery: “Andy Hepworth started brewing in Reading almost directly after University. He moved to Horsham in 1980 and within five years became the youngest Head Brewer in the country, winning many awards.The long-standing tradition of brewing in Horsham came to an abrupt halt in 2000 with the sale of its last brewery and so Andy, determined to maintain that tradition, joined up with the key members of the brewing team in order to create Hepworths, an independent brewery aiming to build its own range of quality brands, while maintaining flexibility for contract work.”

The beer: “Iron Horse is a premium bitter brewed with Sussex hops. This wonderful Pale Ale is handcrafted from a complex grist of roasted malts and Sussex grown hops delivering full flavour ale with a traditional Sussex hoppy nose to the finish.The result is an authentic craft beer, gluten free, traditionally brewed, with no compromise on quality, taste or strength. Densely flavoured and very satisfying at 4.8% abv.

Another enjoyable ale from Hepworths. Densely flavoured yes and definitely maltier than the recently sample Pullman but not too ‘syrupy’. A tasty beer, no doubt. 4.8% A.B.V.

April 2020. Related entries