Me as a little pixelated character for the promotion of episode 2 of Game Over Beer

Game Over Beer

Gaming has been a mainstay throughout my life. Being a guest on Episode 2 of the ‘Game Over Beer’ podcast has got me reminiscing.

Goose Island BCS 2019 Launch

Tomorrow (Friday 29th Nov) is the official launch of Goose Island’s 2019 Bourbon County Stout (BCS). Get down to the Goose Island Brewpub in Shoreditch from 8.30am and secure your bottle because dannnnng this version is tasty AF.

I was lucky enough to attend the exclusive preview on Wednesday and I couldn’t get enough of it. So much so, that I’ve come home with two bottles (thanks very much to Tom’s Big Eats for gifting me your bottle).

This year’s BCS variant has been aged in 4+ year old Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey barrels and I knew it would be a winner as it combines flavours I adore: dried cherries, rich cocoa, smooth caramel and vanilla, alongside a hint of leather and tobacco to add into the mix.

Here’s the video of the launch party (provided by Zeitgeist). It was great catching up with a few familiar faces at the event and to meet a few people for the first time, like the awesome Rhythm & Brews who shared a bottle of Magic Rock‘s Strongman with me!

At the event we also tasted Nemesis, BCS 2018 and the Sour Cherry and Tonka Porter which was magical. The right blend of tart and indulgent for me. Here’s a video of Andrew Walton, Head Brewer at The Goose Island Brewpub giving the lowdown on this particular beer.

 If you’re a BCS fan, what’s been your favourite variant to date?

Beer of the week – 28.03.2016

When I picked this beer up I did so with a feeling of total intrepidation. I’d normally steer clear of such a flavour combination but Northern Monk Brewing Co. aren’t ones to let the side down in their experiments, so I thought ‘what the hell?’ Brewed with Grub & Grog as part of its refectory series, this beer really messed with my mind and my tastebuds!

On opening the Northern Monk Parsnip & Black Pepper Dunkelweiss the aroma had hints of wheat, caramel and banana. As to be expected from a dunkelweiss it was banana flavoured and there were definite hints of spices.

Before you get scared about the word ‘parsnip’ on the label take a chill pill because the taste isn’t overbearing at all. Yes the black pepper is evident but it isn’t so intense that it smacks you in the face, its actually pretty alluring.

This beer was a little bit more surprising with every sip, giving a number of different dimensions. At times I felt it was sweet and at others spicy which as a consequence kept me coming back for more.

The bottle is quite large at 660ml so grab a buddy (or two) and give it a whirl – it will certainly give you a lot to discuss.

 

Beer of the Week – 07.03.2015

 As a tea fan merely seeing the words earl grey on a label attracted me! This beer is phenominal – it has the quaint and rosey appeal of a lovely little old granny but with the ballsy attitude of her bolshy friend always proding people with her shopping trolley!

Just like one of my favourite teas it’s as aromatic but don’t think for one minute that this is a gimmick like the Rate Beer reviews lead you to believe. This beer is solid. Everytime I sipped it I was balled over by its complexity. During one sip I was transported back to my favoruite tea house in China with a enticing combination of earl grey blue flower teawith bergamot  orange and then the next sip my senses were awoken with spicy and citrus flavours. Considering this is 6.5% I almost felt saintly after drinking it like I oftent do after a herbal tea.