Somebody pinch me, it's almost Christmas!! How did this happen? I have no idea. One minute I was rubbing sun lotion on my little kitten-nose nipples and next... boom, Santa is almost upon us.
Well, as a great respecter of traditions I thought I would go all out. All out, I tell ya!!
But what is all out? I hear you ask in timorous tones as if scared I will be coming for you with my Billy Goat Gruff...
All out is barrel-aged beers, that's what! Two fine barrel boys for your delight this week.
Admittedly, one of them seems to be a Halloween beer that leisurely made its way over from the States and arrived here a mere six weeks late. It's got pumpkins in it. Which is frightening in itself but more frightening is that it was free.
We all know that nothing is for free though. I will have to get my silk purse waxed in lieu of paying the piper. Yeek.
Shall we start with the ever so frightening Halloween beer?
Yes, I think we shall!
First up...
Aiyee, it's Roadsmary’s Baby!! A traditional pumpkin ale produced by Two Roads Brewery, aged in rum barrels for that extra bit of schnizzle and pizazz.
I must say the name grabbed me immediately because I remember the film well. I do love a good horror.
Can the beer with its rum barrel ageing, vanilla and spices actually be any good or will it show itself to be the horror that its namesake is?
This is a fine-looking burnt amber colour with a surprisingly chirpy frothing head too. I think I can even detect a hint of the pumpkin from it but not in a throwing up offensive kind of way.
It must be remembered that I am the guy, who, when carving pumpkins, squeals like a girl if any of that ropy orange muck on the inside gets on my sweet beautiful hands! Euuugh!!
Anyway, enough about me and my hand muck. To the tasting.
You know, this thing promised a lot and ultimately didn't deliver. It is a very pleasant, pumpkin style beer and I liked it as an easy drinker. Was it a barrel aged bomber? No, the barrel ageing was so subtle it was almost unnoticeable and the pumpkin was maybe a little too soupy sweet.
A good try nonetheless, 6.5/10 booms!
Holy Copernicus, what a Saturday this is turning out to be.
Did you like my industrial man cave? Needs must when I have the in-laws staying. I can't be cussing and drinking and kicking the cat in front of them.
Oh no, appearances must be maintained!
So, now to the next one. HEAVEN!!!
If the last one was steeped in fear and horror then this one must surely taste of angels singing and trumping their trumpets?!
A decadent stout they claim on the can. All I can see is danger signs from the 11% ABV it has. Hot donks. What if I go in and start seducing myself on the carpet? In front of the guests too.
I had best approach with caution!
Inky dinky doo!! It's as black as the Good Lady's tar poos when she was pregnant and on the high iron pills.
That's a time I will never forget. Cleaning the toilet was like the exact opposite of clearing snow from a driveway.
But that is fine talk for another time.
On with the tasting!!
This beer is like a moustachioed gentleman thief whirling a cape in my mouth and proclaiming that he shall have no more to do with that girl Nancy! And by that, I mean it's bloody magic. Smooth, chocolatey and warm with bourbon 10/10 booms!!
Awesome biscuits! I am off now to entertain the guests with foul-mouthed nonsense!!
Have a good weekend everyone, cheers!
