Feral Hop Hog US IPA

Style:US IPA
Alc %:5.8
Brewery:Feral Brewing Co.
Country:Australia
Tap?:draught
Where/When:Darlo Taphouse
Cost:$9.70 for 575ml
Rating:9

Nice fluffy white head 1cm high.
Copper gold in colour.
Sweet citrus/tart, zingy and tangy that finishes quite bitter all over the tongue.
This is a very good full flavoured IPA, not over powering and very more-ish.
Very similar to The Red Oak 'American IPA' but that costs $14 from memory.

I haven't had this or seen it since but I do remember really liking it and thinking that it had 'the taste of summer' in a beer glass. So I'm dying to try this again to see if it meets my memory of it.

Duvel

Style:Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Alc %:8.5
Brewery:Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV
Country:Belgium
Tap?:Bottle
Where/When:@ home, 2009
Cost:$8 or $9, $21 for large bottle
Rating:9/10

This is one of the first quality beers (ales) that I was introduced to and fittingly it was in a cafe in Brussels in 1994 on my first trip to Europe. After this initial tasting I had a second go with Duvel but it was for a session and it didn't treat me kindly- hey it was a long time ago and they were free! Boy did I dribble alot of bullshit that nite! Which nicely leads me to my first review on this little blog:
I poured slowly and got a two fingered head.
A pale golden colour.
There is a light spiceyness at the tip of the tongue, it seems quite gassy (ah, high carbonation) too.
It's bitter and sweet.
I confess, I fell in love with this beer the first time I had it- I knew that I had experianced one of the best beers on the planet. It isn't a session ale but you can learn that the hard way.
An amazing beer that's been brewed since 1871.

OK, so that's my first review- plenty of room for improvement as I have plenty to learn but ya gotta start somewhere.

Emersons 1812 IPA

Style:English India Pale Ale
Alc %:4.7.
Brewery:Emersons Brewery
Country:New Zealand
Tap?:Bottle, 500ml
Where/When:Home, 2008
Cost:$6-9
Rating:8.5

Pours with an inch thick off white head and a slightly red golden colour body.
The nose is a bit hoppy with a hint of citrus. On tasting you get a malt first then the citrus fruit flavour.
I think this is a good example of an IPA - not too hoppy- the malt and hops make it sweet & bitter without either being overpowering.
A slight pine taste in the hops.

I have to have this again as it my current favourite style although this is more English than American from memory.

Emersons WeissBier

Style:Hefeweizen
Alc %:5
Brewery:Emersons Brewery
Country:New Zealand
Tap?:Bottle, 500ml
Where/When:Home, 2008
Cost:$6-9
Rating:9

This took ages to pour - it had been in the fridge lying down for a few weeks & I rolled the the bottle before pouring.

This is my favourite brewery - so I am biased.
It pours with a big head. The colour is a cloudy caramel gold - not transparent with millions of bubbles making their way north. The smell has a hint of clove. Their is a definite taste of banana but it's a little muted by the yeast. The sweetness is candy or bubblegum-ish.
It's a little champagne like in the mouth- but more syrupy.
Clean, light and effervescent.
I can't say I've had more tha one in a sitting - as one 500ml bottle makes me tiddly!
Wonderful drop!!

Lobethal US IPA

Style:US IPA
Alc %:5.8
Brewery:Lobethal Bierhaus
Country:Australia
Tap?:draught
Where/When:Darlo Taphouse
Cost:$9.10 for 575 ml
Rating:6
My short notes:Citrus up front w/malt finish. Mild compared 2 holgate ipa. Nice drop all tha same (i can't say with absolute certainty that i've had the Holgate IPA!)
I need to have this one again!

Bit disorganised with this one!!

Bridge Road Celtic Red Ale

Style: Irish Red
Alc %:5.3
Brewery:Bridge Road Brewers
Country:Australia
Tap?:draught
Where/When:June/July 2009
Cost:?
Rating:4

I recall not really liking this- I can't find any notes! Can't say I'm familiar with the style but this seemed really funky tasting and not in a good way.
Will have to take notes next time I have it.