steveh
05-25-2004, 01:28 PM
Hopback Brewery PLC - Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
16.9 oz brown, conditioned bottle - 5.0 ABV from the HB web site.
I chilled this bottle when I brought it home from the store and opted to sample it about 6 hours later, so I capped it (or uncapped it, as may be proper) and left it to breathe and warm some -- a few minutes later I noticed the most interesting curly-Q (in spit curl shape - for all you E'vis fans) of foam had emerged from the bottle's mouth and settled on the neck.
After sufficient warm-up time, I carefully poured the Lightning into an imperial pint glass - only to be rewarded with 7/8 of a glass of thick, white foam! Looking very much like the first run from a recently tapped, U.S. type keg. No off aromas at this stage, so I hoped for the best.
The head settled quickly, but filled as quickly again as I began to decant more from the bottle. I could create and ice cream style cap of foam, very reminiscent of a good Pils or Weizen pour.
With patience, I was finally able to pour a full glass of bright gold beer with a very assertive head. As told, the head would settle quickly - into a moderate, soap-suds looking cap.
Citrus nose with biscuit malts back.
Citrus flavors with a hop tang back - somewhat phenolic - and a dry finish with mellow biscuit malt undertones.
Light body with a thin mouth-feel.
Not exactly what I was expecting from an English bottle conditioned ale - the tanginess seeming to overpower the soft, mellow character of a good BCA, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Warming certainly brings out more B.C. character, and the style begins to fall into the A.P.A. character - refreshing and flavorful.
Interesting footnote: This being my 2d BCA in as many evenings, it's enlightening to notice hop character being more assertive when cold, then giving way to the malts with warming in 2 different beers.
S.
16.9 oz brown, conditioned bottle - 5.0 ABV from the HB web site.
I chilled this bottle when I brought it home from the store and opted to sample it about 6 hours later, so I capped it (or uncapped it, as may be proper) and left it to breathe and warm some -- a few minutes later I noticed the most interesting curly-Q (in spit curl shape - for all you E'vis fans) of foam had emerged from the bottle's mouth and settled on the neck.
After sufficient warm-up time, I carefully poured the Lightning into an imperial pint glass - only to be rewarded with 7/8 of a glass of thick, white foam! Looking very much like the first run from a recently tapped, U.S. type keg. No off aromas at this stage, so I hoped for the best.
The head settled quickly, but filled as quickly again as I began to decant more from the bottle. I could create and ice cream style cap of foam, very reminiscent of a good Pils or Weizen pour.
With patience, I was finally able to pour a full glass of bright gold beer with a very assertive head. As told, the head would settle quickly - into a moderate, soap-suds looking cap.
Citrus nose with biscuit malts back.
Citrus flavors with a hop tang back - somewhat phenolic - and a dry finish with mellow biscuit malt undertones.
Light body with a thin mouth-feel.
Not exactly what I was expecting from an English bottle conditioned ale - the tanginess seeming to overpower the soft, mellow character of a good BCA, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Warming certainly brings out more B.C. character, and the style begins to fall into the A.P.A. character - refreshing and flavorful.
Interesting footnote: This being my 2d BCA in as many evenings, it's enlightening to notice hop character being more assertive when cold, then giving way to the malts with warming in 2 different beers.
S.