The first few contenders were little to write home about. One of the Sharp's (special/connoisseur) brews was ok with a playful sherbet hint whilst the other was full-on strong (special brew) and much-liked by Sean, reason unknown. Doomed. Ya Barred. (Mebbe the buritto had destroyed his taste buds. More evidence to follow).
The Ratchet Blended Saison by Siren set alarm bells ringing as it was sprayed over an unimpressed Steel City Dave by 3 Tuns Kate, an alleged professional pourer `n` that. Apparently there is a Youtube video of how to open this brew, so Illka informed us later. The taste lacked such excitement though.
Northern Monk and Smuttynose didn't really deliver either and a Marble special (from Grove Hali) and a North Riding effort disappointed this time too. Steel City's Funeral in Carpathia (8.7%) was worth the wait though and it was the first quality brew of the night IMO. Roasted and rugged, you taste milky choc and coffee. One of the best of the Black Metal collection methinks and their finest work since All Hallows - ?
Mikkeller's Nelson Sauvin took an age to open but it was worth it. Amazing aromatics and full-flavoured all the way. A booming 9 from me.
My offering of Buxton's Berry Saki Bastard (10%) was a decent one. Raspberries dominated the nose and Dap & Drink`s Claire astutely proclaimed BSB to be like 'Victoria sponge'. (Her Limoncello IPA had not been at it`s best btw). BSB is a beautiful drink from an on-form brewery cleverly combining and balancing saki yeast, raspberries and white wine.
However, a certain bottle retailer who shall remain nameless scored this as a '3' thus costing Buxton the win.
The night's winner though was Even More Jesus 8 by Siren and this sure was a master-class of an imperial stout that impressed everyone, fair do`s. An ideal nightcap to end a lovely evening with cool people. Cheers!
el scores (by Alex)
