Bubbleheads (5% ABV)
Hazy light gold, with a good, full white head that stays well, there’s a zing of sharp lemon, with a floral hint, on the aroma. On the palate lemon, yes, and a slight grassy note. And, as the style brut IPA suggests, great, very satisfying dryness on the finish. Despite this, there is a suggestion of biscuit malt. It’s good, easy drinking, despite that dryness, and light in tone.
(2nd August, 2023)
Drop Anchor (4.6% ABV)
Hazy gold, with a thick, billowing white head. Tropical fruit on the aroma, which isn’t easy to determine, thanks to the thickness of that head. Now, for me, any beet which has a base of Vienna malt has a head start in the race for my affection. Here, it gives proper balance to a well-hopped (Citra and El Dorado) pale ale. Great body, lovely tropical and fruit notes, terrific balance. What’s not to like?
(28th March, 2023)
Explosion IPA (6% ABV, can)
Hazy amber, with a white head that stays well. There’s a fabuous piney, fruity aroma. On the palate, it bursts with piney, spicy, fresh hops, with lovely bready malt in the background. Smooth and full bodies, its lemon citrus and grapefruit notes shine. This is a crackinf West Coast IPA.
(1st April, 2023)
Fearless Monkey (4.4% ABV, can)
Hazy gold/light amber with a white head thatstays well, this has an inviting orange/lemon citrus aroma. On the palate, this is a terrific pale ale. Big, juicy, fruity hop notes — a hint tart — but good biscuit malt balance and a satisfying bitter finish.
(9th May, 2023)
Hop & Hooker Amber Ale (4.3% ABV, can)
Hazy amber with a foaming, cream coloured head, this has a good old-fashioned bitter aroma. Sweet malt, with an edge of citrus pith. On the palate,there’s caramel and bready malt against a good balance of herbal and citrussy hops, with a cracking bitter finish. A well-brewed amber bitter.
(25th April, 2023)
Hop & Hooker Pale Ale (3.8% ABV, can)
Hazy deep gold with a white head which stays well, orange citrus sings on the aroma. On the palate, it’s well balanced, that orange foiled by robust, bready malt. A good body for 3.8% ABV. Nicely sessionable.
(6th May, 2023)
The Mary Rose (4.6% ABV, can)
Pale yellow with a full white head, there’s a fruity, slightly spicy aroma. On the palate it’s actually quite savoury and peppery, with light lemon citrus notes. There’s some sweetness from the malt. A good version of the classic wheat beer style.
(9th May, 2023)
Pitmaster Rye IPA (4.8% ABV, can)
Hazy amber with a big, fluffy, full off-white head, rye malt and stonefruit leap from the aroma. There’s a very complex hop character on the palate. Tropical fruits and stonefruit abound, with a good bready malt profile, too. Quite spicy, with a lovely bitterness which sends one back for more!
(22nd April, 2023)
Scuttlebutt (4.5% ABV, can)
Light golden, and slightly hazy, with a white head that stays well. Quite a bready, sweet aroma. On the palate, it’s clean and refreshing. Bready malt balances well with citrus fuit. A perfect summer thirst-quencher.
(20th June, 2023)
Sizzler New Zealand Pale Ale (4.4% ABV)
Light yellow and hazy, with a big, billowing white head. There’s a fresh aroma, offering gooseberry notes and white grape, so well associated with those light NZ hops. There’s a good body with lemon notes and more white grape. Can see this washing down well with light dishes. Nicely done.
(28th March, 2023)
Powder Monkey | Gosport
