A NEW beer year is upon us but I thought I'd start by looking back on the some of the beers I enjoyed most in 2016. I am sure there are many other fine brews I just didn't managed to get my gob around so this should not be taken as definitive judgment on the year in beer.
Black Bucket (Kinnegar) 6.4 per cent
Black Rye Ale
I first tasted this at the Belfast Craft Beer Festival in April. A darker version of the Donegal brewery's fantastically well-rounded Rustbucket rye ale, it has the nice hint of spice and citrusy note of the lighter version, but the roasted malt gives it a warming feeling. Plenty of peachy, mango and citrus flavour before a hoppy finish. These are exciting times for the Rathmullan-based brewers who are in the process of building a new facility in Letterkenny to meet demand for their belting beers.
Maggies Leap (Whitewater) 4.7 per cent
Pale Ale
Another brewer on the move in 2017 are Whitewater who will be shifting operations to their new brewery in Castlewellan. Maggies Leap has been well-received – an excellent session ale and a great entry point for drinkers looking to dip their toe in the local beer industry. Smooth and fruity, with a grassy, earthiness at the back end before a nicely hopped finish.
Yellow Belly (Buxton/Omnipollo) 11 per cent
Imperial Stout
The standout beer for me at the standout festival. ABV hosted in Belfast's Carlisle Memorial Church. There's a beautiful sweet, toffee popcorn aroma and delicious flavours of caramel, chocolate and peanut butter.
Francis Big Bangin' IPA (McGargles) 7.1 per cent
IPA
Aromas of pineapple and grapefruit and a sweet malty backdrop before punchy tropical flavours. Dialling up the malt to get the 7.1 per cent hasn't seen flavours sacrificed and the strength is hidden well in the juicy flavours and hoppy finish.
Mandarina Bavaria (8 Degrees) 5.7 per cent
IPA
PART of the summer single hop series, Mandarina Bavaria had an enticing aroma of orange and passion fruit. There was a hint of vanilla and sweet malt in the flavour and lots of fruity, citrus notes – sweet mandarin orange and mango coming through with a hint of coriander too.
El Capitan (Bullhouse Brewing Company) (8 per cent)
Imperial stout
A bold breakout beer from one the most exciting new breweries of the year. This imperial coffee stout certainly packs a punch. A strong coffee aroma, it’s a roasty, full bodied creamy stout with a bittersweet taste and hints of dark chocolate. Willy Mayne at Bullhouse has some exciting new brews in the pipeline for 2017 which should be worth waiting for.
