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Craft Beer: It's what's in the can that counts and this Tiny Rebel duo score high

Frambuzi, a real lip smacker of a sour from Tiny Rebel
Frambuzi, a real lip smacker of a sour from Tiny Rebel Frambuzi, a real lip smacker of a sour from Tiny Rebel

WELSH brewers Tiny Rebel came to mainstream consciousness at that tail end of last year for an unwelcome reason by an industry watchdog. The can design for their celebrated Welsh red ale Cwtch looked too much like a can of fizzy soft drink and therefore as deemed too enticing to children.

It left the craft beer fraternity collectively scratching their heads. Had no-one seen alcopops? Were the words 'Welsh red ale' too confusing for people to comprehend? Did that logo of a bashed-up hooded bear mislead would-be drinkers?

In any case, I'd say there aren't many children discerning or brave enough to call into their local independent off-licence and pick up a can of craft ale. Tiny Rebel's can designs are striking, but that seems to be prevailing trend as more and more beers are wrapped in metal, giving designers a fresh canvas on which to weave their magic.

But, at the end of the day, content is king and it’s what's in the can that matters. Cwtch is just one of a number of fine beers coming out of the Welsh beer masters.

Frambuzi is a real lip smacker of a sour. Crammed full of juicy raspberries, it pours a rich cherrywood colour under an enticing fluffy white head. It's 4.3 per cent and there is a nice refreshing crispness to it. Flavour wise, the raspberries give it a nice initial sweetness before a clean and tart finish.

I'm finding sours more and more accessible these days and this is definitely an easy-drinking one which has just the right amount of tang to it. Oh, and the can design is bright and bold too with lots of raspberries on it. Could confuse an untrained eye.

Dutty is an IPA which has fully signed up to the haze craze. Officially billed as a Vermont session IPA, it pours a light amber colour and has got plenty of haze but not a lot of head.

The carbonation is understated, giving it a smooth mouthfeel. Unfiltered, and clocking in at 4.2 per cent, there's plenty of piney, grapefruity flavours going on before a bitter finish. It's hazy, but not heavy, which means you could tuck a few away of an evening, providing you're over 18 that is.