I HAVE to confess that my knowledge of dance and house music doesn’t extent too far beyond knowing that ‘everything going a bit Pete Tong’ isn’t really a desirable outcome for anything.
But it seems the folks at Barrahooley Brewery – an offshoot of the Hillstown operation – are as much into their banging tunes as they are into making banging beers.
To be fair, it wasn’t something I was immediately aware of when I picked up a couple of bottles of their beer last week, but it certainly brings an interesting dimension to the brews... if you’re into that sort of thing.
It dispels the myth of all craft brewers being bearded, wooly jumper-wearing indie shoegazers.
The official line on the label is that "These beers are named after some classic tracks that have left a lasting impression on us over the many years we have partied hard".
Unfortunately, for many of us the idea of ‘partying hard’ these days includes a few session ales and powering through a boxset on Netflix.
Anyway, first up was No Way Back, a West Coast IPA which clocks in at 6.2 per abv. It pours an amber colour which sits under an ample white head – there's a fair bit of fizz going on, which does settle down.
It doesn’t shy away from the fact that it’s a malt-forward IPA – there's lot of toffee and caramel flavours on the initial gulp and it’s a taste which lingers around the mouth throughout.
However, there’s a fair bit of juicy, tropical flavour too and a long citrusy backbone to it all which hints of lemon peel. It certainly follows through on the boast of being ‘crammed with American hops’.
The whole things reminded me – and I mean this is the most positive way – of Fruit Toffos. Remember when the chewy, toffee sweet introduced a fruity range?
Anyway, there’s a fair bit of flavour going on and then there’s a lovely, yeasty, ever so slightly tangy finish.
Brighter Days is a slightly more sedate affair, but no less enjoyable. Pouring a slightly lighter colour, it's a session American pale ale coming in at 4.5 per cent.
It’s light and refreshing, but it has been dry hopped with Citra, so there’s a lovely dry, bitter finish.
So that’s a couple of the beers, and if you share the brewers’ love of house, then whack on the Barrahooley mini mix which can be found on their website and kick back and enjoy a few banging beers.
