DOT brewery may not be a beer maker that is overly familiar with beer drinkers up north, but the Dublin-based cuckoo brewers have been making waves around their home city for many years now.
They have been operating out of Hope Brewery for the last while and have made a name for themselves by specialising in barrel-aged beers, scooping awards and high praise along the way.
However, they also knock out a mean IPA or two and with increased distribution in the north in the past few months, you can find out for yourself by picking up a can or two.
Running On is a double dry-hopped pale ale which clocks in at 5 per cent. It pours a light amber colour and is cloudy in the glass with an ample fluffy white head.
There are some pretty juicy and inviting aromas flying out of this one, slightly earthy, with hints of citrus and stone fruits.
A first gulp brings all those flavours washing over the palate with grapefruit pretty prominent and a hint of peach coming through too before a nice dry finish. There is a little bit of lingering hop resin too, which all add to the flavour of the beer and it’s not far off a pretty fruity and piney dry white wine.
When I reached for DOT’S Straight Up IPA, that Paula Abdul song was instantly lodged in my brain and is still knocking about there as I write this. It is also an apt description of the beer. Many brewers, DOT among them, are constantly experimenting, but it is also nice to get a good, solid beer in a familiar style like this one.
Even though it’s 6.6 per cent, it’s a real easy drinking beer with sweet biscuity malt and loads of juicy, tropical flavours throughout. There is a softness to it too, it’s not overly bitter but does have citrusy zing to it as well.
Oats and wheat have been used in the malt bill and that contributes to a smooth mouthfeel, while a bit of rye gives it a subtle spice.
