Hopful Thinking

Hopful Thinking

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The Master Chef has been internalising a complicated situation in his head! (Epic Stout Brownies)

Posted in Beer Recipes by Steve the Master Chef
Nov 30 2011
Epic Thornbridge Stout Choc Brownies

Epic!!

So a couple of weeks ago, instead of our normal meet, we were treated with a road trip to Epic HQ in Mt Wellington.

As the Master Chef, I needed to to stop and think of what to bring.  So I sat down to “PUZZLE Time” and internalised a complicated situation in my head…  After some time I figured that ghost chips weren’t going to cut the mustard 😛

I came up with “Epic Choc Brownies”

(more…)

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Tagged as: Beer Baking, Beer Brownies, Beer Recipe, Brownie recipe, Brownies, Chocolate Brownies, Epic, Stout, Thornbridge

Greene King Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale

Posted in Beer Reviews by Dan
Nov 29 2011

6.0% abv, 500ml glass bottle, Suffolk, England, $6.99 from Countdown Glenfield (normally $8.69)

Greene King, first established in 1979 in Suffolk, have expanded over the years to own several English brands that most of you would have heard of; Abbot Ale, Morland (one of their more famous brews being the Old Speckled Hen), and Ruddles, among others.

Like stained glass in deep ruby red, the beige head dissipates quickly and leaves minimal lacing – which, surprisingly, is also gone before I can finish the glass.

(more…)

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Tagged as: England, fruitcake, greene king, molasses, oak barrel aged, ruby red, spice, strong ale, suffolk, toffee, vintage ale

The Hopful Thinkers go on an EPIC Field Trip

Posted in Travels by Dan
Nov 29 2011

So a few short weeks ago, Chris and I were having an idle chat, on the internet, whilst at work. The subject usually strays onto beer at some point or another, and we’d been talking about the Flying Nun, a most excellent beer, and some of our other faves from Epic.

Epic - It Just Tastes Bigger

Epic - It Just Tastes Bigger

I get back into my work and a few minutes later google chat pips.. and it’s Chris. “Should I email Luke, and ask if we can visit Epic HQ?” – funny enough I’d just been thinking the same thing. And there was only one correct response… “Do it!!”

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Tagged as: Armageddon, Auckland, barrel aged IPA, brewery, Epic, Epic Beer, field trip, flying nun, nz, pale ale, portamarillo

Pink Elephant Mammoth Strong Ale

Posted in Beer Reviews by Dan
Nov 28 2011

7.0% ABV, 330ml glass bottle, Blenheim, New Zealand, purchased from New World Birkenhead

The Pink Elephant brewery is widely known for it’s distinctive, English style ales.  No surprise then that it was founded in 1990 by an Englishman from Kent, Roger Pink.

Having won several awards since that time, to this day Pink Elephant stays true to the art of brewing, using only traditional ingredients and methods.  Given such an illustrious history, we expected a lot from Mammoth, their flagship Strong English Ale, and were not disappointed.

Into the glass it goes… the Mammoth pours a deep mahogany hue, the head dissipating quickly to leave a moderate amount of lacing.

Dark malts evident on the nose with complex fruity overtones, smooth tasting with subtle bourbon characters on the palate, leaving behind a slightly salty and bitter finish, strangely reminiscent of soy sauce.

Mammoth is definitely strong on flavour, and a taste that’s slightly boozier than it’s little brother the Golden Tusk, despite having the same alcohol content.

If you enjoy a good English style strong ale, this is a great example of the style, and brewed right here in New Zealand.  Highly recommended.

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Tagged as: Ale, bitter finish, english ale, mahogany, malty, mammoth, New Zealand, pink elephant brewery, strong ale

Mad River Brewing Company Steelhead Extra Stout

Posted in Beer Reviews, Showcase by Dan
Nov 25 2011

6.5% abv, 330ml stubbie glass bottle, USA

I thought I was done blogging for tonight… until I got a whiff of this baby and just about had a beergasm.

20111125-123630.jpg

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Tagged as: chocolate, Coffee, extra stout, Stout, thick
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