Posted on 11/03/22
It’s been a busy week here at CMHQ as we’ve been flat out building a brand now taproom!
That doesn’t mean I haven’t had a chance to crack a few beers post-build though. So as always, in this post, I’m going to recommend the best new beers I’ve managed to unearth.
Only one place to start, obviously, because this week, Neon Raptor released Abandoned Dragons!
Neon Raptor’s thumping 13% Maple and Hazelnut Imperial Mega-Stout was one of the beers of the year last year, and when the dust settles this year you can bet Abandoned Dragons is going to be right up there once again!
So thick and so chocolatey, this is a big glass of melted-down dark chocolate ferrero rochers, only with a swirl of deliciously sticky maple syrup topping things off. The price has gone up annoyingly, but from where I’m sat it’s still very much worth it so get involved!
This week also saw the release of three new beers from a new brewery that’s fast becoming a contender for brewery of the year – Azvex!
For me, Unfinished Bridges DIPA is the best of the bunch.
An adventurous hop profile (Vic Secret, Mosaic and Loral) makes this multi-dimension, with things starting thick and tropical before becoming floral and fruity then swinging back to base. Absolutely immense!
Elsewhere, Northern Monk’s latest Fresh From The North 010 DIPA is magnificent, filled with chewy fruits thank to Azacca, but it’s also more coconuty than previous versions thanks to the Sabro, which will turn some people off and turn some people on – I’m in the latter camp!
Only 6 left at the time of writing; be quick!
Brew York have also got a few people murmuring this week following the release of Duo Lipa Double Lactose IPA. There are two delicious defining characteristics here – a huuuuge hop profile for hop-forward scrumptiousness, and a massive helping of lactose which takes this thing to pillowy soft cloud-floating territory.
It’s a combination you rarely see in IPAs, but you’ve got to ask why cause this is magic.
I hope we get to see more as the year unfolds!
Sticking with the hops, Beak impressed with a new double serving, starting with the lemony, citrusy, grapefruit and orange-tinged Supp Citra IPA.
It’s a celebration of citra and a pure joy, plus a welcome departure from the more tropical NEIPAs favoured across the board right now.
Abandoned Dragons aside, Tartarus won the battle for this week’s dark crown and you can see why just from the name of Slenderman Cookies & Cream Imperial Stout.
Crunchy Oreos dunked in cold milk with a chocolate backbone 🤤🤤🤤 Charon Pecan, Maple & Vanilla Imperial Stout has actually proved more popular, but for me the former is the one to go for (assuming you can’t go for both!).
The final beer I want to highlight this week is Kirsch Russell Cherry Pie Pastry Sour, which is one I’m recommending for sour beer fans.
Brew York used a mammoth 750kg of cherry juice when creating this, and you might think it’d be too much, but it’s actually perfect cherry tartness well balanced by a sweet, crumbly finish. Yes!
As always, I hope you get to try some great new beer this week.
Cheers & happy drinking!
Oli, Olly & Charlie
(The three people behind Craft Metropolis)
Step 1
We trawl the globe tasting great beer
