Tongue twistingly hoppy.

The Belhaven Brewery's Twisted east India pale ale is exactly that. The roasted malts in this ale give it the classic refreshing flavor of an IPA and that's what I look for when I want to enjoy a few craft beers at the end of the week. I was disappointed however with how tangy the hops had made Twisted IPA, I was expecting a bitter brew but not tangy and I have to give Belhaven's Twisted IPA 6/10. The plus side of Twisted IPA is that very gracefully blends two types of hops, cascade and challenger, which are two my favorite varieties of hops.

-The Poacher

St.Bernard's doesn't necessarily mean cheap.

I work in Dunnes Stores so I should know but with the majority of Trappist beers on tap in the Porterhouse costing roundabout €6.20 St Bernardus Trappist is in my opinion the best buy. Firstly because it's a mellow tasting beer with loads of flavor with plenty of additional fruity malts. The wheat malts aren't very apparent at first but leave a subtle aftertaste, a signature of many good wheat beers. However I can't find anything extraordinary about this beer so it sits at seven out of ten. On the other hand I think St. Bernardus Tripel is the triple for someone to taste for the first time it's not at that bad!

Another one well red!

I'm a major fan of red ale so I obviously felt obliged to try the Franciscan Well's brews in the Gingerman. I'd actually go as far as to say that Writer's Red might actually be my new favorite red ale. With a gentle soothing coffee malts with sumptuous fruit notes. Writer's Red oozes craft brewed aroma, the smell of it makes any of the big beer brands smell like cleaning chemicals. Writer's red is a very strong tasting ale with strong hops but the various malts (and don't get me wrong I love the bitter taste of hops) in Writer's red are marginally stronger coming together in a tasting drop giving Writer's red nine out of ten. Not only is this a beautiful beer but it's very light on the stomach and I have not been paid by the Franciscan Well Brewery to endorse any of their products in any way what so ever!

-The Poacher