tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post2030223556533118499..comments2023-10-21T14:17:23.854+01:00Comments on Black Cat Brewery: Probably........notThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09734969599278020673noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-16794686311178321432009-01-13T21:03:00.000+00:002009-01-13T21:03:00.000+00:00I had Mann's Brown ale in mind when I wrote the po...I had Mann's Brown ale in mind when I wrote the post. I'd love to try some.<BR/><BR/>Dave, it is certainly true that low alcohol session ales are distinct to the stronger ones. I just happen to love the full flavour lower strength ones. As for how the these particular mid strength beers are brewed; I'm not certain but it certainly does taste like they have merely halved the alcohol and left everything else unchanged, but that just seems too crude, even for a macro brewer.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09734969599278020673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-79874072320390661092009-01-13T12:10:00.000+00:002009-01-13T12:10:00.000+00:00So essentially these mid strength beers are just w...So essentially these mid strength beers are just watered down versions of the original? That's a bit depressing.<BR/><BR/>I like the session ales you can get in Yorkshire but they have a distinct difference from higher alcohol beers.Iamreddavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768287658329807075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-25651484300037567422009-01-13T11:35:00.000+00:002009-01-13T11:35:00.000+00:00Nice post Thom, but I sadly have to agree with joh...Nice post Thom, but I sadly have to agree with john on the state of macro Irish ale.<BR/><BR/>A I do like a bottle of Mann'sOblivioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184794716327407609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-42612657921489804302009-01-12T21:17:00.000+00:002009-01-12T21:17:00.000+00:00Have either of you tried Mann's Original Brown Ale...Have either of you tried Mann's Original Brown Ale? It puts on a pretty good show at 2.8% ABV. Thom, I have a couple of bottles set aside for a tasting some time.The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-14216164802648074452009-01-12T20:52:00.000+00:002009-01-12T20:52:00.000+00:00Interesting - I'd like to know "how low can you go...Interesting - I'd like to know "how low can you go" and still have flavour. We've just drunk / reviewed the Badger Harvester Ale at 2.5%, and while this is noticeably better than any low alcohol beer I've had (extra hops), it's still noticeably a "low alcohol beer". Whereas I've had cask ales around the 3.5% mark which have had real flavour, and in fact we brewed a mild around 3% that was pretty tasty (we were actually aiming for 4% though...)Boakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17657725007230709027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-2616882288387313272009-01-12T13:29:00.000+00:002009-01-12T13:29:00.000+00:00Yes, I take your point that a perceived market for...Yes, I take your point that a perceived market for low-strength beer is a good thing. Especially, y'know, if one has plans to start making some commercially.<BR/><BR/>The "It's-Light-But-Will-Still-Get-You-Pissed" lagers aren't going anywhere, however. But there's no point going after that taste-free market.The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-76424173461810351262009-01-12T13:20:00.000+00:002009-01-12T13:20:00.000+00:00I agree with you about the problem with the sidewa...I agree with you about the problem with the sideways leap, and perhaps it wasn't clear how far my tongue was in my cheek when I wrote the last few sentances.<BR/><BR/>My main point is to do with the notion that Irish drinkers might start drinking lower alcohol beers in general. Every one of the light beers on the market strenuously reminds the comsumer that the beer is not light in alcohol. They clearly fear that people will not buy the stuff lest they are cheated out of their ethanol allowance.<BR/><BR/>I see the arrival of these 'mid strength' beers as a source of potential change in the Irish market which could in the distant future result in a sufficient amount of drinkers moving to lower strength craft beer. Once the public has kicked the need for a dose of full strength ethanol in each pint, which is typical of the major brands available, the potential for change might increase.<BR/><BR/>We are happily aware that the craft market is growing. Perhaps this might be the next phase. Sadly, Rebel Lager Mid Strength will taste like shit too - lagers just don't do well without alcohol. Specifically crafted low alcohol ales are the only way to go.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09734969599278020673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219005652464990693.post-16197294581481104932009-01-12T11:34:00.000+00:002009-01-12T11:34:00.000+00:00I completely see your point about the need for low...I completely see your point about the need for low-strength beers, but if they don't taste good then their alcoholic strength is irrelevant.<BR/><BR/>I also don't see the line that starts at pints of Diageo Mid-Strength and finishes with Guinness Cask Mild. It's the leap sideways from stout and lager to ale that won't happen: Irish macro-ale is in decline and may not be around much longer. Look, for example, at how Diageo recently introduced new illuminated keg fonts for all their core range except Smithwick's, which is now almost invisible at the bar.<BR/><BR/>It's possible that the micros might follow the big boys and we'll get low-strength beers from them, but it's more likely to be Rebel Lager Mid-Strength than TSB2, unfortunately.The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.com