2016...

Hello there! Only me, back from the dead so it seems! 

2016, what a load of rubbish you have been so far, allowing us to lose so many talented people in such a short space of time. 

I was worried for a short while, being of a similar age to Messrs Bowie, Rickman and Wogan, but then the little lady mentioned that my impact on the Arts has been negligible, so it probably wasn't time to be called home. 

Still though, you reach a certain age where you're attending more funerals of your kinfolk than ever before and it certainly makes you think...mortality is sometimes a scary issue when you still have the mindset of a 17 year old, but I digress!

Christmas 2015 saw me blessed with a feast of some of my favourite and also some unusual ales, generously sourced by members of my family and presented in a giant hamper, all for me. 

I still have some patiently waiting in the pantry, ready to be cracked open and supped with the last of the mince pie stash I have managed to eek out.

Now, whilst I promise to return with a veritable burn of a blog very shortly, I shall leave you with my musings concerning two of the ales I received.

I am not particularly fond of these types of ale as a usual rule of thumb, but feel that they deserve a special mention as they have swayed my mind set.

First up:

Samuel Smiths Organic Chocolate Stout. 

5%

Brewed in Yorkshire, UK.

Absolutely delicious, not as bitter as a usual stout but the rich, warming chocolate flavour really comes through in this brew. Sweet, dark, but not sickly, I found this a very unique quality to this particular brand that I have not experienced before.

I was very pleasantly surprised and paired this with a massive wodge of Christmas pud with extra thick brandy cream. Just delightful. 

Second:

Black Mountain Brewing Co. Chilli Beer.

4.2%

Brewed in Arizona, USA.

This beer arrives with a whole chilli in the bottle. It certainly is a bit of a conversation starter and one of those 'novelty' beers that I tend to steer clear of, because I am essentially a grumpy old bugger.

I know that there are many of my generation who don't particularly like 'hot' in their food, but I quite enjoy the chilli tingle on my lips and tongue...even if my good lady wife doesn't enjoy the aftermath in the littlest room the day after! 

Where can I start with this? 

It's golden, almost like a Mexican lager type of affair, on opening the bottle, there is an aroma of chilli. It's not unpleasant, but I can understand how it's not for everyone.

Onto the experience. There's not much fizz, but that's ok. On first sip, it's very much like a pale ale, fairly crisp, and then the kick of chilli. Don't get me wrong, it's not like Beelzebub's bum, but there is a good quality tingle. 

This is most definitely a novelty beer, and not one for a session, however, as one with 'the lads' over a bowl of nachos with chilli and dip, this would be most agreeable indeed. 

Not for everyone, but one I enjoyed.