Beer – #711 – Deep Creek – Pontoon in a Monsoon
Special beer, because it arrived as a NZ secret Santa gift that from a New Zealand twitterer. Overly generous I was humbled to receive 6 of the Deep Creek Pontoon in a Monsoon bottles from my local pub. So I find it my pleasure to sit and enjoy.
… for this, we salute you guys
This is in a 500ml bottle, and it is 6.9% ABV, making it about 2.72 standard drink units, and 207 calories a serve size.
Brewed by Deep Creek Brewing Co as their take on the style that is : India Pale Ale (IPA) and they do that in Silverdale in Auckland, New Zealand did I mention I’ve been there a few times.
Excited really
Origin: The English increased the amount of hops in their Pale Ales to preserve their beers for the long journey to the East Indies. They didn’t realize they were creating the most popular and exciting of all ales… for this, we salute you guys!
This Deep Creek smooth ale has a dominant citrus flavour that we hope refreshes our patrons and brings them back again.
Don’t let us hold you up reading this, grab one, take in the aroma and then savour. We hope you become a fan too!
So, what could possibly go wrong?
Grassy free burst of hops when opening, which it did with a burst of hops.
Bright Orange pour with a lovely fluffy white head that looks really inviting. Well carbonated too, but not the noisiest beer I’ve ever had.
Lot of bitterness and floral things all at once, as well as lovely back of sugary malt. Reminds me why I probably why I drink it on tap when I visit their pub in Browns Bay. But not always.
Lovely lacing already on the glass, and second sup gives the same rush of bitter and sugary explosion all at once. The finish isn’t dry either, not in any aggressive or over the top way.
A comfortable and easy drinking IPA then really, nothing outstanding or note-worthy, and nothing cringe-worthy or unpalatable either.
Did I mention easy and comfortable drinking, which is a bit of a worry because this is a beer that could sucker you in with it’s higher ABV content.
What I like about it though, as a beer, particular an IPA is that it isn’t pretending to be anything other than an IPA, so it’s not experimental, or a one-off, it’s a standard brew, and it is consistent. It is also unusual for me to have this in bottles, because, well it’s on tap at the local.
What really is making me smile though is that there is someone who brought these for me as a gift for Christmas, and for that I salute you! I would have chosen a lot worse and this is a really clever and delightful present.
Without giving too much away then this is a beer that I really enjoyed drinking and would be great to sit and drink whilst contemplating many things.
Highlights are that this is of course bitter, but it is under control and not mad hop forward, It is sweet and sugary without being cloying. There isn’t a finish that makes you wonder what just went on, it is just a well rounded and easy going beer that does what it does quietly and in a no fuss way.
But is isn’t a class leader, it sets no bar, it isn’t out to wave its flag, it is there is cornerstone a great take on a style and show how mature the brewer is. It is a brilliant go-to beer.
The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 of its things from the thing. I was betwixt and between on this 8 is very good great 9 is great. It is a great beer, because it is consistent and accessible, has no sharp edges or things that would top you going for a second or trying an alternate. That and it is just as good in bottles as on tap. All I have to do now is be careful about how much as this will creep up and get you.
The double dip review
- Am I enjoying it? I am, this is really easy drinking and pleasing to the taste.
- Would I have another? I am, and I will have 🙂
- Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? There is no reason not to take this and share it, after that initial rush it settles into a quite a nice drinking profile that gives a little but remains constant, and enjoyable, I’d be happy to tell stories for ages if this was the beer we were supping because you could enjoy this in the pauses.
Music for this : ” Fat Freddy’s Drop” and their new album ” Bays” on Spotify FFD are a New Zealand band that quietly go about their work. Fat Freddy’s Drop are a New Zealand seven-piece band from Wellington, whose musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and techno
INDIA PALE ALE & IPA
India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine
A life just as ordinary 