Beer – #780 – Yeastie Boys – His Majesty 2015

His and Her Majesty beers, Annual affairs, I’ve had the Her Majesty and that was a bit of nice, now I’m onto the Yeastie Boys – His Majesty 2015.

Red Oat Ale… or A strong, American-hopped oat pale ale.

This is a beer that is 7.6% ABV and it comes in the large 750ml bottle, so that’s 4.5 standard drink units.

For Yeastie Boys this was brewed at Invercargill Brewery in the Style that is Amber Ale and they are in Wellington, New Zealand

His Majesty 2015 smells and tastes red, without looking it.

Not at my most regal tbh.

The oat malt gives this ale a silky smooth mouthfeel of an amber ale, without introducing the strong caramel or toffee notes that many specialty malts bring.

There is hint of red to the eye, rose gold perhaps, and a little biscuity note from the addition of roasted wheat.

Then, at the business end, the beer is balanced with a heady mix of hop varieties from the USA (Zythos, Cascade and Falconers Flight) to give great citrus aroma and a firm bitterness.

So, what could possibly go wrong?

More like a fuggles hop aroma than anything on opening and malty. Nothing much to see move along kind of aroma.

Orange amber pour, darker than lighter, with a topping of brilliant white fully head that made me smile, I’ve still got the pouring thing down pat.

Aroma in the glass is slightly sour grass, again not so much of anything really.

Then you get to get a full on pleasant surprise of toffee went malt and soft bitterness, a full mouthfeel, a lovely sticky finish and a raised eyebrow,

That is a mad around of taste. Nothing to prepare you for that.

It’ like I’d be repeating myself to go again on the sweet strong malt toffee that this has, it really is quite bold and unwelcome.

The hop bitterness is lovely too, under all that sweetness doing a spectacular job of providing a balance and adding that needed edginess.

Not that hard to fathom how I managed to neck a goodly 2/3rds of that then, silly really for choosing the big glass, but what a madness.

This might be the beer that benchmarks what my type of beer might be like if I ever got the chance to make one instead of just being in awe of those that do it for a living, properly make one.

Might have also set a record for most amount of ‘good’ beer drunk in the shortest space of time, I’ll say I was thirsty and smile if MrsPdybyah asks.

But, and there is always a but, of course, this isn’t the perfect beer. The hops are rather green in this, and once you’ve adjusted to that strong malt hit they are more prominent, which then makes this feel slightly unbalanced and raw. Who am I kidding this is really good.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 10 of its things from the thing. No brainer really, lets just base it on the time to complete. Awesome experience of low on the nose and OTT on the taste, lovely bitterness and brilliant sweetness. Looks fantastic in the glass and leaves a decent and impressive lacing.

Just the 44th beer where I thought ‘this is it’, that though is still better than 5% or 1 in 20, which can’t be all bad. Turn out despite not shaving or dressing up, because it’s Sunday, was a mistake, this is respectable beer 🙂

The double dip review

Where did I get it? Liquorland Forrest Hill, but it might be a tall order to get one now.
Am I enjoying it? Far to much it seems because there is is gone. Not quite in 60 seconds but.
Would I have another? If I thought I could find one then I might be tempted.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Are you kidding this is my precious….. but yes I would, and whilst it might not be to everyones taste this really stood up and got me where I’m vulnerable, that bitter/sweet margin. Bloody oath it was good

Music for this: Went Local : ” Phoenix Foundation” and ” Give Up Your Dreams” on Spotify

The Phoenix Foundation is a progressive indie rock band formed in Wellington, New Zealand.

AMBER ALE

A style without definition, amber ales range from bland, vaguely caramel beers to products with a fairly healthy malt and hop balance. Often the differentiation between a quality amber and an American Pale is that the amber might have more dark malt character, or a less assertive hop rate

AMERICAN PALE ALE

American Pale Ales are light in color, ranging from golden to a light copper color. The style of this beer is defined by the American hops used. American hops typically have high bitterness and aroma.This is a perfect beer for big fare like grilled burgers or combination pizzas, as well as lighter fare like sushi and green salads.