#88 - Off the Wall Brewery - The Taste of Purple - 4.2%

'But Beardy,' I can hear you say, 'Surely Purple tastes like fake grape a la 1990's American Donuts???'  And you would be right.  Which would naturally lead on to your next question, 'Why on Earth would you drink, let alone review, a beer flavored with lavender?'  Normally I would agree with you and as a fair warning of my prejudices, I detest lavender in all of its various forms.  Imagine how surprised I was, therefore, when I actually enjoyed this pint.  First things first, this pint is light.  Extremely light.  Very subtle flavors.  So much so, in fact, that at times it seems almost unlike beer.  This is balanced well by the whiff of lavender and just a hint of honey on the tongue.  The fact that this combination is refreshing is something of a marvel to me, but credit where credit is due, it is.  Still, this is not a great beer.  It is too light.  There is not enough flavor, and the overall effect is the sort of drink you'd expect a 12 year old to sip from a goblet.  Not my cup of tea.  Allowing for my inherent bias, 6/10.

#85 - 87 - One Mile End Brewery - Docker's Delight, Rye IPA, and Docker's Delight

One Mile End is a microbrewery based below The White Heart Brewpub in Whitechapel, London.  When I visited, they had three of their own on tap, so I thought I would give you a bit of a combined review.

Docker's Delight - 4.2%

This is a very flat southern style bitter.  If you like a thick head on your pint, stay well away!  The closest comparison I can draw is an ESB, with Fuller's ESB being the closest mainstream comparison.  Now, I am a great fan of the classic bitter style and particularly ones that don't shy away from a powerfully bitter aftertaste, but I am well aware that this beer won't be for everyone.  It lacks a touch of smoothness, but is certainly above average.  A well deserved 6.5/10.

Rye IPA - 5.2%

This is easily the best Rye IPA I have tried recently.  Extremely smooth.  Excellent citrus hoppy notes.  The rye flavor is not nearly as overpowering as it can be in other examples of this type.  Had I had more time, I would have drunk this all night and possibly returned the next day for more of the same. If you only have time to try one, this is definitely the one to go for. 7.5/10

Hospital Porter - 5.2%

Just when I thought I had found a real gem of a microbrewery, I tried the weakest of the three.  This is just a touch watery, a touch sweet, and has a bit too much of a milky flavor for my taste.  It's still perfectly drinkable however and my distaste has more to do with my preference for beers that are less sweet.  6/10

All in all, the brewpub is well worth a visit.  A nice atmosphere, helpful staff, and two above average beers and a real gem.  Head that way if you get the chance.

#84 - Angelo Poretti - Luppoli Originale Chiara - 4.8%

Now I'm not a chap who normally drinks lager.  I am even less likely to be found drinking pale lager.  It is generally, it has been said, the sort of day when Satan and his princes of destruction bring forth their woolly hats and mittens before I would drink a pale Italian lager.  But needs must when staying in a second rate hotel and I found myself faced with this little number.  Having seen a number of other reviews, I can confidently say that it is not well liked.  It is criticized for being both too fizzy and not fizzy enough (why blame the beer for the pubs equipment?) and many reviewers just think it is rather flavorless.  Now, even knowing the torrent of abuse I am likely to receive for saying so, I have had any number of Italian lagers that I had wished were flavorless, so it certainly won't be losing points for that. It caries hints of grain and a touch of yeast.  Mostly though it is simply inoffensive and refreshing, two distinct points in its favor.  A solid 5/10 and a fervent wish that this hotel had a better stocked bar...

#83 - London Fields Brewery - Shoreditch Triangle IPA - 6.0%

It had never occurred to me, prior to trying this monstrosity, that I had personal rules governing the taste and manufacture of high ABV IPAs.  Evidently I do, and perhaps in a future post I shall elucidate them, but for now suffice to say, I have found a beer that breaks them all.  Where to begin...  It's malty!  It's too sweet!  It tastes alcoholic!  The hops seem added as some sort of afterthought in a desperate attempt to mitigate the former and it just doesn't work.  Apart from anything else, if you are going to use hops that way, use citrus varieties that cut through the alcohol and add a clean pleasant aftertaste.  Shoreditch Triangle is more floral than the Chelsea Flower Show!  And almost as expensive.  I would like to give this an extremely low mark, I really would, but I can't.  After all, I did finish the whole pint and that has to be worth something.  Perhaps my anger and frustration can be put down to just how good a high ABV IPA, done well, can be.  After all, an idiot in the pub imitating Benny Hill is still funny, but Shakespeare performed poorly is dire.  A 4/10 as it whet my whistle, but even that feels generous.

*NOTE:  I am quite prepared to believe that if this beer were served chilled in the American style it would taste rather better.  If I find it in a bottle, I will investigate...

#82 - Caledonian Brewery - Old Contemptible

This malty brew was special released to mark the centenary of the First World War and was designed specifically to mimic popular styles at the war's outbreak.  Whether it appeals to modern palates is debatable.  The name itself is of great significance and if anyone is interested they can read more here.  It has strong caramel flavors and perhaps a hint of molasses to go along with the mild vanilla aftertaste.  The head is very reasonable when poured, strong and white.  To my mind this outperforms the vast majority of Caledonian's other beers and how it was a temporary brew is beyond me.  These days you can find bottles at discount stores for as little as a pound.  My advice, stock up!  A strong 7/10 and a commitment to purchase more as soon as I can find it.

#81 - Sainsbury's Taste the Difference - 'Tap Room' IPA - 6.3%

For starters, this is a better beer than the American Pale Ale.  It has a better range of flavor and does, somewhat, what it says on the bottle.  It tastes and performs like a high ABV American IPA.  On the other hand, it certainly doesn't have the big, West Coast, hoppy flavors that can make them so desirable.  In addition, it carries more malt than I would normally associate with the style.  As a result, it will probably appeal to a bigger audience, but is a bit of a non-event.  Perfectly drinkable, but with no distinguishing flavors or uniqueness.  Drink it cold, it is perfectly fine, but I wouldn't bother buying it for a high-end tasting.

#80 - Wentworth Brewery - Imperial Ale - 3.8%

I have a fondness for session ales.  After all, they are my normal tipple of choice when I head to the pub.  More than that, however, they are very difficult to get right. The comparatively low alcohol puts a primacy on flavor and texture that higher ABV pints can somewhat avoid.  Wentworth Imperial is on the malty/fruity end of the spectrum and is just a little too sweet.  It is a touch watery in the bottle, which is disappointing in an otherwise quite pleasant beer.  The head leaves something to be desired, and I get the impression that this is a beer designed for cost and not for excellence.  Having said that, it is very drinkable and I would be glad of a pint in the majority of chain pubs/restaurants.  6/10.