Headless Dog

Headless Dog from College Breen Brewery is one of a number of blonde ales that Irish breweries are producing, having already sampled Dungarvan's offering (Helvic Gold), next up it was time to give Headless Dog a second chance.

The beer pours a slightly unusual colour, orangey brown (?) and appears slightly cloudy. The nose reminds me of a hop I don't particularly like in pale ales (fuggles) however the label states that the beer is made with American cascade hops, having said that there is no hint of cascades from the aroma. Light bodied with a very refreshing mouth feel. Again no taste from the cascades, however you do get that bready taste from the munich malt. Again the only hops I can taste are fuggles. A nice, light, refreshing pale ale and would make a very good session beer, however if you are going to say you are using cascade hops, you need to use more than a token amount.

A grand refreashing pale ale, but I have to say probably not a beer I would buy again.

Beer Review: Headless Dog & Weltenburger Barock Hell

Two completely different beers today, the first a light hoppy ale from Ireland and the second a pilsner style beer from Germany.

First up is Headless Dog, brewed by College Green Brewery. This was a 500ml bottle and came in at a light 4.2%, the bottle description states it is a 'pale hoppy ale, with US cascade hops and munich malt'. Pours a light golden colour with a good frothy white head. Very hoppy aroma however the cascade hops seem to have gotten lost as I cannot pick them out at all. Medium bodied with a nice velvety mounthfeel and a good level of carbonation. Taste is more reminisent of an IPA rather than an APA. Overall a nice refreshing beer. Nice and hoppy, however if you are going to tease us by putting on the label that you used cascade hops, then give them a bit more prominence. A nice Irish pale ale, however it is not as good as Galway Hooker, but certainly worth a try.

Next up is Weltenburger Barock Hell (What a great name for a beer!), brewed by Braueri Bischofshof in Germany. This beer weighs in at a decent 5.6% and so probably not a session beer. It pours a lovely pale golden colour, crystal clear, a frothy white head is thin but consistent. Smells like all good German Pilsner type beers with a lovely aroma of noble hops. very light bodied without being thin. Nice and smooth on the palate. A refreshing light German pilsner beer with a lovely hoppy aroma. Although very drinkable, at 5.6%, probably not one for a long session, however I would highly recommend picking up a few bottles.