Top 10 beers in the world media

Wisconsin Amber, Capital Brewery, Wisconsin, US

Evan Benn, writing at The Miami Herald, highlighted this 5.2% lager which he said was a “superb take” on the Vienna style.

He said: “Austrian immigrants brought the light Vienna-style lager to Mexico in the 19th century. Mexican-brewed brands like Tecate, Dos Equis and Negra Modelo remain popular, though some American craft brewers have put their twist on the style. Wisconsin’s Capital Brewery makes some outstanding lagers, and its Wisconsin Amber is a superb take on the Vienna style.

“Pairing: Tacos and Mexican-style lagers are a heavenly match. Try Wisconsin Amber with beer-simmered pork tinga tacos.”

Vienna-style lager, 5.2%

Pale Trail, Gypsy Inc., Scotland

Brewed at Brewdog’s brewery in Ellon, Pale Trail is the new beer from Gypsy Inc. – new collective of contract brewers.

Michael Bates, reviewing it for the York Press, said: “According to Brewdog, Gypsy Inc. have launched “over 600” commercial beers, and yet only two are currently available, two more are due soon, and nobody has heard of the other 596. Hopefully somewhere beyond the smoke and mirrors is a nice beer for me to drink, because my head hurts now.

“Pale Trail is a 4.7 per cent hoppy pale ale brewed with Citra, Simcoe and Tettnanger hops, and the former two really show in the aroma; dripping wet pineapple and Um Bongo. The beer itself is a lovely bright copper, in part because it isn’t bottle conditioned, with a delicate white head.

“Of course the taste is what matters, however it isn’t, as you might expect from the aroma, aggressively hoppy. Rather it tastes like raw, unfermented wort; caramel sweetness and dry toasted cereal play off against gentle hop aromatics, and yet it’s remarkably light bodied. It might be made by nobody, but you know what? This is a lovely beer for a sunny Spring day.”

Pale ale, 4.7%

Wheat Ale, Black Kettle Brewing Company, Vancouver, Canada

Jan Zeschky, writing at Canada’s theprovince.com, recommended this wheat ale which he described as a “gorgeously glowing pale amber-coloured ale with lemony highlights, almost like unpolished liquid amber.”

He said: “Topped with a full, frizzy white head, it’s a refreshing, light yet multi-layered brew that will make for excellent patio drinking this summer.

“The sensational aroma buzzes with fruit and spice. It’s got big orangey-lemon citrus above a solidly sweet malt base, which is balanced out by bitter orange herbs, and crackles with pepper and subtle clove. There are also dull herbal overtones and a clean saline freshness over top. While the aroma screams, the flavour whispers seductively. In the mouth, those orange-lemon notes wash over the tongue in a deliciously soft wave. Subtle herbs and biscuity malt move through the middle, while the almost creamy carbonation boosts the beer’s flavours as it moves into the finish. The bitterness is fairly subdued but assertive enough, and the finish offers some more gentle herbal flavours along with a soft dryness to balance.”

Wheat ale, 5%

Evil Twin Falco, Evil Twin Brewing, Stratford, Connecticut, US

Andy Barbour, writing at beer review blog, nonsnobbeer.com, said this IPA had “the most appetizing aroma of any IPA I can think of in recent history.”

He said: “After that wonderful aroma, I taste a citrusy and slightly smoky hop presence, layered over a spicy, rye (?) malt base. This taste like the bastard child of Nelson and Heady Topper, just backed off a bit in body. Hell, even the appearance is reminiscent of both of those beers.

“Really tasty, friends. I think I may be obsessed. Evil Twin, I’m calling on you: Can we please get some fresh Falco ’round here??”

IPA, 7%

Barrelhouse IPA, Barrelhouse brewing Co., Paso Robles, California, US

Another of Barbour’s reviews featured an IPA, this time from the Barrelhouse Brewing Co. in California.

He said: “Very nice, mild hop aromas. Malty, but adequately balanced (and then some) by the hops. Interestingly, if you take big gulps the beer is nicely refreshing, and indicates the proper hop to malt ratio; if you take small sips, however, there’s some ash on the finish. Is this because of a certain hop? Dunno, but either way I think Barrelhouse is poised to compete in a town absolutely dominated by amazing wine, and Firestone. Welcome to the game, BBC.”

IPA, 7%

Dark Cloud Dunkel, Mother Earth Brewing Co., North Carolina, US

Nick Anderson, writing on Virginia’s arlnow.com, said this Dunkel ale from North Carolina was “outstanding”.

He said: “Not only is the name perfect for a rainy day beer, but the style is dead-on as well. Few American craft brewers are making a Dunkel Lager in the German tradition, and this one from Mother Earth in North Carolina is outstanding. Dark Cloud is smooth and even in feel on the palate, with just the right amounts of nutty and caramel flavors from its malts. At just over 5% abv, Dark Cloud may not be a Session beer, but a couple won’t put the beating on you that some others will.”

Munich-style Dunkel, 5.1% 

Capital Trail Pale Ale, Hardywood, Richmond, US

Another of Anderson’s recommendation was this pale ale which he said was an early contender for his “Beers of the Year” list.

He said: “At 5.6% abv and 50 IBU, Capital Trail hits my Pale Ale happy place mostly by not feeling like a beer that might as well have been made into an IPA. Malt flavors are present without pushing the boundaries of sweetness; the hops are upfront but the focus isn’t on the super-bitter or fruity big hop notes. This is a pale ale with lots of “foresty” earthy aromas and flavors, and is just about perfect with the smell of wet grass and recent rainfall in the air. It comes in cans too, so there’s a plus.”

Pale ale, 5.6%

Fancy Pants, Mountain Goat, Melbourne, Australia

Australian blog, Frozen Beer Reviews, reviewed Mountain Goat’s Fancy Pants ale.

It said: “Sniff: Tropical fruit salad drowned in hot caramel fudge.

“Sip: Fruit salad and caramel malt in perfect balance with a lingering dry bitter finish.

“Summary: The fruit of summer and the malt of winter. The perfect mid-autumn reminder of what was and what is to come.”

Amber ale, 5.2%

Brú Rua, Brú Brewery Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland

Doerthe Woltermann is vice president of the Dublin Ladies Craft Beer Society and regulalry contributes beer reviews to to lovedublin.com.

Writing to the site this week, she recommended this Irish red ale from the Brú Brewery, which was set up in July of last year.

She said: “Brú Rua pours a ruby amber colour with a medium white head. The aroma is malty and fruity with a bit of caramel. In the taste there are hops with hints of red berries and biscuity malt. It’s quite hoppy for a red ale, but nowhere near as hoppy an IPA. Those who find IPAs too bitter will love this beer because the caramel and biscuit flavours are at the forefront here. Brú Rua is delicious and moreish, and at 4.2% it’s a perfect session beer.”

Irish red craft beer, 4.2%

Old Chub Nitro Scotch Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery, Denver, US

Loren Green, writing on the Minneapolis-based citypages.com picked this Scotch Ale as her “beer of the week”, which she described as “a classic dark beer with a light body that is deceptively heavy in appearance but has an easy drinkability” led by notes of cocoa and malt.

She said: “The pour is smooth and creamy, giving a cloudy complexion shortly after pouring, before it settles into a deep and calming brown that matches the complementary chocolate characteristics in the beer. The nitro gives a heavier, thicker mouthfeel than a regular keg or can, but more chilled and carbonated than cask beer.The head is soft and light with a roasted bouquet, while the first impression from the beer brings in a roasted, smoky grain that finishes with a touch of sweetness. As the pint goes down, the bitterness in the beer becomes a bit more pronounced but, overall, it’s a mild and milky Scotch ale.”

Scotch ale, 8%