BrewDog’s Collabfest is back and it is bigger and better than ever:
- 52 beers
- 52 breweries (though I’d argue 53 as BrewDog count too)
- 4 days (increased from 3 days last year)
- Hosted in all of their European bars
If you want the details on last years event, check out my #Collabfest2017 features;
This year I was prepared. I wouldn’t be able to get to the bars every day, so after work on the first day of the event, Thursday, I got a couple of growler fills from 2018’s selection.
Mandatory “97 On Ratebeer” Facts
- Untappd Rating: 3.56 (at time of writing)
- Partnering Brewery: 71 Brewing
- Partnering BrewDog Bar: Dundee
- ABV: 7.0%
- Type of Beer: Stout
- Beer Description: Tropical Stout
- Serving: Taster 10ml
- Comments: I thought this concept was strange. Usually flavoured stouts have incredibly strong flavours such as cookie dough, chocolate or coffee, whilst I usually associate tropical flavours with west coast IPAs. The beer poured a jet-black colour with a light fresh tropical aroma. There was a slim chocolate foam head on top. It was incredibly light for a stout, with minimal carbonation. It had a surprisingly juicy mango sweetness to it, which faded quickly leaving little bitterness in its wake.
- Diagnosis: 3.75/5
For more on 71 Brewing check out Meet the Makers and their Dundonian Pilsner
Mandatory “The Obvious Choice” Facts
- Untappd Rating: 3.66 (at time of writing)
- Partnering Brewery: Up Front Brewing
- Partnering BrewDog Bar: Glasgow (my local!)
- ABV: 8.0%
- Type of Beer: New England Double IPA
- Beer Description: NE DIPA
- Serving: 2/3 pint, from growler, via Fizzics
- Comments: I had to sample this beer for the following reasons:
- It is my local BrewDog’s collaboration
- It is from a brewery that I personally know
- The “New England Double IPA” variety is a personal favourite, making it literally “the obvious choice” for me!
I poured this draught beer directly from my Fizzics device. It produced a dark, cloudy, deep brown beer, with a beautiful looking bright white foam head that clung to the Teku glass. Aromas were of bright tropical notes despite the dark looking beer. A light, silky smooth beer was deceptively rich in flavour, in spite of the low levels of carbonation. It zinged with a bold juicy mix of citrus and stone fruit. There was a big bitter hit at the end, before finishing on a moderately dry note. The alcohol warmth was initially underwhelming, though this caught up after a couple of glasses!
- Diagnosis: 3.5/5
For more on Up Front Brewing check out Meet the Makers and Ishmael
Mandatory “Split Milk” Facts
- Untappd Rating: 3.59 (at time of writing)
- Partnering Brewery: Ridgeside Brewing
- Partnering BrewDog Bar: North Street Leeds
- ABV: 5.8%
- Type of Beer: Pale Ale
- Beer Description: Vegan Milkshake Pale
- Serving: Pint, from growler, via Fizzics
- Comments: Milkshake brews have been exploding recently. This one poured an unsurprisingly hazy beer, as most vegan beers are. It was the lightest of all the #collabfest2018 beers that I had sampled thus far. Aromas were very subtle, with a non-descript “hoppy” scent: reminiscent of when I’ve previously smelt American hops, which are typically fuelled with resinous pine fragrance. The beer was light, with a velvety full-bodied feel and an initial dominant pine flavour. As this faded, there was a wonderful milkshake aftertaste. There was no bitterness at all to this beer and the alcohol was hardly noticeable.
- Diagnosis: 4.0/5
For more on Ridgeside Brewing check out Meet the Makers
