Another month goes by, which means that another three little cans from BrewDog have been For what happened last time round – Fanzine, the Eighteenth
I was surprised when I opened this box of beers… The trio inside still had the typical neon design of BrewDog, and their iconic logo was still proudly showcased on the can; however, instead of being able to look at the names of the beers and study the cans in detail, I found myself looking at characters from an Asian alphabet – specifically Korean. This month, BrewDog are using Fanzine to promote their recent bar in Itaewon, South Korea. Luckily though, I’ve got the formal translations – see the end for the full details if you aren’t fluent in Korean.
All served in 330ml cans, the latest set of Fanzine beers were as follows:
- Sticky Black
- Porridge Head
- Pulp Patriot V3
Remember, your local BrewDog will be serving these three beers on draught for a limited time, so if you haven’t managed to subscribe to this box, get down to one of their bars!
Mandatory “Sticky Black” (스티키 블랙) Facts
- Untappd Rating: 3.84 (at time of writing)
- ABV: 11%
- IBU: 50
- Style: Barley Wine
- Tagline: Maple and Coffee Barley Wine
- Descriptive Comment: Finger Lickin’ Good
This beer, contained within a green neon can, really jumped off the countertop. It poured a deep black colour, though it had a slight ruby hue when lifted to the light. On top of the beer was a small mocha foam head that settled at the side of the glass. Aromas were of both maple and coffee, leading to a conflicting bitter-sweet olfactory confusion. This beer was very, very powerful. On my first, cautious mouthful, I got a pleasant coolness, which quickly shifted into a boozy warmth from the double-digit ABV. I felt a shiver and was surprised at how strong it tasted – I promise it was only a small initial sip! Sampling further, the flavours matched the aromas, with the sweetness being provided by toffee and an ingredient usually starring as a pancake topping – maple syrup! Behind the lighter flavours, there was a deep roasted note from the coffee, but the sweetness inarguably outweighed that.
Diagnosis: 3.25/5. “Sticky Black” is very complex and boozy. Between the sweetness and strength, time and caution should be given to this brew: a lovely beer to be enjoyed over a prolonged sampling time to truly appreciate the full flavours and characteristics that it contains. I’m glad that this is a 330ml serving, as I don’t think I would manage much more! To be honest, 330ml was becoming a bit sickly sweet, even for me!
Mandatory “Porridge Head” (죽마 머리) Facts
- Untappd Rating: 3.65 (at time of writing)
- ABV: 4.2%
- IBU: 10
- Style: Pale Ale
- Tagline: Oat and Milk Pale Ale
- Descriptive Comment: For Session Heads
Porridge, a breakfast favourite for many people in Scotland, is made from oats, which have also been used in beers to create a creamier mouthfeel. The beer poured a hazy yellow colour, with a bright white foam head. It had a mixture of savoury and sweet elements on the nose. On sampling, the beer was silky smooth: it had a beautiful mouthfeel with little carbonation. The savoury aroma continued upon tasting, with the beer having flavours of oats. The milk-sugar addition complemented the brew well, giving a slight sweet spin at the end, reminding me of a comforting breakfast on a crisp winter day. There was little bitterness, which when paired with the low ABV, made it feel very sessionable.
Diagnosis: 4.0/5. “Porridge Head” certainly lives up to its name: smooth and savoury with a touch of sweetness.
Mandatory “Pulp Patriot V3” (펄프 애국자) Facts
- Untappd Rating: 3.81 (at time of writing)
- ABV: 9.5%
- IBU: 10
- Style: Milkshake IPA
- Tagline:
- Descriptive Comment: Swear Allegiance
“Pulp Patriot V1” had been one of my most desirable Fanzine beers to date – so much so that I bought the last remaining can in Rome when they only had one left (actually on display, promoting Fanzine). It was one that I would hope might become a regular in their bars. This V3 had a lot to live up to, especially given that V2 didn’t live up to its predecessor… It poured a murky bronze colour, with a few bubbles that were too sparse to create a foam top. It produced a berry aroma, with a creamy after-scent. The tasting profile reflected this: it started off as a thin-bodied, juicy beer with minimal carbonation, but built upon a deep oat base that transitioned into a warming, hoppy, boozy finish. The alcohol and hop tastes were pronounced, but not overwhelming, which allowed bursts of raspberry and vanilla to shine through. Lovely.
Diagnosis: 4.25/5. “Pulp Patriot V3” is better than the second version and is close to rivalling the first. Very drinkable and very, very enjoyable.
Box Rating: 3.83/5
Fanzine Rating to Date: 3.51/5
Do you want to join the Fanzine experience AND want a £10 voucher for the BrewDog website? The sign up to Fanzine via the link below, select referred by a friend, and use “Dr Beer” in the referral section! The associated email is: thebeerbloguk@mail.com
For more Fanzine stories, hit here to see the complete journey to date.
Thanks to the BrewDog Fanzine team for their quick response and full English translation of the can
STICKY BLACK
As big as the Rockies and as deep as a canyon. This Barley Wine flexes it’s sticky muscle. Big, bold and black. Chewy, toasted flavours are amplified by rich roasted coffee and smoky maple notes. Light the camp-fires the black beast is here.
Sticky Black – Finger lickin’ good.
PORRIDGE HEAD
Pale as Goldilocks hair, this session pale ale is as fruity as it is creamy. Dollops of grapefruit and passion-fruit sit on top of a light milkiness. With a huge rounded mouth-feel and a silky smooth delivery. All built on malty foundations with a subtle bitterness shining through.
Porridge Head – For session heads
PULP PATRIOT V3
Third time very lucky. This powerhouse of a double IPA is back and this time it’s packing rhubarb. Delivering intense stewed raspberry aromas and jammy flavour upfront. Tail-gated by bitter citrus notes that balance out the sweetness. Milk sugar rounds out the thick jammy delivery.
Pulp Patriot – Swear allegiance.
