BEER BOX SET CLUB SUBSCRIPTION NOTES

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Issue 66 - MARCH BEER BOX SET CLUB NOTES

Ponderings:
The sun has put it's hat on, hip hip hip hooray? Isn't it a nice change to the weather.

Your box this month, is celebrations, collaborations and comparisons.

Celebrations - International Women's Day and Female led, owned or brewed beers
Collaborations - Two Flints and Beak
Comparisons - West Coast BABY with Burning Sky and Indie Rabble. And Two Flints and Beak.

Thanks again for all your support, it's been a hard start to the year so here's to 2026 being a fun one!

Enjoy the month and we'll see some of you soon.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST - WEST COAST BEST COAST?

Burning Sky | Inspiration | Pale Ale | 4.8% 440ml

Burning Sky say... 

"We took inspiration from the old classics and gave this West Coast Pale a modern No Coast twist. A lean malt bill allows the hops to shine. Citra and Chinook on the hot side, hop-dipped with Citra Dynaboost and dry hopped with Citra, Chinook and Strata." 

 
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN BEER - IWD SELECTION

Indie Rabble | Elbow Geese | West Coast IPA |6.4% 440ml

Indie Rabble say...

"When you really need to get something done, use a bit of Elbow Geesei. Our latest West Coast IPA. Assertively bitter, with Amarillo and Tango offering spicy, tropical and orange citrus zest to this sharp elbowed IPA. Put your quack in to it."

And we kick off with a compare and contrast of two different West Coast IPAs. One, is a modern take on the style, the no coast twist being that it pours pale and with haze, so has a juiciness from the huge dry hop and the use of 'Dynaboost' which is pure hop oil giving a whack of that distinctive Citra Aroma.

The second is our first beer celebrating Women in beer this March. And this one is to raise a glass to the lovely Naomi. Co-owner of both Indie Rabble and a place very similar to ours in Maidenhead. This is a classic West Coast. Big malt backbone with a hefty wadge of Gareth's favourite Caramalt. It's assertive, it's bitter. It's a sight to behold - yes it's Gareth writing this...

Both with stand up to anything spicy. And a smattering of The Lady Rage.

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN BEER - IWD SELECTION

Duration | Maya Shines | IWD Pale Ale | 4.2% 440ml

Duration say...

"Much like a bonsai, this Pale Ale has been crafted with precision, bringing bold hop character at an easy session strength. Idaho 7 hops lead with tropical notes of papaya and bubblegum, complemented by a sticky pine character. Mosaic enhances with overripe mango and subtle earthy undertones. A pale malt base, with plenty of wheat and oats, delivers a soft, juicy body."

Duration, headed up by our pal Miranda and her husband Bates. Miranda, like us, spent a lot of time in the Brixton area, and she's far cooler than us as she's actually from there. Gareth and her used to go to the same club nights and bars, their paths may have crossed, they have decided that it probably would have been carnage had they met in their mid twenties on a spirited dancefloor. Miranda and Bates have very cool daughter who has had a lemonade in ours and a good chinwag called Maya. So, this had to go in. We had this last night and it's proper yummy. All the juicy hoppiness but with that Duration snap of bitterness. Yum!

Goes well with some X-Ray Spex or Poly Styrene and some spirited jumping around.

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN BEER - IWD SELECTION

Brouwerij De Halve Maan | Straffe Hendrik Brugs Tripel Bier 9° | Belgian Tripel | 9% 330ml

Brouwerij De Halve Maan say...

"Straffe Hendrik is a Bitter Tripel Ale of 9% abv. The beer was originally from Bruges and brewed in Bruges by brewery De Halve Maan.

In 1981, Henri Maes and his daughter Véronique followed the demand of the mayor and created a strong blond beer for the inauguration of the statue of Sint-Arnoldus, the saint of all beer-brewers. However, the beer became so popular, that the demand for the beer continued. It was given the name of Straffe Hendrik (Strong Hendrick), since it was a rich and strong beer.

Today, Straffe Hendrik is the last authentic Tripel Ale of Bruges."

Well, we've featured this beer in one of our Belgian beer tastings, it's really special. And has a fabulous story behind it. It's worth watching this short video on Instagram from the women herself. It's a joy of a beer, and very much a modern day Tripel compared to its Trappist Contemporaries. For starters, it's hoppy. Those spicy floral noble hops from Belgium. And the snap of bitterness brings you back for more. The long maturation takes out any residual alcohol, but it is a rich beer. It's one to have with some strong Vintage Gouda, or an alternative, with some mustard to dip it in to. If you're so inclined some smoked sausage too. We would definitely go with some Charlotte Adigery or Charlotte De Wit with this.

Pastore Brewing And Blending | Tangerine Krush | Sour IPA | 6% 440ml

Pastore Brewing And Blending say...

"A tangerine sour IPA, fermented with our fresh sour mixed culture, fruited with tangerines and papayas, dry hopped with citra, krush and centennial. Pithy, juicy, tangy, refreshing."

We love a sour that involves hops. The last clean sour of theirs we had which was dry hopped with Citra was a joy to behold. This combines all the hop flavour with complimentary fruits. Unfortunately we haven't tried this yet, but Father and Son led Pastore always hit the nail on the head. We'd be interested to know what you think? We like a sour and they pair really well with stronger soft cheese, a blue of goats cheese. Or how about a Tangerine Cheese Cake and some Portishead?

Pressure Drop | Fresco | IPA | 6% 440ml

Pressure Drop say...

"A lean IPA showcasing the sharp citrus spectrum of NZ Cascade and Southern Cross. Cold-side hopping keeps it bright and dry. Fresco by name, fresh by nature."

So, DRUM ROLL, we wanted to let you know first that the brewery we have chosen for this year's Worthing Tap Takeover taking place on 10-12 April 2026 is PRESSURE DROP! And you'll see from this fine beer why!

Bosko. They're West Coast IPA. Legendary and originally a core beer. When we saw this can we both said, the artwork is similar to Bosko, I wonder whether this beer is a take on that? Less Caramalt than the classic West Coast Bosko it pours bright and is definitely Bosko leaning. The Southern Cross hops combined with the New Zealand Cascade give a zesty fruit combo that is, well nice. We both agreed that this is a beer you could drink a few of. It's moreish and is one we could definitely have a few of.

For us this beer again proves Pressure Drop really are a great brewery. As ever with Pressure Drop Beer, whack up the Toots and get your Skank on.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Two Flints Brewery x Beak | Early Pick Motueka | DDH IPA | 7% 440ml

Two Flints Brewery say...

"This Early Pick DDH Hazy IPA highlights Motueka harvested in the very first days of the season. Loaded with Motueka from Freestyle Hops (Lot SV25-4AKE-MKA) and amplified with a dose of early pick Motueka hop kief this beer captures the vibrant, zesty intensity that defines the early harvest character.

Expect Motueka's signature zesty lime, mojito and light floral aromatics."

 
Two Flints Brewery x Beak | Late Pick Motueka | DDH IPA | 7% 440ml

Two Flints Brewery say...

"This Late Pick DDH Hazy IPA highlights Motueka harvested in the very final days of the season. Loaded with Motueka from Eggers Hops (Lot EH25-023D-MOT) and amplified with a dose of late pick Motueka hop kief this beer captures the lush, tropical intensity that defines the late harvest character.

Expect a more rich, tropical Motueka with fleshy mango, key lime pie and clear gummy bears."

Well, two absolutely brilliant brewers of haze getting together to brew some BIG Haze. We had to try these beers together. They're hot off the canning line. Only released this week. We cracked these two last night and poured them side by side. We nearly got them mixed up! They pour thick and very pale, we guess to really make it all about the hops. We were apprehensive - it's not a look we're particularly keen on, although many are - Then we tried them and OOF! Intially split between the two with Gemma preferring the early as they warmed up slightly we were both drawn to the late. Both very different beers. The Early Pick being a softer juicier beer but still balanced and the Late Pick having more bitterness and for us it's rounder. Try together and see what you think, and let us know.

We'd say keep it simple with these and have some salty snacks, we actually had a bit of cheese with them, seems to reset the palate quite well. And some Fat Freddy's Drop.

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