A Couple of Pale Ales for #BeerSaturday from Shackleton Brewing Company and Darling Brew

about 1 month ago

The week has ended in more marking for me. As a part time lecturer running from contract to contract, I cannot afford to say not to work. But this model is not sustainable - life has strange ways of making you aware of this. Either way, a beer at the end of the week (and throughout the weekend) is the perfect way to lay to rest the week's troubles.

For this #BeerSaturday (which is already a bit late), I drank a couple of pale (and golden) ales from Shackleton Brewing Company and Darling Brew. They came at the perfect time, after marking several papers you cannot help but think that the first sip of beer is heavenly.

I have a strange relationship with Darling Brew. Sometimes they brew some of the best beer I have ever tasted, but sometimes they brew such flat beers that I cannot help think but that they tried too hard to please too many customers.

Sadly, these two beers fall in that category. They rely on their marketing to sell these beers, evident from the 4x4 "BraaiPA" or braai pale ale. This is marketed at 4x4 enthusiasts, and I cannot blame them: it is a big market. Economics trump anything else.

Either way, I bought these ales, with Shackleton's golden ale for the weekend, and I can say that even though I am not 100% into their sales tactics, and even though the beers were not the best I have ever had, who can complain about having a couple of good beers on the weekend?

That said, here are my tasting notes of these beers.

Darling Brew's 4x4 BraaiPA - Pale Ale

Dry Hopped Pale Ale | 5% ABV | 20 IBUs

On the nose I immediately got intense fruity hops notes, not too much bitterness on the nose though.

The first taste was kind of disappointing, not the same fruity taste as on the nose. It was much more subtle with malt coming through stronger. Nonetheless, it was nice and full bodied and the carbonation was perfect.

Sadly, the head quickly faded away with only average lacing.

This was not the best beer from otherwise fantastic brewery; but that said, I am comparing this beer with some of their "flagship" beers, which is from the start an unfair comparison. The same can be said about the beer below...

Darling Brew's Rogue Pony

Pale Ale | 5 % ABV | 16 IBUs

Before going to my tasting notes, I just have to say how awesome this beer's artwork is. I love the name, Rogue pony, and the Zebra.

Sadly, there was not much on the nose besides bitterness - which itself is a good thing! But there was no upfront hops or malt besides a beautiful balance. There was very subtle hoppy notes but after while it was just more malt.

The taste was similar, also bit disappointing from the brewery; the taste was more hops front but nothing besides the hops.

But as I said, this was in comparison to their "flagship" beers. I am a bit biased.

Shackleton's Golden Ale Draught

Golden Ale | 4.5% ABV | 26 IBUs

The nose on this beer when opened it was nice with slight hops. But it was much more malty (toasted in particular).

The first taste was slightly bitter but a lot of malt. It was incredibly refreshing, only with hints of hoppiness that came through.

It had a slight hazy color but beautiful white head, slight lacing on the glass but not too much. Overall just a solid pint!

Postscriptum, or Cheers to Another Beer!

Even after working so hard that I cannot see straight anymore, I can still have an ice-cold beer that soothes my throat and my consciousness (because every time I mark I always question myself and my life choices).

In the end, what is better than looking at the sunset with a beer in your hand?

Even after working so hard, and questioning my life choices, I am still beyond my wildest dreams privileged. Is it not always those who have everything in life who complains the most? I do not have everything, but comparing my situation with some others I know, I am so lucky with what I have and where I am. This puts everything in perspective again, especially over a beer.