I’m not sure if it is wishful thinking, the beer.. or if its finally happening the rain appears to be stopping! however we are only just approaching the half way mark of the Ale Train, so we have still go quite a way to go yet!
First up on our stop at Knaresborough is the Mitre inn, which is a Brew York owned establishment!
Name: Surtr’s Blade, Northern IPA 5.5%
- Brewery: Brew York X Kirkstall
- Aroma : Biscuity malts, with a slight touch of grass
- Appearance : Clear Golden nectar with a closed white head.
- Body : Decent body, well carbonated with ok head retention.
- Taste : Very addictive biscuity taste, a nice refreshing change from all the stouts i have had today.
Our overall rating: 3.7/ 5.0
Name: Fang & Flame, DDH Pale 4.6%
- Brewery: Brew York X Green Gold Brewery
- Aroma : Toffee and Citrus with a mellow hoppy backing.
- Appearance : Clear Golden Colour, with a thin closed white head.
- Body : Medium bodied, ok carbonation, with ok head retention.
- Taste : Citrus and hop forward with a strange almost sweet and sour jammy after taste
This one isn’t for me, its the strange jam taste at the end that’s putting me off. However i did share it with one of our number ( Dom) and he said he quite enjoyed the sweetness towards the end, so its definitely an individual taste issue.
Our overall rating: 2.3/ 5.0
Name: Cinnamon Rollin’, Coconut & Cinamon Roll imperial Milk Stout 12%
- Brewery: Brew York X Dead Crafty Beer Co
- Aroma : Coconut and cinnamon heavy in the nose with a touch of vanilla.
- Appearance : Pitch black with a very thin off-white foam when poured.
- Body : Medium bodied, poor head retention with decent carbonation.
- Taste : The cinnamon hits hard at the front but doesn’t last very long, leaving a wash of coconut and vanilla stout. Quite the alcohol burn, but i feel that’s to be expected at 12%.
Our overall rating: 3.8/ 5.0
Time keeps rolling, and so must we, though this next leg of the journey is hardly a trek. With the briefest of strolls (and we mean literally across the road from The Mitre Inn), our merry band made its way to the next stop: the Track & Sleeper. Another pub, another pint or three!
Although we are a bit damp still.. to say the least! the rain has stopped so im hopeful that we will all dry out pretty sharpish!
But wait… this pub has some new beers ive never seen before….
Name: Vanilla Gorilla, Vanilla Porter 5.0%
- Brewery: Gorilla Brewing Co
- Aroma : Heavy Vanilla up front with a slight smokiness.
- Appearance : Very dark with a slightly off white head when poured.
- Body : Medium bodied, good level of carbonation, with ok head retention.
- Taste :A wash of vanilla before petering out to a Smokey finish
This is very nice, a nice change from the Paler pints I’ve had today, but not as strong as the previous Brew York darks.
Our overall rating: 4.0/ 5.0
Name: Yeti 5.3%
- Brewery: Gorilla Brewing Co
- Aroma : Tobacco, Pine needles and Musk
- Appearance : Off Clear Golden ale with a white head when poured.
- Body : Medium bodied, well carbonated with decent head retention.
- Taste : Pine needles with a strong hop backing with a little bit of tropical fruits towards the end.
Our overall rating: 3.8/ 5.0
We’re finally starting to dry out, and it’s time to move on to our next destination. Luckily, there’s no lengthy trek ahead Track and Sleeper is conveniently perched right on the platform! With pints downed and spirits still high, there are absolutely no excuses for missing this train. So grab your cans, gather your crew, and get ready all aboard to Starbeck!
The|Eternal|Hoptimitsts 