STAFF REVIEW: HIGHBURY BEER BREWING EXPERIENCE
Connor and I went on our first Beer Tasting experience to start 2022 off with a bang! Read on for our staff review.
I won’t lie; Connor and I never ever drink beer, it's not something we enjoy at all. We are more into spirits than anything else. However, we thought that maybe this experience could enlighten us on the topic and perhaps change our perspective - so, we chose to give it a try.
Arriving at Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury we had the chance to meet the very welcoming staff of the facility and sit at a table of our choice to begin the experience. Before starting we had a look around the restaurant including the bar, the kitchen and the brewery which was beautifully displayed. We then sat at the table with our beer expert and began the tasting.
We first had to look at the 3 papers we had been handed. The first paper was a graph representing a list of all the different types of beers, the second page was a summary of the experience, and finally there was a beer tasting note page, where we would be able to write about our experience tasting the beers including appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and overall grade.
Next, we had a mini introduction to the 4 ingredients of beer: yeast, malt, and hops, which make about 5% of beer, and water, which makes about 95%. Our beer expert then explained the process of making beer, which you will have the chance to listen to when you take part in this experience.
#1 Our very first beer was called Legend Craft Lager. Connor and I gave about the same review for this beer. It was rather a light, clear, transparent beer with a fresh yeasty taste, which felt soft and dry at the same time. We both rated it 7/10. It wasn’t the best beer, but we knew it was just the beginning.
#2 Coming all the way from Germany this beer is called the Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier. Do not ask me how to pronounce it because I do not know! For this beer, we both had a different reaction. Connor could instantly smell the aroma flavour of the banana which is a chemical that also exists in wheat when roasted.
However, I smelled something completely different, not fruity at all but more of a salmon aroma. I know that sounds weird, but it really did smell like fish . Anyway, the taste was surprisingly sweet and fruity for the both of us and in the end, I felt like it was a good beer. I gave this one a 6/10 and Connor rated it a 8/10.
#3 Next was the B&K Best Bitter. Its appearance was foamy and clear. Compared to the other beers we previously tried; this one was served in a different glass. I asked our beer expert why that was, and he explained this was due to the temperature of the beer. Now I won’t spoil everything because you need to hear this for yourself. This beer tasted slightly more bitter and had a taste of pine, but with a spicy smell . We both gave this one a 5/10
#4 Now, a round of applause for the B&K American Pale Ale which was one of my favourite beers during this tasting. This one tasted fruitier and smelled like passion fruit and pineapple. It had a bitter/soft taste and was slightly yeasty. Connor on the other hand felt like it was heavy and not his favourite. I gave this one an 8/10 and Connor gave a 6/10.
#5 Now before we go on number 5, I must say I was getting slightly tipsy as I am very much a lightweight and it was getting difficult to keep focus, but I kept on going. The fifth beer originates from Belgium and is called La Chouffe Soleil. Meaning the gnome of the sun. There is a tale apparently regarding this gnome which you will have to ask your guide as he knows best. All I can say is that you won’t believe your ears. We both gave this one a 6/10.
#6 The sixth beer is a B&K Traditional IPA which stands for Indian Pale Ale. Connor and I both felt like this had a stronger, more bitter taste and a toffee flavour due to a molecule shared with toffee popcorn (caramel) which you can find in wheat. This beer felt more dry but also soft and chewy. Connor gave this one an 8/10 and I gave this one a 7/10.
#7 The seventh beer originating from America was called the Tailgate Peanut Butter Stout. If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, I would not recommend this beer, but it was unusual as it felt heavier and had a sweeter taste. We both could taste the peanut butter and the sweetness which resembled the flavour of coffee. We rated this one a good 7.5/10.
#8 Last but not least, the last beer to try originates from Germany. From my perspective I would say that this beer was the most bitter out of all. It tasted more cereal and yeastier than the rest and had a transparent red color almost just like red wine. Connor gave this one a 3 and I gave a 5.
Connor and I had an amazing time in this Beer Tasting Class and would like to say thank you so much to our beer expert and the rest of the staff!
We learned so many fun facts about beer that we would have never discovered if we had not gone on this experience. I will say that beer is a peculiar drink, but once you know how to drink it, your perspective really changes, and you can really enjoy your experience.
There will be beers that you prefer and others that you don’t like as much, depending on how bitter or sweet they taste. I would recommend this experience to any beer fan who would like to discover more about beer, or any curious mind out there who wants to give it a try.
