Beer – #442 – Liberty – Yakima Monster

On a theme of big beers, or at the very least the APA style, the Liberty Yakima Monster. A beer I’ve been acused of avoiding. Which isn’t true of course, but only because I thought I’d drunk it. We all know what thought did?

Brewed by Liberty Brewing Co in the style of the American Pale Ale and they are in Auckland, New Zealand

Served as a 500ml bottle that is 6% ABV, either 45 or 50 IBU things (Iike an IPA) and 180 calories a serve of 355 ml so this would be 220 ish for the bottle. 2.3 standard drink units too.

Get those images of Godzilla and Mothra out of your head! I know you were thing it, but this beer has nothing to do with Japan whatsoever. Yakima is actually a region in the state of Washington USA where some of Joseph Wood’s favorite hops are grown. This monster of a Pale Ale showcases several of those hops.

“It’s a easy drinking beer, flavorsome enough for your father ’n law to exclaim “wow – that’s fruity!” yet complex enough for any green blooded hop-head to appreciate.” – Joseph Wood, Liberty Brewer. Gold medal 2012 Brew NZ Awards

Like I said I’ve been avoiding this for a while, but let’s go…

But before that, the artwork reminded me of “Tales from the Crypt” cover artwork, or any other of those 70’s mags, which used to feature various monsters, ghouls and such like and so forth.

I’m not sure that my afternoon was best served with high ABV beers, as this will lead to tears before bedtime, so this is a post I prepared earlier….

But I press on, after all the sun is shining and all that I have to think about is not incinerating the meat on the barbecue later, right ?

Much more yeast in the aroma on opening, so much less hop grassiness.

Much more golden and pale on the pour and which a gigantic headsworth that lucky for me didn’t over spill. Looks nice though pale yellow gold but slightly cloudy. Certainly much less orange than the previous ITI and NUI.

Nice aroma bloom in the glass though.

Now I know not all APA beers are the same, but this is at real odds with the last couple I had. Really at odds.

Anyway back to this. It’s all of it’s bitterness, i.e. not much. Having said that there really is a steep curve of grassiness that is really low and bitter through this.

Which, if it’s not confusing, is all of the profile, there isn’t anything sweet or soft in this, and which then leads me to think that this is sour bitter because that’s the style, and I’ve been lead astray.

I’m not sure that this is “easy drinking” though, it’s a bit edgy and in need of other assistance by way of external food or input. Should have brought some crisps/chips.

Getting to the point then, based on the last couple of APA beers this is an outlier, and it is interesting to note the totally different profiles that this has, and you couldn’t pick a more polar opposite thing in tastes. This won medals in 2012, the bar can’t have moved that much.

Then. This has a bit more overall roundness in it as a beer. There is more middle in this, the profile is flatter, so no shocks up front, or dryness in the end. Don’t mistake that for no bitterness, because there is, and there is dryness at the end, but it’s not the distracting and tongue clucking type. Thereby hangs a tale. Because this is actually all things said and done a bit good as a beer.

The lower IBU doesn’t seem to count for much as it really is pervasive and present, and there isn’t a softer middle to muddle it, you get a rounded drink that is despite it’s contrary nature as to quaffability a bit quaffable. You just get used to it.

Again I’m reminded that I had this on tap out and about at the excellent Sky Sports Grill bar in the viaduct Auckland, no so long ago, clearly under peer pressure, where I rated it a 4 from 5 on untappd. or an 8 form 10 arbitrary things.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. In spite of myself and because you can lead or follow on the rules thing, I’m not sure I can rate this as a beer better than “very good”. It isn’t outstanding or jaw dropping. It’s just an accomplished beer of some merit.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? No but yeah, but no but yeah Would I have another? yeah but no….. of course, depends on if there is an offset food. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? This is a beer that you get out in the middle of thing, it’s not he lead or the end. If it was a proper porch conversation then yes, if it was Sunday Arvo quarterback then no.

I found myself listening to a really good music album, a debut album, but UB40, called Signing Off, This one track “Tyler”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAQ573AFp60

I remember my own UB40 and signing off every thursday in Catford… between the leaving school and starting my first job in the post office selling stamps :-), the chap that was paying me cash-in-hand, a printer, gave me the afternoon off, so accommodating.

It took ages to write this bit, so I went through a few things including, Tubeway Army, and then Thin Lizzy and to be honest I’m now listening to Talking Heads, and no points for guessing which album that on is.

AMERICAN PALE ALE

American Pale Ales are light in color, ranging from golden to a light copper color. The style of this beer is defined by the American hops used. American hops typically have high bitterness and aroma.This is a perfect beer for big fare like grilled burgers or combination pizzas, as well as lighter fare like sushi and green salads