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I'm taking to the IPA more than the Pale Ale. It's got the hop bite I expected but the malt is there to balance it out that bit more. It's quite sweet but just on the right side of cloying before the hops kick in. I think it's the first time I've had a 'traditional' English IPA brewed by an English brewer. Unfortunately I have nobody willing to share it with so I'll have to soldier on <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

I forgot to mention the Grand Cru really benefits from being served warm, the flavour comes out so much more as it warms up.

&amp;quot;bigears&amp;quot;:13c0xdn5 wrote: I forgot to mention the Grand Cru really benefits from being served warm, the flavour comes out so much more as it warms up.[/quote:13c0xdn5]I must have drinking it too cold. Too little flavour, and I didn't really like the one that was there. "Slightly chilled" is the advisory on the label, IIRC.

Well I poured my lovely new pale ale into a glass, inhaled that more-subtle-than-expected aroma - mellowed by the Williamette I think - admired the golden colour, took a mouthful and was pleasantly surprised by balance.....and promptly spilled the full glass over the carpet <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( -->

I'd been going to have the Grand Cru for dessert, but the only other suitable beer I had for chilling with tortilla chips was the Hercules Double and after the massive hop-and-alcohol whack of that I wasn't in the mood for anything else.

Not sure when I'll try the IPA, as I really couldn't handle all that by myself and any company plans I have for the weekend either involve driving, or people who aren't interested in beer. Strange people.

I did like the little I had of the Pale Ale though, I must say. I think I'm kind of going through a phase of not wanting the insane hops I wanted a few months ago - or possibly that was just the phase and now I'm normal <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> - and the Pale Ale nicely filled the desire for a flavourful but not overwhelming beer, and not hugely alcoholic.

I am afraid Meantime has not headed south yet!

Was in the Abbot this evening and no sign of it so picked up a few more Schneider Brooklyners Hoffen Weisse (one could never have enough of that!!!) as well as a Weihenstephaner Weisbier and Weissenbock (which looks interesting) as well as a Nils Oscar God Lager from Sweden, 5.3% and a Guinness 7.5% Export stout which I have to say I never had yet!!

Maybe Meantime is stopped at the border as we have very strict customs clearance before entering the Poeples Republic of Cork!!!!

&amp;quot;Ger Cork&amp;quot;:1udk0u3k wrote: Nils Oscar God Lager from Sweden[/quote:1udk0u3k]We don't get any of that here, AFAIK. Don't think I'd swap my Meantime IPA for it, though.

I really enjoyed the weizenbock, and found it similar in many respects to the hopfen weisse. Enjoy.

Def heading to McHughs to stock up.

Is the Raspberry Grand Cru on the sweet or sour side? And if the former, sweet enough to serve with a Double Chocolate Tart?