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I see the Dungarvan lads winning awards and getting a lot of good press lately, so I decided I'd try Helvick Gold again yesterday as I was in Dungarvan with the in-laws. First time I had it (at launch in Downey's) it didn't go down well with me. 2nd time I had it (from Spar in Abbeyside) it still didn't go down well with me. But last night I had a bottle and I have to say it was lovely. After a discussion with herself we concluded that the recipe has been tuned/changed rather than it being a quality issue, and it's now closer to being an IPA/APA than it was before, which is as good thing as far as I am concerned.

Meanwhile back at the ranch I went in for a Galway Hooker tonight and the barman informed me that the Pils was in stock (the tap is there ages but there's rarely anything behind it). Had a pint, just cos I could, and then moved onto the pale ale. Which tasted almost exactly the same. I asked the barman was the wrong keg connected to the tap and he checked. The ale keg was connected to the ale tap. First quality slip I've come across with GH (I assume they put pils in the ale keg), but nonetheless I was glad not to be drinking Heineken or something equally as tastless and still left happy <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Interesting observations Tube.
I had a few bottles of Helvick Gold with a meal out during Christmas, and felt the bitterness was more pronounced than when I had last had it. I thought maybe it was because I had it after bottles of Copper Coast, although I think the previous time I had Helvick Gold it was the cask version, which is much smoother anyway.
Had another bottle tonight with a curry, and was delighted to read the label again which says 'great with spicy food'. And so it is!! It really went down nicely, and the 'piney overtones' were really apparent.

If anyones having a curry, get a Helvick Gold too <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

I always found IPAs go well with Indian food, so what you say about the Helvick Gold going with spicy food stands to reason.

Speaking of the label, it's my only complaint about all the Dungarvan beers: the text is sideways on the label, so you turn the bottle on its side to read it, only to see that it should be stored upright!

The Galway Hooker riddle has been solved: I was over there again this evening and the ale still tasted like the pils, a fact I pointed out again to staff. They checked and indeed they had a pils keg connected to the ale tap. How they didn't discover this the first time I complained I don't know. The funny thing is they were saying people had been drinking the "ale" all week and no-one had complained!

I've mistaken the Pale Ale for a lager in the past. Glad to hear it works the other way around too <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Bought a selection of ales yesterday at both chill and euro spar , Derry just had the helvick and must say it does what it says on the bottle! Lovely!
I had a fulcrum( wheat beer) slightly odd after taste but it was better as I progressed down the glass! I also had the ltd Ed inish Mac saint with fresh hops, my palate and nose didn't find the flavour nor aroma as obvious as I would have thought/ liked!
I also had a doom bar and shep neame ipa both again as described on their label.
I still have a bottle of o'haras to try ( pale)!

&amp;quot;fatcontro11er&amp;quot;:3gqn3rf1 wrote: Bought a selection of ales yesterday at both chill and euro spar , Derry just had the helvick and must say it does what it says on the bottle! Lovely!
I had a fulcrum( wheat beer) slightly odd after taste but it was better as I progressed down the glass! I also had the ltd Ed inish Mac saint with fresh hops, my palate and nose didn't find the flavour nor aroma as obvious as I would have thought/ liked!
I also had a doom bar and shep neame ipa both again as described on their label.
I still have a bottle of o'haras to try ( pale)![/quote:3gqn3rf1]

I see you're enjoying Chill's new selection. I've had a few Fulcrums and I think it's an issue with the yeast. If I pour it very carefully it tastes very clean but when you get a little yeast into it I get that odd after taste as well. Strange because obviously wheat beers are supposed to have the yeast in the glass as well.