An Experiment That Went Wrong?

Gorse Flower is the latest in Galway Bay Brewery’s In Bloom series of specials.

The ingredients listed sound quite pleasant. Lemon peel, Coconut and of course Gorse Flower. I got the distinctive whiff of Gorse the minute I opened the bottle and was transported back to the bog twenty five years ago where I footed turf. Enough about my traumatic childhood, back to the Beer in hand.

I had it on it’s side in the fridge, so perhaps it was my fault that there were white lumps of coconut floating in it? ( I know you’re not supposed to do that but sometimes that’s the only way that you can fit the bottle in!) They were still present in the second, more careful pour. The beer was possibly the flattest I have ever drank. I found it too sweet for my palate and felt a bit queasy at one stage. I struggled manfully through it but that’s not what I’m looking for in a beer. I don’t know if the beer turned out as intended but it didn’t do it for me. And that’s the first time I have been able to say anything negative about the normally brilliant Galway Bay Brewery. Hopefully the next one will be different. Sláinte!