– Rooie Dop & Oedipus tasting event / review by Cameron Steward
Over the years I’ve somehow convinced myself that Port Street Beer House was established solely for my benefit. I moved to Manchester in late October 2010 and my melancholy for departing Leeds must have been so widely reported that a couple of beer lovers felt to rectify my situation. By the end of January 2011 Port Street was born. A simple case of demand and supply and not a hint of delusion…
I’m happy to be along for their 4th birthday party and to mark the occasion they invited a bunch of beer-brewing buddies to help ring in the festivities. PSBH have long supported their esteemed guests, both of whom have travelled from the Netherlands to host a bottle tasting and tap takeover.
I arrive 30 minutes ahead of the bottle event so I can sample some of the keg offerings from Utrecht’s Rooie Dop and Amsterdam’s Oedipus Brewing. I start with the latter, opting for their malty Bock Luchtfietser (7%). It’s a marvellous example of the style with sweet, chewy caramel leading the charge, backed up with an abundance of fruit and pine from the Polaris, Chinook and Simcoe dry-hopping. Add to that a subtle wisp of smoke from the smoked malts that shimmies through the bitter finish and we’re off to a great start.
Rooie Dop’s 24/7 Session India Ale (4.9%) sold out in 45 minutes! Gutted to have missed that but I keep things in a similar ball park with Oedipus’ APA Mama (5%), who introduces her citrus hops with a punch in the face rather than a polite handshake. Centennial and Motueka offer plenty of grassy and citrusy wham, bam, thank you mama but it’s all a bit pedestrian in taste. A bigger body would help take this up a level or two.
We’re beckoned upstairs and find Oedipus’ Sander Nederveen and Paul Brouwer and Rooie Dop’s Mark “the dude” Strooker looking so at ease they’re already part of the furniture. Immediately they create a casual atmosphere as Paul addresses the room with a childish glee that’s positively infectious. The hosts demand that the formal layout of chairs is disrupted in favour of chaos and intimacy. It’s going to be one of those nights…
To accompany Paul’s introduction we’re presented with a third of Oedipus’ Mannenliefde (6%); a cheeky farmhouse ale brewed with Szechuan Peppers and Lemongrass and by their own confession, not enough Sorachi Ace hops this time ’round. This sparks Sander’s justification that they’re always changing the recipes; the last batch being way too hoppy. It’s a philosophy that reflects their wide-eyed wonder as they discuss how their palates are constantly evolving and ultimately, they just get “a bit bored brewing the same beers all the time”. At any rate this is a top tier Saison, with plenty of peppery spice ricocheting off the fragrant lemon bite.
Next up and it’s another Oedipus; this time a smoked Porter by the name of Rubberen Robbie (6.7%), brewed with one of my Dutch favourites Brouwerij de Prael. Named after a frankly dreadful comedy folk band from Leiden (Flight of the Conchords they ain’t) there sure is plenty of smoky, woody malts plus lashings of coffee and black treacle character. It’s pretty dry too and again Paul and Sander are quick to note that this batch was too dry but hey, there’s enough chewy tobacco and antique leather chair to make up for that.
Finally I get round to trying a Rooie Dop drop, Back To Black (8.6%); an Imperial Stout brewed in conjunction with Tupiniquim Coffee from Brazil. It’s quite the first impression with it’s obsidian-black tar eruptiing aromas of raw coffee beans. There’s earthy hops, a pinch of peat and a soft, chocolate mousse finish. Mark can finally give us his spiel about his feelings towards collaboration. He bloody loves it! He stresses that these alliances are essential; an expression of fun, where through talking with like-minded enthusiasts spawns ideas to “make something different, something extreme and something truly special”. And they’ve certainly accomplished that with Back To Black.
We press on with Oedipus’ homage to the big West Coast IPA, Gaia (7%). A swamp-load of US hops make for a dizzying glass of citrus pulp that in some way must contribute to your 5-a-day. There’s a sweet marzipan finish that compliments that infinite bitterness. Paul and Sander again prove to be their own harshest critics, noting that this could be more aromatic but it had been sat in the bottle a while…
Back to Rooie Dop and to support Mark’s collaboration cause he presents a 7-way orgy of Dutch breweries in the form of Betty Wang (7.7%). There’s a rich honey and grassy hop profile heightened with the addition of Saffron and soft, yeasty spice but it it just doesn’t gel for me; too many cooks, broth, etc.
Luckily their Utrecht Strong Ale (9.1%) is a big-ass, superbly executed US Barleywine, which totally annihilates any preceding notions of over-indulgence. There’s a deluge of tropical aromas, however those hops turn out to be shrinking violets as this is all backbone baby, with a fog horn of sweet malt and dolly mixture and a body that just won’t quit.
It’s a blockbusting way to bring the proceedings to a close and on leaving I catch Mark and Paul, where they prove to be every bit as charming in intimate conversation as when performing to a packed room with their boyish antics. I return to the bar to sample a few more from the tap takeover; Rooie Dop’s Double Oatmeal Stout (9.6%) is chock-full of smooth chocolate and dark, stone fruit. However the Dop seem at their strongest when they scale things back, as Chica Americana IPA (7.1%) proves. A myriad of Chinook and Cascade give you every drop of mango and pine you’d want in the style and at 7.1%, it’s positively sessionable compared to any of the aforementioned Rooie Dop reps.
When you start thinking that 7.1% is sessionable it’s time to go home, so I did; with a smile on my face and boyish glee coursing through my veins. Happy birthday Port Street, let’s do it again next year.
Words and photos by Cameron Steward. Author of hit blog All You Need Is Beer
Rooie Dop – http://www.rooiedop.nl/
Oedipus – http://www.oedipusbrewing.com/
– PORT STREET BEER HOUSE wants YOU to be our new Bar Supervisor!
Does enthusiasm for beer course through your veins? Are you raring to share your gift of beer knowledge with likeminded individuals? Do you love beer so much that you want to shout it from the rooftops?
Now harness that energy, tiger! RAH!
Previous bar experience at supervisor or manager level is essential. Can you care for beer like you would your own kin? Are you no slouch at back of house? A dab hand at admin? Stock taker extraordinaire?
Hello, is it you we’re looking for? Do you care a lot? Looking to climb that career ladder?
Come join the family at Port Street and revel in a beer haven supported by a rock solid team of enthusiasts and all round greats.
Email your CV & cover letter to james@portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk
– January Sales – up to 50% off
Sale times are upon us, we all love an amazing deal, especially when it comes to beer! So why not visit your favourite drinking establishment and take advantage of these wonderful offers. We also have some kegs included in the sale, please check our twitter feed for more details, as these will change quite quickly and will be updated daily!
Happy New Year – from all at Port Street Beer House.
January Sales – Bottle List* – Week commencing 6th January 2015 :
Alesmith – Yulesmith
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/yulesmith – RRP £21.00 / SALE £12
Ominpollo – Nathalius
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/nathalius – RRP £6.50 / SALE £3.00
Mavericks – Back In The Saddle
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/back-in-the-saddle – RRP £5.00 / SALE £3.00
Ruhstaller – 1881
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/1881 – RRP £6.50 / SALE £3.75
Left Hand – Stranger
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/stranger – RRP £5.50 / SALE £3.50
Brewfist – Heimdall
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/heimdall – RRP £6.00 / SALE £3.50
Viven – Porter
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/porter-7 – RRP £6.00 / SALE £3.00
De La Senne – X Mas Zinnebir
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/x-mas-zinnebir – RRP £5.50 / SALE £4.00
Partizan – Single
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/single – RRP £6.00 / SALE £3.00
Pressure Drop – Wallbanger
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/beer/wallbanger – RRP £4.80 / SALE £3.00
* All subject to availability
– End of Year Review 2014 – the results
Here it is, the inevitable ‘Port Street Beer House End of Year Review 2014’, the beers aren’t in any particular order, however we did do a quick tally of the best brewery category, we are proud to say Buxton came out on top, in second place Siren and a close third we have Magic Rock.
Hope you enjoy reading through these lists, thanks to everyone who contributed, especially the person who put ‘Clown Juice’ for every single section, your entry was unfortunately not submitted.
Hope everyone enjoyed the year they called twenty fourteen, happy new year and all the best from all at Port Street Beer House.
+ End of Year Review 2014 +
Name : Sam J Cruz
Occupation : Co-Owner of Against The Grain Brewery
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Against The Grain Brewery / Rico Sauvin IPA
Against The Grain Brewery / 35K Milk Stout
Surly / Barrel Aged Darkness
Bells Brewery / 2 Hearted IPA
Prarie / Standard
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Against The Grain of course! ;)
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
My life is beer and 2014 has been fucking amazing!
+++++++++++++
Name : Cameron
Occupation : teacher
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Deschutes / Black Butte XXVI
Russian River / Pliny the Elder
Loverbeer / Madamin
Elysian / Superfuzz
Founders / KBS
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Deschutes
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Deschutes pub visit, Portland
+++++++++++++
Name : Darren Turpin
Occupation : freelance website manager, http://manchester.alenews.uk
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Deeply Vale / DV8
Silver Street / Porter
Magic Rock / Jiminez aged Bearded Lady
Silver Street / Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby
Five-Oh Brew Co / Sorachi Ace Stout
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Silver Street – Bury
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Independent Salford Beer Festival
+++++++++++++
Name : Becky Rothwell
Occupation : BrewDog
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Mikkeller + Three Floyds / Blå Spøgelse
Beavertown / Gamma Ray
Magic Rock / Sour Alphonso
The Bruery / Tart of Darkness
Evil Twin / The Cowboy
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Beavertown
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Sitting on a balcony in Copenhagen at 5am, drinking Mikkeller beers with my fave guy.
+++++++++++++
Name : Richard Brownhill
Occupation : General Manager, Tapped Leeds
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Ilkley Brewery / The Man from D.U.N.K.E.L.
Northern Monk / Mocha Porter
Marble Brewery / English IPA
Buxton Brewery / Double Axe
Pressure Drop / Strictly Roots
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton Brewery
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Collaboration brew and MTB with Beavertown at Tapped Leeds in February/Tapped Brew Co. Takeover at PSBH!!!!
+++++++++++++
Name : Andy Johnson
Occupation : Digital Marketing Manager
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Brewfist / Space Frontier Grape IPA.
Buxton / Far Skyline
Buxton / Ace Edge
Northern Monk / Chennai Export Porter
Flying Dog / The Fear
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
IMBC
+++++++++++++
Name : Hedley Coppock
Occupation : medical writer
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Weird Beard / Double Pearl
Buxton Brewery / Nth Cloud
Buxton Brewery & Omnipollo / Yellow Belly
Magic Rock / Rapture
Tiny Rebel / Hadouken
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Weird Beard
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Any visit to PSBH
+++++++++++++
Name : Chris Clough
Occupation : Translator
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Buxton / Ace Edge
Buxton / Far Skyline
Siren / 10 Finger Discount
Magic Rock & Lervig / Farmhouse IPA
Burning Sky / Saison L’Hiver
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
IMBC
+++++++++++++
Name : Ståle Møllegård, Norway
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
De Molen / Hel & Verdomenis
Great Divide / Yeti
8 Wired / Super Conductor
8 Wired / iStout
Stone / Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
8 Wired Brewing Co.
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Beer Hiking through Peak District
+++++++++++++
Name : Jen
Occupation : Artist
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Yellow Belly peanut butter and biscuit imperial stout
Mad Hatter / Fattest Stout
Redwillow / Smokeless
Redwillow / Heartless
Thornbridge / Coco wonderland
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Thornbridge
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
drinking
+++++++++++++
Name : Ben Hodgkinson
Occupation : James Clay Beers
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Siren Craft Brew / Liquid Mistress
Cromarty / Rogue Wave
Burning Sky / Saison à la Provision
Founders / Breakfast Stout
Brooklyn Brewery / Blast!
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Siren
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
The Brooklyn Brewery Mash (London)
+++++++++++++
Name : Jay Krause
Occupation : Quantum Brewing Co.
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Buxton Brewery / Ace Edge
BrewDog / Paradox Heaven Hill
Thornbridge / Bayern
Salopian / Oracle
Retorto / Morning Glory
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton Brewery.
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
IMBC went above and beyond this year.
+++++++++++++
Name : William France
Occupation : Operations-Cloudwater Brew Co
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Thronbridge / Valravn
Magic Rock Brewing / Villainous
Magic Rock Brewing / Craftwerk
SWB / Mauna Kea
Alchemist / Heady Topper
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Magic Rock
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Having lunch with Jean Van Roy at the Birrificio Indipendente Elav’s brewery tap, swapping stories & beer experiences.
+++++++++++++
Name : Adam Birch
Occupation : UoM Finance Comms Officer
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Quantum / Physics
Magic rock / Cannonball
Magic Rock / Villainous
Tiny Rebel / Urban IPA
Pacer / Summer Wine
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Blackjack
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Getting pissed on my birthday
+++++++++++++
Name : Dave Harrison-Ward
Occupation : IT Systems Administrator (wannabe brewer)
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Magic Rock / Villainous
Siren + De Molen / Empress
Buxton Brewery / Far Skyline
Buxton Brewery / Double Axe
Black Ops / Salopian
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton Brewery
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Easy – IMBC 2014!
+++++++++++++
Name : Mike
Occupation : IT Engineer
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Magic Rock / High wire
Marble / Earl Gray IPA
Flying Dog / Mint Chocolate Stout
Tiny Rebel / Hadouken
Liverpool Organic / Josephine Butler Elderflower Ale
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Magic Rock
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Brewtap – Blackjack beers (Followed closely by IMBC)
+++++++++++++
Name : Alex
Occupation : student
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Westbrook / Mexican Cake
The Kernel / IPA (all varieties)
Burning Sky / Monolith
Westbrook / IPA
Evil Twin / Imperial Doughnut Break
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
The Kernel
+++++++++++++
Name : Andy
Occupation : @hoponthebIke
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Magic Rock / Magic Spanner
Brewsmith Beers / IPA
Hand Drawn Monkey / Smaller
Wiper & True / Small Beer
Quantum / I Heart Motueka
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Wiper & True
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
IndyManBeerCon (of course!!)
+++++++++++++
Name : Mike Bates
Occupation : general lackey at the House of Trembling Madness
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Siren & Evil Twin / Even More Jesus VIII Coffee & Bourbon Aged
Fantome / Saison
To Ol / Fuck Art the Heathens are Coming
Pressure Drop / Stokey Brown
Stillwater Artisanal / Why Can’t I Beat You?
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Siren
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Brewing Gracchus with Siren & Omnipollo then launching it at Craft Covent Garden! But that’s hardly a common experience, so probably IMBC, great atmosphere and a chance to catch up with everyone. Always fun.
+++++++++++++
Name : Leona Norbury
Occupation : Port Street Beer House
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Buxton Brewery / Far Skyline
Against the Grain / There Gose the Neighbourhood
To-Ol / Sur Mosaic
Westbrook / Mexican Cake
Oerpsoep/Rooie Dop/Buxton / Grain & Grape
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
BUXTON!
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Copenhagen Beer Celebration (and IMBC of course..)
+++++++++++++
Name : Claudia Asch
Occupation : IndyManBeerCon
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Firestone Walker / Lil’ Opal
Boneyard Brewing Company / Notorious IPA
Toccalmatto / Bedda Matri Marsala Barrel Aged
Cigar City / Double Barrel Hunapuh’s
Burning Sky / Saison a la Provision
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
UK: Burning Sky / USA: Cycle Brewing / Germany: Freigeist / Italy: Toccalmatto
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Copenhagen/IMBC/Brewing with Bruno at Toccalmatto/All our collabs
+++++++++++++
Name : James R. Moffat
Occupation : PSBH
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Westbrook – Mexican Cake
Against the Grain – There Gose The Neighbourhood
Buxton – Ace Edge (especially when randalled through extra Sorachi Ace & coconut!)
To Øl – Hop Love Pils
To Øl / Brewfist – Space Frontier
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Too many… Comparing High Wire & Oregon at Jackalope’s first birthday in Chorlton, drinking far too much of both & trying to make the ultimate West Coast Pale by blending the two. Cracking a 2010 Goose Island Vanilla Bourbon County at one of the first staff meetings after joining the PSBH team after saving it for 4 years! Starting brewing again & brewing a bretted beetroot saison as a last brew with a mate before he moved down to London, still not ready but hopefully going to taste great! IMBC, every year obviously! (Are we contractually obliged to say that?). I’m sure there’s more. There always is.
+++++++++++++
Name : Unknown
Occupation : Unknown
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Mikkeller – Texas Ranger
Ilkley Brewery/Brewdog – Westwood Stout
Ilkley Brewery/Rooie Dop/Oerseop – De Passie
Partizan – Saison Grisette
Five Points – Hook Island Red
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Ilkley Brewery
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Leeds International Beer Fest
+++++++++++++
Name : Kieron Sumner
Occupation : National Treasure (?!?!?!)
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Pogonophobia // MagicRock+Evil Twin
Evil Twin // Falco
Salty Kiss // Magic Rock
Home of the Fruitcakes // Celt
Salopian Brewery // Darwin’s Origin
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton // Evil Twin
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
IMBC
+++++++++++++
Name : Matt Dutton
Occupation : Operations Manager – The Font
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Schlenkerla – Helles
@likethemurphys – Imp Choc Orange Stout
Augustiner – Lager Bier Hell
Against The Grain – Citra Ass Down
Quantum – Brett C Pale
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton Brewery
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Home brewing Beer in my cellar
+++++++++++++
Name : Michael
Occupation : PhD student
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Perennial Artisan Ales / Saison de Lis
Struise / XXX Rogge Tripel
Schneider / Meine Hopfenweisse
La Trappe / Quadrupel Oak Aged #17
Rochefort / Trappistes Rochefort 10
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Brussels
+++++++++++++
Name : Fraser Pirie
Occupation : BSc Brewing & Distilling student
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Buxton Double Axe
Siren / To øl Tickle Monster
Buxton / Omnipollo Yellowbelly
Wild Beer Schnoodlepip
Stone Enjoy By
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Natural Selection Launch @ The Hanging Bat
+++++++++++++
Name : David Sweetman
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Saison Dupont Cuvée Dry Hopping 2014
Buxton – Far Skyline
Buxton – Double Axe
Burning Sky – Saison Le Printemps
Magic Rock – Bourbon Barrel Bearded Lady 2014 (Buffalo Trace)
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Birmingham Beer Bash
+++++++++++++
Name : Joe Nicholas
Occupation : Assistant Bar Manager, Craft Beer Co.
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Evil Twin/Luksus One
Westbrook/Gose
Logsdon/Seizoen Bretta
To Øl/Blossom
The Kernel/Raspberry Sour
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Siren Craft
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Come on now – INDY MAN
+++++++++++++
Name : David Sheldon
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Northern Monk / Northern Star
Brewdog / Cocoa Physco
New Belgium / Coconut Curry Hefe
Partizan / Van Chai Stout
Boulder Beer Co / 35th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
No one brewery overall.
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Drinking in the Hop & Cleaver / Bob’s Bar / Redhouse connected pubs in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
+++++++++++++
Name : Arlo
Occupation : Port Street Beer House
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Westbrook / Mexican Cake
Buxton / Double Axe
Five Oh Brew Co / New Dark Ages
Goose Island / Bourbon County
Against The Grain / There Gose The Neighbourhood
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Westbrook
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Going to the lakes with Founders
+++++++++++++
Name : Andy
Occupation : Port Street Beer House
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Westbrook / Mexican Cake
Jolly Pumpkin / La Roja
Buxton / Grape + Grain
To Øl / Jule Maelk
To Øl / Likewiesse
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
Buxton
BEST BEER RELATED EXPERIENCE of 2014?
Brewing with Mad Hatter
+++++++++++++
Name : Euan Summers
Occupation : Port Street Beer House / Quantum
Five favourite beers of 2014 :
Jester King / La Vie en Rose
Jack’s Abbey / Hoponius Union
Sierra Nevada / Barrel Aged Torpedo
Buxton / Ace Edge
Against the Grain / There Gose The Neighbourhood
BEST BREWERY OF 2014?
Jack’s Abbey, wish more of their stuff was available
BEST BREWERY of 2014?
A close tie between starting work as a brewer and having the privilege to attend the Copenhagen Beer Celebration. I’m very happy that I’ve somewhat found myself a part of this great worldwide beer scene and get the chance to meet and drink with some of the best Brewers in the universe (unless space beer is a thing)