Shepherd Neame's Goldings

"Shepherd Neame uses the finest aromatic hops blended with pure well-drawn water to produce this soft and golden seasonal ale. Enjoy on a long Summer evening.
"Dscribed as 'light malty flavours and smoothness provide a refreshing Summer ale with notes of new-mown grass. The resinous aroma of the hops and fruitness from the yeast complete the country character.2"

4.5% ABV. Read more on Shepherd Neame website.

Canadian Club

I made a berry cocktail with Canadian Club for which I can't find a name:

• 4cL Canadian Club
• 2cL Brown Sugar syrup
• 5 blackberries
• 8 raspberries
• Half a lime
• 12 mint leaves

Muddle the berries and lime in a mixing glass. Add sugar syrup, whisky and mint leaves. Shake hard with ice cubes. Double strain in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a mint sprig.

This is a delicious fruity and minty cocktail.

40% ABV. Read more on Candian Club website.

Sharp's Atlantic IPA

"India Pale Ale (IPA) was first brewed in the 19th Century. Naturally preserved by high alcohol and strong hops the beer was well set to survive the long and hot journey under sail to India.
"With Atlantic IPA Sharp's Brewery has taken the essence of the original IPA and modernised it to create a crisp beer with a superb dry finish and a light golden colour.
As a brewery sitting on Corwall's Atlantic coast the naming of this beer came naturally. The RNLI's commitment to saving lives at sea is legendary and to support this cause, a proportion of all sales of Atlantic IPA will be donated to the RNLI."

This IPA does not taste as an IPA. It is refreshing like a blond beer and not bad but not at all similar to the usual IPAs.

4.8% ABV. Read more on Sharp's Brewery website.

Cadenhead's Old Raj Dry Gin

The Old Raj Dry Gin is one of the strongest comercial gin. At 55% it is very powerful, yet tasty and drinkable. I made the following cocktail:

• 5cL Old Raj 55%
• 1cL Bénédictine
• 1cL simple syrup
• 2cL lemon juice
• sprig of thyme

In a heat-resistant recipient, put the thyme sprig with Bénédictine and 1 cL Old Raj gin and set it to fire to cook the thyme (don't let the thyme burn). Put this in a cocktail shaker adding the other ingredients and shake. Double strain into an old-fashioned glass over a big ice cube. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.

55% ABV.

Sierra Nevada's Kellerweis

"Kellerweis is deeply complex, with flavors reminiscent of ripe banana and spicy clove. This hazy-golden beer glows with suspended yeast creating a velvety texture. To serve, pour two-thirds into a glass, swirl and pour the rest."

The description is pretty accurate, except the complexity. The taste of banana and spice is present but very subtle.

4.8% ABV. Read more on Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. website.

Dos Equis Lager Especial

Not better than the Ambar version, which is not great.

4.5% ABV. Read more on Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma website.

Little Valley's Withens IPA

"Withens India Pale Ale (IPA) is a light version of the traditional IPA. Withens is steeped with Cascade hops, which gives the beer a refreshing floral aroma with hints of spice, citrus and orange.
"Withens IPA is bottle conditioned beer. Connoisseurs prize such beer as it continues to mature in the bottle and carbonates naturally. To enjoy Withens IPA at its best, store the bottle upright in a cool environment for at least 24 hours. To serve: carefully decant the clear beer into a glass and stop pouring when the yeast sediment reaches the neck of the bottle."

"Organically Grown Ingredients
"Withens IPA is brewed with organically grown ingredients. This means it is more environmentally friendly, avoids pesticides and artificial fertiliser. All you get is natural and hand crafted beer that is brewed to the highest standards.
"Wim van der Spek - Master Brewer"

3.9% ABV. Read more on Little Valley Brewery website.