The Huxfords love Halloween. They go all out decorating for it each year. So it’s only appropriate that they host the October club meeting whenever possible.
Your correspondent also loves Halloween. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this year’s haunting due to lingering effects of a case of covid.
The notes and pic which follow were provided by our fearless leader, Andy Cox. I’ll add more detail about the rest of the meeting if it is provided to me at some point.
I do recognize some new members in the picture, and I look forward to meeting them in person at the November meeting.
From Andy:
Many thanks to the Huxford’s for hosting the October meeting! Those not scared off by the knife wielding Michael Myers at the door were welcomed into a full spread and some tasty ciders and beers.
As judged:
AndyC: German Pils (5D) scored 37. Not as clear as it should be, light honey aroma, floral. Could be more bitter.
Pierre: Lambic (23D) scored 33. Bubblegum, spicy on the nose. Not sour, but really nice flavors with orange peel most pronounced. Would make a really good blender with a future, more sour, beer.
Matt: Rhubarb Brett Saison (30A) scored 42. A bit of sulfur at first that quickly dissipates. Inviting yeast esters and rhubarb aroma. Light on the Brett. Nicely tart and very tasty!
Pierre: Hazy IPA (21C) scored a 31. Nice strong aroma of papaya and passion fruit. Aroma didn’t translate into the taste: bitter for style, some notes of pepper/spicy.
Huxford’s: West Coast IPA (21A) scored 35. Low hop aroma, coconut (group guessed correctly Sabro hops). Piney resin and coconut in the taste.
Paul B: A “Scottish Red Ale” – was judged as 14.5A (a hack of 14A Scottish Light and 15A Irish Red, our apologies to Gordon Strong), scored a 36. Strong peat initially on the aroma, blows off to reveal a more malty base. Initial taste was also intense peat and smoke, but it fades quickly on the palette to a really enjoyable sipper. This was the beer everyone went in for more after the judging was complete.
Huxford’s: English Porter (Phil insisted, 13C), scored a 33. Strong coffee and roast aroma. Coffee dominates in the flavor as well, a very nice medium roast but not quite to style. Needs to tone down the coffee component to get more in balance, but still very enjoyable.
