Beer questions

Romper's Ruin I thought it was called ( as did beermad), but it looks as if I'm wrong: strange but nice - I was reminded of some treat as a kid, - maybe chocolate & vanilla (ice-cream)?

Ah, google found Opening Times Dec 2002

"November/December – Rompers Rein, the 5% Christmas beer brewed with black malts, with a hint of fruit and spice to produce a dark chocolate coloured beer. "

and the current edition

"Hydes have gone all fruity, too. The current craft ale, Firkin Fruity is a

4.5% beer with the addition of raspberries, and has been very well-received. Next month brings the last in the ‘Fine Beers in the Making’ series of craft ales. Rompers Rein at 5% promises to be a treat with a combination of roast barley, black malts and hints of fruit and spice. Look out for it in pubs such as the Nursery, Heaton Norris and the Victoria, Withington. "

PS I'll be at Cardiff beerfest today., I notice lots of lovely darks/stouts & milds to get through!

beerlist@

dunno about the coconut flavour (other than the obvious) but Bramling Cross hops are supposed to give a blackcurranty flavour (particularly if used in late-/dry-hopping)

from _________________________________________________ Brewing Character Often used as a general-purpose kettle hop for a smallish proportion of the hop grist. However, of late the variety has also been used to provide special fruity, blackcurrant and lemon notes in traditional ales, especially in Christmas ales. If used as a late hop or dry hop, the effect on the final beer flavour can be very interesting This is an under-appreciated hop which can give the brewer considerable scope for experiment __________________________________________________

cheers MikeMcG mic (underscore) mac (at) postmaster (dot) co (dot) uk