Lots of Chocolate, Skullsplitter and a Blue Monkey

I've tried a few more ales over the last couple of days and here are my thoughts;

Saltaire Triple Chocoholic, 4.8%

Established in 2005 the Saltaire Brewery has won a number of awards for this brew. It pours an extremely dark black with a thin tan head, smells of rich cocoa malt and is reminiscent of the aroma of hot chocolate powder, which I enjoyed. The ale has a smooth texture and a nice mild chocolate bitter taste, I wouldn’t say it’s overwhelmingly chocolatey but it is definitely there, I enjoyed it, 7/10.

Emma says: ‘mocca, cocoa smell, weird consistency of hot chocolate but taste like a bitter ale, not for me’

Orkney Skullsplitter, 8.5%

I have had this beer before at the Halloween Ale Fest in Wandworth earlier this year, unwisely on that occasion as my first beer of the day at 1.30pm not a wise decision at 8.5%! I enjoyed it then so I was hoping I would enjoy it bottled too. There is a very light whisky/spirit edge to a fruity aroma, taste is spicy, caramel with the alcohol giving it a punch, very warming and leaves a nice finish, 7.5/10.

Emma says: ‘almost no smell, whiskyish with a bitter finish’

Blue Monkey Infinity, 4.6%

My second tasting of a Blue Monkey brewery ale after the excellent Guerilla I tried a few weeks ago (my review is here). The Infinity is an American Pale Ale style using Citra hops, which are excellent throughout. There is a good frothy head and an aromatic citrus aroma, bitter citrus flavours to start followed by a sweeter juicy tropicalness with a lingering mild bitter finish, one of my favourite beers I’ve had all year, 9/10.

Emma says: ‘peach and apricots and then bitter’