19 February 2015

Bad hatter

From the people who brought us that weird but strangely pleasant pineapple lambic, a banana lambic. Chapeau Banana is 3.5% ABV and the label admits to 20% of it being banana flavouring. I was expecting something hazy and fluffy so was surprised when it poured clear and almost totally flat. The aroma pushes out a bright and busy foam banana sweet effect but also an underlying grumpy sour lambic tang: a real odd couple. A vinegary sourness dominates the flavour and the first sip brings a sense that maybe this is all going to be OK. But the banana candy is not to be outdone and leaps into shot soon after like an annoying little brother. Thankfully the finish is quick and the taste doesn't linger, so it has that going for it. The brewery's switch to 250ml bottles from the old 375s also limits the damage, but there's something wrong when a beer's good point is that there's not as much of it as there could be.

I know you weren't going to anyway, but don't drink this.

4 comments:

  1. " But the banana candy is not to be outdone and leaps into shot soon after like an annoying little brother."

    Scrappy Doo?

    One of the few beers we've ever told others to avoid is Mongozo Coconut. Grim.

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    Replies
    1. I was thinking more of Harry Enfield's Kevin. Or myself, aged six to present.

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  2. Scrappy Doo? The Yoko Ono of Saturday morning cartoon characters

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  3. At last! One that didn't make me thirsty!

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