Over the barrels?

Time for some more DOT beers. As seems to be increasingly the case, the Dublin-based blending-and-barrelling facility has not blended or barrelled these ones, so what you're getting is straight-up contract brewed beers from either Hope or Third Barrel.

A pale ale starts us off, only 4% ABV, which makes it seem like one of the "Spin Off Series" beers DOT makes for Aldi on the regular. Solas is a standalone, however. It's a dirty greyish orange in the glass, and while it claims to be "crisp" on the label, it's as soft-textured and fuzzy-tasting as it looks. That at least means it's not watery despite the modest strength. The flavour is centred on something that I haven't encountered for a while: the raspingly dry caraway and popcorn husk of some American hop variety or other. That means it doesn't sit well with me. More bitterness, more hop fruit, or more malt substance would have made it more enjoyable. As-is, it's just about palatable but not one I'd be rushing back to. I fully admit that this may be a personal taste thing rather than any flaw in the beer. Please make up your own mind.

The actual Spin Off Series continues with a Saison. It's a light one at 4.5% ABV, and the requisite hazy straw colour. The aroma is brightly zesty, more American hop garden than Belgian farmyard. I guess this is the "modern twist" coyly trailed on the label. It's more farm-like on tasting, with dry burlap and a stableyard funk sitting up front. That's followed by a ripe fruit sweetness, though more the authentic Belgian kind, all lychee and apricot, than American citrus. A puff of white pepper spice in the finish completes the Belgian effect. This is nicely done: complex enough for nerdy sipping, yet still well able to quench the thirstiest of farm workers. It could be one for laying in ahead of warmer days.

DOT then floors the booze accelerator and takes us straight to 8.5% ABV, with Superior Stout. The brewery doesn't have much to tell us, only that it's an extra stout (if a very extra one) rather than an attempt at imperial. The aroma is properly stouty, mixing in dark chocolate, fresh espresso and bitter herbs. In front of this sits a persistent waft of vanilla, telling me the flavour will be sweet. And it is. I mourn the absence of those herbs -- properly bitter strong stouts are a rarity to be treasured -- but the rest remains largely intact. Maybe the dark chocolate has switched to milk, and someone's added a spoon of demerara to the coffee, but it's still well balanced and devoid of silliness. The texture is fully up to snuff too, being full and silky, and the alcohol is well hidden, whether you consider that a bonus or not. I'm guessing that some, if not most, of this batch will become part of something barrel-aged and blended, and if so, it's a solid point from which to begin.

The tragedy is that the pale ale may prove more popular with the drinking public than the other two, which are both better beers. As is often the case with the Spin Off Series at Aldi, this could be some drinkers' introduction to saison, which could conceivably be a gateway to more interesting beers in general. Maybe then the flood of hazy pale ale might recede a little. It's a reach, admittedly, but the thought keeps me motivated.