Renaissance Craftsman Chocolate Porter

Another porter from the NZ crew at Renaissance - after surprising with their first one, could they deliver another cocoa winner?

This time around the brew is explicitly a chocolate oatmeal porter and so starts life with some quite clearly defined targets at which to aim. But while it hits the mark with the basic chocolate vanilla roast characteristics of the aroma and flavour, there's a disappointing lack of real smooth velvet body that keeps it from hitting greatness. I also felt it was perhaps a little green in the middle .. but upon checking it was approaching the end of its 'best before', not the start (and yes, it was a best before rather than a best after).

So, a recommendation? To me it depends on price. If you see this for cheap, it will not let you down. But if you've access to Mildura Brewery's Choc Hops for example you'll save some dosh and procure a better beer in the process. 7.0

[Nøgne Ø / 8 Wired / Renaissance] Ø for Awesome Imperial Amber Ale

Well, it's certainly wrapped up the longest title on the record for a start.

First impressions are great too - the dull bone head and brown, amber tinged ale body heighten expectation of something special here. Nose is slightly hot but otherwise more or less what it says on the tin: dark imperial amber malts and muted fruit backing.

Initial reaction on tasting is that it comes across like a cross between a barleywine and a solid fruity brown ale. A bit of caramel develops in the mid body as it warms before it delivers a quite strong bitter fruit finish. There's a constant and competent backing bassline of malting and alc throughout.

This beer is intensely flavoursome and interesting, but somehow just a little spiky in places which limits it from either drinking with great glee, or in great amounts. I get the feeling this was close to utter brilliance - not a great surprise given the quality of the brewers involved. 7.5

Renaissance Elemental Porter

After Renaissance's less than impressive debut I can't say I was amped about this one - but then it's a porter so it's likely doing something right.

Fluffy milk head certainly aids the 'chocolate stout' act along nicely also, though it does dissipate flakily over time. Slight choc, slight coffee notes on the nose, both indistinct and quite light.

Flavour wise it's rather standard without hitting any high notes. There's a pleasing lack of wateriness about it (though it should not be confused for deep or complex), and a lasting slightly bitter aftertaste too. It's not as sweet as expected, and that is a good thing.

I think this could be a bit stickier in terms of mouthfeel but it strikes me as a reasonable beginner chocolate stout and certainly a far more accomplished effort than their ill-fated IPA. 7.5

Renaissance Voyager IPA

I have to say I was a bit suspicious about this one even as I bought it.

With a bottle that looks like it belongs in either an apothecary or a chartreuse collection, the bottle text revolves around it being a classic British IPA using fuggles and some NZ hops. Hmm. I'm aware IPAs were indirectly invented by the Brits, but all the better efforts these days are distinctly not of the UK persuasion.

The head's pretty aggressive when poured and this comes through in the mouthfeel. Not a lot, then harsh carbonation,  then slight grassy / barley hops, then unpleasant sourness. The flavour gets a bit better as it warms slightly, hints of biscuit and earthiness, but even then it's highly unimpressive and unsatisfying.

I hope this isn't really some sort of renaissance as the beer itself is a clear step back. 3.5