#solas

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 a