I like Newcastle beer. It's nice and malty and really fits the flavor profile I enjoy. The problem, they ship it in clear bottles and it skunks really quickly. Therefore, I only order it on draft. Most of the time that works out pretty well.
About a month ago I found a 5L mini keg with integrated CO2 at the grocery store. Price was a little high, but because it's in steel, it shouldn't be light oxidized. It was great. So convienient to just pour a glass whenever and it tasted fresh and wonderful. A resounding success.
Last week, I made a beer run, stopped in the local liqour store where they have a good selection and what do I see on the bottom shelf? That's right, a cold Newcastle 5L mini keg and it's $5 cheaper than it was warm at the grocery store. Boom, in my cart.
Tapped it last night. I am so dissapointed. It must have been improperly stored at some time. It's off. It doesn't taste fresh and has some wet cardboard smell / flavor going. Once again I'm going to have to get away from purchasing Newcastle unless its on tap. I'm so very sad.
I guess this means that I'm going to have to brew my own. The English mild I brewed is actually pretty similar in flavor. I'm sure a couple tweaks and some research and I could find a decent clone recipe. Seems a shame though. It's good beer when it leaves the brewery. Too bad that some retailers can't store beer in a way to help it continue to taste good.
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