Two from Lovibonds
At the start of the year we predicted big things for a few UK brewers in 2012. Some were experienced players looking to make the next step – others complete beginners starting out. The new boys aside, we’d already sampled plenty of beers from the other producers – so can feel fairly confident in our predictions. One brewer we’ve never tried, however, are (or rather were) Henley’s Lovibonds. Having recently got hold of two bottles from a retailer in London, it was time to put them to the test – and see if our enthusiasm was well-founded…
Lovibonds Henley Dark
Paying homage to London porters of old, Henley Dark contains seven different malts – including one smoked with beech wood from the Chiltern hills. Coming in at 4.8% and 40IBU’s it actually looks like a Coke float – ruby red and highly effervescent. The aroma is fabulous – smoky chocolate, with fruit in there as well. Chocolate on the palate, it’s quite bitter and prickly – with noticeable smoke on the aftertaste. I wasn’t expecting that at all – it really brings a nice sub-flavour to the beer.
Lovibonds 69IPA
Part of the ‘new generation of IPAs’, 69 was produced using the Hopinator – which is either a turbo-powered dry hopping machine, or the best Gladiators name ever. Lovibonds founder and head brewer Jeff Rosenmeier hails from across the pond, so naturally wants to pound hops into everything, given the opportunity. 69IPA is full of those delicious piney, citric hop aromas that modern beer fans go all gooey over. Tropical on the taste, with more pine and a touch of alcohol – it’s completely wonderful, and so drinkable. One of the best British IPA’s I’ve ever tasted.
We’ll hopefully be getting more Lovibonds beers in the near future – so stay tuned for our reviews. Rumours are they’ll be appearing in Scotland with increased regularity…
3 Comments
Tallulah
January 19, 2012Tried the Lovibonds 69 just before xmas – it is indeed a fantastic beer. Do you always photograph the beers you’re reviewing in the toilet or were you multi-tasking in this instance? 🙂
Richard
January 19, 2012Haha – that photo was actually my Grandad’s bathroom in North London. I love the old 1930’s tiles! I eventually drank the beers in the kitchen…
Phil
January 19, 2012I too tried the Lovi 69 a few months back on keg at The Rake in Borough Market, I was really impressed, shame I’ve not seen any since.
Hehe I never clocked the pics but I have to admit finding new & interesting places to photograph beers for the blog can be tricky to say the least.