Off Axis Crimson Tide

Well just look at this beautiful ruby ale from Home Bargains!  It was very lively and produced a huge frothy cream head on top of its ruby red body. 

I gave it full marks for aroma as it's brewed with five malts so it's incredibly malty and it has hints of sweet caramel, treacle toffee and dark fruit.  The taste is pretty similar, although weaker than I expected from the intense aroma, with notes of sweet malt, dried fruit and caramel together with a nice hoppy tang from the three hops: Amarillo, Nelson Sauvin and Columbus.

It has a good medium body with relatively soft carbonation that gives you a smoothish mouthfeel.  It's another bargain beer from Home Bargains that exceeded my expectations and it's a very nice ruby ale for less than £2.  Ale Be Seeing You again!

Brewed exclusively for TJ Morris (Home Bargains), UK
4.8% ABV

My rating:

My Untappd score: 4.25/5

Off Axis Don't Leave Me Stout in the Cold

 

Discount store Home Bargains stock a range of beers brewed exclusively for them under the 'Off Axis Brew Co' banner.  They may be cheap, but they're certainly not nasty and although I haven't scored them particularly highly, they're decent budget beers.

This Off Axis winter stout is brewed with lactose and it's a dark mahogany colour with a small tan head that leaves a patchy layer when it settles.  It has a lovely sweet stout smell of malt, treacle and toffee but I couldn't smell any spice.

The spice flavour is definitely there in the taste; I picked up hints of cinnamon and cloves along with notes of malt and treacle toffee.  It also contains nutmeg, star anise and vanilla to give it a real winter spice taste.  It's well carbonated and surprisingly fizzy with a medium body that feels a little thin for a stout.

It's a nice winter stout and it tastes like you would expect from its description on the can.  Although Ale probably not Be Seeing You again, I would definitely recommend trying it if you see it in Home Bargains.

Brewed exclusively for TJ Morris (Home Bargains), UK
5% ABV

My rating:

My Untappd score: 3.75/5

Off Axis Hop the Light Fantastic

 

Off Axis Brew Co is a range of budget beers brewed exclusively for Home Bargains.  I do like a bargain beer, so I thought I'd try their pale ale, Hop the Light Fantastic, brewed with Talus, Eldorado and Citra hops and it's actually pretty good.

It's a deep golden, hazy ale with a thick, frothy cream coloured head.  It has a very fruity aroma with notes of strong, juicy citrus that smells more sweet than bitter.  As you would expect from its name, it also has a lovely whiff of fragrant hops.

The taste is quite light, which is surprising after experiencing the intense aroma.  The flavour is like a watered down version of the smell: citrus and hops.  It's not pithy at all and the citrus balance leans towards sweet.  It's quite fizzy with firm bubbles and a decent medium body.

It's a very refreshing beer and I love the hint of sweetness.  I think it's a decent budget beer and Ale Be Seeing You again.

Brewed exclusively for TJ Morris (Home Bargains), UK 
4.7% ABV

My rating:

My Untappd score: 4/5