Beer Blog & Beer Reviews

On Thirsty Wednesday this week at the local, my eye was drawn to the pump of a brew I’d never seen before, called Jorvik. With a bit of post-booze research, I can tell you that Jorvik has been recently launched (April 2009) by the Rudgate Brewery at Kirk Hammerton, North Yorkshire. Rudgate brew a wide range of beers at different times during the year. Jorvik is described on the plaque as “Flaxen Blonde Ale. Balanced hoppy bitterness and crisp fruity finish”.

Rudgate Jorvik Blonde - Promo flyer

Flaxen is right! This is possibly the palest ale I’ve ever seen, looking when settled almost as pale as generic canned lagerpiss. It’s a very pleasant thing to look at on a sunny afternoon, very appetising and full of clear, crisp promise of refreshment.  The brew weighs in at a sobriety-friendly 3.8%, which I consider better to enjoy a glass on a summer day, without affecting the drinker too much. The pour is lively at first, requiring a quick top up from our friendly barman, but settles smoothly.

The initial taste is very hoppy, more even than an IPA. This encourages a smack of the lips, which in turn helps you breathe through an aftertaste of orchard fruits. It’s fantastically refreshing on a sunny afternoon or evening, and would go very well with a roast dinner. However the taste is quite simple, and my overwhelming impression was of the hops in the brew, rather than any other ingredient.

The general consensus from the other Thirsty chaps was positive, but unfortunately Jorvik doesn’t run with my tastes. If I were more of a fan of IPA’s, or eating a proper square pub dinner, I’d definitely pick Jorvik. On its own, nevertheless, it’s not for me.