Beer Swap Beer 2: Cheddar Ales Goat’s Leap (5.5%)

This beer arrived as part of my Beer Swap Part Deux box from Andrew at Bristol Beer Factory, It was another new beer to me which is great as that’s the whole point of Beer Swap.

The first thing that jumps out about Goat’s Leap is the label, I think it’s great, I love the contrasting bright yellow and green colours, big bright and bold!!

As always I had a quick look to see where the name came from and it had quite a nice story behind it, so here it is:

The beer has been named ‘Goat’s Leap’ after one of Jem’s favourite fishing spots. Goat’s Leap (or Mekedaatu, as it is known locally) is near Bangalore in Southern India, at a point where the river Kaveri flows through a deep, but narrow, gorge. The story goes that a goat, which was actually the Hindu god Shiva in disguise, is believed to have leapt across the gorge leaving giant hoof-prints in the granite rocks on either side. What that has to do with beer, we’re not sure, but it’s got a connection with India and a Gorge, and we’re happy to leave it at that.

So now you know where the name came from what about the beer?

Goat’s leap is a bottle conditioned IPA that weighs in at 5.5%, it pours a lovely nutty amber colour, the aromas weren’t huge but there were lovely floral notes with some hops in there for good measure, the head was decent creamy head which seemed to last quite well.

The flavours were good, light, slightly hoppy, grassy with a hint of malty nuttiness,  the finish was quite dry and malty with the grass really coming through. It was maybe a little thin on the body and that’s my only real criticism. It’s not one of those beers that will blow you away (unlike the first of the Beer Swap Beers I drank, Bristol Beer Factory’s awesome IPA, but it is one I would, and will buy.

Once again thanks to Andrew for sending me the beers, up next will be his Milk Stout.

You can visit the Cheddar Ales website here

PS Sorry about the picture, I can’t find the one I took, I will replace it as soon as I can find the proper one.