Garage Project Burning Globe

I can always rely on my brother to get me something interesting to drink on my birthday. This year it was some brews from Garage Project. Garage Project likes to make its beers for an occasion. Burning Globe was first brewed to mark 400 years since the burning down of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the banks of the Thames in London. The labels says it now marks 450 years since the bard's death, although I am unsure how that maths works....It was first served at the Southern Cross, from an oak barrel, as a part of an event for the Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ.

Not only was it brewed for a special event, there is also a story about how it came about, being the idea of Garage Project's brewer's daughter. The first batch was brewed by her and her father over a weekend in anticipation of the event above.

The beer itself is an English Ale. It is nice and malty with only a touch of hops, the sort of things you would be happy with in any London Pub. However, the "burning" comes at the end with a smokey finish in your mouth. I am not a massive fan of smokey beers, but this one gives you that smokey aftertaste without hanging around forever. The bard would assuredly be happy to quaff this ale.