HERETIC: noun; a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted. EVIL TWIN: noun; an identical twin, or unrelated person of similar appearance, who wreaks havoc or does evil.
What's it like to be a heretic? A question asked by Heretic brewing who encourage drinkers to go against the grain. When Heretic started in 2010 this was still an admirable sentiment for beer drinkers in many parts of the world. Those parts dominated by Big Beer (a term for global commercial brewers), where it was difficult to find something different... something better. "Hey, why not take a chance on this beer instead of that commercial lager that everyone else is drinking? Be a beer heretic."
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But times have changed and hasn't it been glorious being a beer heretic since then? New Beer has taken the world by storm (Hello you lovely craft brewers). Old Beer has found a new lease of life (Hi to all the real and traditional ale makers - the ones with the slight look of "Excuse me, we've been making this shit for ages, but thanks for noticing, finally"). And in the meantime Big Beer panicked and decided to buy every craft and real ale brewer it could so it didn't lose market share (but did lose soul).
The thing is, whilst in many parts there is still a battle between craft beer and commercial beer, the lines being drawn are as often ideological as they are practical. Where Big Beer uses its commercial might to seriously hamper smaller brewers and landlords in a bid for greater control and earnings, I can commend the continued struggle.
But often the argument against commercial beers seems much more rudimentary. "You're drinking that? I wouldn't want to be seen drinking that!" Like that annoying friend in college who loved an indie band so much... right til the point they signed to a major label, when suddenly they had sold out and were rubbish. HERETIC! They say... And I tell you what, I get more people questioning my choice of drink now if I stray from what is seen as the "right kind of beer" than I ever did from lager drinkers when I chose a real ale at Uni.
I fully applaud the introduction of UK and US kite-mark accreditation for for truly independent brewers, and I support those companies to the hilt. But in Malaysia it was such a struggle to find any good beer for so long, can we really afford to be sniffy if someone isn't drinking the cool beer now?
The thing is, whilst in many parts there is still a battle between craft beer and commercial beer, the lines being drawn are as often ideological as they are practical. Where Big Beer uses its commercial might to seriously hamper smaller brewers and landlords in a bid for greater control and earnings, I can commend the continued struggle.
But often the argument against commercial beers seems much more rudimentary. "You're drinking that? I wouldn't want to be seen drinking that!" Like that annoying friend in college who loved an indie band so much... right til the point they signed to a major label, when suddenly they had sold out and were rubbish. HERETIC! They say... And I tell you what, I get more people questioning my choice of drink now if I stray from what is seen as the "right kind of beer" than I ever did from lager drinkers when I chose a real ale at Uni.
I fully applaud the introduction of UK and US kite-mark accreditation for for truly independent brewers, and I support those companies to the hilt. But in Malaysia it was such a struggle to find any good beer for so long, can we really afford to be sniffy if someone isn't drinking the cool beer now?
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Independent brewers deserve and need our support. So lets continue give it to them in unwavering amounts. And if you live somewhere that allows you to drink only amazing independent beer, I raise a glass to you. But in many places that choice isn't there for a number of reasons (and in Malaysia that includes political, economical, cultural and religious ones). And in such places Big Beer plays its part and we have to grudgingly admit that they do make some good drinks too (amongst the bad ones). So, lets hold them to check for the practices they adopt, but can we reign back on the lofty attitude? Over here both the small but vibrant craft scene and the commercial industry is under pressure in a way not seen in most other countries. Let's just celebrate good beer.
Poor Heretic brewing, a great company with some truly wonderful beers, really don't deserve to be cast amidst this ill-thought rant, it was merely their name that prompted it... I blame my evil twin.
BOOM! and we're back to the review. (See what I did there?)
Heretic Evil Twin is a Red IPA, a sort of half way between a traditional malty ale and a big bitter IPA and it balances both aspects very well. The malt isn't too sweet on the palate, the hops not too bitter, but both present, creating a very easy beer.
It pours a rich red with a foamy cream head and at 6.8% it packs a punch without being too heavy.
Heretic Evil Twin can be found at Ales & Lagers and The Great Beer Bar in cans.
If you like Evil Twin, you might also enjoy Rogue Dead Guy and Beer Farm Brown Ale
Poor Heretic brewing, a great company with some truly wonderful beers, really don't deserve to be cast amidst this ill-thought rant, it was merely their name that prompted it... I blame my evil twin.
BOOM! and we're back to the review. (See what I did there?)
Heretic Evil Twin is a Red IPA, a sort of half way between a traditional malty ale and a big bitter IPA and it balances both aspects very well. The malt isn't too sweet on the palate, the hops not too bitter, but both present, creating a very easy beer.
It pours a rich red with a foamy cream head and at 6.8% it packs a punch without being too heavy.
Heretic Evil Twin can be found at Ales & Lagers and The Great Beer Bar in cans.
If you like Evil Twin, you might also enjoy Rogue Dead Guy and Beer Farm Brown Ale
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