Fusion Brewing Firefly

The overall experience of a beer plays a vital role in determining how likely you are to enjoy a beer versus not enjoying it. It is important to note that the beer alone may not generate a pleasant experience. Let me explain.

If you are enjoying a spicy meal and you are sipping on a Pilsner, the two compliment each other resulting in a more favourable opinion of the beer you're drinking. Drinking the same beer with a different meal (maybe a hearty beef stew for example) would portray the same beer in a different 'light'.

With this in mind I reviewed Firefly as per the brewers wishes and drank it whilst enjoying a homemade Thai Green Curry, quite hot actually as I enjoy my heat. The explosion of flavour was incredible. I had the spices and heat from the curry being mellowed by the malt and caramel flavours of Firefly which left me wanting more, more of both the curry and the beer.

A few days later I drank Firefly again, on its own and whilst still a great beer it lacked the hold it had on me whilst enjoying a spicy meal. Since this review I've had Firefly a number of times both with meals and without, its delivered every time but every time I match this with hot food (again as per the recommendation from the brewer) the experience is much better.

On to the review; It pours a clear sparkling amber with a large creamy white head that fades away pretty quickly leaving about a quater of a cm head behind and leaves next to no lacing as you progress through the beer.

The aroma is a little weak, you can definately smell it but seeing they want you to match it with food I found the aroma of the food to overpower the beer a little, even with my nose in the glass. What I could detect was very malty with a hint of caramel and from the hops: flowers and herbs.

Flavourwise, as a wise man once said, its a party in my mouth and you're all invited. It was exceptionally malty, reminding me a little of James Squire Amber Ale and had a low bitterness but just enough to balance out the malt. This surprised me a little as typically spicy food you "should" have a higher bitterness, but it worked well all the same.

The aftertaste was long enough and it left a sweet, slightly acidic flavour on the tongue creating a craving for more.

Definately drink this with spicy food, as I said earlier it is a great beer on its own, but together the experience is one you wont forget in a hurry.