The Green Gecko IPA No. 2
Lidl GB

Copenhagen 7/4 2018. 50 cl bottle from Lidl. As "Hatherwood The Green Gecko". Lidls attempt to be some kind of Craft Beer Company under the Idyllic sounding name Hatherwood. Fine little drawing of Gecko on the label.

Pours clear dark amber with a medium-sized white head. Settles as a thin patch of foam drifting aimlessly around. Very moderate lacing.

Aroma is not especially intense nor very interesting. A little caramel, some dusty hops and hints of turpentine - that is pretty much it.

Strong carbonation and thin, watery texture.

Flavor is medium sweet followed by medium bitterness. Pretty well balanced. Aftertaste is medium bitter. Finish is semi dry.

Decent brew - but not much of an Session IPA.

Dark amber color, small not-quite-white head, no lace.
Sweet malt aroma, a little bit of fruit.
Biscuit taste, late hops of grapefruit and rind.
Persistent bitterness in the mouthfeel.

L- Mid chestnut, clear, pours with 5mm white head.
S- Slightly citrus, perhaps over towards lime.
T- Ohhhkk, straight into a very dry/hoppy area with some toastiness following. Yes it's IPA, but a very bitter one for me. It hits my throat so hard I've started coughing a few times. Occasionally I do get lime facets showing through.
F- It is something of a blunt instrument, very hoppy/dry. The body of 5% helps partially salvage it.
O- Too hoppy/dry for me, I consider it overall out of balance.

One of those discount beers hiding behind a 'XYZ Beer Company' front, in this case 'Hatherwood'. Googling it suggests it's perhaps brewed by Shepherd Neame, after having previously been brewed by Marstons, but I don't know how to prove which is correct. Either way it's brewed for the Lidl discount chain.
500Ml bottle, BB is not visib;e anywhere on the packaging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottled
I've poured half and shook and periodically topped up
This has keep a half decent white head A top of the light brown/dark amber body
Really tangy aroma of grapefruit grassiness and pine that says citra to me. It's big and inviting
The flavour has all that though for me it lakes some bitterness
Feels a tiny bit thin for a 5% but let's be nice and say easy drinking
rather good stuff actually

This is my first attempt at a real review, but here is what I thought,
Appearance: Amber in color - much darker than expected for an IPA. There was a small head, but it was not retained. No visible sediment.
Smell: Biscuit malt is first on the nose. Almost sweet and slightly coppery in smell, but quickly overpowered by a fresh floral-citrus hop smell. Slight alcohol smell comes through very mellow - not overly boozy. Nice smelling overall!
Taste: Very mild and slightly sweet at first. Coppery taste comes through a bit, but transitions through two waves of hoppy flavors. First is very floral but not at all overpowering, then a second wave of lemony citrus flavor finishes and lingers after swallowing. Very well balanced flavors! If not for the copper undertone, it would be absolutely great. Not sure if that is just the malt, or something else.
Mouthfeel: Flat beer. Not missing carbonation entirely, but certainly less carbonated than expected. A little creamy, which works well with the initial sweet and finishing lemon flavors. A little more carbonation would be very good for this beer. Almost more of an English ale mouthfeel as it is.
Overall: Very drinkable and overall enjoyable beer! The hops shine through, but are not overpowering. The lemon-citrus finish is very nice as well. A little more carbonation would go a long way here, and the slight copper flavor takes attention away from the very good flavors. Not a must have, but certainly a good beer.