Black Jack ~ Pub Ale 5.2% Dark Ruby Mild
Pub Ale is a Dark Ruby Mild with a rich malt base and a deep, vibrant ruby colour. Its aroma offers hints of hedgerow berries, while its flavour profile is characterized by a smooth, malty sweetness balanced by a touch of Bramling Cross bitterness. This traditional ale provides a full-bodied experience despite its moderate ABV.
Interesting Fact: This Pub Ale is inspired by a famous Victorian Mild brewed near Wolverhampton, incorporating historical brewing techniques and regional ingredients. The use of Bramling Cross hops imparts a unique bitterness that sets this ale apart from other milds.
Pair Pub Ale with a hearty beef and ale pie or a savoury shepherd’s pie. The rich maltiness and subtle berry notes of the ale complement the savoury, meaty flavours of these classic dishes. Alternatively, enjoy it with a cheese board featuring mild and creamy cheeses; the beer’s smoothness will balance the cheese’s richness.
Lost Pier ~ Backwards Flatcap Hopalicious Brown Ale 5.6% US Brown Ale
Backwards Flatcap is a modern US Brown Ale that combines a robust malt body with an intense hop profile. Featuring citrus notes of grapefruit and orange alongside dank, piney undertones, it offers a complex and comforting drink. The low carbonation keeps the beer creamy and smooth.
Interesting Fact: This brown ale uses a variety of specialty dark malts and an array of American hops like Columbus, Sabro, and Centennial. The addition of Voss Kveik yeast contributes to its unique, fruity character, enhancing its overall complexity.
Enjoy Backwards Flatcap with a rich barbecue brisket or a spiced roasted butternut squash. The beer’s citrus and pine flavours will complement the smoky, savoury notes of the barbecue. For a vegetarian option, pair it with a hearty, spicy lentil stew; the beer’s richness will enhance the stew’s flavours.
Simple Things Fermentations ~ Session Stout 4.0% Session Stout
Session Stout offers a surprising depth of flavour for its ABV, with prominent notes of coffee and dark chocolate. This deep, dark beer features a crema-coloured foam and a smooth mouthfeel, thanks to a blend of malted grains and oats. A touch of Summit hops adds a modern, hoppy twist.
Interesting Fact: Session Stouts are a relatively recent innovation in the world of stouts. Traditionally, stouts are known for their high ABV and robust flavours, but Session Stouts are designed to offer a similar depth of flavour in a lower-alcohol format. This style allows for a full-bodied stout experience without the heaviness, making it an excellent choice for extended drinking sessions.
Pair Session Stout with a rich chocolate mousse or a dark chocolate tart. The stout’s coffee and chocolate notes will enhance the dessert’s sweetness and depth. For a savoury option, try it with a spicy sausage roll; the beer’s smoothness will complement the savoury, spiced flavours of the roll.
Wild Childe Brewing ~ Gimme S’More 5.3% Toasted Marshmallow & Chocolate Biscuit Porter
Gimme S’More is a delectable Porter infused with the nostalgic flavours of toasted marshmallow and chocolate biscuit. This milk stout features a rich malt base with added lactose, providing a creamy, dessert-like sweetness. The flavours of cocoa powder and biscuit malt evoke the classic campfire treat.
Interesting Fact: The addition of toasted marshmallow flavouring and lactose makes this porter reminiscent of the traditional s’more, combining flavours that are rarely seen in beer. The use of cocoa powder and biscuit malt enhances the dessert-like qualities, making it a unique offering in the world of stouts.
Pair Gimme S’More with a warm chocolate brownie or a s’mores cheesecake for a delightful dessert experience. The beer’s marshmallow and chocolate notes will complement the rich, sweet flavours of these treats. For a non-dessert option, try it with a charcuterie board featuring smoked meats and cheeses; the beer’s sweetness will balance the savoury and smoky elements.
Wilderness ~ Until I Met You 4.8% Rhubarb Sour
Until I Met You is a spritzy, sharp sour that balances the tang of rhubarb with crisp apple notes. This beer offers a refreshing tartness, enhanced by a lively carbonation that tickles the palate. The rhubarb brings a distinctive, slightly earthy tartness, while the apple adds a crisp, fruity sweetness that complements the sour profile.
Interesting Fact: Rhubarb is often used in sour beers to add a vibrant tartness. This vegetable’s natural acidity and complex flavour profile make it ideal for brewing, especially when combined with other fruits like apple.
Pair this Rhubarb Sour with a variety of dishes. It complements creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where its tartness cuts through the richness. It also works well with light salads and seafood, adding a refreshing contrast to the flavours.
Overtone ~ Glimmer 3.4% Session Sour
Glimmer is a bright session sour that combines zesty lime with the fruity depth of blueberry. The result is a beer that is both refreshing and flavourful, with a balanced sourness that is approachable yet vibrant. Its low ABV makes it ideal for extended sipping, while the lime and blueberry offer a harmonious blend of citrus and fruit.
Interesting Fact: Lime and blueberry are an intriguing combination, as lime’s bright acidity complements the rich sweetness of blueberry. This flavour pairing not only enhances the fruity profile of the beer but also creates a refreshing and balanced taste experience. The interplay between these two ingredients highlights how well contrasting flavours can harmonize in a sour beer.
Enjoy this session sour with dishes that can match its fruity and zesty profile. It pairs well with spicy dishes, such as Mexican cuisine, or with a light dessert like lemon sorbet. Its refreshing nature also complements summer salads and grilled seafood.
Disruption IS Brewing ~ Talk To Your Alchemist 6.3% Key Lime Sour
Talk To Your Alchemist features a bold Key Lime Pie flavour, with a refreshing burst of lime juice balanced by the richness of biscuit malt and vanilla. The lactose adds a creamy texture, reminiscent of pie crust. This sour offers a well-rounded, dessert-like experience with every sip.
Interesting Fact: Key lime pie, a classic American dessert, is traditionally made with key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and a graham cracker crust. This beer captures those flavours, making it a unique take on a beloved dessert.
This sour pairs wonderfully with rich, creamy dishes. Try it with a slice of key lime pie, or with creamy seafood dishes like crab cakes or a lobster roll. It also complements tangy cheeses and citrus-based salads.
Cloudwater ~ Pineapple & Lime Breeze 4.5% Fruited Sour
Pineapple & Lime Breeze is a smooth, crushable sour that combines the tropical sweetness of pineapple with the zesty tang of lime. The base is soft and smooth, with fruity aroma hops enhancing the vibrant fruit flavours. The acidity is tart but not overpowering, making this sour a refreshing summer choice.
Interesting Fact: Fruited sours like Pineapple & Lime Breeze use fruit to add complexity and balance to the sour profile. Pineapple and lime are often chosen for their vibrant flavours, which stand out against the tartness of the base beer.
This fruited sour pairs well with tropical and light dishes. It’s excellent with grilled shrimp or fish tacos, where the tropical fruit flavours can complement the food. It also works well with fresh salads and light desserts like coconut sorbet.