Gipsy Hill ~ Breakbeat 5.6% Stout VG
Breakbeat, a stout from Gipsy Hill, is a sophisticated tribute to the tropical stout style, offering a delicate balance between roasted flavours and a tropical twist. Pouring a deep, dark brown with a tan head, the beer greets you with a fragrant blend of roasted coffee, light chocolate, and an unexpected but delightful hit of coconut. The use of lager yeast sets this stout apart, contributing to a crisp finish that lightens the otherwise rich profile. Vanilla accents the dark malt base, giving it a smooth and slightly sweet edge.
Interesting Fact: Gipsy Hill's Breakbeat is fermented with lager yeast, which is atypical for a stout. This unique choice not only enhances the beer's clean finish but also adds an interesting layer of complexity to the flavour. The brewery's commitment to pushing boundaries is evident in their innovative use of ingredients like Sabro hops, known for their tropical fruit character, especially coconut, which pairs wonderfully with the roasty elements of the stout.
Pairing Suggestions: Breakbeat pairs beautifully with rich and savoury foods. Try it with barbecue ribs, where the roasty bitterness of the stout complements the smoky, sweet glaze of the ribs. It also pairs excellently with creamy, coconut-based curries or a decadent coconut and dark chocolate dessert. The beer’s vanilla notes will heighten the richness of the dessert, offering a delightful contrast to the spice of the curry.
Siren Craft Brew ~ Marshmallow Mountain 5.1% Chocolate Marshmallow Porter
Siren Craft Brew's Marshmallow Mountain is a decadent and indulgent porter that combines the comforting flavours of chocolate and marshmallow with an unexpected depth. At 5.1%, it is a beer that is rich but not overwhelming, offering a smooth body that showcases the luxurious mouthfeel of marshmallow. The malt base provides a solid foundation of caramel, toffee, and biscuity sweetness, which perfectly complements the dark chocolate notes from the Venezuelan cacao nibs. Hints of vanilla round off the flavour, making each sip creamy and comforting.
Interesting Fact: The cacao nibs in Marshmallow Mountain come from Venezuela, renowned for its rich and nuanced chocolate beans. By using high-quality cacao, Siren Craft Brew elevates the traditional porter into something special, giving it a full, round chocolate flavour that interacts beautifully with the marshmallow character.
Pairing Suggestions: This marshmallow porter is a perfect match for a rich, chocolate dessert like molten lava cake or a dense chocolate cheesecake. For a savoury option, try pairing it with a blue cheese and walnut salad. The creaminess and slight tang of the cheese balance out the sweetness of the beer, while the walnuts enhance the beer’s roasted and biscuity flavours. This beer is also an excellent companion for a night of board games and snacking, especially with some lightly salted caramel popcorn.
Wilde Child ~ Insatiable Circumstance 5.1% Caramel Latte Porter
Wilde Child’s Insatiable Circumstance is a velvety caramel latte porter that combines the seductive flavours of coffee, caramel, and cream. This beer is a rich experience, with each sip delivering a luscious blend of roasted coffee, dark caramel, and a touch of creaminess, thanks to the addition of lactose. The malt profile is further enhanced by a smooth mouthfeel, giving the beer a decadent texture that lingers long after each sip. The oatmeal and milk stout characteristics give it a slight sweetness that rounds out the bitterness from the coffee.
Interesting Fact: The use of lactose in this porter adds a creaminess that complements the caramel and coffee flavours. Lactose is a sugar derived from milk, and while it does not ferment into alcohol, it contributes to the body and sweetness of the beer, making it an ideal ingredient for a dessert-like porter.
Pairing Suggestions: Insatiable Circumstance is ideal with breakfast foods, particularly those featuring caramel or toffee, such as sticky toffee pudding or caramelized banana pancakes. It also pairs wonderfully with rich, creamy desserts like tiramisu or crème brûlée, where the beer’s smooth, coffee-like flavour enhances the richness of the dessert. For something savoury, enjoy it with a sharp cheddar or smoked gouda, as the beer’s creamy sweetness complements the bold, tangy flavours of the cheese.
Blackjack ~ All Angels 5.0% American-Style Brown Ale VG
All Angels from Blackjack Brewery is a standout American-style brown ale, showcasing an exciting balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. With its characteristic horse chestnut brown hue and light tan head, the beer offers aromas of grapefruit, pine resin, and a touch of chocolate. The flavour is a delightful mix of coffee, toffee, and hop bitterness, with the piney, resinous hops providing a fresh counterpoint to the malt-driven sweetness. The mouthfeel is rich and chewy, with a lingering bitterness that invites another sip.
Interesting Fact: All Angels is inspired by the American brown ale style, which was created as a hybrid between British brown ales and the more hop-forward beers of the US. The choice of hops like Ella, Talus, and Columbus imparts not only a pleasant bitterness but also unique aromas of citrus and pine, which enhance the beer’s profile and make it a standout in its style.
Pairing Suggestions: Pair this brown ale with hearty dishes like roast beef or a classic beef burger, where the malt sweetness and the hoppy bitterness create a harmonious balance. It is also great with smoked meats or a rich chili, where the beer’s flavour complements the bold, savoury notes of the dish. For dessert, try it with a pecan pie or a salted caramel brownie, where the beer’s coffee and toffee notes enhance the caramelized sugars in the dessert.
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Cloudwater ~ Interstella Jazz 5.0% Pale Ale
Cloudwater's Interstella Jazz is a brilliantly refreshing pale ale that shines a spotlight on two of the brewery's favourite hops: Motueka and Nelson Sauvin. Pouring a hazy golden yellow with a fine, white head, the beer invites you in with a juicy aroma of citrus, lime zest, and a touch of tropical fruit. The first sip delivers a well-balanced burst of grapefruit, passionfruit, and a subtle hint of lime, making for a crisp and refreshing experience. The body is light but full of flavour, with the hops playing the starring role throughout, providing a distinct, juicy profile without overwhelming the palate.
Interesting Fact: Cloudwater has chosen to use Motueka and Nelson Sauvin hops, which are often seen in higher-ABV beers like TIPAs and DIPAs. These hops are known for their juicy, tropical fruit character—Motueka offering lime and citrus notes, and Nelson Sauvin delivering white wine-like flavours with hints of gooseberry and passionfruit. Despite being brewed at a lower ABV, Interstella Jazz captures the essence of these hops beautifully, offering a juicy, hop-forward experience in a more sessionable format.
Pairing Suggestions: Interstella Jazz’s bright, citrusy profile makes it an excellent match for light and flavourful foods. Pair it with a fresh seafood dish like grilled prawns with lime and coriander, where the zesty lime in the beer complements the citrusy flavours of the dish. It’s also fantastic with a goat cheese salad, as the tangy cheese and herbs enhance the beer’s refreshing qualities. For dessert, try it with a citrus sorbet or a lime tart, where the tartness of the beer highlights the zesty sweetness of the dessert.
North ~ Open Plan Living 3.8% Session IPA
North’s Open Plan Living is a crisp and breezy session IPA that offers an approachable yet vibrant drinking experience. This 3.8% beer pours a pale, slightly hazy yellow, with a bright white head that quickly dissipates. On the nose, the hops offer an inviting bouquet of citrus, with notes of grapefruit and orange zest. The first sip reveals a light but flavourful body, with zesty citrus fruit dominating the palate, accompanied by a smooth bitterness that carries through to a clean, crisp finish. The Motueka and Citra hops work in harmony, creating a refreshing beer that’s perfect for long, laid-back sessions.
Interesting Fact: Open Plan Living is brewed with Motueka and Citra hops, two varieties known for their citrus-forward character. Motueka imparts lime and tropical fruit notes, while Citra adds layers of grapefruit, lime, and a touch of tropical fruit, creating a refreshing and sessionable beer. The relatively low ABV makes it a perfect choice for a refreshing, easy-drinking IPA that doesn’t compromise on flavour.
Pairing Suggestions: Open Plan Living’s crisp, citrusy character makes it an ideal companion for light, fresh dishes. Pair it with a seafood ceviche or grilled fish tacos, where the citrus in the beer will complement the tanginess of the dish. It also pairs well with a fresh vegetable salad, especially one featuring avocado or herbs, where the beer’s refreshing quality enhances the natural flavours. For dessert, consider pairing it with a lemon meringue pie or a fruit salad, where the citrus notes in the beer elevate the sweetness of the fruit.
Overtone ~ Swally 5.0% Pale Ale
Overtone’s Swally is a pale ale that captures the spirit of good times shared with friends. A fan favourite, Swally is packed with a bold yet balanced hop profile, featuring Amarillo Lupomax, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops in both incognito and cryo forms. The beer pours a hazy amber, topped with a creamy white head, and the aroma is a pleasant mix of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit. On the palate, the beer is juicy and full of flavour, with vibrant notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and orange, all balanced by a subtle bitterness and a smooth, malty backbone. The finish is clean, making it a beer that’s easy to enjoy with friends.
Interesting Fact: Swally’s hop blend features Amarillo Lupomax, a highly concentrated hop form, which helps intensify the beer’s citrus and tropical fruit aromas. By using both incognito and cryo forms of Mosaic hops, Overtone is able to enhance the hop profile, intensifying the fruit flavours while reducing the bitterness. This results in a well-rounded, flavourful pale ale that showcases the brewery’s ability to balance boldness with approachability.
Pairing Suggestions: Swally’s balanced hop profile and juicy flavours make it a versatile pairing for a wide range of dishes. Try it with a spicy chicken tikka masala, where the beer’s fruitiness helps balance the heat and spices. It also pairs well with grilled meats like pork or chicken, where the beer’s citrus and pine notes complement the smoky flavours. For dessert, Swally is great with a fruit-forward dessert, such as a mango sorbet or a citrus pound cake, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours enhance the sweetness of the dish.
Duration ~ Board Games 3.4% Session Pale Ale
Duration’s Board Games is a session pale ale designed for those cozy, relaxed nights spent with friends. At just 3.4% ABV, this beer offers a light and easy-drinking experience with a surprising depth of flavour. It pours a pale golden colour with a crisp, white head, and the nose is filled with the scent of fresh grapefruit, pine, and a touch of honey sweetness. On the palate, the beer is light but full of character, with bright grapefruit notes, subtle pine, and a sweet malt base that provides a nice counterpoint to the crisp finish. The Citra hops shine through, providing a burst of zesty fruit that makes this beer incredibly refreshing.
Interesting Fact: Board Games is brewed with Citra hops, known for their bright citrus and tropical fruit character. The addition of honey gives the beer a subtle sweetness that complements the bitterness of the hops, creating a balanced and refreshing session beer. The low ABV and refreshing flavour profile make it an ideal beer for extended drinking sessions, perfect for enjoying during relaxed evenings with friends.
Pairing Suggestions: Board Games pairs wonderfully with light and fresh dishes. Try it with a chicken and avocado salad, where the beer’s citrus notes complement the creamy avocado and fresh greens. It also works well with grilled white fish or shrimp, where the crisp, refreshing nature of the beer enhances the delicate flavours of the seafood. For dessert, enjoy it with a citrus sorbet or a lemon cake, where the bright grapefruit flavours in the beer elevate the freshness of the fruit.