Elusive Serenity Dark Mild 3.8%
Elusive’s Serenity Dark Mild is a beautifully balanced beer that demonstrates how the Dark Mild style can pack surprising depth. At a modest 3.8% ABV, this beer opens with the comforting aroma of brown bread toast, quickly followed by the sweetness of caramel and molasses. The malt-forward body remains deceptively light, letting the subtle fruity hop notes peek through to provide a lift without overpowering the core flavours. It's an easy-drinking brew that doesn’t sacrifice complexity, making it a perfect session beer.
Interesting Fact: The Dark Mild was a popular English style during the 19th century, originally brewed to be low in alcohol but full of flavour, perfect for long, sociable pub sessions. While often overshadowed by stronger ales, Serenity Dark Mild highlights the enduring appeal of this style with its layered malt complexity, setting it apart in today’s beer market.
Food Pairings: Serenity’s malt richness pairs excellently with comforting foods like beef stew or braised lamb. If you're looking for lighter fare, a ploughman’s lunch with sharp cheese and pickles works beautifully. Roasted nuts or a slice of dark chocolate cake would also be a great match, enhancing the beer’s malt sweetness.
Brass Kitty Cherry Kitty Cherry Vanilla Porter 5.5% VG GF
Brass Kitty’s Cherry Kitty Cherry Vanilla Porter takes the classic porter style and adds a sweet, fruity twist with cherries and vanilla. At 5.5% ABV, the beer’s robust body is balanced by the smooth, sweet flavours of ripe cherries and vanilla, while the underlying roasted malts provide a rich backbone. The combination is reminiscent of a Black Forest Cake in beer form—decadent, yet incredibly drinkable, with a silky mouthfeel that’s sure to satisfy your dessert cravings.
Interesting Fact: The marriage of cherries and vanilla in this porter is a nod to dessert-inspired beers, a trend that has gained popularity for creating indulgent and accessible flavours. The cherry’s tartness contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the vanilla, while the malt base adds a layer of depth, making it a well-rounded brew that’s gluten-free (GF) for all to enjoy.
Food Pairings: This beer is a natural partner for rich desserts like chocolate mousse or a slice of Black Forest cake. For a savoury option, try pairing it with a grilled cheese sandwich made with sharp cheddar—its creaminess will enhance the beer’s smooth texture. A bowl of spiced nuts could also make for a great snack, balancing out the sweet, roasty malt flavours.
Marble Up All Night Cortado Porter 4.1%
Marble’s Up All Night Cortado Porter combines two beloved beverages—coffee and porter—into a harmonious 4.1% ABV brew. Infused with Castillo coffee beans from the Alta Mogiana region, the beer has an inviting nose of chocolate, apple, and hazelnut, while the coffee imparts a natural sweetness that’s complemented by the smooth mouthfeel from added lactose. The result is a rich, velvety porter that mirrors the comforting experience of sipping a perfectly brewed cortado.
Interesting Fact: The Alta Mogiana coffee region in Brazil is known for its premium coffee beans, prized for their balance of flavours. By collaborating with Fort Coffee, a local roaster, Marble ensures that the coffee in this porter enhances both the beer’s complexity and smoothness, creating a beverage that’s as much about craftsmanship as it is about flavour.
Food Pairings: This porter is perfect with breakfast-style dishes, like a classic Eggs Benedict, where the richness of the hollandaise complements the creamy beer. A decadent chocolate cake would also be an ideal match, enhancing the porter’s chocolate and coffee flavours. For something savoury, try pairing it with grilled meats or a smoky barbecue burger, where the roasted malt and coffee notes will shine through.
Turning Point Lucid Dream Milk Stout 5.0%
Turning Point’s Lucid Dream is a milk stout that strikes the perfect balance between smoothness and richness. At 5.0% ABV, the beer’s creamy body is made even more indulgent with the use of lactose, which adds a touch of sweetness and a velvety texture. Roasted malts bring dark chocolate and coffee flavours into play, while the slight bitterness from the malts is beautifully countered by the sweetness of the lactose, making it a comforting, drinkable stout that’s never too overwhelming.
Interesting Fact: Milk stouts have a long history, dating back to the 19th century, where lactose was added to provide a smooth, creamy texture. Turning Point’s use of multiple malts and oats ensures the beer has a satisfying mouthfeel, while the lactose contributes to its balance of sweetness and richness, creating a perfectly harmonious stout.
Food Pairings: Lucid Dream pairs wonderfully with rich desserts like a chocolate lava cake or tiramisu. Its sweetness is an excellent match for savoury dishes like braised beef short ribs, where the beer’s smoothness enhances the meat’s depth of flavour. It’s also great with creamy cheese like brie or camembert, which will complement its silky texture.
Burning Sky Old World Old Ale 6.0%
Burning Sky’s Old World Old Ale is a rich, full-bodied beer with a 6.0% ABV that draws from the classic English Old Ale tradition. The beer offers layers of dark fruit, toffee, and caramel, complemented by a subtle bitterness from noble hops. The addition of blackstrap molasses provides an extra layer of sweetness, while aging on toasted oak chips imparts a touch of vanilla sweetness, creating a complex and smooth drinking experience that evolves with every sip.
Interesting Fact: The technique of aging beer on oak chips was borrowed from winemaking, where oak imparts a nuanced complexity to both wine and beer. The vanilla notes from the American oak chips enhance the beer’s rich malt profile, while the blackstrap molasses adds an element of nostalgia, evoking traditional brewing techniques.
Food Pairings: The deep maltiness of this Old Ale pairs beautifully with roasted meats, like a roasted leg of lamb or beef Wellington. It also works well with strong cheeses like blue cheese, where the saltiness of the cheese balances the beer’s sweetness. For dessert, a fruit-based tart would be a great match, where the tartness will cut through the beer’s richness.
Wilde Child Holy Moly Chocolate Doughnut Stout 4.5% VG
Wilde Child’s Holy Moly Chocolate Doughnut Stout is a decadent, dessert-inspired brew that delivers all the indulgent flavours of a chocolate doughnut in a 4.5% ABV stout. Seven specialty malts, including dextrin and oats, provide a smooth, creamy mouthfeel, while cocoa powder and doughnut flavouring enhance the rich, chocolatey sweetness. Northern Brewer hops contribute a subtle bitterness, creating a balanced beer that’s both satisfying and easy to drink.
Interesting Fact: The rise of pastry stouts—beers that resemble desserts—has seen creative additions like doughnut flavouring, a fun twist that elevates the classic stout. By combining chocolate and doughnut flavours, Wilde Child has crafted a beer that’s both playful and complex, with a rich texture made even more indulgent by the use of oats and dextrin.
Food Pairings: Holy Moly is perfect for pairing with chocolate-based desserts, like chocolate fondue or warm doughnuts. For something savoury, pair it with a sharp cheddar cheese, where the saltiness complements the beer’s sweetness. It also pairs beautifully with a rich, creamy cheesecake, which will enhance the stout’s smooth body.
Yonder PB&J Peanut Butter & Jelly Pastry Stout 4.2%
Yonder’s PB&J Pastry Stout brings the flavours of the beloved sandwich to the beer glass with a 4.2% ABV stout that combines the creamy richness of peanut butter with the fruity sweetness of jelly. Lactose adds a smooth, sweet mouthfeel that balances the flavours, while the beer’s velvety body makes it feel like a treat in every sip. It’s a fun, nostalgic beer that’s perfect for those who enjoy dessert-inspired brews.
Interesting Fact: The peanut butter and jelly combination is a classic American comfort food, and Yonder’s beer brings it to life in liquid form. The use of lactose ensures a creamy texture, while the peanut butter and jelly flavouring creates a nostalgic experience that appeals to both beer enthusiasts and fans of classic sandwiches.
Food Pairings: This pastry stout is a natural match for rich desserts like peanut butter pie or fruit tarts. It also pairs well with chocolate-based treats, such as flourless chocolate cake or cookies. For something savoury, try it with a sharp cheddar cheese, where the saltiness enhances the beer’s sweet and creamy flavours.
Otherworld Kilauea Tropical Stout 4.0% VG
Otherworld’s Kilauea Tropical Stout is a bold 4.0% ABV beer that blends the roasty characteristics of a stout with tropical flavours. Fermented with Kviek yeast and pineapple juice, it offers a fruity tartness that adds a refreshing twist to the typically heavy stout. Dry-hopped with Sabro hops, the beer also carries coconut notes that beautifully complement the roasted cocoa and coffee flavours from the malt, creating a uniquely complex tropical stout.
Interesting Fact: The use of Kviek yeast, a traditional Norwegian yeast, is known for producing fruity and estery flavours, which gives Kilauea its distinctive tropical character. Combined with pineapple juice and Sabro hops, this stout stands out by combining the best of both tropical and roasty stout flavours, making it a refreshing take on the stout style.
Food Pairings: Kilauea pairs wonderfully with tropical dishes, like pineapple-glazed ham or grilled fish tacos with mango salsa. For dessert, try it with a coconut cream pie or tropical fruit salad. It’s also a great match for smoked meats or grilled vegetables, where the roasty malt and tropical flavours balance each other beautifully.