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.
Siren Craft Brew Pink Paloma Cocktail Inspired Sour 5.0%
Siren Craft Brew’s Pink Paloma is a refreshing and vibrant cocktail-inspired sour that effortlessly balances the tart and sweet notes of a traditional Paloma cocktail. Pouring a striking peachy pink hue, it immediately catches the eye, while the flavour profile teases your taste buds with the perfect blend of grapefruit, lime, and a sprinkle of sea salt. The beer takes you on a unique journey, with a subtle yet prominent tequila wood influence that gives an added depth of complexity. The malts—malted barley, wheat, and oats—bring a soft and smooth body that enhances the fruit-forward character of this beer, allowing the fresh citrus notes to take centre stage without being overpowering. The touch of agave syrup adds a light sweetness, which balances the sourness from the grapefruit and lime juice, rounding out the beer’s vibrant flavours.
Interesting Fact: The Paloma cocktail is one of the most popular drinks in Mexico, traditionally made with tequila, lime, and grapefruit soda. Siren Craft Brew has cleverly captured the essence of this beloved drink by aging the beer on tequila-infused oak, bringing that signature agave flavour to the brew. This playful and experimental approach allows beer drinkers to experience a cocktail-inspired brew in a new, exciting form.
Food Pairings: Pink Paloma pairs wonderfully with fresh, zesty dishes. Try it alongside ceviche, where the sharp lime and refreshing fish will complement the beer’s citrus flavours. It would also be a great match for grilled shrimp tacos or a zesty avocado and grapefruit salad. For something a bit sweeter, pair it with a lime and coconut cheesecake to highlight the refreshing citrus character and balance the sweetness of the dessert.
Electric Bear Sun Of A Beach Tropical Ice Cream Sour 4.8%
Electric Bear’s Sun Of A Beach is a tropical ice cream sour that transports you straight to a sunny beach with every sip. This 4.8% ABV sour is inspired by the nostalgic flavours of a classic ice lolly, blending mango, lemon, and mandarin with creamy vanilla. The beer pours a hazy golden colour, reminiscent of a sunny day, while the flavour profile is both fruity and smooth. The combination of fruit purees and mandarin essence gives it a burst of citrus, with the vanilla extract adding a creamy sweetness that ties everything together. The malts—extra pale, wheat, dextrin, and flaked malted oats—ensure the beer has a soft, smooth body that enhances its dessert-like quality. The sourness is well-balanced, offering just enough tartness to cut through the sweetness, making this beer the perfect balance of fruity refreshment and creamy indulgence.
Interesting Fact: This collaboration with Dutch brewery Kompaan has resulted in a beer that captures the essence of summer fun in a glass. Electric Bear’s use of tropical fruits, combined with a creamy vanilla finish, gives the beer a playful yet sophisticated twist, making it a standout in the growing category of fruit-forward sours.
Food Pairings: Sun Of A Beach is a fantastic match for fruity desserts like a tropical fruit salad or a sorbet, where the beer’s creamy, fruity flavours will amplify the sweetness. It also pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes, such as jerk chicken or a tangy Thai green curry, where the beer’s refreshing tartness will contrast beautifully with the heat. For something simple, try pairing it with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where the smoothness of the cheese complements the beer’s creamy character.
Vault City Sweet Shop - Fizzy Cherries Sour 4.7%
Vault City’s Sweet Shop – Fizzy Cherries Sour is a tangy and sweet beer that bursts with vibrant cherry flavours, offering a nostalgic taste experience. At 4.7% ABV, this sour is light and refreshing, yet full of intense cherry fruitiness. The beer opens with a burst of juicy, tart cherries that dominate the palate, while a subtle fizziness adds to the fun, making it feel like a fizzy candy or soda. The malt base is light, providing a smooth foundation for the fruit to shine without being too heavy. The balance between sweet and sour is expertly handled, allowing the cherry’s natural tartness to be countered by a gentle sweetness, leaving a clean, crisp finish that encourages another sip.
Interesting Fact: Vault City is known for creating sour beers with playful, nostalgic themes, and the Sweet Shop series is no exception. By focusing on single fruit profiles, Vault City has crafted a sour that captures the essence of classic sweets, bringing back memories of fizzy cherry candies and childhood treats, all while maintaining the quality and complexity that defines their brewing style.
Food Pairings: This beer pairs wonderfully with a range of sweet treats. Think of pairing it with a cherry clafoutis or a slice of cherry pie, where the beer’s cherry flavours will complement the dessert’s richness. For a savoury match, try it with grilled pork or duck with a cherry glaze, as the beer’s tartness will cut through the richness of the meat. A simple cheese board with soft cheeses, such as camembert or brie, would also work well, allowing the beer’s fruity sweetness to shine.
Pretty Decent Choo Loves Kiss Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry Sour 5.5%
Pretty Decent’s Choo Loves Kiss is a delightful sour that blends the best of summer berries in a beautifully tart yet balanced brew. At 5.5% ABV, this sour is packed with blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry flavours, creating a medley of bright, juicy fruit that dominates the taste. The malt base, made from water, barley, oats, and wheat, offers a smooth, slightly creamy body that balances the beer’s fruit-forward character. The addition of vanilla provides a touch of sweetness, creating a perfectly harmonious flavour profile that showcases the best of the three berries. The sourness is fresh and crisp, with just the right amount of tartness to enhance the fruity sweetness without overwhelming it.
Interesting Fact: The combination of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries is a popular choice in brewing due to the natural tartness and vibrant colour these fruits impart. Pretty Decent’s use of these berries in a sour beer is a tribute to the abundant summer harvest, and the added vanilla softens the sourness, creating a more approachable beer for those new to the sour style.
Food Pairings: Choo Loves Kiss is perfect for pairing with berry-based desserts, like a mixed berry tart or a fruit-filled shortcake. The beer’s natural sweetness and acidity also make it a great match for grilled meats, such as chicken or pork, where the fruitiness complements the caramelization of the meat. A goat cheese salad with fresh berries would be another excellent pairing, where the tanginess of the cheese enhances the beer’s tartness.