Anspach & Hobday ~ The Celebration Porter 4.5% Porter
The Celebration Porter is an exceptional nod to the history of Anspach & Hobday, crafted to mark their 11th anniversary. Pouring a deep ruby red, the beer delivers a soft, inviting aroma of toasty malt, a slight sweetness, and rich dark fruit notes. The use of amber malt in the grist creates a toastiness that is instantly recognisable, while the inclusion of Invert Sugar No. 2 adds a layer of burnt toffee and dark fruit. On the palate, this beer strikes a balance between sweetness and roasted bitterness, offering a smooth, round mouthfeel with a lingering finish that reminds you of fruitcake with a touch of caramel. The body is medium-light, making it incredibly drinkable, even with its depth of flavour.
Interesting fact: The Celebration Porter takes inspiration from Anspach & Hobday's roots as a Porter brewery, going back to the historical styles that were less reliant on heavily kilned malts. This is reflected in its more reddish hue, contrasting with the often jet-black Porters we associate with modern interpretations of the style. The addition of amber malt and Invert Sugar No. 2 ties it back to some of the earliest British Porters.
Food pairings: Given its subtle sweetness and toasty malt character, The Celebration Porter pairs beautifully with rich and roasted dishes. Try it with a roasted leg of lamb, where the beer's sweetness complements the deep, savoury notes of the meat. Alternatively, pair it with a selection of strong, aged cheeses like Stilton or a creamy goat’s cheese for a delicious contrast. For dessert, a slice of rich, dark fruitcake or a warm bread pudding would elevate the beer’s fruity and toasty qualities. This beer’s balance of sweetness and bitterness makes it versatile for pairing with both hearty and indulgent foods.
Blue Monkey ~ 99 Red Baboons 4.1% Nitro Red Ale
99 Red Baboons offers an intriguing twist on the classic red ale, now enhanced with nitrogen for a velvety, smooth mouthfeel. The beer pours a vibrant amber with a creamy, dense head that promises a delightful experience. Aromas of caramel, toffee, and warm brown bread greet the senses, accompanied by a hint of biscuit. On the palate, the sweetness of toffee and caramel is balanced by a biscuity backbone, providing a round, malty character with a mild hop bitterness that lingers delicately. The nitro infusion elevates the mouthfeel, giving it a silky texture that makes each sip feel luxurious and easy to drink.
Interesting fact: The addition of nitrogen to 99 Red Baboons is a nod to the brewery’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of traditional styles. The smooth, creamy mouthfeel created by the nitrogen is a feature often associated with stouts, but in this case, it brings a new dimension to the red ale style, softening the malt-forward profile and enhancing its drinkability. This innovation has made 99 Red Baboons a standout within the red ale category.
Food pairings: The smooth, malty character of 99 Red Baboons is an ideal companion for a variety of roasted meats. Try pairing it with a honey-glazed roast pork, where the beer's caramel and toffee notes will enhance the sweetness of the glaze. For a more casual pairing, serve it with a hearty beef and cheddar sandwich or a warm sausage roll. As for dessert, its toasty, caramel tones would go wonderfully with a sticky toffee pudding or a rich caramel flan, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
Vault City ~ Nitro Mini M*rs 6.2% Nitro Milk Stout
Vault City's Nitro Mini Mrs is a delightful nod to a beloved chocolate bar, transformed into a decadent, nitro-infused milk stout. The beer presents an inviting, creamy mouthfeel, enhanced by the smoothness that only nitrogen can provide. Rich aromas of chocolate malt, vanilla, and caramelised brown sugar fill the nose, immediately evoking the flavours of a Mrs bar. The taste delivers on this promise, with layers of chocolate, caramel, and vanilla that meld together beautifully. The lactose adds a creamy sweetness, while the cacao nibs provide a deep, dark chocolate character. The finish is smooth, with a lingering cocoa bitterness that balances the sweetness.
Interesting fact: The Nitro Mini Mrs was created as a sessionable version of Vault City’s classic Mrs stout, now with a reduced ABV and a smooth nitro twist. The use of cacao nibs is particularly noteworthy, as they are the purest form of chocolate, offering an intense, aromatic cocoa flavour that brings the chocolatey base of this beer to life without the overpowering sweetness often found in adjunct-heavy stouts.
Food pairings: The rich, dessert-like quality of Nitro Mini M*rs makes it a fantastic match for chocolate-based desserts. Pair it with a flourless chocolate cake, where the beer’s deep cocoa and vanilla notes will accentuate the cake's richness. For something lighter, a chocolate and raspberry tart works wonderfully, as the tart fruit can cut through the beer’s creamy sweetness. If you're in the mood for something savoury, try pairing it with a blue cheese like Roquefort, as the sharpness of the cheese contrasts beautifully with the beer's smooth, sweet character.
Wilde Child ~ Thunder in Paradise 4.9% Chocolate & Toasted Coconut Stout
Thunder in Paradise is a decadent chocolate and toasted coconut stout that promises an indulgent beer experience. Pouring a deep, opaque brown with a thick, tan head, the beer offers an aromatic blast of cocoa powder, toasted coconut, and sweet vanilla. The first sip delivers a creamy mouthfeel with flavours of rich chocolate and roasted coconut, reminiscent of a Bounty bar. The addition of lactose adds a slight sweetness, which complements the bitterness of the cocoa, while the toasted coconut brings a slight nuttiness that balances the overall profile. The finish is smooth and slightly sweet, with the toasted coconut lingering on the palate.
Interesting fact: Wilde Child’s Thunder in Paradise takes inspiration from tropical flavours, with toasted coconut playing a starring role. Coconut has been a popular ingredient in craft brewing for years, but Wilde Child’s use of it here creates a perfect balance with the rich chocolate, creating a beer that brings to mind tropical desserts. The addition of lactose, a sugar found in milk, gives the beer a creamy, smooth body, often found in milk stouts but rarely seen in coconut-flavoured beers.
Food pairings: Thunder in Paradise is an ideal match for desserts that feature coconut or chocolate. Pair it with a coconut cream pie or a chocolate mousse to highlight the beer’s tropical and cocoa elements. For a more adventurous pairing, try it with a spicy barbecue dish, such as jerk chicken, where the sweetness of the beer will complement the heat of the spices. The beer’s smooth, rich profile also pairs well with roasted nuts, making it a perfect accompaniment to a nutty cheese platter, particularly with aged gouda or brie.
Cloudwater ~ The Search for Truth Begins 4.0% Pale Ale
Cloudwater's The Search for Truth Begins is an exploration of hop-forward, low-ABV pale ale perfection. This 4% beauty bursts with a trifecta of hops: Citra, Sabro, and Motueka. The result is a beautifully balanced pale ale that doesn’t compromise on flavour despite its lower strength. On the nose, it invites you in with fresh lime and a hint of sweet sherbet, evoking the playful, citrus-forward aromas you'd expect from such a hop combination. On the palate, the zesty lime takes the lead, followed by a sherbety sweetness that gives the beer a refreshing, almost effervescent quality. The Sabro hops add a creamy texture that softens the sharpness of the citrus, making each sip wonderfully drinkable and leaving a subtle tropical fruit finish.
Interesting fact: The hop combination of Citra, Sabro, and Motueka is an inspired one, with each hop bringing its own unique characteristics. Citra’s bold lime and grapefruit notes are well-known, while Sabro, typically associated with coconut and tropical fruit, adds a creamy, smooth finish to this pale ale. Motueka, a New Zealand hop, brings its signature lemony and herbal notes, rounding out the citrus profile and creating a harmonious balance that enhances the beer’s drinkability.
Food pairings: The Search for Truth Begins is a pale ale that pairs beautifully with lighter, fresh dishes. Its bright citrus profile makes it an excellent match for grilled seafood, such as lemon and herb marinated shrimp or a fresh crab salad. It also works well with a citrusy avocado and tomato salad, where the beer’s lime notes complement the acidity of the tomatoes. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where the beer’s creamy texture enhances the cheese’s richness while the citrus adds a refreshing contrast.
Farm Yard ~ Opal 5.2% NEIPA
Opal from Farm Yard is a hop-driven New England IPA that delivers an explosion of citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Brewed with a mix of Krush hop buds, Yakima Chief HyperBoost Krush oil extract, Cashmere, and El Dorado hops, this 5.2% NEIPA is a celebration of bright, juicy hops. On the nose, Opal greets you with intense aromas of stone fruit and citrus—think ripe peaches, tangy oranges, and a dash of tropical pineapple. The flavour mirrors these aromas with a luscious, juicy mouthfeel and a burst of juicy citrus followed by hints of ripe mango and pineapple. It’s a soft, smooth beer with just enough bitterness to keep it balanced, making it a satisfying yet approachable NEIPA.
Interesting fact: The use of Krush hops and HyperBoost Krush oil extract in Opal is a testament to Farm Yard’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of hop flavour. These hops are known for their intense citrus and tropical fruit aromas, and the HyperBoost oil extract takes the hop character to another level, intensifying the juicy notes and giving the beer its signature smooth, tropical finish.
Food pairings: The juicy, tropical nature of Opal pairs wonderfully with dishes that feature bright, fresh flavours. It’s a great companion for grilled chicken with citrus and herb marinades, where the beer’s hop profile complements the tangy marinade. It also works beautifully with spicy Thai or Indian cuisine, such as a coconut curry or a mango chicken dish, as the beer’s sweetness and citrus notes balance the heat. For a more casual pairing, try it with a tangy cheese like a goat cheese salad or a creamy brie, where the beer’s fruitiness contrasts beautifully with the richness of the cheese.
Hackney Church ~ Mum’s The Word 4.8% Pale Ale
Hackney Church’s Mum’s The Word is a tribute to the women who shape our lives, brewed in collaboration with Hand Brew Co for International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day. This 4.8% pale ale is a bright, juicy beer that pays homage to the soft, golden malt base and zesty mandarin notes that dominate its profile. On the nose, the beer delivers a burst of fresh, citrusy mandarin, with hints of orange and tangerine. The palate is equally refreshing, with a soft malt backbone that supports the vibrant citrus character. The beer finishes crisp and clean, with a light, refreshing aftertaste that keeps you coming back for more.
Interesting fact: Mum’s The Word is not just a great beer, but a celebration of the women who helped craft it. Brewed with input from the mums of Hackney Church and Hand Brew Co, this pale ale incorporates a thoughtful combination of mandarin and soft malt to create a beer that is both easy-drinking and packed with love and care, much like the mothers it honours.
Food pairings: This pale ale is perfect for pairing with light, fresh fare. It complements citrus-based dishes wonderfully, such as a grilled salmon salad with orange slices or a zesty quinoa salad with mandarin and feta. The beer’s refreshing nature also makes it a good match for a Sunday roast, where the citrus notes enhance the freshness of roasted vegetables or a lemony roast chicken. For dessert, consider pairing it with a light citrus sorbet or a fresh fruit tart to match the beer’s vibrant, fruity profile.
Lost & Grounded x Burnt Mill ~ Big Thaw 6 6.8% West Coast IPA
The Big Thaw 6 from Lost & Grounded and Burnt Mill Brewery is a bold and resinous West Coast IPA that delivers the classic bitter punch and piney depth the style is known for. At 6.8%, it’s slightly stronger than the average West Coast IPA, but it remains beautifully balanced, with a blend of Pils, Pale Ale, and Cara malts providing a solid backbone. On the nose, the beer presents aromas of pine, citrus, and stone fruits, with a distinctly Californian feel. The palate is dominated by resinous pine, with a supporting cast of juicy citrus and tropical fruit, giving it a full-bodied character without being overwhelming. The finish is crisp and dry, with the bitterness lingering just long enough to remind you why West Coast IPAs are so beloved.
Interesting fact: The Big Thaw 6 continues the annual collaboration series between Lost & Grounded and Burnt Mill Brewery, both known for their mastery of hop-forward beers. The use of classic West Coast hops like Chinook, Centennial, Amarillo, and Erebus brings forward those signature pine and citrus notes, while the malts provide enough sweetness to balance the bitterness, giving the beer a smooth, well-rounded finish.
Food pairings: Big Thaw 6 pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, particularly those with a bit of char. Try it with a smoky BBQ brisket or a grilled steak, where the beer’s resinous pine and citrus notes will complement the rich, smoky flavours. It also works beautifully with spicy dishes, such as buffalo wings or a spicy taco platter, as the beer’s bitterness helps to cut through the heat. For a classic pub pairing, enjoy it with a platter of aged cheddar and crackers, where the sharp cheese enhances the beer’s citrus and pine character.