Blue Monkey ~ Chocolate Coconut Mild 4.0%
The Blue Monkey Chocolate Coconut Mild is a 4% dark Mild Ale that showcases a delightful interplay of rich chocolate and creamy coconut flavours. The beer pours a deep, mahogany brown, with a frothy tan head that leaves a delicate lacing on the glass. On the nose, you are greeted by the aroma of sweet chocolate and toasted coconut, reminiscent of a classic bounty bar. The flavour profile follows through with a gentle sweetness from the chocolate, balanced by the tropical notes of coconut. The mild roast malt character adds depth without overwhelming the palate, making this a smooth and satisfying brew.
Interesting Fact: The Chocolate Coconut Mild is a modern take on the traditional Mild Ale, a style that historically dates back to 19th-century England. This style was originally a lower-alcohol, flavourful beer designed to be enjoyed in large quantities. The infusion of chocolate and coconut in this version highlights how traditional beer styles can be creatively adapted to offer new and indulgent flavour experiences.
For pairing, the Chocolate Coconut Mild is a versatile choice. Its rich chocolate and coconut notes make it an excellent companion for dessert. Try it with a slice of coconut cream pie or a dark chocolate tart, where the beer’s flavours will complement the sweetness of the dessert. It also pairs well with roasted nuts or a cheese board featuring creamy cheeses like brie or camembert. For a more savoury match, consider pairing it with a spicy barbecue dish, where the sweetness of the beer can balance out the heat.
Full Circle ~ All Systems Down 4.5%
Full Circle’s All Systems Down is a 4.5% Oat Stout that delivers a silky-smooth experience with rich coffee and chocolate aromas. This stout pours a deep brown with a dense, creamy head. The nose is greeted by roasted coffee and dark chocolate, while the taste reveals a harmonious blend of rich malt and a mild hop bitterness. The oat addition gives the beer a smooth, full body, enhancing the mouthfeel and making it an easy-drinking stout. The biscuity malt backbone adds a subtle sweetness that balances the roasted flavours perfectly.
Interesting Fact: Oat stouts are known for their smooth mouthfeel, which is attributed to the inclusion of oats in the brewing process. The oats not only add body and creaminess but also contribute to a rounder flavour profile. This style of stout is a testament to the versatility of oats in brewing, showcasing how they can enhance both the texture and flavour of a beer.
Pair All Systems Down with foods that complement its roasted and chocolatey profile. It pairs beautifully with a hearty beef stew or a rich mushroom risotto, where the roasted flavours of the stout enhance the umami notes in the dish. For dessert, consider a chocolate lava cake or a coffee-flavoured ice cream, which will echo the beer’s chocolate and coffee notes. Additionally, it goes well with a selection of aged cheeses, such as sharp cheddar or blue cheese, where the stout’s richness balances the saltiness and depth of the cheese.
Great Beyond ~ Escape Artist 4.9%
Escape Artist from Great Beyond is a 4.9% Oatmeal Porter that offers a velvety texture and complex flavour profile. This porter pours a deep, opaque brown with a tan head that lingers. The aroma is a tantalizing mix of coffee, vanilla, and chocolate, while the taste reveals a rich blend of caramel, toffee, and creamy vanilla beans. The finish is a bittersweet dark chocolate that lingers pleasantly on the palate. The oatmeal addition gives the beer a silky-smooth mouthfeel that makes it incredibly drinkable.
Interesting Fact: Oatmeal porters are a style that benefits greatly from the addition of oats, which contribute to a creamy mouthfeel and enhance the beer’s body. The combination of oats and roasted malts in this porter exemplifies how traditional ingredients can be used to create a rich, satisfying beer with a luxurious texture.
For pairing, Escape Artist is ideal with rich, flavourful foods. It pairs well with dishes such as a slow-cooked beef brisket or a hearty lentil stew, where the beer’s roasted and caramel notes complement the depth of the flavours. For dessert, try it with a vanilla bean panna cotta or a coffee-infused chocolate mousse. The creamy and roasted flavours of the beer will enhance the sweetness and richness of the dessert. Additionally, it pairs nicely with a selection of creamy cheeses like camembert or a mild goat cheese, where the beer’s smoothness balances the richness of the cheese.
Vibrant Forest ~ Kick Start 5.7%
Kick Start from Vibrant Forest is a 5.7% Oat & Coffee Stout that aims to energize with its robust flavours. This stout pours a deep black with a dense, creamy head. The aroma is dominated by freshly roasted Colombian coffee beans, with additional notes of dark chocolate and roasted malt. On the palate, you’ll find a rich malt base with warming chocolate roast flavours that are complemented by the bold, invigorating coffee. The beer’s full body and smooth texture make it a hearty, satisfying drink.
Interesting Fact: The use of freshly roasted coffee beans in Kick Start underscores the trend of incorporating high-quality coffee into stouts. Coffee’s natural bitterness and rich flavour profile pair exceptionally well with the dark malts in stouts, creating a complex and enjoyable drinking experience.
Kick Start pairs excellently with a range of hearty and flavourful foods. Try it with a rich, spicy chili or a savoury beef stew, where the stout’s coffee and chocolate notes can complement the dish’s depth. For dessert, it goes well with a chocolate espresso cake or a coffee-flavoured ice cream, enhancing the beer’s coffee character. Additionally, it pairs nicely with a selection of aged cheeses or charcuterie, where the stout’s richness can balance the savoury and salty elements.
Quantock ~ Plastered Pheasant 4.8%
Plastered Pheasant is a 4.8% Classic Porter from Quantock that remains true to its traditional roots. This beer pours a deep brown with a creamy tan head. The aroma offers a rich, malty character with hints of coffee and toffee. On the palate, the beer reveals a blend of roasted coffee flavours and toffee sweetness, rounded off by a smooth, malty finish. Its balanced profile makes it an approachable and enjoyable porter that highlights the classic characteristics of the style.
Interesting Fact: Classic porters like Plastered Pheasant have their origins in the early 18th century, when they were brewed as a strong, dark ale enjoyed by the working class. This style has evolved over time, but the core elements of roasted malts and a balanced, slightly sweet profile remain central to its character. Plastered Pheasant is a nod to these traditional roots while offering a contemporary take on the classic porter.
For pairing, Plastered Pheasant is well-suited to hearty and flavourful foods. It pairs beautifully with a traditional roast beef dinner or a savoury shepherd’s pie, where the beer’s roasted and toffee notes complement the richness of the dish. For dessert, consider a caramel bread pudding or a dark chocolate tart, which will enhance the beer’s sweet and roasted flavours. Additionally, it pairs well with a selection of strong cheeses, such as stilton or aged cheddar, where the beer’s maltiness balances the cheese’s intensity.
Abbeydale ~ Indulgence 5.5%
Indulgence is a 5.5% Trublerone Stout from Abbeydale that offers a luxurious take on stout brewing. This beer pours a deep, dark brown with a creamy tan head. The aroma is rich with notes of cocoa and roast almond, while the flavour profile reveals a smooth, velvety finish with decadent chocolate and almond notes. The beer’s sweetness is balanced by a roasted malt character, creating a well-rounded and indulgent drinking experience.
Interesting Fact: The Trublerone Stout is inspired by the triangular chocolate treat, known for its distinctive blend of chocolate and almond flavours. This beer highlights how popular confectionery flavours can be incorporated into brewing, offering a unique and decadent experience that pays homage to beloved sweets.
For pairing, Indulgence is an excellent choice for desserts and rich foods. It pairs well with a chocolate almond cake or a creamy chocolate mousse, where the beer’s flavours enhance the sweetness of the dessert. It also complements a cheese board featuring rich, creamy cheeses like mascarpone or triple cream brie. For a savoury match, consider pairing it with a rich, nutty dish such as a roasted almond-crusted pork tenderloin, where the beer’s sweet and roasted flavours can complement the dish’s richness.
Turning Point ~ Disco Midnight 5.1%
Disco Midnight is a 5.1% Dry Hopped Stout from Turning Point, offering a unique blend of hoppiness and roasty malt character. This stout pours a deep black with a frothy tan head. The aroma is a mix of roasted coffee and chocolate, with a hint of hops. On the palate, you’ll find a smooth malt base with flavours of dark chocolate and roasted coffee, complemented by a subtle hop bitterness from the dry hopping. The beer’s balanced profile makes it an intriguing and enjoyable stout with a distinctive twist.
Interesting Fact: Dry hopping, typically associated with IPAs, adds a unique dimension to stouts by infusing hop aromas without overwhelming the beer’s roasted malt character. Disco Midnight exemplifies how dry hopping can introduce new flavour layers and complexity to traditional stout styles.
For pairing, Disco Midnight is well-suited to both savoury and sweet dishes. Try it with a rich, spicy sausage dish or a smoky barbecue, where the beer’s roasted flavours and hop bitterness can enhance the flavours of the food. For dessert, it pairs nicely with a chocolate stout cake or a coffee-infused crème brûlée, where the beer’s chocolate and coffee notes can complement the sweetness. Additionally, it pairs well with a selection of aged cheeses or charcuterie, where the stout’s malt and hop characteristics can balance the savoury and salty elements.
Moor ~ Stout 5.0%
Moor’s Stout is a 5% Classic Stout that exemplifies the style’s core characteristics. This beer pours a deep black with a creamy tan head. The aroma is a blend of roasted malt, coffee, and dark chocolate, while the taste reveals a rich, roasted malt profile with notes of coffee and chocolate. The beer’s smooth and elegant body is a testament to the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. The unfiltered, unfined, and unpasteurized nature of the beer ensures a full, robust flavour.
Interesting Fact: Moor Stout is crafted using a traditional brewing method that includes a unique approach to water treatment. The brewery uses a specific mineral profile to enhance the stout's rich, roasted flavours and smooth mouthfeel. This attention to detail in water chemistry demonstrates how essential this often-overlooked aspect of brewing can be in achieving a well-balanced and flavourful stout.
For pairing, Moor’s Stout is ideal with hearty and flavourful foods. It pairs beautifully with a classic beef stew or a rich, spicy curry, where the beer’s roasted and chocolate notes complement the depth of the dish. For dessert, try it with a dark chocolate tart or a coffee-flavoured ice cream, where the stout’s flavours enhance the sweetness and richness. Additionally, it pairs well with a selection of strong cheeses or charcuterie, where the beer’s maltiness can balance the savoury and salty elements.