There are bags of citrusy hops up front with this very quaffable amber ale, along with a good malty backbone that makes it a good food match. It boasts toasted nuts on the nose, lots of depth to follow and a seriously clean finish. As English as they come, this brew from Battersea has unsurprisingly […]
A rounded caramelised nose sets the tone for this festive amber ale. Winter fruit overtones upfront include dates and cooked apples, alongside spicy hops. More spice on the palate with vanilla and more of those dried fruits reminding us it’s nearly Christmas time. Whatever you do don’t be temped to chill this one. It is […]
Brewed with four malts – Maris Otter, Crystal, Chocolate, Roast Barley – and two spices – coriander and nutmeg and a little fruit in the form of some orange peel, this spiced milk-stout-style beer is a truly complex beast.And at 4.6% it is not too high in alcohol. Roasted hazelnuts on the nose, with lots […]
Dougal Sharp, CEO of Innis & Gunn, was inspired to dig up the old Scottish tradition of spiking porter with treacle when he came across a reference to the practice and a 100 year old recipe in the Scottish drinks history book, A Scot’s Cellar, by Florence Marion McNeill. And so he did it, and it’s […]
The alcohol percentage on this one is downright frightening at 10%. But that’s how Catherine the Great of Russia liked it, and she got what she liked when she made demands of her courtiers in 1795. A bit of background here: Russian Imperial Stout is a strong dark stout dating back to the 18th century […]
Here’s something original on the English sparkling wine front – a demi-sec rather than brut fizz from those Sussex pioneers, Nyetimber. With aromas of candied fruit and rich honey on the nose, this feels like it could be special. And it is. Honey notes dance with bubbles in the mouth, with lemon meringue pie and […]
Well what a pleasure – to get a chance to review a beer that’s been brewed to celebrate the history of one of the country’s foremost brewery. Generation from Shepherd Neame marks five generations of the family at the helm, with five hops and five malts. A sizeable 9%, it was left maturing for a […]
Launched earlier this year, Aspall’s Harry Sparrow cyder, is named after an Aspall’s cyder house legend who spent over 50 years at the family producer. “It’s a tribute to a remarkable man and the many years of dedication to his craft,” says eighth generation cidermaker, Henry Chevallier Guild. 4.6% Available on draught and in 50cl bottles
This is superb. Delightful aromas of raspberry mix with dark chocolate, while the palate has a true raspberry seam atop plain chocolate, and a refreshing tart note on the finish. Apparently it’s Belgian yeast, which methinks might contribute to that refreshing tang. The only issue? It slips down a wee bit easily, despite its 7.7% […]
Smells of Christmas spices lead onto flavours of roast malts, dark chocolate and mellow coffee on the palate of this “specially crafted Porter”. Chuffed to hear that my favourite hop, Bramling Cross, is amid the ingredient mix, along with wheat as well as barley malt. With its delightful richness and complexity, this is ideal food […]
