Cloudwater ~ Stollen From Ivor 5.0% Festive Stout
The Stollen From Ivor Festive Stout is a perfect beer to usher in the cozy atmosphere of winter celebrations. On the nose, you are greeted by the familiar aromas of spices like cardamom and allspice, reminiscent of the traditional German stollen. The malt bill provides a deep, malty backbone that delivers dark fruit flavours, with hints of marzipan, dried fruit, and a soft bread-like quality. A subtle sweetness from the mixed peel balances the spices, while the dry finish makes each sip moreish and satisfying.
Interesting Fact: The beer takes inspiration from traditional German stollen, a festive cake made with fruits, marzipan, and spices. Cloudwater expertly incorporated cardamom and allspice into the brew, creating a liquid homage to this beloved Christmas treat. The use of mixed peel adds a citrusy, fruity zest that elevates the beer’s holiday spirit.
Food Pairing Suggestions: This beer pairs beautifully with rich desserts like fruitcake, gingerbread, or even a traditional stollen. It also works well with hearty roasted meats, such as pork with apple sauce, where the beer's subtle sweetness can complement the richness of the dish. For cheese lovers, a creamy Brie or a tangy blue cheese will balance out the spices in the beer.
Jiddlers Tipple ~ Yule Log Stout 5.1% Christmas Stout
Yule Log Stout is the perfect Christmas treat in a glass. This rich and velvety stout opens with aromas of roasted malt and dark chocolate, followed by sweet vanilla and caramel. There is a noticeable sponge cake character, evoking memories of a festive Yule log. The beer’s smooth, creamy mouthfeel is complemented by a touch of pastry sweetness, making it feel like a decadent holiday dessert. The slight bitterness on the finish provides a well-rounded balance to the sweetness.
Interesting Fact: This stout is inspired by the iconic Yule log cake, which is a classic holiday dessert. The use of vanilla and caramel mimics the sweet and creamy layers of the traditional treat, while the roasted malts and dark chocolate create a rich and indulgent body. Plus, the beer is gluten-free, making it accessible to a wider range of beer drinkers.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair this beer with a chocolate yule log or a spiced apple crumble. The beer’s smooth, sweet finish complements the richness of chocolate desserts and balances out the spices in fruity treats. For a savoury option, consider pairing it with a hearty dish like a beef Wellington or a rich, creamy stew, where the beer’s complexity will stand up to the depth of flavour in the food.
Pilot ~ Trop Trop 5.3% Tropical Sour
Trop Trop is a zesty, vibrant tropical sour that bursts with juicy flavours. This beer delivers a harmonious blend of passionfruit, mango, and pineapple, offering a refreshing and lively taste experience. The tropical fruit profile dominates the flavour, with each fruit providing its own distinct sweetness and tang. The sour base balances the fruitiness with a crisp, clean finish that makes this beer extremely drinkable and perfect for warm weather or tropical cravings.
Interesting Fact: The use of fresh passionfruit, mango, and pineapple in Trop Trop isn’t just about flavour—it’s also about creating a vibrant, natural beer that celebrates the fruit’s natural acidity and sweetness. These fruits are known for their high vitamin C content and are often celebrated for their ability to elevate sour styles. This combination not only provides a punch of tropical fruit but also showcases the brewery’s expertise in balancing complex flavours in sour beers.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair Trop Trop with dishes that complement its tropical and tangy flavours. A fresh seafood ceviche would bring out the beer’s citrus and fruitiness, while a light, tangy goat cheese salad would balance the sour notes. For a more substantial pairing, consider grilled chicken or pork with a sweet, spicy glaze, as the beer’s fruitiness will enhance the dish’s flavours. A tropical fruit salad for dessert would be a perfect end to a meal with Trop Trop.
Brew York ~ Dreams of Brew York 6.5% Apple & Cinnamon Sour
Dreams of Brew York brings a cozy, festive twist to the sour category, blending the familiar and comforting flavours of apple and cinnamon. This sour offers an inviting tartness with juicy apple flavours and a hint of spicy warmth from the cinnamon. The addition of lactose softens the acidity, providing a creamy texture that balances the sharpness of the fruit and spice, creating a smooth and indulgent drink. The beer's festive notes make it a perfect choice for colder months or holiday gatherings.
Interesting Fact: Dreams of Brew York was inspired by classic winter flavours, specifically the cozy combination of apple and cinnamon. The use of lactose is key to rounding out the beer’s sourness, a common technique in brewing to add creaminess and soften the acidity in fruit-forward sours. The addition of cinnamon is also notable, as it helps bridge the gap between the tartness of the apple and the richness of the malt base, creating a multidimensional flavour experience.
Food Pairing Suggestions: The apple and cinnamon notes in Dreams of Brew York make it an ideal match for festive comfort foods. Try pairing it with a hearty roast pork dish, where the sweet apple and savoury meat create a wonderful contrast. A slice of warm apple pie or a cinnamon roll would complement the beer’s spicy sweetness. For a cheese pairing, opt for a mild, creamy brie or a nutty gouda—both will highlight the rich, spiced flavours in the beer.
Atom ~ Bystander Effect 4.5% NZ Hazy Pale Ale
Bystander Effect is a New Zealand-inspired hazy pale ale, packing all the tropical juiciness you’d expect from a brew featuring Nelson, Riwaka, and Rakau hops. The combination of oats and Vermont yeast creates a smooth, velvety mouthfeel that elevates the soft body of the beer. On the nose, expect bold aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit, and white wine, while the flavour profile bursts with citrus and gooseberry notes. This sessionable pale ale is a refreshing and flavourful brew, perfect for those looking for a vibrant, hop-forward experience without the heavy ABV.
Interesting Fact: The inclusion of Riwaka and Rakau hops in Bystander Effect is a nod to the growing popularity of New Zealand hops in modern brewing. Riwaka is known for its intensely tropical aroma, often showcasing flavours like passion fruit, which shines through in this beer, while Rakau contributes a lovely stone fruit character. Vermont yeast, which is often used in hazy styles like NEIPAs, adds to the beer’s smooth texture and fruity profile, making it a standout example of a New Zealand-inspired hazy pale ale.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Bystander Effect pairs perfectly with light, fresh dishes that can complement its vibrant tropical notes. Consider enjoying it with a citrus-marinated shrimp ceviche or a grilled white fish taco topped with a mango salsa. The beer’s tropical fruit flavours would also work well with a tangy goat cheese salad or a light, fresh melon and prosciutto appetizer. For a dessert pairing, a passion fruit sorbet or a mango panna cotta would tie in beautifully with the beer’s fruity, juicy finish.
Staggeringly Good ~ Forward To The Past 5.2% West Coast Pale Ale
Forward To The Past is a West Coast pale ale that takes the classic style to new heights with a blend of hops that deliver a robust, hoppy experience. The beer opens with notes of pine, resin, and citrus, courtesy of Citra, Columbus, Centennial, and Simcoe hops. While it’s packed with flavour, the malt backbone provides just the right amount of sweetness to balance the bitterness. With a crisp, clean finish, this beer embodies everything you’d expect from a well-crafted West Coast pale ale—intense hop character with a refreshing dryness.
Interesting Fact: West Coast pale ales like Forward To The Past are known for their intense bitterness, often showcasing piney, resinous hop character, which is characteristic of American hops like Simcoe and Centennial. This style, which originated on the West Coast of the United States, has been the foundation of modern IPA brewing. Despite the rise of New England IPAs, West Coast styles continue to offer a bold, hop-forward alternative that focuses on bitterness and clarity.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Forward To The Past is ideal with foods that can stand up to its bitterness and bold hop character. Pair it with a smoky BBQ brisket or a spicy buffalo chicken pizza, where the malt sweetness will counterbalance the heat. The beer’s piney notes also make it a great match for grilled meats or a charcuterie board with aged cheeses. If you are in the mood for something lighter, a lemon and rosemary roast chicken with garlic butter potatoes would complement the beer’s citrusy flavours and refreshing dryness.
Unbarred ~ Session Pale Ale 4.8% SPA w/ Azacca & Ekuanot
Session Pale Ale is a refreshing and easy-drinking pale ale that brings tropical fruit flavours to the forefront. The use of Azacca and Ekuanot hops provides vibrant citrus and tropical fruit notes, including pineapple, tangerine, and mango. The malt base, which includes pale malts and oats, gives the beer a smooth mouthfeel with just a hint of sweetness, balancing the moderate bitterness. With an ABV of 4.8%, this pale ale is light enough for session drinking but still packs enough hop flavour to keep things exciting.
Interesting Fact: Azacca hops are a relatively new variety that has gained popularity for its tropical fruit character, especially mango and pineapple, while Ekuanot is known for its versatility, offering notes of citrus, tropical fruits, and even a slight herbal quality. Together, these hops make Session Pale Ale a burst of fruity freshness that stands out among its peers. The beer is a great example of how modern hop varieties can bring out layers of flavour in a lower ABV, sessionable beer without sacrificing complexity.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Given its crisp and juicy character, Session Pale Ale is perfect for pairing with fresh and light fare. Try it with a grilled vegetable salad, featuring avocado, corn, and lime, or a fresh tuna poke bowl, where the citrusy notes of the beer will highlight the fish’s delicate flavours. For something heartier, serve it with a soft-shell crab sandwich with a tangy slaw, or a grilled chicken sandwich with a lemon and herb dressing. If you are in the mood for cheese, a creamy brie or a tangy goat cheese would complement the beer’s tropical fruit notes beautifully.
Hackney Church ~ The Pilgrim 6.3% Hazy IPA
The Pilgrim is a hazy IPA that combines two standout hop varieties—Simcoe and Kohia Nelson—to create a beer that’s both plush and punchy. The addition of these hops brings a delightful burst of tropical flavours, with a pop of passion fruit rounding out the taste profile. The beer features a soft, hazy body thanks to its use of oats and a smooth yeast fermentation, providing a rounded mouthfeel. Despite its hop intensity, the bitterness is well balanced, allowing the fruity flavours to shine through without overwhelming the palate.
Interesting Fact: The Pilgrim is a collaboration between Hackney Church Brew Co and Two Blokes Brewing, combining innovative brewing techniques from both breweries. Simcoe, one of the most popular hops in craft brewing, is known for its complex aroma, featuring citrus, pine, and tropical fruit notes, while Kohia Nelson brings its signature passion fruit and gooseberry notes, further enhancing the tropical profile. This combination creates a balanced and multi-layered beer, showing the creative potential of collaboration brews.
Food Pairing Suggestions: The Pilgrim pairs wonderfully with dishes that highlight fresh, vibrant flavours. Try it with a grilled tuna steak or a spicy Szechuan stir-fry, where the beer’s tropical fruit notes can complement the bold, flavourful dishes. For something lighter, a citrus-infused chicken salad with avocado and mixed greens would be a refreshing match. If you’re in the mood for cheese, a creamy brie or a sharp cheddar would pair nicely with the beer’s smooth texture and fruity finish.