Welcome to the March 2024 Gluten-Free Beer Box, an exclusive selection curated for members of Beer Dad's Craft Beer Club. This month, we invite you to explore the diverse and flavourful world of gluten-free craft beers, featuring eight cans of expertly brewed brews. From refreshing pale ales to robust stouts, each beer in this collection offers a unique and satisfying drinking experience, proving that gluten-free brewing can be both delicious and innovative. Join us as we raise a glass to the creativity and craftsmanship behind these exceptional gluten-free beers, and discover the diverse range of flavours that await within each can. Cheers to gluten-free indulgence and unforgettable beer experiences!
Bristol Beer Factory's Fortitude stands as a testament to Britain's brewing heritage, paying homage to the classic 'best bitter' style that has long been cherished by beer enthusiasts. With a nod to tradition and a touch of innovation, Fortitude showcases a beautiful amber hue, reminiscent of a warm embrace. Crafted with the finest English Maris Otter malt and classic Southern English hops, this 4.0% bitter delivers a malt-forward experience with a clean, moreish finish. Each sip reveals the perfect balance between rich maltiness and subtle hop bitterness, inviting the drinker to savour the essence of British brewing excellence.
Interesting Fact: The Maris Otter malt used in Fortitude is a traditional barley variety prized for its rich, biscuity flavour and superior malting characteristics, making it a favourite among brewers for crafting classic British ales.
Pair this amber ale with hearty British fare like bangers and mash or beef and ale pie to complement its malt-forward character. The beer's clean finish also makes it a great match for grilled sausages or roast chicken, enhancing the savoury flavours of the dish. For a sweet pairing, serve it alongside a slice of fruitcake or sticky toffee pudding to echo the beer's caramelized malt notes and create a delightful harmony of flavours.
Wiper & True's Lemondrop Hill offers a refreshing twist on the classic pale ale style, showcasing vibrant flavours of lemon that brighten the palate. With a modest 4.0% ABV, this beer is light, crisp, and perfect for any occasion. The aroma bursts forth with zesty lemon notes, evoking images of sun-drenched citrus groves. On the palate, a wave of refreshing lemon flavour washes over the senses, followed by a clean and satisfying finish. Whether enjoyed on a warm summer day or as a refreshing pick-me-up, Lemondrop Hill is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Interesting Fact: Lemondrop hops, the key ingredient in Lemondrop Hill, are known for their intense lemon aroma and flavour, making them a popular choice for brewers looking to infuse their beers with citrusy brightness.
Pair this citrusy pale ale with light and fresh dishes like grilled fish tacos or lemon chicken pasta to complement its lemony notes. The beer's crispness also makes it a great match for spicy cuisine like Thai curry or Mexican street food, providing a refreshing contrast to the heat. For a sweet pairing, serve it alongside lemon bars or citrus sorbet to enhance the beer's citrus flavours and create a harmonious balance of tastes.
Brew York's Osprey presents a classic lager experience with a twist, offering a refreshing and easy-drinking beer that celebrates the heritage of Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops. At 4.1% ABV, Osprey delivers a complex aroma characterized by spicy-herbal notes, a hallmark of this traditional hop variety. With a clean, light, and crisp finish, this lager invites you to savour the simplicity of its ingredients and the craftsmanship behind its creation. Whether enjoyed on a sunny day or as a refreshing accompaniment to a hearty meal, Osprey is sure to delight the senses and quench your thirst.
Interesting Fact: Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops, originating from the Hallertau region of Germany, are one of the oldest hop varieties in the world and are prized for their delicate aroma and flavour profile, which includes herbal, floral, and spicy notes.
Pair this classic lager with traditional German fare like bratwurst or schnitzel to complement its herbal and spicy character. The beer's crispness also makes it a great match for lighter dishes like grilled chicken salad or seafood pasta, providing a refreshing contrast. For a sweet pairing, serve it alongside a slice of apple strudel or pear tart to balance the beer's crispness with a touch of sweetness.
Brass Castle's Fat Rascal offers a delightful twist on the traditional Yorkshire turf cake, infusing it with the flavours of almonds and glacé cherries. This 4.2% light mild ale pays homage to the rich culinary heritage of Yorkshire, where Fat Rascals emerged in the 1800s as a beloved tea cake. With each sip, the beer transports you to the quaint streets of Malton, where Charles Dickens himself referenced these delightful treats in his writings. Fat Rascal delivers a smooth and satisfying drinking experience, with subtle notes of almond and cherry dancing on the palate, creating a nostalgic taste of Yorkshire's past.
Interesting Fact: Glacé cherries, a key ingredient in Fat Rascal, are cherries that have been preserved in sugar syrup, giving them a sweet and glossy appearance. They are commonly used in baking and confectionery, adding a burst of fruity flavour to desserts and beverages.
Pair this almond and cherry turf cake mild ale with classic Yorkshire dishes like pork pies or Yorkshire pudding to complement its rich and comforting flavours. The beer's lightness also makes it a great match for creamy cheeses like Wensleydale or Stilton, providing a refreshing contrast. For a sweet pairing, serve it alongside a slice of cherry bakewell or almond cake to enhance the beer's fruity and nutty notes and create a delightful dessert experience.
Pretty Decent's The Greatest Love Story is a celebration of Simcoe hops, known for their distinct lychee aroma and clean fruit taste. At 4.5% ABV, this pale ale offers a soft and tropical experience that pays homage to one of the most beloved hop varieties in the craft beer world. With big lychee notes on the nose and a refreshing fruitiness on the palate, The Greatest Love Story captures the essence of Simcoe in every sip. Light and refreshing, it's the perfect beer for those who appreciate the beauty of simplicity and the magic of a well-crafted brew.
Interesting Fact: Simcoe hops, named after Simcoe County in Ontario, Canada, were released in 2000 and quickly gained popularity among brewers for their unique aroma profile, which includes notes of pine, citrus, and stone fruit.
Pair this pale ale with grilled shrimp skewers or a tropical fruit salad to complement its fruity and tropical flavours. The beer's clean taste also makes it a great match for spicy dishes like curry or jerk chicken, providing a refreshing contrast to the heat. For a sweet pairing, serve it alongside a slice of pineapple upside-down cake or mango sorbet to enhance the beer's tropical notes and create a harmonious balance of flavours.
Brass Castle's Trinitario Chocolate Stout is a testament to the collaboration between Yorkshire ingenuity and the Trinidad & Tobago Fine Cocoa Company, resulting in a beer that showcases the finest cocoa in the world. Pouring a deep, inviting hue, this stout releases intoxicating aromas of rich chocolate and hints of floral sweetness. The first sip reveals layers of complexity, with the Trinitario chocolate imparting floral and fruity characteristics that dance on the palate. Notes of dark fruit and subtle bitterness from the cocoa linger, leading to a smooth and satisfying finish.
Interesting Fact: Trinitario cocoa, a hybrid of the Criollo and Forastero cocoa trees, originated in Trinidad in the late 17th century. Known for its complex flavour profile, Trinitario cocoa is highly prized by chocolatiers for its floral and fruity notes.
Pair this chocolate stout with desserts like flourless chocolate cake or raspberry tart to complement its rich cocoa flavours. The beer's fruity undertones also make it a great match for berry desserts like black forest gateau or mixed berry crumble. For a savoury pairing, try serving it alongside a cheese platter featuring aged cheddar or blue cheese, as the beer's chocolate notes provide a delightful contrast to the tangy richness of the cheese.
Brass Castle's Dune Bug offers a refreshing twist on the classic Gose style, infusing it with the flavours of lemon and samphire for a unique and invigorating experience. As the name suggests, this beer conjures images of sandy shores and salty sea breezes, transporting the drinker to a coastal paradise with each sip. The brisk tartness of the lemon harmonizes with the subtle saltiness of samphire, creating a flavours profile that is both refreshing and revitalizing. With a crisp, dry finish, Dune Bug leaves a lasting impression of summer days spent by the sea.
Interesting Fact: Samphire, also known as sea asparagus or sea beans, is a coastal plant known for its crisp texture and salty flavours, making it a popular ingredient in seafood dishes and, more recently, craft beer.
Pair this seaside-inspired Gose with fresh seafood like oysters or grilled fish to complement its briny undertones. The beer's tartness also makes it a great match for dishes with citrus-based sauces or marinades, enhancing the brightness of the flavours. For a light and refreshing pairing, serve it alongside a salad of mixed greens, avocado, and citrus segments to echo the beer's coastal vibe and accentuate its lemony zest.
Introducing Abbeydale's Okarito, a New Zealand Pale Ale paying homage to the iconic Nelson region. Crafted with Rakau and Motueka hops, including the futuristic lupulin liquid SubZero Hop Kief™, this ale invites a sensory journey. Upon pouring, aromas of sweet stone fruits greet the nose, leading to a palate enriched with plum, fig, and apricot notes. A lemon-lime citrussy flair dances in the background, culminating in a clean, cutting bitterness that lingers on the finish.
Interesting Fact: The Nelson region of New Zealand is renowned for its distinctive hop varieties, known for their intense fruity and citrusy flavours, making them sought-after ingredients in craft brewing worldwide.
Pair this aromatic pale ale with grilled white fish or seafood pasta to complement its fruity character. The beer's clean bitterness also makes it a great match for spicy dishes like Thai curry or Mexican tacos, providing a refreshing contrast. For a lighter pairing, serve it alongside a salad of mixed greens, mango, and avocado, accentuating the beer's tropical notes and creating a harmonious balance of flavours.