Signature Brew ~ Summer In The City 4.8% Strawberry, Raspberry & Watermelon Sour
Signature Brew's Summer In The City is a vibrant sour that embodies the essence of a summer fruit punch. At 4.8% ABV, this beer is both thirst-quenching and invigorating, boasting a dynamic blend of strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon. Each sip delivers a fruity explosion of tartness that is beautifully balanced by the beer's slight sweetness. The texture is light and effervescent, providing a refreshing mouthfeel that complements its bold fruit flavours. The finish is crisp and clean, leaving a lingering taste of ripe berries and watermelon.
Interesting Fact: The combination of strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon in this sour is not just about flavour but also about creating a visual and sensory experience reminiscent of a summer day. This fruit trio is known for its high vitamin content and hydrating properties, making it a perfect choice for a beer designed to keep you cool and refreshed.
Pairing Suggestions: This sour beer pairs wonderfully with light, fresh dishes. Try it with a summer salad featuring strawberries and feta cheese, or a watermelon and mint salsa served with grilled chicken. The fruity tang of the beer complements the sweetness and acidity of the salad, while the refreshing qualities of the beer enhance the flavours of the salsa.
Brick ~ Raspberry & Basil Sour 3.3% Fruited Sour
Brick's Raspberry & Basil Sour is an intriguing twist on the fruited sour style. With a moderate ABV of 3.3%, it offers a delicate balance of sweet, tangy raspberries and the aromatic, herbal notes of basil. The initial burst of raspberry juice is both bright and vibrant, quickly followed by the basil’s grassy, minty undertones. This combination creates a complex, multi-layered flavour profile that is both refreshing and unique.
Interesting Fact: Basil, a herb traditionally used in Italian cuisine, provides an unexpected yet delightful contrast to the tartness of raspberries. The herb's inclusion in brewing is relatively rare but adds a sophisticated depth of flavour that enhances the overall sour profile. This beer exemplifies how combining unconventional ingredients can lead to innovative and delightful beer experiences.
Pairing Suggestions: The herbal basil notes of this sour pair well with dishes that feature similar herbal elements. Consider enjoying it alongside a goat cheese and basil salad or a light, fresh pasta with pesto. The tangy raspberry flavour will complement the creaminess of the goat cheese, while the basil will echo the herbal notes in the pasta dish.
Vault City ~ Lemon Drizzleberry Cupcake 4.8% Blackberry & Lemon Drizzle Pastry Sour
Vault City's Lemon Drizzleberry Cupcake is a delightful pastry sour that balances tartness with a creamy, sweet finish. This 4.8% ABV beer features a mix of Scottish blackberries and zesty lemon, layered with vanilla and lactose to create a cupcake-like experience. The result is a creamy mouthfeel with a tangy citrus edge, reminiscent of freshly baked lemon cupcakes topped with berries and sweet vanilla icing.
Interesting Fact: The incorporation of lactose into this sour not only adds sweetness but also contributes to a richer, creamier texture that mirrors the mouthfeel of a cupcake. This technique highlights how brewers are increasingly using adjuncts to create more complex and dessert-like flavours in sour beers.
Pairing Suggestions: This beer pairs perfectly with light, sweet desserts like lemon bars or blackberry crumble. The tart and creamy elements of the beer will complement the tanginess of lemon desserts and the sweetness of berry dishes. For a more savoury pairing, consider enjoying it with a mild, creamy cheese like brie or a light, fresh salad with citrus vinaigrette.
New Bristol x Fierce ~ Peach Melba Frozen Yoghurt Sour 4.0%
The Peach Melba Frozen Yoghurt Sour is a collaborative creation from New Bristol and Fierce, presenting a juicy and refreshing session sour with a 4.0% ABV. This beer captures the essence of peach melba through the use of peach puree, raspberry puree, and Madagascan vanilla, creating a frozen yoghurt-inspired sour that is both creamy and tangy.
Interesting Fact: The inclusion of Madagascan vanilla in this sour adds a layer of depth and sweetness that mimics the creamy texture of frozen yoghurt. This approach demonstrates how brewers are creatively using traditional dessert elements to enhance the flavour profile of their beers, creating a delightful fusion of tastes and textures.
Pairing Suggestions: This beer pairs excellently with summer desserts like peach melba or a raspberry and peach fool. The creamy and fruity elements of the beer will complement the desserts' flavours, while the tangy finish provides a refreshing contrast. For a more savoury option, try it with a light, citrusy salad or a mild cheese platter featuring fresh fruits.
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.
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.