Signature Brew ~ Good Vibrations 5.2% NEPA
Signature Brew’s Good Vibrations is a New England Pale Ale that delivers a burst of hazy golden goodness. At 5.2% ABV, this hazy ale showcases a symphony of stone fruit and vanilla notes, creating a rich and smooth drinking experience. The aroma opens with inviting hints of peach and apricot, complemented by a subtle touch of creamy vanilla. The body is medium, with a soft, pillowy mouthfeel that enhances the juicy, fruity character. The finish is clean, leaving a lingering essence of stone fruits and vanilla.
Interesting Fact: The use of stone fruits and vanilla in this NEPA reflects a growing trend in craft brewing to blend traditional fruit flavours with dessert-like notes. This approach not only adds depth to the beer's flavour profile but also makes it accessible to those who might typically shy away from more bitter IPAs.
Pairing Suggestions: This NEPA pairs exceptionally well with a range of foods that complement its fruity and creamy profile. Consider enjoying it with a grilled chicken salad featuring stone fruits or a creamy brie cheese. The fruitiness of the beer will enhance the sweetness of the salad, while the creamy texture of the brie matches the beer’s smooth mouthfeel.
Dark Revolution ~ Fat Hops 5.4% DDH Pale Ale
Fat Hops by Dark Revolution is a Double Dry Hopped Pale Ale with a 5.4% ABV that offers a vibrant burst of tropical flavours. The beer's aroma is dominated by bright citrus notes, with prominent grapefruit and lemon. On the palate, it delivers a juicy combination of tropical fruits, including pineapple and mango, balanced by a mild bitterness. The wheat and oats in the malt bill contribute to a silky mouthfeel, while the dextrin adds a touch of sweetness to balance the hop bitterness.
Interesting Fact: The use of both hot side and cold side hopping techniques in Fat Hops exemplifies modern brewing practices designed to maximize hop aroma and flavour. This method ensures that the beer’s hoppy characteristics are pronounced and fresh, showcasing the versatility of hops like Citra and Idaho 7.
Pairing Suggestions: This Pale Ale is ideal for pairing with spicy dishes such as Thai green curry or a zesty fish taco. The tropical fruit flavours will complement the heat, while the beer’s mild bitterness helps cut through rich, spicy flavours. For a simpler option, try it with a sharp cheddar cheese to balance the beer’s hoppy bitterness.
Pentrich ~ Louder Than Bombs 4.5% Pale Ale
Pentrich's Louder Than Bombs is a 4.5% ABV Pale Ale that shines with its vibrant hop character. Brewed with Citra and Vista hops, this beer offers a delightful mix of citrus and tropical fruit flavours. The Citra hops contribute notes of bright citrus and light tropical fruit, while the Vista hops add a unique touch of honeydew melon and pear. The result is a well-rounded Pale Ale with a juicy and refreshing profile, supported by a light malt backbone.
Interesting Fact: Vista hops are known for their distinct melon and pear flavours, which complement the citrus notes of Citra hops in this Pale Ale. This blend highlights how different hop varieties can be combined to create complex and appealing flavour profiles.
Pairing Suggestions: Louder Than Bombs pairs well with dishes that highlight fruity and citrus elements. Try it with a fresh summer salad with honeydew melon and a citrus vinaigrette or a light seafood dish such as shrimp scampi. The beer’s fruit-forward profile enhances the flavours of these dishes, creating a refreshing and balanced meal.
Full Circle ~ First Krush 3.9% Session IPA
First Krush by Full Circle is a 3.9% ABV Session IPA that features the recently renamed Krush hop (HBC-586). This session IPA is packed with vibrant tropical flavours, predominantly mango, pineapple, and passionfruit. The beer’s light body and moderate carbonation make it highly drinkable, while its juicy fruit profile ensures a refreshing experience.
Interesting Fact: HBC-586, now known as Krush, is a hop variety celebrated for its exceptional tropical fruit flavours. This hop’s inclusion in First Krush highlights its ability to deliver intense fruit character even in a lower ABV beer, making it a standout choice for session IPAs.
Pairing Suggestions: First Krush pairs well with light and flavourful dishes. Try it with a fresh mango salsa or a grilled shrimp salad. The tropical fruit notes of the beer will enhance the flavours of the dishes, while its light body keeps the pairing refreshing and enjoyable.
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.