676: Loch Lomond Brewery | Bravehop Dark

The brewery: “Loch Lomond Brewery started life in our kitchen in Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond. A desire to brew beer and create a family business that would allow the whole family to get involved we started in 2011 in Alexandria…….Now brewing from a state of the art 35hl brewery in 12,000 sq feet of space near Dumbarton and canning in-house we have an ever evolving beer range where there is certainly something for everyone.”

The beer: “Black IPA - Aromas of marmalade and pine lead to roast and spice flavours followed by a bittersweet finish.”

The last from the recent Lidl beer festival, this worked quite well for me. Potent stuff at 6% A.B.V. October 2020.

675: Drygate Brewing Co. | Coco Noco

The brewery: “Drygate Brewing Co have been making beer in the historic heart of Glasgow since 2014. We brew with open doors and open minds; we believe good beer can come from anywhere, and anyone.
Collaboration with our community is at our core; we love showcasing creators of beer, food, art, design, music, comedy, poetry, and more.”

The beer: “This smooth as silk sable stout packs dark malts, oats, wheat, cacao, coffee beans, mile sugar and vanilla. Flavours of bittersweet chocolate ganache, caramel latte, and toasted marshmallow now come with the fragrant and warming character of coconut in this twist on our core range classic.”

Another from the Lidl beer festival and along the lines of the previous entry. It didn’t endear itself to my awkward palate as much as that but still and enjoyable slurp and quite strong at 6% A.B.V.

October 2020.

674: Williams Bros. Brewing Co. | Chokka Blokka

The brewery: “Williams Bros. Brewing Co. is located in Alloa, Clackmannanshire and is set in the old George Younger’s bottling hall in Kelliebank……..Our first commercial brews of 'Scotland's Original Craft Beer' were at a 5-barrel brewery in Taynult near Oban on the West Coast. Here we were able to brew just enough to supply cask conditioned Fraoch to 5 premises, including the Clachaig in Glencoe, which to this day remains our most loyal and enduring customer.”

The beer: “This Mayan inspired brew is a mocha lover’s delight: a blend of ethically sourced coffees from around the world combine with toasted cacao nibs to deliver an intense stout for the ages. Chokk-a-blokk with notes of roast coffee and a nice dark chocolatey finish, this well balanced stout is loaded with oats for a full creamy texture. Extra bonus is it is also lactose free & 100% vegan friendly.”

The first of three from the recent Lidl beer festival and a chance to try another from Williams Bros after the Talking Head A.P.A which was most definitely not to my taste.

This however was, in fact it was superb, almost like cake in a tin. Beautifully rich and creamy and one I would most certainly drink again. 4.8% A.B.V.

October 2020. Related entries

673: Wood’s | Ebony

The brewery: “Almost forty years ago The Wood Brewery was founded by the Wood family in the former stables of the Plough Inn, in the South Shropshire village of Wistanstow…….Wood’s has been at the forefront of Shropshire brewing since then and continues to be after it was taken over by new owners in 2018. The new owners have worked with the existing team to make a range of impactful and progressive changes to the brewing process and quality control, to ensure that Wood’s beer is of the highest possible quality. “

The beer: “This stout is filled with deep hop aromas with roast coffee notes and sumptuous dark chocolate flavours.”

Like the previous entry this was procured by a friend and though it may be short on description it was full of flavour, though of the two I preferred the Porter - just. As it says on the bottle, rich and smooth but not too strong either. October 2020.

672: Hop & Stagger Brewery | Bridgnorth Porter

The brewery: “Welcome to the Hop & Stagger Brewery. We are a small independent brewery located in the rural heart of central England. Brewing a range of hand crafted ales that reflect the wonderful traditions of brewing in the UK. Brewing since 2011 we are proud to brew beers that can be enjoyed at home or in the convivial and friendly atmosphere of a local near you.”

The beer: “A beautifully balanced dark beer with complex layers of taste that gives your taste buds hints of chocolate with some dark fruit notes coming through alongside the suggestion of caramel. All of that sweetness is then perfectly balanced by the hops that deliver citrus and spice. Don’t chill this one but try it with some rich chocolate cake or a fine stilton. If that doesn’t hit the spot then marinade some stewing beef overnight with it and pour it into a beef casserole, you won’t regret it.”

Huge thanks to a friend who picked this up for me whilst staying in the area - particularly because it was oh so yum. I served it at room temperature as recommended, although sadly no with any of the suggested accompaniments. It was superb; rich, dark and warming and at 5% A.B.V not too strong to have another. Or two. October 2020.

671: Old Dairy Brewery | Blue Top

The brewery: “Our story began early in 2010, when the brewery was set up in an old milking parlour deep in the Kent countryside. The Old Dairy Brewery was an immediate success, building a loyal fan base among ale enthusiasts who appreciated our finely crafted recipes, locally sourced ingredients and interesting variety of beer styles.  Our beers are brewed with hops grown locally by Hukins Hops – just 3 miles away! We soon outgrew the milking parlour and in mid 2014 built a new brewery inside two World War II Nissen buildings just off the High Street in Tenterden, Kent. Not for nothing is this pretty market town known as the ‘Jewel in the Weald’, and our brewery enjoys beautiful views over the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside.”

The beer: “Inspired by the famous India Pale Ales brewed in the 18th century, Blue Top delivers a satisfying bitterness smoothly balanced with caramel flavours from the Crystal and Maris Otter malts, finished with a refreshing hint of citrus from East Kent Golding, Challenger and Fuggle hops. Ideal with a curry or other spicy dishes.“

The Old Dairy brewery is located just behind the Kent & East Sussex Railway and my visit there in September on a beautiful autumn day provided the perfect opportunity to procure some research samples. See blog post.

I really must work on my food pairings - particularly when spicy dishes are recommended. This tasted just fine on it’s own though, not overly fruity but just enough. The last of the my sample of beers from the Old Dairy but I hope to get to try some more soon. 4.8% A.B.V. September 2020. Related entries

670: Old Dairy Brewery | Gold Top

The brewery: “Our story began early in 2010, when the brewery was set up in an old milking parlour deep in the Kent countryside. The Old Dairy Brewery was an immediate success, building a loyal fan base among ale enthusiasts who appreciated our finely crafted recipes, locally sourced ingredients and interesting variety of beer styles.  Our beers are brewed with hops grown locally by Hukins Hops – just 3 miles away! We soon outgrew the milking parlour and in mid 2014 built a new brewery inside two World War II Nissen buildings just off the High Street in Tenterden, Kent. Not for nothing is this pretty market town known as the ‘Jewel in the Weald’, and our brewery enjoys beautiful views over the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside.”

The beer: “superb golden pale ale which combines Maris Otter with Munich and Carapils malts, normally used in the finest continental lager. Add East Kent Goldings, Cascade and Fuggle hops and the result is a refreshing ‘anytime’ beer with good body, caramelised undertones and a distinctly gold colour. Perfect with fish and spicy food.”

The Old Dairy brewery is located just behind the Kent & East Sussex Railway and my visit there in September on a beautiful autumn day provided the perfect opportunity to procure some research samples. See blog post.

Not my favourite style of beer but it was very refreshing - a good summers’ ale - and would happily drink again - hopefully this time with something spicy as recommended! 4.3% A.B.V. September 2020. Related entries