The Ale Archive

The brewery: "Our story began in 1851 when founder Walter Hicks mortgaged his farm for £1,500 to set up a new family business in St Austell.....Walter started out as a modest wine merchant and maltster before buying the local Seven Stars Inn in 1863. Nestled on East Hill in St Austell, it was here where he learned the art of brewing. The business rapidly outgrew its original site, leading to relocation on Tregonissey Lane in 1893, where St Austell Brewery remains to this day. There have been many alterations and improvements over the years, but the essential brewhouse of 1893 still sits firmly at the heart of it all." The beer: "The spirit of independence and strength is what unites the people of Cornwall and the pint of Cornwall. Tribute – from the proudly Cornish and independent family brewery of over 150 years – is a tribute to these people, their spirit, and their unique approach to life."

The brewery: "Sprig + Fern Brewing Co. is an acclaimed brewery based on Beach Road, Richmond, in the Tasman district of New Zealand." The beer: "This velvety dark ale brings tantalising layers of chocolate, coffee and liquorice together in a rich, full-bodied and classically elegant way. For the ultimate flavour and finish, let it warm to 6-8°C." January 2024. 5.0% A.B.V.

The brewery: "Coopers is a brewing family. Its in our blood. For six generations we've been custodians of a proud legacy that began in 1862 when Thomas Cooper brewed his first batch of ale. Our passion for brewing has kept us together and helped us through economic recessions, wars, government imposts, changing tastes, and the occasional hostile takeover bid." The beer: "Now here's a beer with punch. Coopers Best Extra Stout is a beacon for lovers of a hearty brew. With its robust blend of fruit and chocolate flavours and bitter hop notes, it's everything a stout should be. An all malt brew that's naturally conditioned in the bottle, Coopers Best Extra Stout's unique rich, dark texture comes from our liberal use of specially roasted black malt. No additives. No preservatives." December 2023. 6.2% A.B.V

The brewery: " Breweries big and small regularly win international awards, and Kiwi beer lovers are spoilt for choice. This wasn’t the case in 1981. Back then, the word craft was only used was to describe the crocheted socks your nana churned out for the church fair. Then, in 1981, a man called Terry changed all that. He was a publican, and didn’t think much of the beer he could get for his pub, so he thought: ‘What if I brewed some myself?’. No-one had applied for a brewing license for 50 years, and no-one could even remember what forms you had to fill out. But he persevered, and he got his forms, and he got his license, and he brewed his beer, and what he brewed was Mac’s." The beer: "Black Mac is a smooth Porter with hints of caramel, liquorice & chocolate. Earnestly made from a combo of 5 different malts, topped with Fuggle hops. Black Mac swims with dark undercurrents of caramel, liquorice and chocolate, topped off with the unique aroma of the Fuggles. Yes, they...

The brewery: " Emerson’s Brewery was founded by Richard Emerson in 1992. A Dunedin institution offering a vibrant atmosphere and outdoor beer garden, matched with delicious craft beer and a menu that caters for all tastes." The beer: " Porter is the oldest commercially brewed style and London Porter was Emerson’s first beer. Dark, dry and mellow with some hoppy characteristics, pours a deep brown colour with reddish tints. The aroma is toasty, with a hint of sweetness and some earthy hop notes. Firm-bodied but not heavy, with a creamy texture, the dryish palate is full of roasted malt, coffeeish notes and a sustained bitterness." January 2024

The brewery: "1876 - James Speight, Charles Greenslade and William Dawson hand in their notices at Well Park Brewery to establish their own brewery in Dunedin’s Rattray St. Dawson is the brewer, Greenslade the maltster and Speight the businessman." The beer: "5 malt old dark was introduced into the Speight's range in 1992 to meet consumer demands for the classic 'dark' beer. No prizes for guessing why it got its name. By carefully selecting, roasting and matching 5 separate malts we have crafted a dark beer that gives rich, creamy, chocolate fudge flavours swiftly followed by coffee overtones. Perfect for warming the cockles on a stormy night."

The brewery:  "Moa Brewing Company is an independent, family owned and multi-award winning brewery from Marlborough, New Zealand.......Founded in 2003, Moa is one of the pioneers of craft beer in NZ and continue to produce a broad range of beers and ciders from the original brew site on Jackson’s Road, just outside of Blenheim." The beer: "Moa Imperial Stout is a very strong, upfront and rich beer hopped to over 100 IBUs. Aged with French oak, this beer not only displays coffee, mocha and smoked cedar characters but also some sweet and savoury notes unique to Moa Imperial Stout. A great beer to cellar and age." January 2024. 10.2% A.B.V