Posted on 21/01/21
Buxton’s Coward, a DEYA bitter and a new passion fruit weisse from sour kings Pastore. It can only be one thing!
That’s right. It’s my round up of the best new beers out there this week.
Buxton’s Coward 2021 is finally here!
This epic stout has already built one hell of a rep for itself, and I’m delighted to report the 2021 edition once again exceeds the hype. Bags of peanut butter and biscuit; thick, rich and delicious. My only minor quibble is it’s a 330ml… but then at 11%, maybe that’s a good thing?!
Dark beer number 2 this week is a toss up between two new DEYA beauties… and the winner will likely depend on how adventurous you are. Let’s go with DEYA’s Alright Mate Stout to begin with. A stout de triumph, this is rich, roasty, syrupy AND nutty… in short, it’s got it all.
But then, as well as the above, DEYA have come out with Best Foot Forward Best Bitter. This is more unusual and (you might say) more exciting. Bitter is making a comeback… and bitters like this explain why.
Getting tired of the deluge of big, juicy hop bombs? Well, DEYA’s new Show Nuff IPA kicks things on. Citra, Idaho 7 and Ekuanot make up this lychee, pineapple and squishy fruit cocktail, but a sticky mix of rye and light caramel malt make for an amber glow and an interesting twist.
Where Show Nuff brings a fresh twist to the traditional juicy hop monster, DEYA’s new Write That Down IPA is more down-the-line. Here you’ve got a juicy IPA with a soft mouthfeel. Dry hopped with Centennial, Galaxy, Mosaic and Riwaka, it’s a classic.
For those unaware, Trolltunga is a freaky wild cliff that juts out 700 metres above Norway’s lake Ringedalsvatnet (Google it, it’s bonkers). As if to highlight the cliff’s severity, Buxton’s Trolltunga Gooseberry Sour IPA got an upgrade this week to 440ml cans, making a tried and tested Goseberry sour great even more alluring. Dare you tread to the very edge?!
7. Pastore Brewing – Passion Fruit Waterbeach WeissePastore’s Passion Fruit Waterbeach Weisse is the other outstanding sour I want to highlight this week. With 200 g/l of passion fruit puree in the mix, this is a tropical solero sour from a sour specialist that knows what’s what. |
As always in the craft beer world, the above beers really are just the tip of the iceberg.
There’s loads of bonkers barrel-aged dark stuff coming out right now, including Maltgarden’s Gate Nr. 4/2020 Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels Aged Imperial Stout and, more left field, Buxton’s Single Barrel Rye Whisky Barrel Aged Rain Shadow Rye 2020. Kees joined in the fun too, with their Caramel Fudge Stout BA Jack Daniels Edition.
As you’d expect at this point in winter, brewers continue to favour heavy dark releases. Frau Gruber Brewery’s Macaroon Imperial Stout is pumped with 500kg of Coconut from the Philippines. Kees Brewery & Frontaal’s Pindakees Caramel Peanut Butter Sundae Stout is actually a gem for those into big darks but with work the next day – OK, it’s 10%, but at least it’s only a 330ml!
I can’t stop myself from mentioning another magnificent Maltgarden this week… Iceman Interview Chocolate Ice Cream Imperial Stout is a brilliant brew.
Finally, Buxton’s Rudenko Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine is something different to explore. You don’t see many of these around – grab one while you can.
Hope you get to try some of these epic new brews this week. Happy drinking & stay safe out there in the wild!
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