Posted on 24/09/21
Oli Meade
I’ve had one or two people asking about our Craft Beer Advent Calendar this week. In September!
I’m glad you’re as excited about it as I am. And trust me, I’ll be releasing more details soon – sign up to our newsletter for updates.
For now though, I want to discuss the beers that got my attention this week. Starting with something from everyone’s favourite Cornish juice factory…
I know you know Verdant, but how many of their famously juicy beers are you yet to try?!
Cause we’ve just taken in a whole load of their most popular stuff, including Gus, Citra-laden Fruit Car and creamy Uncertainty.
But the one I’ve really enjoyed this week is new Roy, which is a murky thick orange juice pale with pulpy bits and chewy sediment all floating around – it’s glorious – check it out!
Much more out there is the stuff from Unbarred, including their new Honeycomb Milkshake Pale Ale.
Complete with real Brighton & Hove honey, vanilla and lactose, it’s creamy, it’s delicately sweet, and it’s best enjoyed slowly in the last of this summer’s sun.
Finally on the hop front – Newtown Park!
This name keeps coming up, and people are rightly going mad for the their soft, sticky and tropical Everything You Can Imagine Is Real IPA this week.
In fact, there are just 5 left in stock as I write.
If you want to get in on this newbie, make sure you’re quick!
Cascade are in the house!
You can’t go wrong with any of this sour merchant’s sophisticated drops, but I myself am loving Northwest Flanders.
It’s two sour red ales, aged for over two years in oak barrels and foudres, blended. Chock-full of plum, raisin, fig and spice with hints of oak and roasted malt.
Cocoa Cardamom is just as good!
The arrival of autumn means hedgerow berries, and Yonder’s Hedge Space Quadruple Berry Hedgerow Sour takes full advantage.
Blackberries, elderberries, rosehips and sloes make for a sweet, tart and fragrant sour – that’s super limited! Currently only 6 left in stock.
Although our popular Oktoberfest boxes are sold out, don’t despair – because Anspach & Hobday’s ace Oktoberfest selection is back for 2021!
There’s a Marzen-style sweet Festbier, a Bavarian Hefeweizen and a Leipzig Gose on offer, but worth a look for sure is the dark, rich and smoky Rauchbier.
Such good value too – less than £4 a can!
The nights are drawing in. Which means darks are back!
Omnipollo’s Lorelei 2021 Toasted Coconut Maple Imperial Porter leads the pack by miles as always.
Previous Lorelei versions have been close to perfection. And this year, Omnipollo have dialled up the both the coconut and the maple even more.
A bold move… but one that’s paid off. This really is exceptional brewing.
Siren’s Imperial Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout is much more fun, and the can art itself makes this a worthwhile pick.
But don’t get me wrong – this is packed with substance.
Mulato & Poblano chillies, cocoa nibs, cinnamon and vanilla combine to create a thick, fiery stout with a rich dark chocolate finish.
Finally, Brew York’s Live And Let Pie Banoffee Pie Milk Stout is their usual fun dessert stout.
Some have started to suggest a beer should taste like a beer. This isn’t for them.
Instead of beer, think foam bananas. And liquid toffee. Swirled with creamy milk chocolate.
To my mind, there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you’re in for Oktoberfest, dive into the extensive German & Czech range, including new Ayinger Bairisch Pils and Jahrhundert Bier.
Newtown Park’s All Day Long Table Beer might not be Bavarian, but it’s a taste explosion at 3% – you’ll be thankful to have it on hand!
Newtown Park are also behind this week’s best West Coast Pale in It Comes In Waves. Did I mention this is £2.95 a can?!
Ending on the dark front, Yonder’s Ritual Union Caramel Frappé Breakfast Stout is not to be missed.
And Brew York’s Kaya Milk Stout is interesting – a stout based on the Malaysian snack of coconut jam and tropical Pandan in toast, dipped in coffee. Check it out!
As always, I hope you get to enjoy some of these wicked new beers this week.
Happy drinking!
Oli
(The founder)
Step 1
We trawl the globe tasting great beer
