Waen Snowball – Indulgence in a Glass from Wales

Some beers arrive quietly. Others arrive with a sense of decadence before you’ve even lifted the glass.

Snowball from Waen Brewery firmly belongs to the latter.

The Beer: Dessert Disguised as a Stout

At 7.0% ABV, Snowball sits comfortably in that rich, warming territory where stout begins to blur into indulgence.

But this is no ordinary stout.

Brewed with chocolate, vanilla, and coconut, Snowball leans unapologetically into dessert territory, more akin to a liquid confection than a traditional dark ale.

Think of it less as a pint and more as an experience:

Chocolate provides depth and familiarity
Vanilla smoothing and sweetening the body
Coconut lifting everything with a soft, exotic edge

There’s even a lingering suggestion, depending on interpretation, of that nostalgic winter drink, the 'snowball' cocktail, with its creamy, slightly festive character.

The Brewery: Innovation from Mid Wales

Waen Brewery was founded in 2009 by Sue Hayward and John Martin in Llanidloes, Powys. It quickly developed a reputation for inventive beers and award-winning experimentation.

Snowball itself reflects that ethos perfectly:

Bold flavour combinations
A willingness to step outside stylistic norms
A clear sense of fun in brewing

The brewery’s success in competitions, particularly SIBA awards, cements its place among the more creative UK craft producers of its time.

Style and Character: Sweet, Rich, and Slightly Playful

Snowball sits within the English stout tradition, but only loosely.

Where traditional stouts might emphasise roast, bitterness, and dryness, Snowball pushes in the opposite direction:

Sweeter rather than bitter-led
Creamy rather than sharp
Aromatic rather than restrained

This is a stout that invites slow drinking. It’s not built for sessionability, it’s built for moments.

A Beer That Made Its Mark

Despite its niche flavour profile, Snowball was no novelty act.

It achieved recognition in competition, including selection for national finals following regional success, an indication that its boldness translated into quality as well as curiosity.

Though now considered a retired or hard-to-find beer, it remains part of the brewery’s legacy, one of those cult favourites that people remember long after the cask is gone.

Final Thoughts

Snowball is not a beer for everyone, and it never tried to be.

It is rich, sweet, and deliberately indulgent. A stout that trades restraint for personality, and tradition for creativity.

From Waen Brewery, it stands as a reminder that beer can be playful without losing its craft. That sometimes the most memorable pints are the ones that feel slightly excessive.

And if ever there was a beer designed for cold nights, slow sipping, and a touch of nostalgia,

This is it.

Comments

Wychwood Dirty Tackle: Witney Brewing with a Playful Edge

Some breweries build their reputation on tradition, others on innovation. Wychwood Brewery has managed to do both, rooting itself in centuries of local brewing while embracing imagination, storytelling, and a distinctly modern sense of identity. Tucked away behind the main street of Witney , in the heart of the Cotswolds , Wychwood is a brewery that understands the importance of place and how to bring it to life. Witney: Bread, Blankets, and Beer Witney has long been associated with its 'three Bs,' bread, blankets, and beer . For centuries, the town thrived as a centre of blanket-making, powered by the River Windrush, while brewing developed alongside it as an essential part of daily life. Beer here was not simply a luxury, it was woven into the fabric of the town. Inns, taverns, and small breweries served both locals and travellers passing through the Cotswolds, establishing a tradition that continues to this day. Wychwood Brewery stands firmly within that lineage, car...

Brew It Yourself Launch Loyalty Scheme for Home Brewers

For anyone passionate about home brewing, there’s now even more reason to get the kettle on. Brew It Yourself has introduced a new customer loyalty scheme , rewarding brewers for doing what they already love, making great beer. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your latest recipe, this scheme adds a welcome incentive. And who knows, your next batch might just be an award winner. How the Loyalty Scheme Works The idea is simple, the more you brew, the more you save . You’re automatically enrolled, no registration required Points are added to your account every time you place an order You can check your balance anytime by logging into your account Each loyalty point is worth 1p , and once you reach 500 points (£5) or more, you can convert them into a discount code to use on future purchases. At checkout, you’ll see a ' Customer Loyalty Points' section where you can generate your code. You don’t have to spend them straight away either, points c...

A Revival in a Glass: Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild

Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild is a rare and fascinating example of a strong mild ale , weighing in at a robust 6.0% ABV and brewed to a pre–World War I recipe . Before the Great War, strong milds were not unusual; they were the norm. In fact, mild ales were traditionally brewed in four strengths , ranging from around 5.5% to 7% ABV , often обозначated by 'X' markings, with ' XXXX' representing the strongest. However, wartime grain shortages forced brewers to adapt, and weaker milds gradually replaced their stronger counterparts. What we drink today as 'mild' is often a shadow of that earlier, more powerful tradition, making Dark Ruby something of a historical survivor. Black Country Heritage: Sarah Hughes Brewery and Its Sedgley Home Sarah Hughes Brewery is a historic, family-run brewery based in the village of Sedgley , in the heart of the Black Country . Brewing takes place behind the renowned The Beacon Hotel , a traditional pub that has become somethin...

Hop, Clip, & Pump

Search This Blog