Hop, Clip, & Pump

 Some beers whisper. Others linger. And then there are beers like Ratsputin ,  dark, commanding, and impossible to ignore. From Ossett Brewery , this is a stout that leans fully into its name: rich, enigmatic, and carrying a certain weight of presence that feels almost historical. The Name: Myth, Madness, and Influence Named after Grigori Rasputin , the infamous Russian mystic, the beer borrows more than just a title. Rasputin was a figure of contradiction, both revered and reviled, powerful yet elusive, and this stout reflects that same sense of duality. It is bold without being overwhelming. Complex without becoming chaotic. A beer that holds its ground. First Impressions: Dark, Deep, and Inviting In the glass, Ratsputin is everything you want from a stout. Deep black, almost opaque, with a soft, creamy head that sits neatly on top. There’s a quiet confidence to its appearance, no theatrics, just depth. The aroma follows suit. Roasted malt rises first, followed by...

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 Marti...

Titanic Brewery is well known for its strong reputation in stout production. Over the years, the brewery has earned numerous awards for its interpretation of a traditional dry stout, while also experimenting with sweeter, more indulgent variations. At 4.5% ABV, this stout sits in a comfortable middle ground, neither too heavy nor too light, making it accessible while still offering depth and complexity. Brewing the Body: Malt, Roast Barley, and Hops The foundation of this stout is built on a carefully selected malt bill. It is brewed using roast barley and Maris Otter pale malt , both of which contribute significantly to its rich, full-bodied character. To balance the malt sweetness, a generous addition of English North Down hops introduces a firm bitter edge. This creates a contrast between roasted depth and hop-driven sharpness, giving the beer structure and bite. The Sweet Twist: Chocolate and Madagascan Vanilla What sets this stout apart is its distinctive flavouring. Alo...

I’ll admit it, I didn’t get the connection at first. Standing at the bar, pint in hand, turning the name over in my mind,  Stardust Stout . It felt evocative, certainly. Suggestive of something magical, perhaps even whimsical. But what did it actually mean ? It turns out, as is often the case, the answer lies somewhere slightly unexpected, in this instance, a film. Salamander Brewing Co.: A Northern Curiosity Tucked away in the north of England, Salamander Brewing Co. has built a quiet but distinctive reputation among real ale drinkers for doing things just a little differently. Known for its imaginative beer names and a willingness to experiment with flavour while still respecting traditional brewing methods, the brewery occupies that intriguing middle ground between classic British cask ale and more adventurous craft influences. Drawing on quality ingredients and a strong sense of identity, Salamander’s beers often reflect both their regional roots and a slightly eccentric...

Some beers arrive with names that intrigue before the first sip is even taken. Bête Noire,  French for 'black beast,' suggests something difficult, perhaps even unwelcome. A nuisance. A challenge. Something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Yet the reality, as brewed by Kelham Island Brewery , is quite the opposite. A Name with Teeth The phrase bête noire carries weight. It speaks of irritation, of something persistently troublesome, a personal adversary. It’s an unusual choice for a beer name, particularly one accompanied by a unicorn on the pump clip, a creature more often associated with lightness and myth than menace. Perhaps the name reflects the brewing process itself, an ale that proved difficult to perfect. Or perhaps it’s simply a piece of playful contradiction, a nod to the long tradition of evocative, sometimes ironic naming in British brewing. Whatever the intention, the beer that emerges is far removed from anything troublesome. A Dark Ale with a Gentle N...