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Beer Hawk Discoveries: If you like dark beers It's easy--and delicious--to reach for your favourite beer each time you head out for a quick one. But most of the fun about this vast beery world is discovering new things to try. Join us at Beer Hawk and let's go discover beer together! Photo credit: David Brierly Ohh those dark beers: Deep, bold, luxurious and rich. We can see why you like them! Obviously "dark" doesn't explain how something tastes but if you're reaching for something dark it's probably because you love something a bit fuller-bodied, rich in flavour and possibly not too bitter. Here are some of our favourites that are just that: De Molen Rasputin One of the most highly-rated
It's easy--and delicious--to reach for your favourite beer each time you head out for a quick one. But most of the fun about this vast beery world is discovering new things to try. Join us at Beer Hawk and let's go discover beer together!
Photo credit: David Brierly
Ohh those dark beers: Deep, bold, luxurious and rich. We can see why you like them! Obviously "dark" doesn't explain how something tastes but if you're reaching for something dark it's probably because you love something a bit fuller-bodied, rich in flavour and possibly not too bitter. Here are some of our favourites that are just that:
One of the most highly-rated
One of the most highly-rated Imperial Stouts out there, this intensely lush dark beer from De Molen Brewery in the Netherlands is certainly one of our favourites. It is complex and bold with smoky malts and a light hoppiness. Notes of chocolate, caramel and coffee clamour all over your tongue alongside roasted malts and a boozy hint of whisky. Let's get it on.
Our whole staff loves this delightful milk stout from Colorado's Left Hand Brewing. Having won several gold medals (including Gold at the Great American Beer Festival for Sweet or Cream Stouts) this full-bodied milk stout is smooth and dreamy. Roasted malts, milk chocolate and a heavenly lactose-sweetness make for a wonderfully pleasant drink.
One of the best--and most award-winning--English Porters in the UK, Harviestoun's Old Engine Oil is a beauty. Its thick, black gloopiness lives up to its name but its smooth mouthfeel and notes of bittersweet chocolate will have you savouring this much more than what's under the bonnet. Dark beer lovers, lovers of the porter and just lovers of beer in general, should put this beer on their list of must-haves.
The Nøgne Ø Porter is one of the highest-rated porters in existence. This Norwegian brewery uses a fantastic blend of malts, English ale yeast and American hops to create a porter with swirling notes of cocolate, tart dark fruits and a hint of smoke. A creamy mouthfeel and a full body give dark-beer-lovers everything they ever dreamt of. In a beer.
The weizenbock is a German wheat ale that has been brewed a bit strong or "of bock strength." Its deep brown colour and rich flavours of sultanas and molasses are a lovely complement to the classic banana character found in German wheat beers. Its somewhat crisp finish will appeal to those who love a lighter porter and are looking to try something new.
Must try: Erdinger Pikantus
Dark burgundy and full of complexity, the barleywine is a luxurious style for bold-beer-lovers to enjoy. Expect notes of toffee, dark fruits, plums and boozy dates in this style. The American barleywine tends to feature more hops--they bring in a bit of a brighter character and balancing bitterness--while the English version just lets the beautifully complex malts shine. A full mouthfeel and a long, malty finish are perfect for those who love to grab a beer and sit in front of the fire.
Must try: Anchor Old Foghorn
While the Belgian Quadrupel--or Strong Dark--is, indeed, strong, bold and rich, its Belgian character comes through with its dry, spicy finish. A wealth of flavours--citrus, spice, caramel and intense malts--are nicely balanced. This style is flavourful and bold while still finding a way to be an easy sip.
Must try: St. Bernardus Abt 12
A cousin to the Flander's Red, the Oud Bruin has a sour character that's a bit of a surprise. Yet well-aged versions display deeper malts and a more subtle sourness. A bit fruity--with notes of figs, dates or black cherries--this style would appeal to those who love complex beers. The Oud Bruin is sweet and, at times, has a bit of a sherry-like quality so it would be great for those who don't care for hops.
Must try: Liefmans Goudenband
If you find yourself reading this, it’s probably for one of two reasons. Either you’ve made the sound decision and invested in a Phillips PerfectDraft Machine and want to learn more about it; or it could be that you’re still on the fence and are asking yourself “Should I buy a PerfectDraft?”. Hopefully this nifty little guide will put your mind at ease and quell any doubts or concerns you have.
If you’re not already into craft beer then hopefully you’re thinking about it but may not know where to start, so if that’s the case then I’ve got a suggestion: start with Belgian beer as that’s exactly where my adventure began.
Father’s Day, 16th June 2019, is the special date in the calendar when we celebrate and give a nod to the Dads in our lives. It’s an excuse to spoil them with a little something to say thank you for being awesome. If you’re looking for inspiration for a craft beer -loving Dad, then check out our top 10 Father’s Day craft beer gifts.
In case you missed the explosion of teddy bears and chocolate roses love is apparently in the air. And while you’ve been trying to decide on the perfect Valentine gift for other half this year, we've been busy scouring the shelves for the most tenuous Valentine’s Day-related beers we could find. Enjoy.
Mashing in is the process that extracts all the fermentable sugars from the malt. It's one of the most important steps for all-grain brewing and here's how to do it.
