Left Hand – Milk Stout Nitro

As far as I am aware, there are only two breweries in the world that have been able to produce a bottled nitrogenated stout. Joe Schiraldi of Left Hand Brewing, when asked, stated that the micro-bubbles were inserted into the bottles using tweezers…I’m still not sure I’m convinced of that. What I am convinced by however, is the beer itself. Hard-poured into a suitable glass (Drygate Glasses are available at the shop!) the first thing you’ll notice is the head – sitting atop a stout as black as an abyss is a gorgeous wedge of microfoam that sticks around far longer than you would expect from a bottled beer. The aroma is all about the roasted malts, but with hints of toffee and mocha. An exceptionally smooth mouthfeel is complemented with the taste of roasted malts, toffee, lactose sweetness and a slight bittersweet taste that lingers on the tongue. A truly exceptional stout.

 Wild Beer – Ninkasi

Even by the standards of the Drygate Beer Shop, Ninkasi is an attention grabber. From the beautiful bottle, sealed with candle wax, to the bubbly aroma of apples and hops, the appearance of a fine sparkling wine, due to the second fermentation using champagne yeast (yes, really) to the first lively mouthful, you won’t be able to take your eyes off this beer.

Beavertown – Smog Rocket (Cans)

If allowed, I would go on at some length about how much I love canned beer. From the purely aesthetic value of a better canvas for artwork to the freshness of the pour, I love canned beer.
However, I don’t want to talk about canned beer in general but one incredibly delicious smoked porter by Beavertown Brewery. Smog Rocket pours much like a large espresso with a black body and amber head, letting off an aroma of coffee and woodsmoke while on the mouth, this porter is full bodied, with a slight treacle sweetness. Now if you’ll excuse me, I just made myself thirsty…

And the rest…

Partizan – Lemon & Thyme Saison

Mikkeller – Breakfast Stout

Red Hook – Long Hammer IPA

Brewery Verhaeghe - Duchesse de Bourgogne