TRIPEL KARMELIET

BEER REVIEW: 384

BREWER: Brouwerj Bosteels, East Flanders, Belgium

STYLE: Tripel

ABV: 8.4%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 14th February 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

Tripel Karmeliet is a solid but somewhat average Belgian tripel, delivering a familiar profile without pushing any boundaries.

Pleasant banana esters are present on the nose, although they not particularly complex. This is potentially one of the most interesting aspects of this beer. I have to say, banana and beers don’t often mix well together but on this occasion the nose kind of works.

The taste leans heavily on floral notes, which may appeal to some but feels a bit excessive for my preference. While it’s smooth and easy to drink for its ABV, it lacks depth and complexity, making it somewhat forgettable compared to other tripels.

Overall, Tripel Karmeliet does the job, but it doesn’t stand out. While its floral profile might win over some drinkers, I found it a bit overpowering. The balance and drinkability are its strong suits, but it doesn’t quite reach the complexity that makes for a truly exceptional tripel.

Sammy’s Rating: 62%

JYMI SAY’S…

You kinda know when you embark on a Belgian that you’re gonna get a solid brew in you, though of course they’re not always belters, but very rarely do you get a bad Belge.

TK falls into the not a belter but OK bracket.

But let’s start on a huge positive. The nose is spectacular, quite subtle but spectacular, nonetheless. This does lure you into thinking the beer is going to be spectacular also, so ultimately from the whiff, disappointment is only just around the corner. For a whopping 8.4%er TKs body is oddly thin and for me the beer is also over carbonated. These two things without doubt lower the flavour intensity resulting in the yeah not bad but mind drift. There is a bananaesqe mouthfeel and flavour to this tripel as well as all of your usual characteristics from the Belgian yeast.

When all is said and done, though TK is perfectly drinkable, there are way better Trips out there so I would go search them out if I were you rather than taking on board this unfortunately pretty average brew.

Jymi’s Rating: 64%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 63%

MOB review next weekend: GUNNERS GOLD by LOOSE CANNON BREWERY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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URGE TO MERGE

BEER REVIEW: 383

BREWER: Queer Brewing, East London, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 7th February 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

This beer has a strong concept and purpose. Coming from Queer Brewing, it is rooted in supporting and championing LGBTQ+ communities. In this case, Urge to Merge is drawing attention to lesbians and this is well developed in the concept.

Urge to Merge offers a light, refreshing profile dominated by grapefruit and cut grass flavours. It’s straightforward and crisp, making it an enjoyable beer, though it lacks the complexity some may crave. Easy to sip, this beer strikes a nice balance between lightness and hops, making it suitable for a casual drink or pairing with pizza.

While this beer is not a stand out great, it is very enjoyable and one that I’d have time and again. It doesn’t particularly excel in any area but it does tick many boxes and before you know it, you’ve got to the bottom of your glass.

Sammy’s Rating: 73%

JYMI SAY’S…

I’m just going to mention a couple of negatives before I get the actual review of the beer itself underway (don’t worry, ultimately this is a cracker)…

As much as I love, and get, the tin art, I don’t actually like it very much (that makes perfect sense right??). Look, the concept and idea are sound. And once the creators had settled on this idea then the can was only ever going to look this way. My trouble with it is that, although it certainly stands out, I’m not too sure it looks all that appealing? Well, it certainly didn’t to me anyway.

Also, UTM pours very uncarbonated. Is this intentional? I honestly don’t know. But once in the glass I did worry that this could be a bad one due to the lack of any fizz.

I didn’t need to worry. Though I do think a little dial up on the bubbles could elevate this brew, I also think it’s an absolutely cracking drop. So complex without scrambling the ol’ brain. Let me explain…

UTM starts off with a soft element of coconut in the taste as well as giving it an ever so slightly creamy texture. A touch of lime also comes along cutting through the coconut and working its way in to perfectly balance this brew. The slight bitterness at the end rounds things off very nicely indeed. But it’s not until the aftertaste that Urge to Merge really lifts off. There are waves of again coconut and lime but other citrus fruits too just ebbing and flowing, coming and going, developing and fading in and out, dancing the tango on the tongue.

A very interesting and well brewed beer indeed. Hat’s off from Jymi.

Jymi’s Rating: 83%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78%

MOB review next weekend: TRIPEL KARMELIET by BROUWERJ BOSTEELS

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LIFE & DEATH

BEER REVIEW: 382

BREWER: Vocation, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 31st January 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

I really do like Life And Death. As a readily available, mass produced ‘craft’ beer, it does better than many of it competitors. It achieves something unique where they fail.

This brew strikes an excellent balance between sweetness and bitterness, with a solid bitter start and finish. Notes of grapefruit and lime pop throughout, adding a bright, zesty character that keeps things interesting from the first sip to the last.

While it might not break new ground, Life After Death nails the fundamentals of a quality IPA. Exceptionally easy to drink, this beer flows smoothly and leaves you reaching for another without hesitation. Its approachable flavour profile makes it dangerously sippable.

All of this is enhanced by strong, eye-catching packaging that aligns well with the beer’s bold but balanced character.

Life After Death is a great go-to beer for any occasion. It’s versatile, satisfying, and dangerously easy to drink, making it ideal as a fridge staple. Whether you’re enjoying it solo or sharing with friends, this IPA delivers reliable quality in every sip. Just keep an eye on how many you’ve had—its easy-drinking nature, paired with a relatively high ABV, can catch you off guard if you’re not careful.

Sammy’s Rating: 81%

JYMI SAY’S…

I’m going to open with a statement folks. And it’s a rather large one.

In my opinion, this is the best value for money brew in the UK right now.

Is it the best? No

Is it the cheapest? No

But it is very very good indeed and is not at all expensive. In fact the tin I supped on for today’s review cost me just £1.63. Life & Death also weighs in at a fairly hefty 6.5% so you are getting some serious bang for your buck here. It’s almost the ultimate fridge filler but to label it as such almost detracts from how good this beer actually is.

Before even taking a sip you know you’re almost certainly onto a winner. The packaging is strong, the look in glass is great and the nose is SUBLIME. Putting out a tropical air for one’s hooter to hoover.

Upon sip the tropical delight continues with a fantastic explosion of stone fruit juiciness. This then develops into a medium bitter pine aftertaste and then onto a lovely almost slightly dry finish.

Some craft beer can be outrageously expensive. I fully understand why that is. But when you’re sometimes not getting much change out of £20 for 3 cans it really can be a wallet breaker.

So, when a beer of this quality comes along at such an affordable price you have to buy it… ALL.

Jymi’s Rating: 84%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 82.5 %

MOB review next weekend: URGE TO MERGE by QUEER BREWING

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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PRIME TIME SESSION IPA

BEER REVIEW: 381

BREWER: The Innovative Brewing Co., West London, England

STYLE: Session IPA

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 24th January 2025

JYMI SAY’S…

Good gawd… whatta shocker!

Look, I see what The Innovative Brewing Co have tried to do here. Basically, brew a tasty IPA but containing far fewer calories and carbs than your regular beverage. I get it, I do, but it’s hardly innovative now is it?!

The trouble is when attempting such a feat, you kinda need to make sure the beer you produce is at least half decent. I understand that it would be incredibly tough to brew a showstopper when producing a beer of this ilk, but come on, half decent is all I ask.

But this brew falls well short of half decent I’m afraid. It’s really poor. From the seaweed nose to the seaweed aftertaste and the total lack of anything body wise in between, it really was a struggle to get this down. There was a glimmer of hoppy flavour in the sip but it didn’t amount to much nor was it particularly pleasant.

The can art and content were also not really doing anything for me, other than cause mild irritation once I realised how bad the beer was. So many statements, that end up kinda meaningless are thrown at us via the little green vessel…

IPA BUT BETTER

BEER BUT BETTER

FOR THOSE WHO DEMAND MORE

FULL FLAVOUR, FULL BODY BEER, WITHOUT THE GUILT

FOLLOW US & BECOME A #PRIMEMATE

BREWED TO THE HIGHEST BRITISH BREWING STANDARDS

I’m sure this isn’t the case but it almost seems like more time went into attempted catchy slogans and statements rather than producing a quality drinkable product.

If the Innovative slogan team got hold of concluding my review it would be a whole lot longer but luckily it’s me in charge of the keys and I can conclude in just one word…

AVOID.

Jymi’s Rating: 12%

SAMMY SAY’S…

“Prime Time” is a misnomer—this beer doesn’t live up to its name. Let’s be clear, it’s far from prime drinking material. It misses the mark, leaving behind an underwhelming impression in almost every department.

The aroma starts with a faint whiff of dank citrus, a fleeting promise of the IPA character you’d hope for. Unfortunately, it feels muddled and lacks the vibrant hop-forward punch typical of the style. There’s something slightly off, leaving the nose feeling incomplete.

While there’s a whisper of hops at the start of the drinking, the flavour quickly fizzles into an unremarkable blandness. The bitterness is muted, the malt profile is barely present, and the finish is flat. It lacks the complexity or body to make any lasting impact, making each sip more forgettable than the last.

Prime Time IPA is, at best, a placeholder on the shelf. It offers little to entice or engage the drinker, with a flat flavour profile and pretty average execution. There are too many great IPAs on the market to waste time on this one. Best left as a forgettable footnote in the IPA world.

Sammy’s Rating: 38%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 25%

MOB review next weekend: LIFE & DEATH by VOCATION

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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BLACK IPA

BEER REVIEW: 380

BREWER: Brazenor’s Brews, Buckinghamshire, England

STYLE: Black IPA

ABV: 5.8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 17th January 2024

SAMMY SAY’S…

While not a showstopper, this Black IPA delivers a decent and enjoyable drinking experience. With a bit more refinement in its flavour profile, it could rise above its current rank. If you’re a fan of bold, bitter brews with a hint of stout character, this beer is defo worth a try.

The aroma immediately evokes stout-like qualities, with rich notes of chocolate and coffee complemented by a faint undertone of burnt oats. It’s a warm and inviting nose, delivering a pleasant first impression.

The bitterness dominates the palate, but as it develops, subtle coffee and chocolate notes emerge, adding some welcome complexity. Unfortunately, the finish leans too acrid, overshadowing the beer’s initial subtleties. A touch more balance—perhaps a creamier or less aggressive hop profile—could elevate its flavour to the next level. But this is the price paid for being a black IPA as opposed to a porter or stout.

Good but not great. I would definitely revisit but it’s not top of my list.

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

JYMI SAY’S…

Ah, the ol’ Black IPA, for me, probably the most curious of beer styles. A stout like IPA. Again, for me, stout and IPA are not really styles that sit particularly close to one another nor ones you would really want to put together. So it’s amazing really that black IPA as a style even made it to the ideas table, let alone the tank and then the gullet. But it did, and although it’s not the most common type of beer out there, it is making somewhat of a resurgence. Why? Well, because if done well a black IPA can be nothing short of spectacular.

Over the years of sampling some, though not that many, with BIPAs I’ve come to realise that I prefer them if they are slightly leaning more towards the stout side of life. Braz’s BIPA sits bang in the middle of the two however. Stoutlike upfront with a more hoppy bitter IPA hit nearer the end. Now as a beer reviewer this is good, as this Bucks brewer has absolutely nailed the style! But just as Jymi the consumer (in both meanings of the word) it is just a bit too bitter and IPA like at the end detracting from the chocolate notes that lead.

As mentioned, the style has been nailed here and this is without doubt a good beer with early meandering tones of chocolate and coffee developing into a hoppy finish with a slight bitter coffee note in the aftertaste.

Putting personal preference aside I think this brew probably would have chalked up a few more marks.

But either way, it’s still a good beer.

Jymi’s Rating: 73%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 71.5%

MOB review next weekend: PRIME TIME SESSION IPA by THE INNOVATIVE BREWING CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025

A OVER T

BEER REVIEW: 379

BREWER: Hogs Back, Surrey, England

STYLE: Barley Wine

ABV: 9%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 11th January 2025

SAMMY SAY’S…

I had high hopes for A Over T, a barley wine that promised sophistication and bold flavours. Sadly, my experience didn’t quite live up to those expectations.

Let us begin with one of the A’ over T’s strongest suits: its presentation. The packaging is top-notch—suave and striking, with a red and black colour scheme that’s as appealing as it is stylish.

The nose offers promise with a rich, sweet scent that hints at what might follow. There’s a pleasing nuttiness and barleyness on the aroma front that continues the promise given by the packaging.

Unfortunately, the drinking is where A Over T falters. It leans too heavily on sweetness, leaving little room for complexity or evolution. It’s one-dimensional, and the initial nutty, sweet barley notes fail to progress into anything memorable. A faint bitter finish tries to round things off but doesn’t do enough to save the palate experience.

A Over T isn’t the worst barley wine I’ve had, but it’s far from the best. It’s a beer that excels in presentation but struggles to deliver where it counts: in the glass.

Sammy’s Rating: 58%

JYMI SAY’S…

First up we have to talk about the name of this 9% Barley Wine. A over T. I mean it is just a work of total genius. A over T stands for Aromas over Tongham, Tongham being the Surrey village where Hogs Back are based. And it’s then when the brewers are conjuring up this brew the aromas over said village would, I’m sure, be delightful. However A over T is also a colloquial English idiom meaning Arse over Tit, which in turn means falling over in a pretty spectacular way… as you almost certainly would if you took too many 9% Barley Wines on board.

So as I said, the name for this beer is just brilliant.

Second up. The packaging. Also, brilliant. So smart. So well presented. From the colours used to the varying fonts to the lay out and abundance of info… they’ve just nailed it.

And so to the beer itself…

A big boy barley is always going to be bring a certain bang to to the beer drinker. The question is always, for me anyway, how will the balance be. Bad Barleys can sometimes be too sweet. There can also, sometimes, not really be enough complexity going on for what should always be a pretty complex beer.

And because of the insanely good name and presentation of A over T, it saddens me to say that this brew is too sweet and not complex enough to excite me.

That’s not to say that it’s a bad beer or nasty to drink, because it’s not. It’s good, just not any better than that. And as mentioned that resulted in disappointment after the prodigious build up.

A over T brings caramel, almond, cherry and blackcurrant in the flavour wave. It’s very rich, very sweet and incredibly cloying up front but this does settle down mid drink to be fair. This eventually progresses to a comforting warm and settling aftertaste. It is complex enough but unfortunately didn’t take me on the journey I was hoping for, but still, one to savour in front of the fire at the end of the night.

And when all is said and done, though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend, I would certainly not want to put you off trying one. It’s good and for you, could well be great.

Jymi’s Rating: 70%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 64%

MOB review next weekend: BLACK IPA by BRAZENOR’S BREWS

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M O B 2025

MARSHMALLOW MOUNTAIN

BEER REVIEW: 378

BREWER: Siren Craft Brew, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Porter

ABV: 5.1%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 3rd January 2025

JYMI SAY’S…

As far as I’m aware, though I cannot confirm as was not present on brew day over in Finchampstead, no marshmallows were harmed in the making of Marshmallow Mountain.

Though from the mouthfeel for this particular porter you would think that there had been a marshmallow massacre over in the small Berkshire town on brew day.

Honestly, the pillowy smooth texture of this beer is just insanely good! And a lovely lovely lovely carrier of the slight chocolate with a good vanilla accompaniment makes for a very good beer indeed!

MMM is a soft warming delight and one I’ll 100% grab again once available.

Jymi’s Rating: 84%

SAMMY SAY’S…

If you were to dream of a marshmallow porter, then it’s likely Marshmallow Mountain would be the ideal scenario. It delivers a cozy, dessert-like experience that’s as comforting as it is indulgent. From the moment you lay eyes on the can to the last sip, it’s a fluffy, marshmallow-filled delight.

From the first whiff, you know you’re in for something special. It smells like a toasty cup of hot chocolate topped with melty marshmallows, underscored by the deep, roasty notes of a classic porter. The aroma alone is a hug in a glass.

Marshmallow Mountain is exactly what it promises in the drinking: marshmallow goodness in liquid form. The flavour is well-balanced, with fluffy marshmallow sweetness melding perfectly with the chocolate and biscuit notes of the porter. It’s rich without being cloying and indulgent without feeling heavy. Every sip is like a dessert experience that doesn’t overwhelm.

Let’s not beat around the bush: the mouthfeel is absolutely sublime. The cloud like, light mouthfeel paired with the perfectly balanced flavour profile makes this an incredibly drinkable porter. Whether sipping by the fire or sharing with friends, this beer shines in every scenario.

Marshmallow Mountain is a standout porter that delivers on all fronts. It’s comforting, creative, and downright delicious. This one’s a banger—perfect for those who love dessert-inspired beers or just want a porter with a twist.

Sammy’s Rating: 95%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 89.5%

MOB review next weekend A OVER T by HOGS BACK BREWERY

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M O B 2025

BAD KITTY

BEER REVIEW: 377

BREWER: Brass Castle Brewery, North Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Vanilla Porter

ABV: 5.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 28th December 2024

JYMI SAY’S…

There have been brews we’ve reviewed before that have been a bit of a journey within a can / bottle.

There have also been brews that you know almost instantly are an absolute winner.

There have also been brews that you know almost instantly are not very good at all.

Bad Kitty, falls into the first in that list. A journey for sure, but I’m not certain in the way it was intended.

And because of this I’m going to have to issue a RAMBLE ALERT*

*the following may have zero cohesion, major grammar errors and contain mainly waffling (‘no change there’, the haters will say, and they would be correct).

As soon as the first sip was swallowed my mind went on the wonk. What just happened there? Tasty for sure and there is some body and some aftertaste but it’s lacking something.

I had no clue what. There was flavour, body and aftertaste. But it was lacking? What was it lacking? This doesn’t make sense.

On the second sip n swallow nothing changed. I actually had to ask myself if I was enjoying it so far. I didn’t know. I was confused. I was searching. I was waffling in my manual beer tasting notes. I was now embarking on sip n swallow 3.

Ah there is some vanilla there. Things were looking up. But I was still waiting for this beer to actually do something. What, I wasn’t sure. But please just do something.

I plodded on. The flavours began to build a little yes, but still I waited for a spark. Something to excite me.

But it didn’t come…

I thought…

Until I’d given up hope and concluded that this was an ok beer, that had something yes but was also lacking a bit of beef (not the flavour you Neanderthal’s). Of what and what I wasn’t sure so threw down the last gulp in one (was actually two gulps as there was more left in the glass than I’d anticipated) but it was in these last two visits that Bad Kitty came out of her shell. Suddenly it was full bodied. Tasty. More vanilla-er-y.

But it was over.

No more to now genuinely enjoy.

It’s hard to score and conclude this one. Would things have been different if there was 60 more ml given to the drinker? Would things have been different if we were allowed to move on to a second tin as part of the reviewing process?

I’m not sure we will ever truly know.

Jymi’s Rating: 63%

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ah, Bad Kitty—a beer that pounces on your palate with promise but leaves you scratching your head by the end. It’s a brew that intrigues, bemuses, and eventually overwhelms, much like a real-life feline with a flair for chaos.

Hints of vanilla and burnt barley give the nose a comforting warmth, like snuggling a cat that’s behaving (for now). Light coffee notes add a welcome complexity.

The opening sip is all drama—vanilla in its boldest, loudest form, purring with sweetness and confidence. It barrels through the flavourscape, but this initial flair overstays its welcome. By the end, it’s like sipping cold hot chocolate—a shadow of the porter notes you might have hoped for, but still undeniably sweet.

It’s easy to drink—at first. But as the vanilla turns from playful to overpowering, you might find yourself sipping less enthusiastically as the sweetness starts to cloy.

At first pour, Bad Kitty is full of promise—a curious creature stalking its prey. The vanilla leads the charge with vigour, supported by burnt barley and subtle coffee, but its strength becomes its downfall. As you drink, the sweetness overwhelms, and what began as a complex flavour journey turns into a one-note experience.

It’s a beer with personality, no doubt, but one that might need a firmer hand to tame its wilder tendencies. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, this might just be your thing—but don’t be surprised if it leaves you scratching your head (or your tongue for that matter).

Sammy’s Rating: 69%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 66%

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL FROM SAMMY & JYMI

X

MOB review next weekend: MARSHMALLOW MOUNTAIN by SIREN CRAFT BREW

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2024

GUINNESS FOREIGN EXTRA

BEER REVIEW: 376

BREWER: Guinness Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 7.5%

VESSEL: 325ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 24th December 2024

SAMMY SAY’S…

This beer strides into the glass like a heavyweight champion, flexing its rich, jet-black body and capped with a creamy tan head that demands respect. It’s Guinness—but louder, stronger, and ready to throw a punch.

From the first sip, it’s a tidal wave of bold roasted malt flavours, amped up to 11. Bitter dark chocolate and espresso notes slug it out on your palate, with a subtle undercurrent of molasses and burnt caramel adding depth. There’s a surprising sweetness buried under the robust bitterness, like a moment of calm in a storm. This beer doesn’t just linger; it camps out, unapologetic and unrelenting.

Guinness Foreign Extra is not a casual sipper; it’s a beer you wrestle with. Each sip is dense, commanding, and unapologetically heavy. One bottle feels like a meal—and it would be a struggle to have another one immediately afterwards.

It’s an unforgettable beer that pushes boundaries. However, its boldness might not be for everyone. Some drinkers will revel in its intensity; others might tap out after a few rounds.

To sum up, this beer is a turbocharged, maxed-out version of a classic stout. It’s Guinness after hitting the gym, doubling its squat PB, and then tossing a keg across the room just to show off. It’s rich, powerful, and demands your full attention.

Not for the faint of heart, but for those who crave boldness, this beer is an unforgettable experience. Drink it slowly, savour it thoroughly, and maybe prepare a nap for afterward—you will have earned it.

Sammy’s Rating: 75%

JYMI SAY’S…

I dunno about you folk, but I massively associate Guinness with Christmas. There was a time, maybe 15 or so years ago, where I would only drink Guinness in during the month of December. And though I will still mainly drink Guinness only in the colder darker months, I have rid myself of such crazy limitations like ONLY IN DECEMBER.

But the nostalgic links between this time of year and the black stuff remain.

But today we do not just have a regular draught Guinness with its famous widget and its smooth, warming and slightly bitter tones.

Nor do we have Guinness Original with its slightly more elegant feel to the draught version. Original isn’t one for a session but more a comfy chair on a slow snowy Sunday arvo.

No, today we have Guinness Foreign Extra. And blimey, whatta hit!

So, take the smoothness from the Draught version. Take the refinement and slightly more intense flavours of the Original version. Dial the ABV up to a ridiculous 7.5% and taaaaadaaaaaa… there you have your Foreign Extra brew!

This thing is an absolute beer bomb of intensity! While clinging on to the clear Guinness roots GFE brings with it big ol’ coffee, chocolate and cherry smacks. It’s bold, it’s rich, it’s lovely… but you would not want to move onto another.

This is your archetypal sip back and savour brew. Long and slow whilst back in that comfy chair. And you know what, after the intense flavour ride, the mellowness that GFE brings, along with it’s endless and glorious bitter aftertaste… it may just send you off into the land of nod for a wee while.

Merry Christmas my friends x

Jymi’s Rating: 83%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 79%

MOB review next weekend:BAD KITTY by BRASS CASTLE

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M O B 2024

BLACK STOUT

BEER REVIEW: 375

BREWER: Whitstable Bay, Kent, England

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 4.2%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 13th December 2024

JYMI SAY’S…

What I really love about this weekly beer testing journey that Sammy and I embarked on over 7 years ago is that not only has it opened our eyes to so many different styles of beer, it’s also opened our eyes to a certain style in certain situations and also certain situations within a style. Still with me?!

Take last weeks absolute banger for instance. An 8% monster of a Chai Stout. Would I want to settle down on a day like Christmas day for instance for a loooooong sloooooow all day sitting with it? Frankly, no, I wouldn’t. That brew is far too rich, strong and complex for that. But a brew like today’s one, Black Stout (I hope the person that came up with that name got a promotion instantly (#eyes)), though massively inferior to last week absolutely sits in that all day winter session bracket. It’s not rich, it’s not complex (even though the label says that it is) it’s just really enjoyable to drink.

And you know what, I think I’m gonna leave it there.

Exceptional this is not. However, for a very drinkable, sessionable stout that’s readily available and very affordable… you won’t go far wrong here.

Jymi’s Rating: 67%

SAMMY SAY’S…

Whitstable Bay Black Stout came in as a pleasant surprise. At first glance, the packaging doesn’t set high expectations—the label is a bit lacklustre, though the dark colour of the stout itself gives it an oddly sophisticated look that works in its favour. Whether intentional or not, the deep black hue adds a level of allure that the design alone doesn’t quite manage.

On the nose, there are some light hints of coffee, nothing overwhelming or complex, but just enough to promise that classic stout experience. This stout doesn’t throw out a maze of flavours to get lost in, and that turns out to be one of its strengths. The first few sips reveal the essentials: coffee, roasted barley, and a hint of dark chocolate that lingers and grows as you make your way through the glass.

While it’s not quite as bold or complex as some stouts, the straightforward flavour profile works in its favour. Sometimes, simplicity is all you need, and Whitstable Bay Black Stout sticks to a tried-and-true formula without veering off course. Yes, it tails off a little quickly on the finish, and a bit more intensity might have elevated it, but as you sip, the flavours start to settle in nicely, and it becomes more enjoyable with every mouthful.

For anyone looking for a solid, no-nonsense stout that delivers the classic flavours without any frills, Whitstable Bay Black Stout is a winner. It’s easy to enjoy, pleasantly balanced, and, honestly, quite a rewarding find.

Sammy’s Rating: 79%

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 73%

MOB review next weekend: GUINNESS FOREIGN EXTRA by GUINNESS

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2024