A shorter version of this review was first published in BEER February 2010 as part of a piece about beers to taste with chocolate. For more beers tasted with chocolate, see previous post.
ABV: 5%
Origin: Litchborough, Northamptonshire, England
Website: www.hoggleys.co.uk
More intense still [compared to the Elmtree mild reviewed in the previous post] is Hoggleys Solstice Stout, from a Northamptonshire micro that’s emerging as one of the real stars of British Real Ale in a Bottle – see my review elsewhere of their top class mild. A once seasonal treat, thus the name, the stout is now brewed year-round thanks to its well-deserved popularity.
This excellent black beer with a light bubbly orange-beige head has fruit cake, cherries, raisins and spicy liquorice on the aroma, and a soft raisiny palate with creamy Schwarzbier-like dark malt, balanced with roast and tangy hop notes that emerge in the mouth. A long and drying roasty finish is lightly astringent with a masterful blend of roast and hops. As with Nightlight, chocolate lightens the flavour profile, lending an almost honeyed note.
Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/hoggleys-solstice-stout/39468/
For more beers tasted with chocolate, see Red Squirrel American IPA.
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