Something For The Weekend...
Every Friday I'll suggest three beers you should be drinking. Here's a brewery that's new to me, a go-to ale that's widely available and a West Flanders classic that's worth hunting down
Tiptoe Stealth Brew Co
Certain things make me suspicious. The words ‘traditional ale’ are one of them. What does it mean? What tradition? I’ve seen too many breweries with a tradition of serving up pints of sludge to the drinker.
Well, this 4.2 per cent amber-coloured beer put my worries to rest. Against expectations it was delicious. Malty, bitter, beautifully conditioned and with a range of tastes that made it a satisfying pint. Stealth Brew Co are new to me and based in Melksham, Wiltshire. I want to taste more of their stuff.
Citra Oakham
There are loads of things that this 4.2 per cent session IPA has going for it. This is a beer that’s widely available (you can buy it in bottles in Tesco), is relatively cheap, easy to drink and refreshing. It’s also lovely.
Sometimes I think Citra is the laziest choice of hop. It has a great taste but it also hides a multitude of flaws from sloppy brewers. There is nothing slapdash about Oakham, though. Everything they do is excellent. Whenever I see Citra, I stock up on it. Delectable on cask, it’s equally impressive in its unfiltered form on keg.
Poperings Hommelbier Leroy
Don’t mess with this little beast from Belgium. It is mostly available in the UK in 25cl bottles and is one of the signature beers of the West Flanders hop growing area. It is brewed in Watou close to the French border but named for Poperinge, a bigger town a few miles away. You know what this region is all about when you drive across the decommissioned border. The flat landscape is characterised by tall hop bines and first world war cemeteries. You need a drink after being reminded of all that carnage.
Hommelbier is a golden ale and dangerously drinkable at 7.5 per cent. It is brewed with four locally grown hops. The resinous smell and taste of green hops dominate. There are 75cl dry hopped and fresh hopped versions – the latter being brewed every September with hops picked just two days earlier.
Go to Poperinge to get it at its best and freshest. The town is just three miles from St Sixtus abbey, too, where Westvletern’s tasting rooms are situated. If you want to go on a beer pilgrimage to West Flanders, base yourself in here. You won’t regret it.