Thornbridge Brewery
Bakewell, England
Imported by: B. United, Inc.
Redding, CT
Available: NY, NJ, CT, MA, CA, IL, IN, OH, FL, MD, DC, VA, WA, OR, GA, MN, ID
Infused with dark and bitter chestnut honey sourced by head brewer Stefano Cossi from beekeeper Onelia Pin in the Alpine foothills of North East Italy.
ABV: 10.7
ABW: 8.4
Bitterness: 80
Original gravity: 1107
So dark. So thick. An intriguing aroma: rye toast, light golden syrup, slightly vinous and dry honey. It clings a bit to the glass; is this going to be sticky? Big―but not huge―in the mouth, a sweet middle that brings flowers to mind, and a sweet finish that’s not cloying in the least. This is the kind of beer that’s interesting in both the mouth and the mind: how’d they do this? And no hint of hop or bitterness…well, well, well.
The back label list of malts―all eight of them!―is the first indication of what to expect from this mysterious black liquid, while the super-rich, honey-ish, black currant-accented and faintly smoky nose is the next. Then the decadent, chocolate fudge-esque and burnt port-like body confirms that this is a hugely malty ale, and a most indulgent one, at that! Nutty notes, from the hops and/or chestnut honey, keep it all in check and lead the way to a soft, Islay-inspired finish. For the end of the night, on its own or with a single, perfect truffle.
Lew Bryson writes about beer and whiskey from his home in southeast Pennsylvania. He has a family and two dogs. That's all you need to know.
Once described as “beerdom's Brillat-Savarin,” Stephen Beaumont is the author of five books and countless articles on beer, spirits, food, travel, and how it all goes together.
