Bracia

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.
- Lew Bryson

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.
- Stephen Beaumont

Lew Bryson
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.

Stephen Beaumont
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.

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