Strength: 3.8% ABV
Brewed: Ealing, London
Launched at the beginning of 2013, Weird Beard Brew Co. operates from a site near Ealing and produces a number of hop-driven beers alongside classic styles. With the aim to “satisfy, enthuse and be enjoyed by whoever the drinker,” Weird Beard offer a number of core beers as well as some occasional specials and one-off brews that push creative boundaries.
Brewed with Perle hops, traditionally from Germany and more synonymous with lagers and pilsners, Weird Beard’s ‘Black Perle’ is the brewery’s take on coffee milk stout. When poured, the beer’s cola-brown complexion is topped with a colossal foaming tan head. Notes of freshly ground coffee, dark chocolate and lactose are prominent on the nose, joined by some subtler aromas of vanilla, pine, a complex malt character and some underlying smoke. The smokiness continues onto the palate, as does the coffee, vanilla and chocolate. In addition, the balance of bitterness/sweetness is well-judged and complemented by a creamy mouth feel that’s completed with a firm, lasting bitter finish. Not only is this a promising, sweet milk stout – the depth of flavour is completely unforeseen when considering the beer’s astonishingly low ABV.
Further information on the brewery can be found at weirdbeardbrewco.com.