Strength: 5.6%
Brewed: Tottenham Hale, London
Named after the old Cockney name given to the De Beauvoir area of London, where the brand was born in 2011, Beavertown Brewery now operates from a site in Tottenham Hale. Having upgraded to a premises with a 50HL Brew House to work from, Beavertown has become renowned for crafting a core range of stunning beers, as well as some more adventurous seasonal offerings – not forgetting the fact that the brewery boasts some of the most striking label artwork to adorn their cans.
Brewed with the intention of showcasing a harmonious blend of dark malts and hops, Beavertown’s India stout has a huge malt body, though it is finished with American Centennial and Summit hops alongside a German Magnum variety. The hop emphasis results in a bitterness that lends this particular beer a profile that’s somewhere between a classic stout and a black India Pale Ale. When poured, what’s most prominent is the foaming tan head that lasts and sits atop the beer’s cola brown body. On the nose, there’s an explosion of malt sweetness, with hints of milk chocolate, caramel and digestive biscuits followed by notes of coffee and some spice – particularly cardamom. After notes of hop fruitiness are then present, with aromas of mango and grapefruit as well as some pine resin. On the palate, Holy Cowbell is velvety and smooth with prominent tastes of chocolate and coffee that transforms into a bitterness continuing with a long, slightly smoky finish. Both complex and huge on flavour, Holy Cowbell is an extraordinary take on a classic stout and can be ranked amongst Beavertown’s finest creations to date.
Beavertown Brewery can be found at Unit 17-18 Lockwood Industrial Park, Mill Mead Road, London, N17 9QP and their full range can be purchased from beavertownbrewery.co.uk.