Stories abound that beer consumption in Oz has reduced to 60 year lows. As a staunch independent retailer, we have seen a shift to quality rather than quantity. Mainstream beers are pretty much no-go while craft beer and fancy imports are all the go. I am certainly trying to buck the 60 year low trends, but we need more of us adventurous drinkers to raise the stats.
Two of the newest limited releases that hit our shelves and that back of our throats in a hurry are the James Squire Winter Release Malt Runner along with Stone & Wood's Stone Beer.
James Squire Malt Runner 345ml
This beer divided opinions in the household. Most good but a couple of drinkers thought it lacked some palate intensity. Still, it had enough palate weight with some infectious toffee, caramel and some sweet cherry flavours. It poured a very clean and vibrant dark ruby colour with a 1cm head that very quickly dissipated. Still a good beer...most likely would have presented itself better with a sweeter food.
Stone & Wood Stone Beer 500ml
Let's cut to the chase...this beer is the duck's nuts, the bees knees and the ants pants rolled into one. Firstly, approximately only 150 cases were made. Scarce..yes but if you find some, hunt it down. Brewed with the addition of piping hot rocks thrown into the mix, the beer gains a fantastic toffee and molten caramel character. This after the beer has poured a brilliant bronze/copper colour with a 1.5-2cm head. The toffee and caramel notes really come through with some fantastic length. It is a small batch beer hence its limited availability.
