Superb, that’s what this is.
Simply superb.
Nigel at Hopshackle is quietly getting on with brewing some astounding beer while all around him young pretenders shout about themselves.
What you get from Hopshackle is an amazing quality, a delightful artistry.
And this Imperial Stout is a case in point.
It pours inky black and smells of sherry, cherry brandy, and posh biscotti.
As you take a sip your chest is warmed by a softly sexy alcohol heat while your tongue is tickled by delightfully soft biscuit dough, honey, brandy snaps and red fruit compote.
The hops are rusty garden tools, damp rosewood, resinous pine and delicious bramble jelly.
All this makes for a finish that’s warm and sticky, bitter, sweet, and immensely satisfying.
Hopshackle deserve to be enormous, but so far they remain a bit of a treasured secret.

Source: The Beer Hawk