Fyne Sublime stout, Fyne Ales

Fyne Sublime Stout, 6.8%

This is exquisite. Most Scottish stouts tend to be creamy and malty but Fyne’s interpretation has a big hop bite along with rich dark grain character.

Fyne has been brewing since 2001 and enjoys a beautiful location at the head of Loch Fyne. It has won many plaudits for its Jarl golden ale and Superior IPA and the stout can only add further praise.

This is a highly complex beer. It’s hopped four times and then dry hopped. The varieties are all American: Cascade, Centennial and Mount Hood and they create a robust 40 units of bitterness. The grain bill comprises Maris Otter pale, dark crystal, oats, roast barley, chocolate and wheat malts. The beer is conditioned for four weeks following fermentation and is then kräusened – a German technique that involves adding some sugary wort to the beer to encourage secondary fermentation and a lively carbonation. The brewers at Fyne say it gives the stout a “champagne sparkle”.

The beer is bottle conditioned and can be laid down to age. It has a russet/brown/black colour with a deep collar of barley-white foam. Chocolate, coffee, liquorice and roasted grain are evident on the aroma with notes of spicy and peppery hops. Sweet creamy malt fills the mouth but bitter hops quickly kick in with continuing coffee and chocolate notes. The finish is bitter, spicy and hoppy with roasted grain and continuing notes of chocolate and coffee.

*6x750ml bottles £41.70 from www.fyneales.com/shop

For stockists follow link on brewery website.