Adnams Blackshore Stout, Adnams

Adnams Blackshore Stout (4.2 per cent)

Adnams is thought of primarily as a brewer of superb pale ales and bitters, with Ghost Ship now its leading brand. But it does have dark beers in its range, including Old Ale and Tally Ho. It has now added Blackshore Stout, named after the black-tarred fishing huts that line Southwold Harbour in Suffolk.

The beer is brewed with a complex grain bill of pale, brown, double roasted crystal and chocolate malts, with the addition of roasted barley and oats. The main hop is Pilgrim with other British varieties.

The beer has the character and depth of a large Americano coffee with an extra shot of espresso. There are also notes of molasses, liquorice, dark fruit, roasted grain and spicy hops. The finish is long and lingering, bittersweet to start but finally ending dry, with continuing notes of coffee, dark grain and spicy hops.

£20.99 for 12 500ml bottles: www.adnams.co.uk.