Ah winter, the time of year when beer geek conversation turns from aggressively hopped American pales to dark malty beasts with punchy roast and chocolate flavours.
Last week I posted about two of my favourite winter beers which followed my radio appearance on Perth’s own RTRFM 92.1, I was kindly invited on a segment called ‘The Food Alternative’ and chatted with hosts Simon and Anth about winter beers.
If you’d like to hear me ramble on about winter beers you can check out the segment here
But me being me it’s hard to just pick one, two or even three favourites so I am compelled to stretch this winter beers thing out longer by throwing out two more local beers that belong beside warm fires and good books …
Bootleg Raging Bull
What a cheeky beast this one is! I remember chatting to brewer Michael Brookes (I’m such a name dropper!) a while ago and he was commenting on how Bootleg had been being for so long that now, since 1994, there are guys coming into their drinking years who remember their dads drinking Raging Bull at Bootleg. I reckon that’s brilliant!
Rich red fruits, chocolate, coffee, plums, spice and biscuits there is so much happening here it’s like a vibrant party but everyone dressed in black.
Eagle Bay Brewing Cacao Stout
Visiting the Eagle’s Nest, my article on Australian Brews News in 2012 on the first Eagle Bay Cacao Stout
First brewed in 2012 this collaboration brew between Eagle Bay Brewing and local bean-to-bar chocolate maker Bahen & Co has quickly become a staple of my WA winter drinking.
Bahen & Co Chocolate Maker | Margaret River | website
Using the cacao nibs from the chocolate making process, a by-product that would normally go to waste, brewer Nick puts it to good use in this gorgeous stout. It was even used in 2013 for the Eagle Bay and The Monk Brewery collaboration for the GABS festival that year – a beer called Cacao Cabana, a choc brown hefeweizen. But I am getting side tracked …
Eagle Bay Cacao Stout 2013 write up in Crafty Pint
The Eagle Bay Cacao Stout strikes a great balance of fruit, spice, fresh roasted coffee and, as one would expect, luscious chocolate.
Now before you throw your hands in the air in frustration because this beer normally doesn’t make it too far from it’s Eagle Bay home, I have good news for you. Such good news in fact I suggest your hands remain in the air and wave in excitement – this year, for the first time, Cacao Stout is making its way into BOTTLES! Keep your eyes peeled on the Eagle Bay eagle bay on Facebook and like, favourite and retweet Eagle Bay to your hearts content feed for more info in the coming weeks!
the cacao stout is a great beer although would prefer it to have at least +2% ABV to make it a true winter beer!