Tasting Notes: Hopback Entire Stout
Brewery: Hopback
Location: Salisbury, England
ABV: 4.5%
Version: Bottled
Source: BeerVentures.co.uk
A bottle of Hopback Entire Stout was included in a Dark Side mixed case that I ordered from BeerVentures.co.uk a few months ago (I'm going through my notebook, checking for tasting notes I should really have posted by now...)
According to my notes, the bottle opened to release a slightly odd, eggy whiff (something to do with the bottle conditioning?) although the beer turned out to be absolutely fine. No, make that mighty fine: Hopback Entire Stout was a smooth, full-bodied (albeit slightly carbonated) stout with distinct coffee and sweet caramel notes (think Starbuck's caramel macchiato, if you've ever punished your teeth with such a beverage).
I have to admit it didn't blow me away, but I'd definitely re-visit given half a chance, and would love the opportunity to try it on draught. It strikes me as one of those beers that would benefit hugely from a proper hand-pump delivery.
[The image on this post was shamelessly nicked from the BeerVentures.co.uk product page]
Hopback Entire Stout elsewhere in the beerblogosphere
- Alan MacLeod declared it a contender for "the greatest stout I have ever had" over at A Good Beer Blog.
- The stuff inspires some serious musing over at A Philosopher on Tap.
- And if you want to brew 5 gallons of the stuff yourself, they apparently have the recipe over at hopandgrain.com.
Related posts:
I bought my mate a bottle of this as part of a birthday prezzie. It came on recomendation from Zak at Beer Ritz. I await his thoughts but hope that the "eggyness" isn't too off putting.
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Not to worry, the eggy whiff dissipated once I poured it. I think. Probably would have made a note if it had lingered at all...
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