From recycling missions to looking out for our canine friends and, in the case of POW, a campaign to help protect the environment in their Alpine home while encouraging positive action against climate change, Bright walk the talk when it comes to being good citizens of the craft beer world. With POW – Protect Our Winters – they're doing it in a similar manner to Doggobrau, opting for an easy-going and approachable beer. It's a 4 percent ABV pale featuring Mosaic, Motueka and Sultana hops to create mandarin and juicy fruit gum aromas. Bright golden in appearance, there's a little dustiness on the palate and a finish as crisp as that early morning run through a swathe of fresh powder.
If you're a fan of sweeter stouts, there's a good chance you're already acquainted with their Affogato Stout from previous appearances as, when it comes to bang for your buck (well, bang for the booze level), it delivers, and then some, with a viscosity greater than you'd expect at just 5.5 percent ABV. There's an instant hit of freshly brewed coffee but it's not long before it starts layering marshmallow and crème caramel on the palate. The result is an impressive feat in which the brewers combine a collection of high impact features that might not exactly meld as one yet work well as a series of tastebud-smothering experiences.
UPDATE: We didn't have liver capacity to sample the 2021 Stubborn Russian in time to write up with these two, but we've managed to squeeze it in since. Pouring a deep, espresso black with teak tints, it's smooth-bodied without being overly sticky, serves up chocolate for miles with only minor deviations into roast and molasses either side, and is as warming as a 12 percent ABV stout should be.
James Smith
Published June 8, 2021 2021-06-08 00:00:00
