Most breweries use GABS to stretch the very idea of beer into a Wonka-fied, sideshow alley carnival ride for your tongue. But not Otherside. No, their creative bent actually says far more about the brewery team than putting marshmallow fluff or bacon into a beer. Instead, they’ve made an imperial mid-strength version their core range Lo Fi, and are probably still laughing at the silliness of the 6 percent ABV Hi Fi that’s now that it’s finding a wider, possibly very confused, audience.
A group that aren’t laughing, however, are vegans. And, the lactose intolerant for that matter. Instead, they should be celebrating for Otherside’s Sabbath Pastry Stout now has a Vegan version. By adjusting the mash techniques and malt bill, the Myaree brewers were able to replicate the body of the lactose version, while retaining the massive Fantales effect of this year’s original version.
The confectionary vibe continues with Hazy Double’s HBC 630 influence comes on all berry Starburst and vanilla cream aromas, evoking a frosted muffin with peachy stone fruit in support. This may seem an odd assessment, especially for a beer without a pastry or oat cream signifier, but such is the alchemy of modern hop breeding: its sorcery here plays out across the smoothest of palate arcs, a late booze prickle the only sign of what is a very large beer.
As is Imperial Stout 2022, which similarly offers a sleight of tongue: its visually foreboding brutishness veils a warm mouth cuddle, one cooed with chocolate fudge – the oozy bit, high percentage dark chocolate, and bitter hints brushing the lush contours of everything that seven specialty dark malts can offer at high gravity. No adjuncts. No barrels. No BS. All class.
Guy Southern
Published June 30, 2022 2022-06-30 00:00:00
