Today's Beer
Name – Stoney Binks
Brewer – Great Newsome
Classification – Amber "Burton Type" Ale
Strength – 4.1% ABV
Verdict - At A Glance
On the eye – Brassy gold. A truly fine looking ale.
On the nose – Sweet malts. A definite chip shop twang, which is often (if not always) a very good sign. In this case it really is a good sign.
On the tongue – Special. Well rounded flavours and a light but firm body.
On the subject – Great Newsome are currently based in Hull, but the whole world will soon lay claim to them.
On the market – A bit too niche for my liking. Online options are as good as buying direct.
On the whole – 8.5/10
Full Review
I knew almost nothing about this beer before today, but what I now know about it – is that I like it an awful lot.
It's delightfully light but substantial in consistency, skilfully balanced in flavour (with a gentle lean towards the hop side of the scale) and its just about as satisfying as an ale could ever get.
According to the label, the brewery recommends 'pork scratchings' as an ideal accompaniment. But if you really are looking for something to go with your glass of Stoney Binks, I would suggest that a 'financial advisor' would be a better option, because you'll be spending a lot of well earned cash on this beer without one.
Part of the reason for this is the fact that at 4.1% ABV – it just about squeezes into the 'session beer' category, making it acceptable to consume for long periods without any disgrace or fear of arrest.
For those of you who would claim 4.1% is simply too strong for a session ale, I reckon a quick sip will leave you eager to bend all manner of rules in order to spend a good old while sat next to repeated glasses full of this wonderful brew.
If you haven't given this one a try yet, seek it out at your earliest opportunity and discover what I've just discovered.
I'd say this beer constitutes the single nicest surprise I've had so far in The Bottled Beer Year, and for it to have happened on Christmas Day has all but restored my faith in all things holy.
That may seem like extremely high praise for a mere beverage.
Perhaps so.
But sometimes high praise is well deserved, and Stoney Binks deserves it.
On this note, to the brewery I'd like to ask this...
Do you really want this product to be among your 'occasional' range of beers?
I mean... do you really?
Let me leave that with you.
In the meantime, Merry Xmas to all at Great Newsome Brewery , and many thanks for this happy new beer.
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