TOP BEER OF THE TASTING
1. HALLERTAU
Porter Noir 500ml ($12)
Gold Medal
“It’s like sticking your nose in a red wine barrel,” announced Martin of this gorgeous, pitch black porter with the most beautifully persistent, pillowy head. The lift of sour cherries, dark chocolate, elegant bitterness and “pinot fruit funk”, according to Alice, catapulted this porter, matured in pinot noir barrels, to the top of the class. With soft, nibbly tannins and complex, textural layers, it was our clear winner. “I love the vinous, tart nose and it’s pretty as a picture in the glass,” noted Michael. A stunner of a beer.
2. TUATARA
XV Russian Imperial Stout 500ml ($20)
Gold Medal
Bottle conditioned and aged for two years, this inky-dark, 11% ABV imperial stout is a sneaky one.…
