Welcome to the first of what we hope to be Ghost Whale’s weekly low down on a selection of outstanding, fresh craft beers that you really should try this weekend. We have more than 60 lines of beer and plenty of fresh kegs through the doors of our Putney and Brixton stores every week so picking something out isn’t always straightforward. We’re here to help, so without further ado, here’s three outstanding beers we’ve really enjoyed this week that you shouldn’t let pass you by.
TRACK – SWAY (PALE ALE)
It’s no secret that I absolutely love the beers that Manchester’s Track Brewing are producing. This new Pale Ale is a stunning example of why I’d argue they’re the best craft brewery in Manchester. It uses a high proportion of oats and wheat in the grain which means there’s a lot of body to the beer. A big hop combination of Citra, Enigma and Simcoe gives this beer huge pineapple and orange flavours that’ll leave you reaching for another can!
Stuart’s pick.
BEAK & NORTH – GATTO (IMPERIAL FRUITED STOUT)
This beer ticks all the boxes for me. Beak are one of my favourite breweries and their Jurgen Imperial Stout is something of a staple in my household. Leeds’ North Brewing Co were my gateway into Craft Beer, having spent an entire summer eating and drinking at their old brewery tap. So this is somewhat of a dream collaboration for me and I wasn’t disappointed. Expect bold rich flavours of dark cherries and cacao, backed up by a refreshing tartness thanks to Norths Triple fruited Gose influence. If you haven’t tried a Sour Stout before, you’re not going to get a better example any time soon.
Kate’s pick.
PASTORE – LIMONE (SESSION SOUR)
Wow, I could drink gallons of this! Pastore are a sour led brewery but they’ve cultivated their own yeast strain which gives their beers a unique sour profile that’s utterly moreish. I could have picked out any one of their wonderful cans but this incredibly sessionable lemon number, clocking in at just 2.5% is the one I keep returning to. It’s lip smackingly start thanks to the extra zesty, acidic hit of the lemons but equally thirst quenching and won’t leave you passed out in the middle of the park this summer getting the worst sunburn of your life.
Another of Stuart’s picks.