Spire Brewery Twist and Stout

I thought I was probably well overdue for another beer review, so here is a write up of one of my favourite beers at the moment. It’s from a brewery that is local to me and is a really good Stout. Let me introduce you to Spire Brewery’s Twist and Stout!

~~~THE BREWERY.

Spire Brewery have been brewing now for four years and are based in a couple of industrial units in Staveley, not far away from where I live, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Head brewer David McLaren, partner Sarah West and their excellent team have in just a few years built up a successful brewing business and have already won several awards with their range of beers. As well as a core range of regular beers Spire produce some interesting seasonal and one off beers – you can even order a special beer for special occasions by visiting their website!

Beers to look out for in pubs national (they are part of the SIBA – small independent brewers association – scheme that allows pubs to order beers from microbreweries) include Sgt. Pepper Stout (a gorgeous and unique stout brewed using black pepper at 5.5% ABV), Britannia Cream Ale (a strong beer with marmalade flavours at 6.4% ABV) and Coal Porter (a smooth dark beer at 4.6% ABV).

~~~THE BEER.

***A Bit of Background***

Like a lot of Spire Brewery beers the inspiration for the name of this beer is musical. In this case a play on the Beatles song Twist and Shout!

***Vital Statistics***

Twist and Stout weighs in at 4.5% ABV and is brewed in the style of a Stout. Generally speaking a stout is black, full-bodied and rich and is made from dark-roasted barley. Stouts were originally known as stout-porter, being a stronger, more robust version of Porter (a dark beer made popular by Market Porters in the 18th and 19th centuries) . The Irish stout style is dry, acquiring a refreshing bitterness from roasted barley. Stouts which originated in the UK are generally sweeter than their Irish equivalent.

***Look, Aroma & Texture***

Looks wise, Twist and Stout is a very dark, almost black beer with a light beige coloured head, that lingers and leaves a fine lacing down the glass as you drink. The aroma is a pleasant mix of coffee, chocolate, vine fruit and a hint of roasted malt. Texture is medium bodied and not too heavy, with a smoothness on the palate which is extremely pleasant.

***Tange’s Taste Test***

Flavour wise, Twist and Stout combines an sweetness from the fruit, with an increasing bitterness from the dark chocolate and coffee flavours. This leads to a long dry finish and a fruity, yet bitter, earthy aftertaste. Throughout there are hints of blackberry, vanilla and a slightly smoky roasted malt flavour.

~~~WHAT I THOUGHT.

I really like Twist and Stout! It is a good solid Stout that is smooth in the mouth and rather easy to drink. It looks lovely to; with the milky coffee coloured head contrasting with the deep dark body. The aroma, though actually quite subtle, promises much of the flavours that are to come. It is a well balanced and well crafted beer that I will happily sample again and again within tiring of it.

I have had Twist and Stout in quite a few different pubs. Most notably, The Britannia at Tupton, near Chesterfield. This is the Brewery Tap of Spire Brewery and a surefire place to get hold of some of their beers. They always have dark beers on the bar and the Stout tends to alternate between Sgt. Pepper and Twist and Stout. Expect to pay anything up to £2.80 a pint, but the cheapest you will get it will be at The Britannia (so it’s always worth a visit).

Twist and Stout is a beer I have no hesitation in recommending. On each occasion I have tried it the quality has been consistently good. It probably isn’t going to appeal to people who prefer a light, hoppy, golden ale…but the roasty, smoky, chocolatey flavours will make it a winner with any dark beer fan.

Look out for it when you are out and about and, above all, enjoy!

~~~BREWERY DETAILS.

Spire Brewery
Unit 2-3, Gisborne Close
Ireland Business Park
Staveley
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S43 3JT
01246 476005
http://www.spirebrewery.co.uk/index.html