Welcome back lovers of great beer. Here is one I sampled towards the end of 2025 to try get me in the mood for Christmas.
You may call me a Grinch, when I first saw the can I thought it said Stingy, which would be an ideal one for me. Modern Christmas is just an excuse for a spending orgy in the shops (well online I guess now). It’s also a good excuse to roll out the big guns, the triples, the Imperials and the winter warmers. Well to me it is.
This one is a barley wine, a style you don’t see a lot of, produced by a brewery best known for its pales.
- Name : Stingo Barley Wine
- Brewery: Rooster’s Brewery Ltd, Harrogate
- Hops : Not stated
- Grain : Malted barley, wheat and hops
- Aroma : Sweet malt and a heavy fortified wine aroma
- Appearance : Tawny with hints of haze (it’s lightly filtered). Didn’t produce a discernible head
- Body : Full and heavy body, lightly carbonated
- Taste : A rich and boozy assault on the tastebuds, like dried fruits, malty and dry before a touch of bitterness on the finish. There is a strong aftertaste which is bittersweet
- Dietary restrictions : Allergens highlighted and vegan friendly
A beer to be respected and you are certainly aware of its strength as you drink it. It’s a genuine winter warmer, so don’t overchill it.
Complex but some may find it a little overpowering. Certainly one worth trying.
Our overall rating: 3.8/ 5.0
The|Eternal|Hoptimitsts 