While the whole route was built around showcasing some fantastic venues and great beer, Bini had always been a stop we were particularly looking forward to. We’d heard plenty of good things, we’d been following what they were doing for a while, and as the day drew closer, the excitement for this part of the journey only grew.
Stepping through the doors, it was immediately obvious why. Independent, welcoming, and absolutely passionate about great beer, Bini manages to strike that perfect balance between modern craft brewery and local community hub.
The atmosphere was great, the beer list was packed with temptation, and within minutes our carefully considered plans had been replaced by the much more important task of deciding what to drink first.
If The Flying Duck had got the wheels turning, Bini Brew Co was where the Ale Train truly left the station. Surrounded by good friends, great beer, and fellow drinkers who shared our enthusiasm for all things hoppy, malty and moorish, it felt like the day had properly begun.
The weather might have been threatening rain, but inside Bini there was nothing but excitement, anticipation, and the growing suspicion that we were about to discover some of the standout beers of the entire trip.
But what exactly did we find?.
Name: Darkness of the Edge of Town (4.3% ABV)
- Brewery: Bini Brew Co
- Aroma : Smokey, tar and tobacco with a touch of burnt sugar
- Appearance : Very dark, slight ruby edge with a open white head when poured.
- Body : Strangely high carbonation for a stout, medium bodied with good head retention.
- Taste : This one was giving strong, Cadburys Fruit & Nut vibes, but the chocolate and dark fruits took centre stage with a slightly nutty aftertaste.
this one was chocolatey but not sickly. It had a good balance of flavours, and it was quite moreish and at 4.3% you could safely have another.
Chris’ overall rating: 4.0/ 5.0
Name: Grapefruits in this Economy (4.5% ABV)
- Brewery: Bini Brew Co
- Aroma : Strong notes of Grapefruit and Vanilla with a touch of hop at the back
- Appearance : Hazed golden beer with a tight thin shocking white head when poured.
- Body : Light, surprisingly loose and very refreshing, good level of carbonation but no head retention.
- Taste : Strong wash of grapefruit upfront with a spike of vanilla followed by a bitter twang that builds and tickles your tongue.
This one was very refreshing, no claggyness at all. It was very fresh, and quite zingy.
Sam’s overall rating: 3.7/ 5.0
Name: RBM [Rapid Beer Movement] (3.4% ABV)
- Brewery: Bini Brew CO
- Aroma : Tropical fruit aroma, with a strong hoppy backing.
- Appearance :Cloudy apple juice, with a open white head when poured.
- Body : Medium bodied, with mild to moderate carbonation, quite dank, and okay head retention.
- Taste : Sweet and Fruity upfront, with a draw of bitterness at the back. A very fruity IPA some may say moderate hoppy dank, but I would say its quite bitey.
Not the flavour I was expecting from a pale. It was more towards a DIPA in my opinion, but it was very refreshing and pleasant especially with those tropical fruit flavors.
Kayla’s overall rating: 3.8 / 5.0
Name: Soul Meets Body, Chocolate & Ginger Imperial Stout (10% ABV)
- Brewery: Bini Brew CO
- Aroma : Strong notes of Chocolate, Ginger and malts.
- Appearance : Jet black, slight mocha film when poured ( expected from a can)
- Body : This was smooth, creamy and had a low carbonation but a pretty decent body to it.
- Taste : This was a flavour sensation, it had strong firey alcoholic ginger up front that was then quickly quashed by a flood of chocolate and malts that really drew out long after the mouthful. Very sickly and decadent
Lovely, but too strong! i defintiley couldnt have more that one of these badboys
Coddy’s overall rating: 3.5/ 5.0
Sam here! I agree this one is a one canner but! I think its a crime not to give it a 4/5 ( but that’s just my opinion)
Next up we have a review from Selene. While she’s relatively new to the world of real ale and craft beer, she’s keen to broaden her horizons and give just about anything a fair shot. Sometimes a fresh perspective is exactly what’s needed, free from style preferences, brewery reputations, and all the baggage that comes with years of beer drinking.
So, let’s see what Selene makes of what Bini Brew Co has to offer…
Name: Use Your Eyes – Hazy Pale – [ABV 4.8%]
- Brewery: Bini Brew CO
- Aroma : Has a light hoppy scent, very unobtrusive smell that I would describe as hoppy but mellow, summery and relaxed.
- Appearance : Very yellow hue, like sunshine in a glass and has the haze to match – ie, sunlight beams caught in the fuzzy air, lifhting up the dust fairies. Left significant residue/lace on glass.
- Body : Not too gassy, went down easy – great dancing drink. Happiness in a glass.
- Taste : Very mild, very easy drinking. Great for beginner beer enjoyers, and I would say very versatile but does capture a summery energy. Mainly on the hoppy side, and very forgiving on speed – you don’t have to drink it fast to enjoy the fizz!
Our overall rating: 4.8/ 5.0
Name: A Sheep’s Car Named Desire
- Brewery: Bini Brew CO
- Aroma : Citrus + hoppy aroma
- Appearance : A hazy straw in colour beer, with a thin white open head when poured.
- Body : Thin bodied, Poor head retention
- Taste : Very strong initial citrus hit with a very dry finish, the intensity dropped with each sip.
This one was not one of my favourites, but you cant like them all. It was a little too dry for my taste, and given the other beers available I think personally I would have preferred something like the “Grapefruits in this economy”. But, if you don’t try it, you will never know!
Our overall rating: 3.0 / 5.0
Next up we have a review from Sam’s brother,& John’s son, and a man whose beer journey has largely revolved around the wonderful world of lager. While you’ll usually find him with something crisp, cold, and uncomplicated in hand, he’s decided it’s time to venture beyond his comfort zone and see what all this craft beer and real ale fuss is about.
Name: Under The Manhole Cover (4.3% ABV)
- Brewery: Bini Brew CO
- Aroma : Very Hoppy, with a touch of something citrussy
- Appearance : Hazy, Pale Straw with a thin file head when poured.
- Body : Medium bodied, good level of carbonation, but with poor head retention.
- Taste : Dry, starts with a stone fruit flavour which is followed with a dry bitter hoppy finish.
A very nice pint, would definitely have again, pleasant dryness left me wanting more.
Our overall rating: 4.2/ 5.0
Name: Bock Party!, Maibock Lager (6.3% ABV)
- Brewery: Bini Brew CO X Zapato
- Aroma : Sweet and malty scent
- Appearance : Amber colour, with a thin white film head when poured.
- Body : Medium body, good level of carbonation but head was very short lived, but very smooth
- Taste : Rich malt, with a bit of honey sweetness before morphing to a more bitter finish.
I would definitely have this one again. It was a little unusual as im not used to Lagers this colour. I found its sweetness very alluring, but with that % its very dangerous!
Our overall rating: 4.1 / 5.0
Beer, much like music, films, and arguments about the best flavour of crisps, is entirely subjective.
So for our last review here at Bini we’re putting that theory to the test. The same beer has found its way into the hands of two of our reviewers, (Gary And our Guest reviewer Jack) each bringing their own tastes, preferences, and biases to the table. One pint, two palates, and potentially two very different conclusions.
Who’ll come out on top? Nobody, hopefully. But it should make for an interesting final review .
Name: Blondie, Blonde Ale (4% ABV)
- Brewery: Bini Brew Co
- Aroma : A Little Metalic, but there is the scent of mild hops and a bit of sweetness.
- Appearance : Medium closed head, with a nice golden colour.
- Body : Light, a little thin and low carbonation
- Taste :
Jack : Unfortunately this isn’t one for me, it taste a little like a can that’s been open a little too long. its a little to thin and lacks the flavour I would expect from your typical Blonde Ale.
Gary: This one looks the part, it might even be the best looking beer I’ve seen all day. But looks are not everything, its a little dull, and the flavours lacking and it seemed to go flat very quickly. I don’t think i’d try this one again. Cracking shield art though
Jack’s overall rating: 2.0/ 5.0
Gary’s overall rating: 2.8/ 5.0
By four o’clock it was time to move on. Not because Bini Brew Co. had run out of good beer, nor because anyone was particularly keen to leave, but because the Ale Train waits for no one and our next stop was calling!
With our notes complete and a few favourites identified, we left Bini Brew Co. behind and headed for the next chapter of the day. The beer had been sampled, the atmosphere enjoyed, and now thoughts were turning to Yorkshire’s other great institution: fish and chips.
The|Eternal|Hoptimitsts 