Craft Beer: More than 100 of the world’s top craft beers. Dominic Roskrow

Backyard Lazy Daze

      PRODUCER: Backyard Brewery

      AREA OF ORIGIN: Manchester, New Hampshire, USA

      VARIETY: IPA

      ABV: 6.2%

      WEBSITE: www.backyardbrewerynh.com

      Backyard Brewery is housed in a bar. The beer is brewed by Paul St Onge, who is on a mission to create artisanally made beers for all to enjoy, in an atmosphere of friendliness, camaraderie and community outreach.

      ‘My vision is that of a traditional English Public House – high-quality beer served in a place of community gathering where strangers, locals, regulars, and everyone in between can chat amongst themselves over a pint or two.’

      Backyard Lazy Daze is an example of his passion for brewing IPA-style beers. He uses slaked wheat and oats to give the beer a full-bodied mouthfeel. Lazy Daze is double dry hopped with six different hops and hop powders at different points of conditioning. Fresh citrus, mango, and pineapple flavours burst out of the glass on the nose. On the palate there is a restrained bitterness, with lots of big hop flavours and aroma.

Bam Noire

      PRODUCER: Jolly Pumpkin

      AREA OF ORIGIN: Michigan, USA

      VARIETY: Sour farmhouse ale

      ABV: 4.5%

      WEBSITE: www.jollypumpkin.com

      Brewery founder Ron Jeffries and his wife have a strange sense of humour. Having planned their business for months, they were faced with coming up with a name, so they poured some beers and had a brainstorming session.

      ‘Many great names were suggested but we kept coming back to Jolly Pumpkin,’ says Ron. ‘It encompassed everything we wanted to express about our brewery. Fun and quirky, all that needed adding were the last two words; “Artisan Ales”, and the description of the brewery’s products and mission: the creation of fantastic beers of truly outstanding artisan quality.’

      They keep everything small and simple here, and focus on great beer. This sour ale is a beauty, and is enriched by two months in oak. It has the aroma of worn leather and cool autumn nights. There are notes of sweet plum and toasted raisin, hints of coffee and cacao. The finish is lingering, tart and refreshing.

Battledown Original

      PRODUCER: Battledown Brewery

      AREA OF ORIGIN: Charlton Kings, England

      VARIETY: Chestnut beer