The first instalment of my top beers of 2023 runs from number 11 through to number 20, some tricky choices this year as the standard of craft beers in the country at the moment is exceptional. A mixture of breweries and styles in the list which is also much more UK focused than last year, everything from DIPA to Saison via Stout and Lager, anyway here’s the list.
11. Bouquet (Polly's) – Sampled at the now defunct “Grumpy Goat” in Reading this was a real peach of a beer, thick and creamy with a slight bitterness it’s made by Polly's up in North Wales, the murk was strong with this one.
12. Death By CCC (Siren) – Part of the Caribbean Chocolate Cake series by Siren this year’s “Death By” was exceptional, a worthy member of the family and the standout of the series this year. Thick, chocolate and coffee flavours, smooth and viscous mouthfeel, excellent.
13. Waggon Pitch (Elusive, Duration) – A classic Andy Parker Westy, malt forward but utterly classic in flavour profile and hop selection. Had this one in can back in August and it was perfect on a warm weekend afternoon, good stuff.
14. Every Minute Matters (Siren & Green Cheek) – A strong Westy for the list, and previously number 2 on my 2020 list. I was really pleased when Siren announced a re-brew of this beer, it’s a banger, the only reason it’s number 14 is that it has such strong competition in the Westy style these days, an excellent beer.
15. London Black (Anspach & Hobday) – My go to stout these days when in town, the excellent London Black knocks Guinness into a cocked hat, depth of flavour, taste and mouthfeel all surpass the original “black stuff”. Had this a couple of times this year from source at the Anspach taproom in Bermondsey, brilliant to see them with a huge success on their hands with this beer. (Picture above was taken at the Anspach taproom, where they really know how to serve this Nitro porter and make it look fabulous!)
16. Unstoppable Force (Siren) – This 6% IPA was made by Siren right back at the start of the year and was released with a partner beer called “Immovable Object”. Both beers were made with exactly the same malt and yeast profiles but featured different hops. This one was Simcoe heavy which rendered it resinous and piney with a background of tropical fruits, a force for tasty beer!
17. Dropped Limb (Vocation & Verdant) – Made by Cornish maestros Verdant (much featured on this list) and Norfolk based Vocation this rustic saison weighed in at 7% (unusual for a saison) Bags of Umami with citrus and a healthy amount of tartness, difficult to describe but just the job after a long walk in the Summer.
18. Korben (Elusive) – A new beer for this year from Elusive it was a classic Pilsner (Lager) dosed with Citra hops which gave it a “lager and lime” vibe. A really nice beer, I sank a couple of these on the very few hot days that we had over the summer.
19. Tasty Juice (Lervig) – Sampled from source at the Lervig brewery in Stavanger, Norway back in June, after a long walk this was just the job and although I’d tried it before in the UK you can’t beat drinking a beer where it’s made. Juicy American pale ale style, fruity, tropical, hazy and smooth, a great beer.
20. Wi-Fi Beef (DEYA, Siren) – Classic DEYA, hazy and fruit filled but in collaboration with Siren who added their trademark spikey carbonation and crisp balance. Made for the 10th birthday celebration of Siren this IPA featured Citra, Idaho 7, Azacca and Sabro hops. Really juicy with a particularly noticeable yeast flavour, excellent.
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