A Year in Beers

The 5 beers that rocked 2013

It’s almost time to consign 2013 to the year that was. We’re talking Equity for Punks III, Brew Dogs, new bars in Stockholm, Leeds and Shepherd’s Bush not to mention the blistering arrival of some genuinely life altering beers.

Distilling 365 days of sensational brews into our top 5 was tough. Let’s just call every beer we’ve had this year ‘research’…we did a lot of ‘research’.

So, here they are, the top 5 that made us take a second look at our glass, stole our hearts and made us want to pledge allegiance to this crazy craft beer cause one hundred times over again.

1. Jackhammer

We’re seriously reconsidering branding 2013 the ‘year of Jackhammer’. Who’d have thought the runner up in 2012’s Prototype Challenge would go on to become one of the most requested beers in 2013; to the point where it may as well be part of our core line-up. 

With an ability to stun even the most seasoned craft beer aficionado – thanks to those 200 theoretical IBUs – Jackhammer retains the title of most bitter beer we’ve ever brewed. Chuck in two massive American hops – Centennial and Columbus – and Jackhammer is the equivalent of setting off a citrus grenade in your mouth.

In short, 2013 isn’t officially over until you’ve been Jackhammered.

You can buy some here

2. Beer Geek Vanilla Shake 

This brew saw gypsy bad boy Mikkeller fuse an oatmeal stout with coffee and a generous paw load of vanilla. Rumoured to be the fastest selling Mikkeller beers of all time, this twist on the classic Beer Geek Breakfast is super charged with sweetness and amped up to 13% ABV.

Think a beery milkshake with tonnes of coffee, milk and chocolate syrup. It floated our boat.

You can buy Mikkeller beers here http://www.brewdog.com/shop/guest-beer

3. Mixtape 8

Described simply as ‘fucking complex’ by our head brewer Stewart Bowman, Mixtape 8 is a collision of Belgian tradition, American new wave and Scottish whisky.

One half a hopped up Belgian tripel, the other a tripel IPA; Mixtape 8 then takes two years in the wood...single grain whisky casks to be precise. The result? A beer where earthy tastes meet the sweetness of jam and dryness is complimented by juicy nectarine; all topped off with a dusting of coconut.

Like Stewart said, fucking complex basically. You can get your paws on some Mix Tape 8 here http://www.brewdog.com/product/mixtape

4. Lichtenstein Pale Ale

What do you say when the TATE Modern calls you up and asks if you want to collaborate on a new beer to celebrate the launch of their Lichtenstein exhibition? There is only one answer - hell yes!

Drawing inspiration from Roy Lichtenstein’s iconic pop art masterpieces, we created a 5.1% rye pale ale packed with Cascade and Centennial to ensure the taste was as vibrant and refreshing as the art. 

Oh and the bottle label featured original artwork by the man himself. Quite possibly the coolest beer label, ever.

5. Deviant Dale’s

Throughout 2013, there were few breweries that we quietly obsessed over as much as Oskar Blues. The ‘craft-in-a-can’ kings of Colorado kidnapped our hearts and minds with a series of epic tap takeovers not to mention our collab beer Shipwrecker Circus.

These guys know how to wrap their beer in aluminium; Deviant Dale’s being one of the most awesome canned brews we’ve ever got our faces around. Think bitter grapefruit and resinous pine in every can. Go try. Now.

Not spotted your favourite beer from 2013 in our list? Let us know what beers rocked your world!