10 Welsh porters and stouts

The evenings are still dark, so there's plenty of time to enjoy the many great porters and stouts brewed in Wales.  Here are ten of the best:

1. Black, Neath Ales, 5.5%

Very dark in colour. Has a very moreish malty, creamy introduction. This gives way to an intensely hoppy, bitter finish. A great beer.

2. Telford Porter, Conwy Brewery, 5.6%

This was brewed to commemorate the opening of Thomas Telford’s suspension bridge in 1826. It is a warming beer, with hints of dried fruits, caramel and liquorice. Shortlisted for the Champion Winter Beer of Britain in 2011.

3. North Star Porter, Facers Brewery, 4%

A smooth, traditional porter from this Flintshire brewery. It has flavours of treacle, smooth coffee, and chocolate. A burnt toast finish adds a pleasing bitterness.

4. Blackberry Stout, Waen Brewery, 3.8%

Rich and dark. This is an award winning stout that has subtle autumnal fruit flavours.

5. Chocolate Stout, Pen Lon, 4.5%

A rather milky stout which is made with real chocolate. Very dark in colour and very smooth. It has a subtle caramel flavour, with hints of winter berries.

6. Merlins Brew, Coles Family Brewery, 4%

A rich stout, with a subtle and enjoyable coffee flavour and aroma. It has a very crisp, bitter finish.





Photo - Paul Evans

7. Original Stout, Brains, 4.1%

A full bodied old fashioned stout that has a chocolate and nutty aroma, and a bitter hop finish. This stout has strong coffee flavours with a hint of molasses.

8. Triple ‘s’, Untapped Brewing Co, 4.9%

Very dark, very rich, and very mellow. This Cardiff produced stout is surprisingly refreshing for a dark beer, whilst remaining impressively deep with flavour.

9. Night Beacon, Breconshire Brewery, 4.9%

Dark and smooth, with a subtle smoky finish. This rarely brewed beer has a mild coffee flavour and an attractive off-white frothy head.

10. 06 Porter, Otley, 6.6%

A dark and handsome beer that is brewed with four different malts. There are complex flavours of chocolate, coffee and chicory. An impressive beer.