The Sip #28 - Nail Imperial Porter
Long-time beer drinker Ross Lewis puts some of Australia's top drops to the test.
Catch up with other beers on The Sip Archive
John Stallwood likes to test drinkers’ taste buds.
While the Nail Brewing guru has had great success with his Pale and Summer ales, it is his penchant for beers on the edge that has made him one of the more popular craft producers in the country.
His Clout Stout remains the pinnacle of the local variety and has claimed more medals than Michael Phelps.
Stallwood has been concentrating on his Brewlog series, a series of seasonal beers that challenge the palate. His Brown Ale, the first of the special line, helped spawn the Hughe Dunn Imperial, which took home a gold medal at the recent Australian International Beer Awards.
The next in the queue was his smokey bacon tinged Rauchbier, which tantalised the eastern States drinkers during its tap takeover at the Royston Hotel in Melbourne last month.
Enter Nail’s Imperial Porter. And this is a brew for the responsible drinker.
The Brewlog No.3 is an intense drop packed full of tasty malts that will be a delight for many during the cold winter months.
This is a perfect late night drop which, at 8.5 per cent ABV, requires a disciplined drinking approach.
With dried fruit and roasted coffee influences and a strong bitterness this is a drink to sip and savour.
But it is a perfect replacement for a late-night spirit because it seems to warm the whole body.
The other element to the Brewlog series is that Stallwood has used the bottles to recognise special people in his life.
The Brown Ale was in honour of brewing mentor Hugh Dunn. His Rauchbier, the Smokey Burns, was dedicated to his family who have supported his quest to make great beers.
And the Imperial Porter carries the label Clayden Brew, his young son who features a great name for the offspring of a beer maker.
It will be a long while before Clayden Stallwood can enjoy the product. But those looking for a great taste and a pleasant drinking experience can get their hands on the Imperial Porter from this month.
The Sip Snip
Nail Clayden Brew
Brewer: Nail Brewing, WA
Style: Imperial Porter
Alcohol content: 8.5%
Standard drinks: 2.2
Bitterness: 60IBU
Bottles: 330ml bottle
Estimated calories: 150 (approx)
The Sip Tip (rating): Top shelf
Average prices: $5.00 (330ml bottle).
