Nobody needs me to tell them that there are some cracking good beers around these days. The problem for the conscientious drinker though is that many of the best beers (tasty, characterful, memorable ones) are matched by significantly high abvs. If nothing else then the pleasure can be somewhat offset by the nagging thought "I'm not sure this is so good for my health". Just scrolling through my list of recent beers on Untappd I see a 8.4% DIPA collab Never In Doubt from Floc and Other Half Brewing Co in Brooklyn NYC, a Belgium Steenbrugge Dubbel Bruin 6.5%, and Pöhjala's Öö Imperial Porter 10.5% all three of which clearly hit the spot judging from my scores.
But these aren't the only beers I've recorded. Nestled amongst these standout beers for example there's also a full-flavoured dark Goacher's Mild 3.4%, Mighty Oak's Captain Bob Bitter 3.8%, and Five Points Green Hop Bullion 3.7%. And these are also pints I'd happily drink again. Nevertheless it's pretty clear from Untappd that my beer consumption oscillates between strong characterful beers (bold modern hazy beers and stouts /porters) and then more traditional "old man beer" for the health conscious days in between. Clearly this is no bad thing, but I've often wondered whether I would ever find the perfect compromise: an attractive modern style beer at 'old man beer' strength. Let's say 3.0-4.0%. I think I've found one.
People, Money, Space, Time Session IPA, Verdant Brewing Co 3.4%
Well actually I first encountered this beer in November 2022 in York's House of Trembling Madness but I've just tasted it again today at Thomas Tallis Alehouse in Canterbury. In meantime I also checked in with it at the SALT taproom in Woolwich, SE London in late 2023. Three years ago I summed it up on Untappd as "A major triumph. Tasty, attractive combined with low abv", and I wasn't wrong. It's a refreshing, zesty, easy drinking beer, golden in colour and bursting with Citra and Mosaic hops. It's unbelievably flavoursome and full bodied for such low alcohol and taste wise gives most 5% hazy pales a good run for their money. Of course, Verdant has a great record for very drinkable 8% DIPAs (e.g. Pulp) but this little sibling perfectly meets all my criteria above.
It's not unusual to find the same beer from the big independent brewers in multiple locations across the country at the same time. When checking the website for the House of Trembling Madness for this piece just now I see the 2nd beer on their Live Beer List is Verdant's People, Money, Space, Time. How lucky is that? I doubt the keg of PMST at the Thomas Tallis will last the week. You had better get to York!
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| Also available from Verdant in cans! |
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