SWB - Dr. Paracelsus Bombastic Indigio Elixer

To describe this as anything less than an "odd duck" would be to undersell it massively. I couldn't really define the type of beer it was though it felt like a regular old dark ale... That was the only regular thing about it though, from that point on it turns into a mad scientist experimenting on animals that no longer exist with tools made out of gummy worms. It just has such confusing flavour and aroma combinations that are, in many ways, like trying to navigate a maze by having potted plants thrown at you from a sky ship hovering 50 metres above.

On the nose I got figs, I got blackberries and sloe gin as well as fizzy cola bottles and a heavy snoot full of booze, which somehow translated into it tasting like coffee, fruit juices with a tinge of root beer, culminating in an extremely rich and undeniably interesting drink that, at 8%, isn't winning any prizes for subtlety but is definitely taking the ribbon for creativity and, frankly, sheer bravery.

Bravery? Yeah, bravery. You don't make, bottle and sell a drink like this if your repertoire is weak. You produce beers like Dr. Paracelsus if you're a total badass who eats lightning and craps BIGGER LIGHTNING! The skill that goes into making something like this is beyond the comprehension of most mortal men and even in spite of that it's not going to be a beer that everyone's going to get along with, in fact I can see it pissing people off. I can imagine a lot of sour faces out there but mine was not one of them.

Dr. Paracelsus is definitely not for the poser - casual level beer fan. This is for the hardcore brew head with a hardened palate and a thirst for a challenge. Back off CAMRA, this ain't no weak sauce!

Food Suggestion: Eye of newt and deadly nightshade would probably be a good start. I really can't think of anything that would go with this and either match or compliment it. I reckon something relatively plain and unassuming that won't even try to add more to the party will be your best bet. Jacobs crackers and a level 3 strength cheddar it is then.

Try this if you like: Being challenged, though, more specifically, if you have ever tried International Arms Race by Brewdog and Flying Dog or Pannepot by Struise then you'll probably get a kick out of this.

SWB - Maelstrom

A double IPA that smells so deliciously hoppy that it could well have been used as an ointment to cure rubella, polio or Jimmy legs in ye olde times, this 9% beast pours like a stop motion video of bread being left to prove and comes in a shade of brown that hints a little towards agent orange. The effect of the two combined forms a beer that looks like it's very slowly breathing out. The froth is clean and leaves remains at the top of the glass and above the lip of the head but little in between. The smell, however, is the best bit when I consider upon first impressions because it's heady and hoppy with citrus and raisin tones coming through like a fat ninja.

The taste is quite powerfully bitter with a lingering after taste that reminds me of malt loaf, ginger bread and grapefruit... Mashed together and served as a fizzy brown liquid. The texture is smooth with a little edge that comes with the bitterness but that has to be expected with such a high percentage, only the most skilled craftsmen can make beer with lots of booze and no lash back, and even then I'd say they fail more than they win. Saying that, however, this can quite happily go down as a win in my book. This is a high quality double IPA from a company who seem to really want to push the boat out.

It's beer like this from breweries like this, who maintain such a consistently high standard, who make me question my often unwavering Southern Pride. I could drink this out of a lepers' boot and I'd still enjoy the hoppy aroma and the strong, bitter, kick, disguised in a smooth body that goes down as easily as a donkey with gummy worms for legs and an ear infection.

This, amongst many other delicious Drew Treats, was purchased at The Bottle Shop in Canterbury, just next to Canterbury West... A train station... You have no excuse!!!

Food Suggestion: I like curry, but I can't handle crazy heat. With this by my side I can see myself having the balls to take on a vindaloo in one of the spiritual curry towns/cities of the North. I imagine I'd end up crying, vomiting and then crying again but, hey... Doesn't matter, had Maelstrom.

Drink this if you like: Big tasting Double IPAs, or just particularly bitter IPAs like the Meantime one, which is readily available at most supermarkets.