Ridgeway Imperial Stout

Big and brooding from the outset, this is a full-bodied imperial stout at 10%, layered with roasted malt, liquorice, and dark fruit. The hop bitterness has settled nicely with time in the bottle, letting the deeper flavours come forward. There's even a faint echo of lambic character in the background - unexpected, but not unwelcome. Rich, complex, and unapologetically strong - a beer that invites a slower pace and a bit of contemplation.

Ridgeway Brewing has been flying the flag for classic English beer since 2002, with founder Peter Scholey at the helm. Best known for their traditional IPAs, Bitters and ESBs, Ridgeway's beers strike a balance between heritage and the tastes of today - what they call cutting edge tradition. Now under the wing of Crafty Brewing of Dunsfold, that philosophy looks set to flourish. The two breweries share a respect for slow-brewed, characterful ales, and their partnership promises to carry Ridgeway's legacy forward - not by reinventing the wheel, but by giving it a fresh spin for the next generation of drinkers.