When asked if they want to make healthier food and drink choices, consumers invariably say yes. I mean, who wouldn’t? That means health tends to come very high in surveys which list consumer priorities, but the aspiration doesn’t aways carry over into behaviour. Indulgence often wins out.
Beer has an even more complex relationship with health. There’s a lobby out there that believes that all alcohol is bad and would ultimately like to see it outlawed, or at least severely restricted. Most of us through, recognise that moderation is the right approach, and, if you’re drinking beer, then drinking one that’s better for you makes sense, right?
So, when I was given the opportunity to sample some organic beers from three breweries, I embraced the opportunity, The question of whether organic food objectively delivers health benefits is debated. But whether or not organic food is nutritionally superior, it undoubtedly has less in it that ls actively bad for you, such as chemicals and pesticides, and is also demonstrably better for the environment.
So, let’s try these beers.
Small Beer Organic IPA 2.3% ABV. The aroma of this lower strength beer definitely packs a punch, with a grapefruit and pine resin aroma. There’s a crips malt character balanced by piney hop notes, and while the low ABV means it lacks a little of the oomph of stronger IPAs, it’s an enjoyable and refreshing beer that would go well with frilled meat.
Futtle Organic Table Beer 3.2% ABV. The can gushed a bit when I opened this beer, giving me a robust head in the glass. There’s a lemony note to the aroma, which also come through in the flavour. This is quite a delicate beer, with some floral hop character and a sweet, light malt finish. Once to be enjoyed chilled with grilled white fish or a creamy pasta, I’d suggest.
Stroud Brewery Organic Tom Long Amber Ale 3.6% ABV. At session bitter strength Tom Long has an enticing hedge fruit aroma, suggestive of blackberries and a touch of cherry. It has a very satisfying hop bitterness, balanced by a crisp malt, and delivers a long, dry finish. This beer would pair nicely with a classic ploughman’s with mature cheddar.
Stroud Brewery Organic Budding Pale Ale 4.5% ABV. This beer pours with an appealing straw gold colour and has a floral aroma. The flavour has a initial rich citrus, maybe tangerine note, but is balanced by a dry floral hop character and a pleasantly high level of carbonation. This would work well with mussels and other shellfish.
Stroud Brewery Organic Hop Drop Hazy Pale 4.5% ABV. This has just a touch of delicate haze in the glass, rather than the full-on swampiness of many hazy beers, which immediately marks it up for me. Hop Drop has an enticing tropical fruit aroma, with grapefruit pineapple and even a touch of mango working through int the flavour. There’s also a biscuity, dry malt balance which keeps the beer from having an overly sweet character. I’d serve this with a rich dish such as beef stroganoff.
Stroud Brewery Organic Big Cat Stout 4.5% ABV: The rich, roasted aroma of Big Cat, suggests it’s going to deliver an immediate intense flavour hit, but it’s actually more subtle than that. There’s an initial fruit character – think fruit-and-nut chocolate – which gives way to lingering roasted malt flavours and a long, dry finish. This would go very nicely with fruit cake, sticky toffee pudding or just a couple of dark chocolate digestives.
The are just eight certified organic breweries in the UK. Organic certification guarantees a level of sustainable practice, which has to be the way forward for all of is. For more information visit:
Stroud Brewery https://stroudbrewery.com/
Small Beer Brewery https://theoriginalsmallbeer.com/
Futtle Brewery https://www.futtle.com/