`Same but different`. Love these beers but (always) need
more. Over the past couple of years, we have happily sampled a plethora of
brews from Huddersfield`s own Magic Rock and they seldom (read `never`) disappoint. An array
of styles and strengths in cask keg or bottle, the Quarmby kids keep coming
up trumps but this one is special, even by their high (wire) standards.
Dark Arts is the self-styled `surreal stout` that has
plaudits aplenty. We both enjoy it but prefer the other ales amongst Magic
Rock`s regular rotation. However, this one recently appeared on keg at the
beautiful Sheffield Tap but with the variation of being aged in red wine
barrels, oaked in Oakes if you will! Wow! The chocolate and liquorice
smoothness is still there, sublime, but it`s boosted by a subtle red berry sweetness,
depth and complexity that really makes this a surreal 6% experience. A
lingering red wine warmth adds volumes (but not ABV) to this beer putting it amongst the very
best of Magic Rock`s big top productions. Love the red tint to this well-balanced
dark brew served perfectly station-side in Sheffield`s TAP and quite a contrast to the also excellent OAKHAM Inferno that was my previous pint. Take a bow Rock stars but we
want more of this in the Steel City for 2014, or a much faster train to the
Hudd!
Scores on the train (station) doors – Mike 9
Not had this wine cask version of Dark Arts yet, so thanks for putting it on my radar.
ReplyDeleteAs for the slow train to and from Hudds - it only adds to the anticipation of the beers!