HOP WITH FUGGLES

Hearing the name “fuggles” for the first time, you could be forgiven for thinking it was some sort of furry children’s television character – a cross between a Womble and a Teletubbie perhaps.

In fact, it is a hop, that magical little flower of the plant humulus lupulus that gives bitterness and citrus flavour to beer.

The breed was discovered in an English hop yard in 1861 and introduced to mainstream brewing in 1875 by Richard Fuggle who lent his name to it.

The Fuggle is Real is a stout from the team of brewers at Little Creatures, and unsurprisingly, one of its main ingredients is fuggles hops. It is an interesting beer in many ways, not the least of which is that it comes in a can.

While beer in a can is not new, stout is one style I think of as coming in bottles – apart from the Irish varieties with the nitrogen widget to provide the creamy head much loved by Guinness aficionados.

Hugh the Neighbour and I enjoyed a few Fuggles last weekend and we agree it is an extremely pleasant drop.

At 5.8 per cent alcohol and 58 IBU, it is not as strong and bitter as some stouts, and, if your memory of stout is trying Carbine years ago, you will be pleasantly surprised.

A malty backbone balances the fuggles hops which are not as citrusy as some of the New World varieties found in US West Coast pale ales and IPAs.

The Fuggle is Real is a worthy winter seasonal successor to Little Creatures Return of the Dread and Hotchkiss Six, two of my favourite beers in the past few years. Definitely one to look out for.