BEER

JUST before Christmas, the Bargain Booze chain had a bit of a hiccup, which led to the closure of all their outlets.

While some still remain closed, others have re-opened – and that includes the outlet in Davenport on Bramhall Lane.

As I have mentioned before, this was like no other Bargain Booze outlet in the range of beers it sold. Covering everything from family brewers’ premium bottled ales via foreign imports to the more exotic reaches of craft brewing, there was something for everyone here.

This was down to the efforts of manager Paul Lindup, who, I’m pleased to say, is back at the helm and, when I called, was busy getting his shelves re-stocked, and already the range is impressive.

There’s more to come of course, and this is all being done with the blessing of the local area manager who is keen to see other branches become more beery – and that’s got to be good news.

Naturally I picked up some beers while I was there, and here are three of them. As you will see prices remain keen.

Lost and Grounded Hop-Hand Fallacy (4.4%, 330ml, £2.60)

Since they started brewing in July last year Bristol’s Lost and Grounded has established a serious reputation for its German and Belgian inspired beers – the brewhouse was designed with them in mind.

This is a Belgian-style farmhouse ale, or saison, but with the addition of orange peel and coriander, a typical ingredient of Belgian wheat beers.

It’s a slightly hazy pale blonde with a combination of hops and spicy esters on the nose – hallmarks ofa classic saison.

It drinks soft but full with spice and hops again plus hints of mandarin and lemon perhaps.

The finish is crisp and dry. One of the best UK saisons I’ve had.

Hawkshead Hop Black (5.6%, 330ml, £2.70)

Based up in Staveley, near Windermere, Hawkshead is one of the UK’s top breweries for my money.

Eyebrows were raised earlier this year when they were bought out by Liverpool-based Halewood Wines and Spirits, but, having spoken to managing director Alex Brodie and head brewer Matt Clarke, I for one am reassured that this is a positive move.

The whole range, from the relatively safe to the more experimental, is well thought out and executed.

This is a black IPA, although it’s more a dark red-brown.

There are Cascade, Columbus, Citra and Mosaic hops in this so on the nose there are hop resins, hints of tropical fruit and chocolate notes from the dark malts.

The taste is a great balance between citrus hops and dark malts (hints of chocolate come through) and this leads an increasingly bitter, dry and lasting finish. Lovely stuff.

Marble Lost your Marbles (10.4%, 330ml, £4.60)

This is the real deal. Marble’s barrel ageing programme goes from strength to strength and this is a belter.

It’s an imperial stout brewed in August 2015, aged in a red wine cask and with the addition of forest fruits. There are fruit, chocolate and even leather notes on the nose and in the taste it’s all there.

It was like drinking a dark Belgian chocolate Easter egg, with the richness countered by the fruit – cherries were certainly there.

The finish is smooth and rounded. A truly luxurious beer.