The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

The 10 Best Autumn beers

From a brew that is re-fermented with champagne yeast to one of the oldest surviving examples of an India Pale Ale...

Kate Hilpern
Thursday 31 October 2013 22:15 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

1. Chapel Down Curious Brew

£17.99 for 12, majestic.co.uk

This vineyard uses East Anglian malt, Saaz and cascade hops and then re-ferments the lager using the same champagne yeast that goes into its sparkling wines.

2. Hogs Back TEA

£1.97, waitrose.com

A top-selling, award-winning Traditional English Ale that's deep golden in colour and hoppy, refreshing and well balanced in taste. A great autumnal session ale.

3. Thwaites Nutty Black

£1.99, beersofeurope.co.uk

One of just four beers to win Champion Beer of Britain twice; voted World's Best Mild last year. Dark, a hint of nuttiness, with roasted and bittersweet flavours.

4. Thornbridge Wild Raven

£30.25 for 12 bottles, thornbridgebrewery.co.uk

There's plenty going on in this dark stout, with stacks of aromatic notes and bitterness, and it's full-bodied, but not heavy.

5. Bodgers Barley Wine

£2.50, chilternbrewery.co.uk

Brewed in the style of a strong IPA, this is a golden-chestnut ale with citrus fruits, juicy malt and spicy hops. It is well tuned, perfectly balanced, with a lingering aftertaste.

6. Titanic Stout

£1.97, ocado.com

Dark but not cloying, this stout boasts malt and roast flavours with some hops. It is rich, delicious, with a creamy head. No wonder so many call it the perfect English stout.

7. Wye Valley Brewery Butty Bach

£25.44 for a case of 12, wyevalleybrewery.co.uk

This ale is brewed using Maris Otter and Crystal malts, flaked barley, malted wheat, and Fuggles, Goldings and Bramling Cross hops.

8. Young's Special London Ale

£1.95, ocado.com

Oz Clarke described this beer's flavour as "like making love in a hop garden". It's had many accolades, not least because it's so smooth, rich and malty on the palate.

9. Cheddar Ales Gorge Best

£24 for 12, therealalecompany.co.uk

The play on words isn't the only thing going for this beer, which provides a clean, bitter taste that complements the warm malt flavours.

10. Worthington's White Shield IPA

£2.13, ocado.com

Feisty and full-flavoured, with a powerful hoppiness and a long, bittersweet finish. Dating back to the 1820s, it is one of the oldest surviving examples of an India Pale Ale.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in