Cheeky Monkey have thrown a few curveballs in recent years, from cupcake-infused stouts to thicker-than-yoghurt fruited pastry sours. This release, however, throws a curveball by being a beer that lacks any, well… insanity. It's a clean, sessionable and entirely unadulterated Export Stout that leans very much classic.
Landing at just 5.6 percent ABV, this seasonal offering lands with winter in mind. But it's no OTT winter stout; what impresses here is repeatability within a buttoned up, simple style. Chocolate features across the palate, both sweeter dark chocolate and chalky cocoa nibs that last after each sip. A mineral note and some slight, residual sweetness pair well with sweeter, malt-derived characters, while hops bring just enough bitterness. A light to medium body keeps things even more quaffable still, while the finish is surprisingly short and sharp.
Cheeky Monkey do well with their extravagant, adjunct-laced stouts but prove here they can keep things simple and still produce a beer of distinction.
Jono Outred
Published May 11, 2023 2023-05-11 00:00:00
