London: Beer expert Jason Hackett has declared Anspach and Hobday’s London Black as the UK’s top stout, highlighting a shift towards craft breweries challenging traditional giants like Guinness. Influencers and bloggers echo this sentiment, marking a transformative era in the UK beer landscape.
In the UK beer scene, a new contender has emerged to challenge the long-standing popularity of Guinness as the top stout. Jason Hackett, a well-regarded beer expert with over 145,000 followers on Instagram, has proclaimed Anspach and Hobday’s London Black as “the best pint of stout or porter you can buy in Britain.” His findings, shared in a recent report by the Daily Record, highlight the rising prominence of craft breweries in a market traditionally dominated by larger brands.
Hackett’s assessment originates from his experience at The Arch House, the Bermondsey taproom of Anspach and Hobday, where he enjoyed a pint of the 4.4% nitro porter following a football match. His initial sampling, praised for its exceptional quality, prompted a return visit just three days later to ensure the standards remained high. He noted, “When I arrived it was still drinking superbly… None came close to this.” His enthusiasm underscores the success of smaller breweries in presenting consistent quality and innovative flavours, further drawing attention from beer enthusiasts.
The report reveals that London’s craft beer landscape is increasingly vibrant, with Hackett’s sentiments echoed by TikTok influencer Dan One-Minute Beer Review, who has described London Black as “better than Guinness.” He elaborated on its flavour profile, highlighting notes of chocolate, coffee, and a hint of wafer ice cream cone. Similarly, renowned beer blogger Glasgow Beer Guy praised the smoothness of London Black, noting its blend of toasted malts and dark malt presence, which contributes to its refined taste.
Anspach and Hobday, established in 2013, are part of a growing wave of craft brewers aiming to challenge established giants like Guinness. Their success illustrates a trend where consumers are becoming increasingly willing to explore options beyond traditional offerings. The report also mentions another stout contender in the marketplace: O’Hara’s Irish Stout from the Carlow Brewing Company in County Carlow, Ireland, which has garnered positive reviews from various beer reviewers, including Hackett, who said it could rival Guinness.
The shifting dynamics in the stout market suggest a promising landscape for craft breweries that are focusing on quality and unique flavour profiles. With influencers and experts enthusiastic about new entrants like London Black, traditional brands may need to adapt to retain their market share. The rise of social media influences, as evidenced by Hackett’s reach on Instagram, could further amplify consumer awareness and preference for craft brews.
In conclusion, the assertions made by Jason Hackett and the reactions from other beer connoisseurs could indicate a transformative period for the UK stout market, where craft brewers are gaining traction and redefining consumer expectations. As more drinkers embrace innovative brews over traditional selections, established brands will need to navigate these emerging trends to maintain their relevance in an evolving marketplace.
Source: Noah Wire Services
