Torrside Tasting 15th December 2021

With three layers & my thickest socks, I set off by tram & rural bus service to go up them there hills to Torrside’s Brewery in Newmills, Cheshire which is thankfully rather close to both the bus stop & a train station.

Even if driving was an option it wouldn’t be advisable, because when it comes to beer Torrside are renowned for their smoked & their high strength abv Monsters series, taking a small batch of the unfermented wort and brewing a stronger version, something that I think only Weird Beard of London also do regularly.



Whilst waiting for the tasting to start sampled on keg their Forbidden Garden, a grapefruit weissbier, Torrside are not geared to commerciality so are always willing to give the lesser known styles a run, my first Grisette was from them & greatly enjoyed their peppermint saison.

The tasting comprised of six beers, served two at a time, the original beer & the barrel aged version, first a strong Ruby mild & peated highland barrel version, then an English Barleywine & it with added elderberries & Arran Whisky barrel aged version.
The last two of the tasting being an dark imperial Grodziskie & it’s highland barrel version.

So it went subtle rye sweetness then with subtle peaty smokiness. Sweet booziness then with whisky notes. Onto oak smoke then with layers of smokiness. Then grabbing a third of an imperial smoked stout before making sure I left in plenty of time for the last bus.

Definitely planning a return visit but hopefully when there is the daylight to enjoy the scenery & also when nearby Swizzels confectionery factory is making their wares and filling the air with the scent of Refreshers & Drumsticks sweets/candy.

 

The bus I was on went on to Buxton, so might see about that as a pretty low cost travel option for a beer day out.