The weather in Sydney of late has been cold and wet to say the least, signalling the time to switch from those easy drinking lagers and light ales that embody summer to the stouts and porters that bring warmth to the cold of winter. Iron House Paddys Head Stout covers the need nicely dark black and hailing from down South in Tasmania, where we assume they know a thing or two about staying warm in the cold.

The Iron House Stout poured from a bottle into a glass with a small tan coloured head, a low level of carbonation and a dark black body. The nose is a real highlight on this brew with plenty of different aromas to intrigue the stand outs being licorice, roasted coffee, cooking chocolate and a hint of vanilla.

On the palate this brew is not lacking in the flavour department chocolate, burnt toast, macadamia nuts, coffee, brown sugar and pepper were very easy to pick up. Considering the amount of flavours present I was extremely surprised how clean this beer ends, not much is left after swallowing except for a moderately sweet caramel aftertaste.

This is not a beer that works when overly cold as some of the flavours come through very one sided and harsh. But its not the sort of style you tend to rush anyhow, allowed to warm the taste becomes alot more rounded and the more subtle flavours really shine.

Verdict: A lovely Winter Stout this is a great brew to unwind with after a cold wet Winters day, I am definitely keen to get my hands on some more.

Score: 8.1/10

Link: Iron House Brewery

Where to buy:Seems Iron House beers don’t make it too far North from their home in Tassie, luckily they can be purchased online from the “Taste of Tassie” website.

Its hard not to like the thinking behind Two Metres Tall company, they grow beer ingredients on their farm and turn them into beer. Sounds pretty simple, is there a better way to taste a micro climate than through a beer? Although i don’t think many brewers have done it this way since the early 20th century so i have to give these guys full kudos for bringing it back into style.

Decanting a bottle of their Cleansing Ale into a glass is an experience in itself, it pours golden amber in colour, with a large creamy tightly packed white head riding atop. Aroma wise tropical fruit, toffee and pine notes predominated although the odd hint of citrus was easily noticed.

On the palate malt notes lead then build to a variety of “fruity” flavours ( mango, apple, orange, lemon and lime were the main offenders) along with pine, toward the back of the palate malt notes seem to take over again with caramel and toffee flavours. The malt notes then died down in the finish leaving a gentle tang and a slight sudsy mouth feel.

Verdict: Very drinkable, the fruitiness and pine makes it a great starter for a hot day even with so much going on taste wise.

Rating: 7.9 /10

Link: The Two Metre Tall Company

Where to buy:

Porters Liquor at Northwood stocks it, or you can contact the Two Metre guys and organise delivery via mail.

Emptying the bottle into a glass the beer was a nice straw colour with a head around 3cm in size, this slowly died over the space of a few minutes to leave a nice lace covering. Aroma wise i struggled to get much at all, bar the faint smell of citrus fruit and the odd hint of freshly cut strawberries.

On the palate this beer was extremely clean, combining a gentle hop bitterness with some wheat tones, hints of toffee flavoured sweetness accompanied by notes of citrus fruits and a touch of spice.

Score: 7.9 / 10

Verdict: This ale is super clean, on a hot summers day this type of easy drinking session beer would be hard to beat.

Link: http://www.wineglassbaybrewing.com.au/

Where to buy: Online at their website.