Brewery: Hambleton Ales
Location: Melmerby, North Yorkshire, England
ABV: 5.0%
Version: Bottled
Source: Bottles, York

I first drank Nightmare Stout (or Nick Stafford’s Hambleton Ales Nightmare Stout, to give it the full moniker on the label) in Brigantes in York, when Jo and I stopped in for some rather tasty grub (the details of which escape me, but I know I tucked in heartily) a few months ago. I noted at the time that Nightmare stout was a very rich, creamy, dark ruby-red beer; quite sweet, with a chocolatey flavour and a tangy after-taste. Again, I remember being mightily impressed and would have stayed for a couple more if we weren’t on the way to a do at the York Brewery.

So when we were next in York and I found myself passing Bottles – a small, but impressively well-stocked specialist beer merchant on one of the city’s main tourist drags – with just enough time to nip in and grab the one bottle, this was the one I made a b-line for.

Sampling it last Friday evening I was pleased to discover that the bottled version is almost as impressive as the draught. This one poured a thick, almost opaque black and was slightly effervescent, making for a very pleasant mouth-feel. This time I noted a more herbal tang to go with the chocolatey notes; cough-drops was what sprang to mind (although in an entirely good way, I hasten to add) along with a touch of citrus. As you might expect, the bottled version wasn’t as rich as the draught pint, but it was still an extremely satisfying brew.

I’ll be keeping an eye out for it on future visits to York, that’s for sure. And if I can find a local retailer that stocks the bottled version, then that will do nicely for the time being.