Brewery: Moor Beer Company [www.beermerchants.com

I felt like treating myself last weekend, so I cracked open the bottle of Moor Peat Porter that I’d been saving since I bought it from beermerchants.com as part of a self-assembled mixed case back in July.

Moor Peat Porter poured with a pitch-dark body and a big, frothy tan head, giving off a wonderfully smoky, chocolatey aroma in the process. The lightly effervescent mouth-feel carried a mix of dry-fruit and coffee-tones – an initial sharp bitterness giving way to sweeter notes – with a long, dry, after-taste. And yes, there was a definite smokiness throughout; the same sort of peat-smoke character you get from one of the milder Islay whiskies (Bruichladdich or Bunnahabhain, I reckon).

An incredibly complex, deeply satisfying porter, it was positively crying out for the company of a comfy old leather armchair, a roaring log fire and a hearty roast venison dinner with all the trimmings. I tell you what, I’ll be buying a few more of these if and when I get the chance.

This order actually came in about a month ago, but I’m only just getting round to sampling some of the contents. In a weird bit of mathematical synchronicity the whole lot (including p&p) came to £50.00 exactly.*

First up:

• Kernel Porter and Pale Ale
• Viven Porter and Ale

The Kernel beers were one of the main reasons for putting the order in, and I’d heard good buzz about the Vivens as well.

Next:

• Moor Old Freddie Walker, JJJ IPA, Peat Porter and Fusion

The other main reason for ordering… heard nothing but great things about these beers, looking forward to trying them.

And finally, to make up the 12-case, a few miscellaneous Belgians:

• Het Anker Gouden Carolus
• De Dolle Special Extra Export Stout
• Van Steenbergen Gulden Draak
• Brasserie Lefebvre Floreffe Blonde

Tasting notes to follow on all of the above in due course!

*Okay, okay, I confess. I hunted around for a bottle priced at £1.80 to make up the round number. Mild numerical OCD strikes again.