Brewery: Badger Ales (Hall and Woodhouse)
Location: Blandford St Mary, Dorset, England
ABV: 4.5%
Version: 500ml bottle
Source: Wine Rack

On the way down to the in-laws’ in Bridgnorth a few weeks ago, we stopped off at a branch of Wine Rack just outside Wolverhampton, just on the off-chance that I could pick up a couple of local brews. As well as one or two interesting-looking beers of West Midlands origin (that are still lurking in the beer cupboard) I also spotted this intriguing little number.

River Cottage (it’s endorsed by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and some of the proceeds from each sale are donated to charity) Stinger’s unique selling point is that it’s “brewed with organically grown, hand-picked Dorset nettles”, which was enough to intrigue me and convince me to grab a bottle, although the cynical side of me suspected that there was going to be more gimmick than genuine character to it, I have to confess.

The beer poured a very light, golden colour and shows plenty of effervescence. It was hoppy and not unpleasantly sharp-tasting; quite fresh and with a definite after-taste of something to it, which could very well be nettles. It also provided an appropriate prickling sensation on my tongue – although I suppose this could be due to the carbonation – and by the end of the bottle, I was sure I could feel a very faint numbness of the mouth-parts…

So: a pleasant enough beer that makes your mouth go vaguely numb and tingly (Gimmick? Character? Jury’s still out.) Not sure that’s enough to make me desperate to try this one again, but at least I’m not sorry I gave it a go.