If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you will know about my guilty pleasure for trying ownbrand beers from the supermarkets. Particularly ALDI and Lidl who also create their own fake craft beer brand names like this one, The Hop Foundry from the former. Previous beers I have had from this range have genuinely been some of the worst brews I’ve ever had. As such, I never go into these beers expecting too much from them. This time around we’ve got ‘Stout About It’ a 5.2% ABV Vanilla Stout.

The beer pours a fairly deep black with a very tan brown head. The nose is nice and inviting, with a sweetness to it that compliments the vanilla. Classic light coffee notes are present too. The flavour is surprisingly solid, considering the brand, with a lovely, light roasted bitterness to it. There is a good body present too and mostly avoiding the thinness you can often get in stouts like these. Very drinkable on the whole.

A quick note on the can art: Two vanilla ice cream cones on a black background. Not much to say really, although I’m not a fan of the slightly grainy filter that’s been layered over the top.

On the whole this is probably the best (well, at least one of the best) own brand beers I’ve had. I’ve paid a lot of money for craft beer stouts that have a weaker body and less flavour than this £1.59 can of faux craft. While it other beers in the range have been abysmal this is most certainly head and shoulders above the rest. The classic roast stout flavours are there and the sweetness from the vanilla is well balanced. It’s basically a sweeter Guinness and we all know there is nothing wrong with Guinness. Would certainly buy again.

Score: 7/10

Thanks for reading! Cheers!

Additional Information:

• Hops: Not Available
• Malt: Not Available
• IBU: Not Available
• ABV: 5.2%
• Gluten Free: No
• Vegan: No
• Purchase Price: £1.59
• Purchase Location: Aldi