Following our in-person new brew event at the start of March, we had a relatively quiet month as we were in training for the Wakefield 10k (which we both completed). But we did make it out to watch the football a couple of times, and had a trip to Newark to celebrate a family birthday. We’ve also had some banging beers at home.
Here’s a rundown of our favourite new brews for March 2026.
Tama by The Garden Brewery (Zagreb, Croatia)
Imperial Pastry Stout 8.1%
We had a few Garden Brewery beers when we were in Croatia last year, but we actually found this one in Asda. It’s pretty much as described on the can - rich, sweet and indulgent. A tasty brew.
Brewer’s note: Rich, sweet and indulgent on a milk stout biscuit base.
Brewer’s website: The Garden Brewery
Telex by North (Leeds, Yorkshire)
Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 11%
We’ve had this in our fridge since before North changed ownership, and it’s no longer available, which is a huge shame because it was absolutely delicious. Super decadent and boozy.
Brewer’s note: Telex is the last of our Field Recordings trilogy exploring barrel aged stouts with classic flavours. The base beer has been aged in a combination of whiskey, rum, and Rioja wine barrels, which were carefully selected to highlight the chocolate. The whiskey barrels provide soft vanilla and oak notes, the rum barrels contribute a subtle warmth and spice, while the red wine barrels bring a rich, tannic depth.
We’ve used a generous amount of Colombian cacao nibs to infuse Telex with deep, rich chocolate flavour. Expect the smoothness of dark chocolate with a slight acidic edge. ; Just like the vanilla and coffee versions we’ve brewed in the last 12 months, it’s luxurious, it’s decadent, it’s satisfying.
Brewer’s website: North Brewing Co
Kipling by Thornbridge (Bakewell, Derbyshire)
Pale Ale 5.2%
We picked this up at The Real Ale Store in Newark, along with a couple of other new brews. Even served in a wine glass, it was a great beer - lots of flavour with mango and passionfruit really coming through.
Brewer’s note: Kipling was the first UK beer to use the exquisite Nelson Sauvin hop from New Zealand. We brew this as a SMASH (Single Malt and Single Hop) using the heritage Maris Otter as a base malt which works to allow the complex flavour of this hop to really shine through. There is a grassy, grapefruit character on the nose, followed by passionfruit and mango. It finishes with a balanced and thirst-quenching bitterness.
Brewer’s website: Thornbridge Brewery
Fagans Irish Red Ale by Kelham Island Brewery (Location)
Red Ale 4%
We’ve found red ales to be a bit hit and miss, so when we find a good one (especially on cask), we love to share it, and this one was good. It was smooth, creamy and malty - just what you want from your Sunday pint!
Brewer’s note: Irish Red Ale brewed with Fagans
Brewer’s website: Kelham Island Brewery
BEER OF THE MONTH
Monolith (2023) by Burning Sky (South Downs, East Sussex)
Vatted Black Beer 8%
A while back, we treated ourselves to a selection of 750ml Burning Sky beers, and we’ve been gradually working our way through them. This month, we chose Monolith - a black beer, aged in a Chianti foudre.
It had flavours of a chocolate stout, but with the funk and sourness of a wild ale, which sounds like it would be disgusting, but it really worked. Definitely one of the most interesting beer we’ve had recently and worthy of our beer of the month.
Brewer’s note: This black beer was aged for eight months in a Chianti foudre with wild yeast strains. The result is full of chocolate and vinious oak flavours, with pleasing farmhouse aromas and mild acidity.
Brewer’s website: Burning Sky
Honourable mention
These new brews didn’t quite make it into our top five, but we still feel they are worth a mention.
Aecht Schlenkerla Erle by Schlenkerla (Bamberg, Germany)
Schwarzbier 4.2%
We loved the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier when we tried it so when we spotted this in The Real Ale Store, we didn’t hesitate in adding it to our haul. It was lovely and dark, with roasted malt flavours and lots of smokiness.
Brewer’s note: Schwarzbier has been around since at least the 16th century and was once more widespread than it is today. During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century it was almost replaced by mass-produced lighter beers. Only a few breweries have preserved the beer style, and it has been experiencing a renaissance for around 30 years.
We use a very special smoked malt for our Aecht Schlenkerla Erle black beer. This is not dried over a beech wood fire as usual, but over an alder wood fire. The alder smoked malt brings a fine, complex smoky flavor to the beer, which is less strong and spicy than our classic smoked beer. A high proportion of roasted malt ensures a pronounced roasted aroma and the dark, almost black color. At 4.3%, Aecht Schlenkerla Erle has slightly less alcohol, but has a strong taste.
Brewer’s website: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier
Revisited
Not a new brew but a beer we’ve revisited recently because it’s one of our favourites.
Drip by SALT (Shipley, Yorkshire)
DDH NEIPA 7%
A big juicy IPA with great body and a lovely mouthfeel. One we’ve had before and would definitely have again.
Brewer’s note: One of the juiciest, dankest NEIPA's we've put out. Laced with Simcoe and Mosaic, DRIP will give you all the stone fruit you can handle.
Double dry hopped with the same hop bill, giving huge waves of passion fruit, papaya and mango on the nose. Stacks of oats give a super silky mouthfeel and incredibly refreshing finish.
All the above leaving ya'll loving the DRIP.
Brewer’s website: SALT
West Indies Porter by Guinness (Dublin, Ireland)
Porter 6%
Every year, we celebrate St Patrick’s Day with an Irish stew (made with Guinness) and an Irish brew. While we do like an original Guinness, we actually prefer this West Indies Porter. If you haven’t tried it, get it on your shopping list.
Brewer’s note: A group of enterprising brewers on a quest to explore new recipes reinterpret old ones and collaborate freely to bring exciting beers to life.
A style with origins from our brewers' diaries dating back to 1801, West Indies Porter is complex yet mellow, hoppy with notes of toffee and chocolate.
Brewer’s website: The World of Guinness
