Despite the news a few months ago that Guinness was to go vegan, sadly it still hasn’t. So, what can vegans have on St Patrick’s Day if they fancy a drop of the black stuff? Well, here are a few options…
Meantime London Stout
Brewed at the Meantime Brewing Company in Greenwich (hence the name), Meantime London Stout is made with dark malts, rather than the roasted barley used in Guinness and other traditional Irish stouts. This gives it a complex, malty flavour with notes of vanilla, caramel and even nut roast. Widely available in bottles.
Pitfield Shoreditch Stout
Pitfield Brewery, based in Essex, is one of only a very small handful of breweries in the UK that produce beer that is both vegan and organic and is a regular feature at vegan events across the UK. At 4% ABV, their Shoreditch Stout is not as strong as many other dark beers, but this makes it perfect for session drinking. The flavour is smooth and mild with notes of coffee and chocolate and it is surprisingly refreshing. Pitfield also produce a 1792 Imperial Chocolate Stout, but at 7.3% ABV, it’s not for the faint hearted.
Samuel Smith’s Extra Stout
Samuel Smith’s have been brewing beer in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, for more than 250 years. Whilst they produce a wide selection of beers, including several stouts, their Extra Stout is the only one that is available on draught. Smooth, creamy and malty, this is a fine stout and is available in pubs across Yorkshire and further afield. Also look out for their Organic Chocolate Stout, Oatmeal Stout and Imperial Stout, available in bottles
Binghams Doodle Stout (bottle only)
For a small brewery, Berkshire-based Binghams produce a surprising number of stouts. Their Doodle Stout is, rather appropriately, named after the brewer’s dog and features paw prints on the label. Made with a delicious blend of dark malts, this makes for a complex beer. Sadly, only the bottled version is suitable for vegans, which also goes for their Coffee Stout, Vanilla Stout, Ginger Doodle Stout and Hot Dog Stout.
Blackjack Stout
Founded in 2012, Blackjack Beers in Manchester is a fairly new microbrewery, but everything they produce is vegan-friendly, so you can enjoy their Blackjack Stout safe in the knowledge that it is cruelty-free. This beer comes with rich toffee and smoky flavours, but with a nice dose of hoppy spice. Available from Marble pubs and other drinking establishments around Manchester.
For more vegan stout options, visit Barnivore.