Life

Beer: Boundary's imperial stout You're Not Getting Any is an elusive yet rewarding tipple

Paul McConville

Paul McConville

Paul is the Irish News sports editor. He has worked for the newspaper since 2003 as a sub-editor and sports reporter. He also writes a weekly column on craft beer.

Boundary's imperial stout You're Not Getting Any
Boundary's imperial stout You're Not Getting Any Boundary's imperial stout You're Not Getting Any

IF THERE was any more proof needed that craft beer is the new rock 'n' roll, then it's new releases. Just like music fans used to rush down to the record shop (yep, that used to be a thing) to get the latest offering from their favourite artist, now there is a buzz of excitement whenever a well-regarded brewery flags a new beer through their 'socials'.

So, then beer fans take themselves along to their local off licence or log-on to online stores and try and snap up these new concoctions and, before long, the fresh-out-of-the-brewery IPA you had two weeks ago now looks dated in comparison.

The recent lockdown has seen many breweries significantly up their input, in part because they've been holed up in their premises, which are ideal for social distancing, and also because there haven't been the usual round of festivals and fairs and that to attend.

However, keeping up can be tough and no sooner have you ticked off your imaginary 'must-drinks' card (it might even be an actual card, no-one's judging here), than a new one hits the shelves.

Like a good Bavarian lager, you need time to chill and take a look at everything on the shelf – revisit an old favourite, try something you've previously not been interested in or have a go at something you've missed.

To that end, I picked up a can of Boundary's imperial stout You're Not Getting Any. Now, this has been knocking about for a while now in various guises, but I have found it elusive and, well, an impy stout in the middle of summer (albeit an Irish summer) seemed a bit incongruous.

Anyway, this bad boy clocks in at just over 9 per cent, but according to Boundary, strengths can range from 9 to 12 per cent depending on which version you get. It pours a jet black colour in the glass with a thin tan head. This is brewed with oatmeal and blueberries, both breakfast staples of mine, but also very welcome in a stout. There are plumy, stone fruit aromas alongside the usual coffee and chocolate whiffs you get from a stout.

The coffee is understated in the flavour though, and the chocolate tones are more towards the sweet than bitter end. The blueberries help too with the sweetness, with a little tart hint giving it a slight red wine feel.