Hopback, Entire Stout, 4.5% ABV

In contrast to other beers from Hopback, this one is heavy. But this shouldn't be surprising, since it is a stout. On pouring, the head mounts up quickly and retains its fervour, remaining undulous throughout. There are undertones if bitterness in this stout, with a roasted aftertaste and an aroma of burnt crusts (not that that is a bad thing!). The mouthfeel is lovely and smooth, with the roasted malt flavouring falling decidedly onto the tongue.

Hopback, Summer Lightning, 5% ABV

Summer Lightning will strike you (excuse the pun) as a summer beer if there ever was one. On pouring you will notice the cloudy aspect to this beer. It is one of the rare English wheat beers, although wheat is perhaps not the prominent aspect here. The strong aroma is rather citrus and yeasty. As for the appearance, it is almost straw, but ever so slightly darker. Its head is bubbly and places respectable lacing around the sides of the glass. The wheat renders the flavour quite sharp, but lemons, oranges and hops show through, leaving a sharp lemony aftertaste and a juicy mouthfeel, with a yeast bearing on the palate. This refreshing beer is what Hop Back is all about.