Chris Shanahan: Beer review — Innis and Gunn and Matilda Bay Long Shot

Innis and Gunn Original Oak Aged Beer 330ml $7.70
This oak-aged, bottle-conditioned beer comes from Edinburgh. It’s the colour of honey and the aroma is fruity, malty and toffee-like. The palate is brisk and the toffee-malt flavours are boosted by a solid 6.6 per cent alcohol. It’s definitely a winter warmer, thanks to the alcohol and fairly sweet, malty richness.

Matilda Bay Long Shot Coffee Infused Dark Ale 3445ml 6-pack $19.99
Matilda Bay, the boutique-brewing arm of Fosters, offers this exclusively through the Woolworths-owned Dan Murphy outlets. The ale uses roasted malt, seasoned with roasted Yirgacheffe (Ethiopia) coffee beans. The result is dark and strong, with rich chocolaty flavours and lingering espresso-like bitterness. Needs food to mollify the bitterness.