Stoof & Peer to stave off the cold nights

It’s February. Who likes February? It’s not just January, which is cold, and it’s not just March, which is wet, it’s both. Totally miserable and entirely the time when Glühwein should be delivered to every house by the powers that be to get us through the gloomy nights and make coming in with wellies full of water more bearable.

Unfortunately it also happens to be the end of Glühwein season, as for some reason we’ve decided that it should only be enjoyed in the season of Christmas cheer, fairy lights and hope.

While I’ll lead the march to extend Glühwein season from late October until the end of February, I was relieved to receive Stoof & Peer to stave off the cold nights. Stoofperen are the Dutch version of poached pears, so more than enough inspiration there to help warm my socks.

Although the beer doesn’t initially smell like much, you get a whole lot of beautiful, chewy perfectly caramelised pear flavour upon first taste- it’s honeylike and almost a tad floral. The malty and gently peaty notes which characterise the Scottish Ale style play perfectly to make the beer feel comforting and sturdy- yet not stodgy- with a lightly bitter (yet increasingly floral!) finish which means you won’t be stuck feeling like you’ve had too many pears with too much cream added! I’d recommend alongside some nice cheeses and chutneys in the afternoon, perhaps around some candles while dinner is bubbling away in the background.

Also to note is that this beer is a collaboration with Stichting Philadelphia, a foundation long close to De Molen’s heart. The foundation works to provide opportunities and support for those with disabilities to live their own fulfilling lives as independently as they can. So by enjoying a beer with a great mission behind it and supporting their programme? Maybe there is some hope in February after all.

Cheers!

Lara Davis