Anspach & Hobday Sea Salt & Chilli Stout

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		14 Jan 2026	Flat as the proverbial pancake. Suggested taking it off further sale but no go
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	13 Jan 2026
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	12 Jan 2026
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	11 Jan 2026
Philip Pirrip		11 Jan 2026	Not over chillied but near the mark
Hogan Sampling		10 Jan 2026	Fresh on and attracted to a good stout I am and with its head and lacing evident and lasting on this Bermondsey-brew. I omitted to read its write-up also on the blackboard containing sea salt and chilli. Had a sample first and it passed my taste buds' scrutiny. A half only ordered and only a half of a half did my so-called discerning taste buds then allow me after that. I sacked my taste buds on the spot but they kept telling me they were right to get me to buy a half in the first place. Of course, there was more to taste as a result. I then came to the decision it was not at all for me and it is not like me to leave even a half of a half. Not quaffable for me in the least! It was dominated by the chillies giving it a certain fruitiness according to the tasting notes. It also contained cacao nibs, lending flavours of chocolate but the chillies wiped that out for me. For those who like to detect their hops, Bramling Cross and Summit were involved but for me not a single hoppy note could I detect above the chillies. I recall this being on before but many months ago and so giving it a wide berth after no doubt also trying just a half. Thankfully, this has been only its first return for me! I will not be trying this again if I can help it! Simply not my cup of tea!