Ventnor Brewery Sand Rock Smoked Ale

I brought back a bottle of Ventor Brewery Sand Rock Smoked Ale (5.6%) from the Isle of Wight, on the recommendation of the brewery’s Airon Baker, with whom I’d drunk a couple of pints of their Golden Bitter (4%) at Afton Apple Day, where they had a stand. The Sand Rock is a heady winter brew, and when it says smoked it means smoked – in the style of Islay whisky, as one would expect from the use of peated malt. Enjoyable, but only to be taken now and again, and then only at the end of a session!