Box Steam Brewery v Isambard

Never one to say no to a beer (call it a weak point) I'd been interested in trying Box Steam brews since I'd seen their traditional bitter - Tunnel Vision nestling on the shelf at Sheffield's blues and booze mega emporium Rhythm & Booze. 

Founded in 2004 down in Wiltshire this family owned microbrewery brew all their beers using a steam-heated copper vat. Shame it's not in my locale as I'd love to have a tour round this kit. The engineering feats of Isambard Kingdom Brunel have inspired many of their beers' names - including the two above. 

Funnel Blower the 4.5% dark beer out of the pair seems to be inspired from one of Isambard's large scale ships, the Great Eastern, which set sail in 1859. An iron five funnel steam powered ship with a capacity to carry 4,000 people. 

  

Funnel Blower was labelled as a dark vanilla porter at 4.5%. A traditional looking ale (historical reference, trains, erm say no more) with a tempting award winning neck label and an enticing description on the front and back of the bottle. 

Dark Mahogany on the pour with a light body on glass fill as you would expect from a porter. The aroma of the vanilla was noticeable after a few seconds. With the already appealing nature from the aroma on first taste the dark porter delivered delicate roasted flavours. A well balanced and spicy beer, I'd save for accompanying a game stew - something earthy and heavy to partner this brew.    

            

The lighter ale of the pair was the Golden Bolt at 3.8%. A pale golden straw colour on pour with a light body. Very lightly carbonated the pale golden ale had a malty bready nature to the taste with a hint of hoppy bitterness on first taste. Easy drinking and would partner a light starter such as a chicken Caesar salad. Golden Bolt hints at a solid gold rivet bolt apparently used by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in his wrought iron structure of the Royal Albert Bridge in Saltash. 

Two moreish beers that I would easily pick up & enjoy again.