"Mig, we need a stout!"

When we said goodbye to Tuta, our Black IPA, it left a gap in our lineup — and in our hearts. Tuta had become a bit of a cult favourite, praised by craft beer drinkers both locally and abroad. We even had a glowing review from Simon Martin on his Real Ale Craft Beer YouTube channel, calling it “magical”.

But when it was time to move on, we knew one thing for sure: we needed a dark beer to step up and take its place.

So in October 2021, we got to work. We started experimenting with new recipes and brewing small batches. By December, we had something that felt right - a proper stout, dark and roasty with the kind of depth that makes you want to sip slowly. Unfortunately, we also had Omicron. Once again, we were plunged into pandemic uncertainty, and releasing a new beer didn’t feel like the right move.

When February 2022 rolled around and things started to settle, we began planning the release. But then - as if we hadn’t had enough bad timing - Russia invaded Ukraine. It was a moment that shook us, like it did so many others. A modern European democracy, not so different from our own, thrown into chaos.

And that word stuck with us: chaos. In science, chaos refers to unpredictable outcomes in systems that are governed by fixed laws - something that felt all too fitting in that moment. We named the beer accordingly.

But even with a finished recipe and a name, the timing never quite lined up. Between lockdowns, airport closures, gathering limits, and general uncertainty, we put the launch on hold.

Still, I kept saying it:
“Mig, we need a stout!”

Because we did. People love a good stout. It brings something different to the table - something rich, complex, and comforting. And as our lineup continues to evolve, at least our stout-shaped gap has now been filled.