Beer o’clock

We imagined a warm summer’s day walking on the beach promenade as we passed a florist just arranging the bouquets outside the shop, while next door someone enjoyed a steaming hot sweet porridge. We sat down at a pub overlooking the sea and had a half pint of a ‘wee heavy’– dark brown in colour, a thick foamy head and awash with caramel and a flavourful roasty character as well as the dark sweet fruitiness of plums. After a drop of water, we got served salted brown-butter and maple popcorn, a very moreish snack, while the palate turned silky smooth and chocolatey as we ordered a second beer, this time a porter.