Williams Bros Brewing Co are masters of the darker end of the spectrum as well as the lighter, and Pavlov’s Dog demonstrates why. The name is a nice bit of wit – a beer that conditions you to come back for more, which is either a boast or a warning depending on your perspective. Drinking it alongside the British Grand Prix is a very specific kind of pleasure: the combination of motorsport, a long afternoon, and a properly good dark beer is hard to improve on.
Tasting Notes
Pavlov’s Dog pours a very dark brown, nearly black, with a tan head and a nose that’s immediately rich and inviting – dark roasted malt, dried fruit, chocolate, and a hint of something almost winey. On the palate it’s full-bodied and complex: roasted malt leads, with dark fruit character developing through the mid-palate, and a long, smooth finish with some lingering bitterness. It’s a proper dark beer rather than a stout – more restrained roast, more fruit, more depth.
Verdict
Serve at cellar temperature and take your time with it. Pavlov’s Dog is a serious dark beer that earns its name – once you’ve had one, the desire for another is genuinely Pavlovian. It pairs beautifully with game, rich stews, strong cheese, or just a quiet evening in. Williams Bros at their most rewarding and complex.