S43 Brewery
Microbrewery
in
Durham,
Durham,
England 🏴
Associated Venue: Toronto Lodge (Sonnet 43)
Established in 2012
Closed in 2022
Contact
Description
Changed name from Sonnet 43 to S43 in 2019.
We started life back in 2012, focusing on developing our own British Style Cask Ales out of Country Durham based Brew House.
Back then we were known as Sonnet 43 back then (inspired by the Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who was born and raised in Coxhoe, County Durham, the village our brewery calls home).
Three years into our brewing, in 2015 we had doubled production year on year and expanded our team and range of ales, including the award winning Raven and Aurora.
Another three busy years of brewing our beloved Cask Ales and, we noticed a change in our palettes. Whilst, we were still chugging cask specials at a rate of knots, we were getting excited by some of the more hop-forward flavours from over the pond.
This is when we got in touch with the Texan, to come and develop the craft arm of the brewery.
Brewing ceased at the end of 2022.
We started life back in 2012, focusing on developing our own British Style Cask Ales out of Country Durham based Brew House.
Back then we were known as Sonnet 43 back then (inspired by the Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who was born and raised in Coxhoe, County Durham, the village our brewery calls home).
Three years into our brewing, in 2015 we had doubled production year on year and expanded our team and range of ales, including the award winning Raven and Aurora.
Another three busy years of brewing our beloved Cask Ales and, we noticed a change in our palettes. Whilst, we were still chugging cask specials at a rate of knots, we were getting excited by some of the more hop-forward flavours from over the pond.
This is when we got in touch with the Texan, to come and develop the craft arm of the brewery.
Brewing ceased at the end of 2022.
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Panda at home, thanks to Danlo - Cheers Ed, 02/01/23. Black with a tan cap that dissipates to a swirl. Nose is big on chai spice, herb, dark malts, chocolate, nutmeg, trace of coffee. Taste comprises dark malts, coffee, chai spice, cocoa sprinkle, brown sugar melt, hint of Turkish Delight. Medium bodied with bite, fine carbonation, semi drying close with a balanced spike of alcohol. Solid use of spice ... balanced well.
Tried
on 02 Jan 2023
at 16:53
7.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
440ml can from S43. Black colour, beige foam head and aroma of hazelnut, salted caramel, malt. Taste is sweet, malty, hazelnut, salted caramel, vanilla, some chocolate. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, sweet finish with lingering caramel & hazelnut. Nicely driinkable.
Tried
from Can
on 26 Dec 2022
at 16:44
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
440ml can from S43. Black colour, beige foam head and aroma of rich chocolate, toffee, malt. Taste is sweet, malty, toffee, caramel, vanilla, some chocolate. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, sweet finish with toffee & malt. Nicely drinkable.
Tried
from Can
on 26 Dec 2022
at 16:33
6.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Can from the brewery online shop. Pours clear yellow gold with a thin white head. Aromas of light corn and lemon. Taste is more of the same. Light astringent finish.
Tried
from Can
on 24 Dec 2022
at 18:07
Tried
from Draft
on 23 Dec 2022
at 20:51
7.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7
18/12/2022. Can shared by danlo, cheers Ed. Pours cloudy pale orange gold with a small bubbly white head. Aroma is citrus, malt, oats, mango, peach, grape. Medium sweetness and moderate bitterness. Medium body, quite lively carbonation. Likeable.
Tried
from Can
on 18 Dec 2022
at 14:38
8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 6
Overall 8
18/12/2022. Can shared by danlo, cheers Ed. Pours black with a small bubbly beige head. Aroma of pumpkin pie, cinnamon, chocolate, mild ginger, biscuit, coffee, earthy notes. Medium sweetness and light roasted bitterness. Medium body, average carbonation. Well done.
Tried
from Can
on 18 Dec 2022
at 14:38
7.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
18/12/2022. Can shared by danlo, cheers Ed. Pours cloudy dark golden orange with a small bubbly white head. Aroma is pithy, grapefruit, citrus, lime, ripe tropical fruits, peach, piney edge. Moderate sweetness, medium bitterness and body. Average carbonation. Nicely done.
Tried
from Can
on 18 Dec 2022
at 14:38
7.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Panda 🐼 at home big thanks to Danlo. A thick milky dark orange coloured pour with a fine white head. Ahop dust, creamy vanilla, custard, sabro, white grape, creamy oats. Flavour is composed of creamy wheat, slick oats, vanilla, hop dust, fuzzy peach, dank, peach. Palate is semi sweet, creamy, moderate carbonation. A little non descript.
Tried
on 17 Dec 2022
at 22:34
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Panda 🐼 at home big thanks to Danlo. A hazed bright golden yellow coloured pour with a lasting loose white head. Aroma is semi sweet, orange rind, midget gems, creamy wheat, orange creamsicle. Flavour is composed of semi sweet, creamy wheat, green fennel, mellow tropcials, grass, lemon rind, melon balls, pear drop, peach. Palate is semi swet, creamy, moderate carbonation. Good stuff.
Tried
on 17 Dec 2022
at 21:52