Your Local Guide to Food and Drink on the Isle of Wight
Last Modified: 3 November 2025 12:22 pm
As the weather cools, many of us swap crisp summer drinks for something darker and richer. Wine lovers reach for red, and beer fans trade their IPAs for comforting stouts or darker ales. With International Stout Day 2025 coming up on 6th November, it’s the perfect time to discover a delicious Isle of Wight stout and support local breweries.
While Guinness may be the world’s most famous stout, there’s something special about enjoying a pint that’s been brewed right here on the Island. From chocolate and coffee notes to sweet vanilla and marshmallow flavours, these local stouts showcase the Isle of Wight’s best craft beer talent.
One of the newer creations from Goddards Brewery’s ‘Brewed in the Bay’ collection is the ‘Barista Breakfast Stout’. This 4.8% brew is a comforting combination of coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla and nutmeg, balanced with traditional stout bitterness from Challenger and Goldings hops.
The use of oats gives it a silky smooth mouthfeel, making it a perfect winter warmer.
Try this: Bake a Chocolate Barista Breakfast Stout Cake using this rich stout. It’s an indulgent dessert idea for stout lovers!
If you’re looking for something unique, Yates’ Brewery offers two imaginative stouts that bring sweetness and nostalgia to your glass. ‘Marshmallow Stout’ (5.0%) has a biscuity scent and a sweet marshmallow flavour reminiscent of s’mores. ‘Thrilla in Vanilla’ (5.0%) features a delightful aroma with hints of biscuit and vanilla.
While it’s technically not a stout, Yates’ ‘Dark Side of the Wight’ is an ultra dark, full-bodied winter ale worth mentioning. Hopped with Northdown and Cascade hops, it delivers a chocolatey, malty and creamy finish that stout drinkers will love.
From Island Brewery comes ‘Earl’s R.D.A’ (Rich Dark Ale), a deeply satisfying brew made with crystal and chocolate malts plus roasted barley. It’s a rich, dark ale with a smooth cappuccino finish, extremely moreish and full of depth.
Even better, it’s named after ‘Earl’, the sunflower emblem of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. For every pint sold, 10p is donated to the hospice, so you can enjoy great beer while supporting a great cause.
If you’re looking to try something different, head to Wight Knuckle Brewery in Nunwell for their Black IPA. Though not a traditional stout, this dark 4.7% ale blends the roasted malt flavours of a stout with the light, hoppy freshness of an IPA. It’s an intriguing hybrid for adventurous drinkers.
This International Stout Day 2025, why not raise a glass to the incredible Isle of Wight stout scene? Whether you prefer chocolatey, creamy or vanilla-sweet brews, the Island’s breweries offer something to suit every taste.
By choosing a local craft beer, you’re not just enjoying a delicious pint; you’re supporting local Island businesses and keeping traditional brewing alive.
So, grab your favourite, get cosy and celebrate the art of the stout this November!
