Beer connoisseur and passionate pub campaigner, Mark gives us his decision on the tastiest beer he has sampled in the last seven days.

It’s a move to the dark side for this week’s outstanding beer. A strong stout from the popular and talented brewing team at Acorn Brewery, based in Barnsley.

Gorlovka (6%) is the selection. The stout is named after the Ukrainian twin town of the South Yorkshire brewer. It was CAMRA’s Champion Winter Beer of Britain in 2010.

This multi award-winning beer is almost black as a fire back, with a dark ruby tinge and beige, tight, creamy head.

Strong aromas of bitter chocolate, dark, stone fruit and liquorice were detected. Dark chocolate, coffee, liquorice and more dark, stone fruit were identified in the mouthwatering flavours. There was also some subtle notes of treacle and spicy warmth.

More dark chocolate, liquorice and a trace of caramel sweetness and peppery warmth, in the long, lingering and drying finish.

A quite stunning, strong stout. The complex, deep-flavours balanced to perfection. A delicious and a quite inherently boozy beverage.

Immensely enjoyed and in exceptional condition at the ever popular, Boyce’s Barrel micropub in Colne.