Nestled in the Suffolk countryside, a stone’s throw from Ipswich is a small village called Edwardstone, with a population of just 375. The hub of this community is the White Horse, a regular in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for over 20 years, as well as being recognised for its initiatives in Green Tourism. Not only are there solar panels on the roof, they also source the water from their own borehole and have 3 wood burners for warmth in the winter, using local coppiced wood. Also, next door, the much-revered brewery Little Earth Project, who specialise in barrel aged sour beers are plying their trade, of which they have 6 of their beers pouring at any one time in the pub.

On a recent visit, I stayed in one of their two holiday chalets over the early Bank Holiday weekend (they also have a campsite next door too), which was well appointed, clean and were made to feel most welcome.

I timed it right, as they were holding a Dark Ale Festival on that weekend, which gave me plenty to choose from over the few days, I was using it as a base. The highlights from Little Earth Project included

‘Its Life, Jim MkII’  15.2% – The aroma was in typical Barley Wine territory, with the beer being plummy, deep and full of raisin sweetness. It had what I describe as basil, herby like finish

‘Export India Porter’ 6.4% – A bretted porter offers up a sour and funky quality, which you don’t expect from a dark beer, with a cherry like sweet finish.

Echoes of Summer 2021’ – 5.6% – Tart raspberry, with a cherry plum tartness are initial flavours, but its balanced with a funkiness from the oak barrel aging.