Some collaborations feel inevitable the moment you hear about them. BrewDog Two Scoops Stout is very much one of those.
It brings together two things I already love in their own right: a proper, indulgent BrewDog stout and the unmistakable flavour of Mackie’s honeycomb ice cream. On paper it sounds playful. In the glass, it’s surprisingly sophisticated.
A stout lover’s starting point
I’ve always had a soft spot for stouts, particularly when BrewDog turn their attention to the style. Their darker beers tend to balance richness with drinkability, avoiding the trap of becoming cloying or overly sweet. There’s usually roasted depth, a smooth mouthfeel, and enough bitterness to keep things grounded.
Two Scoops Stout starts exactly where you’d hope: deep in colour, creamy-headed, and unapologetically dessert-leaning without tipping into novelty for novelty’s sake.
Where the Mackie’s magic comes in
Mackie’s honeycomb ice cream is a classic for a reason. It’s not just sweet; it has that caramelised, almost toasted sugar note that gives honeycomb its character. Translating that into a stout could have gone horribly wrong, but here, it works.
Instead of tasting like melted ice cream dumped into a beer, the honeycomb flavour shows up as soft caramel, vanilla warmth, and a gentle sweetness that complements the roasted malt backbone. Think more ice cream parlour nostalgia than sugary overload.
Dessert beer done properly
What really sells Two Scoops Stout for me is restraint. Yes, it’s inspired by ice cream. Yes, it’s fun. But it still behaves like a stout you actually want to finish a can of.
The sweetness is rounded, not sticky
The roasted malt keeps everything balanced
The mouthfeel is smooth rather than heavy
It sits comfortably in that space between after-dinner treat and evening stout, which makes it incredibly versatile.
Perfect pairings (beyond the obvious)
While it’s tempting to drink this alongside actual ice cream, Two Scoops Stout also works brilliantly with:
Chocolate brownies or chocolate torte
Sticky toffee pudding
Strong, salty cheeses
Or simply on its own, as a pudding-in-a-glass moment
It’s the sort of beer that feels right on a cold evening, but still has enough novelty to spark conversation when shared.
Why this collaboration works
At its best, BrewDog Two Scoops Stout doesn’t feel like a gimmick. It feels like two well-loved Scottish brands understanding exactly what the other brings to the table. BrewDog provide the brewing confidence and stout expertise; Mackie’s bring flavour memory and comfort.
For anyone who already enjoys BrewDog stouts and has a fondness for Mackie’s honeycomb ice cream, this beer feels oddly personal – as though someone has brewed a Venn diagram and poured it into a can.
Two Scoops Stout is playful, indulgent, and genuinely enjoyable. It manages to celebrate dessert flavours without forgetting it’s still a beer first and foremost. For me, that’s why it works so well: it combines two favourites without compromising either.
If you like your stouts rich, your collaborations clever, and your beer with a side of nostalgia, this one’s well worth scooping up.
I'd recommend getting some in for the Christmas and New Year festivities.
