Proper is the stout from Banks Brewing, the family-owned independent brewery in Seaford, in Melbourne's outer south-east. Run by Chris and Penny Farmer and brewing since 2016, Banks is known for small-batch beers built around balance and drinkability across IPAs, pale ales, lagers and stouts.
This is an English-style stout, brewed with a blend of English and German malts and lightly hopped with East Kent Goldings and Magnum. The restrained bitterness lets the roasted malt take centre stage.
Expect deep layers of coffee and dark chocolate over a smooth, biscuity malt character. It is rich in flavour yet sessionable and easy-drinking, a stout with complexity but without the heaviness.