Alex Kratena's Negroni Saison will make some traditionalists grimace and gripe

Given that he's Czech, Alex Kratena's love of beer is no great shock. What may ruffle some feathers, though, is the beer that this multi-award-winning bartender at The Artesian in Central London has recently helped create: a Negroni Saison. You won't find that sort of thing in most Prague boozers.

Made in collaboration with Partizan, an experimental brewery based in hop-heavy Bermondsey, it will inevitably make some traditionalists grimace and gripe. Let them. To me, it's a bit of harmless fun – and it's tasty, too. I had it at the London Craft Beer Festival earlier this month: served on ice with a slice of orange – something which will have purists reaching for the smelling salts. It's bitter, inevitably citrus-inclined and really very enjoyable indeed.

I suspect we may see a fair bit more of this sort of thing over the next few years. While there's a lot to be said for the classics (I don't think the boys at Pilsner Urquell need lose sleep over these mash-ups yet), a sense of freedom and adventure is what has reinvigorated the brewing scene of late.

And anyway, seemingly odd additions are nothing new. Oysters might sound a pretty funky thing to chuck in beer, but oyster stout is a long-standing and (often) delicious tradition. Herbs and spices are a natural part of the Belgian brewers' armoury. Beer made with just malt, hops, yeast and water is great, but that's no reason why brewers – and by extension, open-minded drinkers – shouldn't have a bit of fun.

Partizan X Artesian Bar Negroni Saison

One of the most interesting collaborations of recent time. £7.50 for 330ml, 6.5 per cent, partizanbrewing.co.uk

Wild Beer Ninkasi

Made with Somerset apple juice, this is a crisp, tart and spritzy combination. £7.90 for 750ml, 9 per cent, honestbrew.co.uk

Pilot Ultravilot

It sounds improbable, but this is nicely done: Bavarian-style wheat beer with a hint of Parma Violet. £4.45 for 660ml, 5.3 per cent, drinkmonger.com