Duchy Originals Organic Ale

Brewed by Wychwood (Refresh UK - Marstons plc)
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Witney, England

Much better than other brews from Wychwood. Malty and fruity aroma. Malty and fruity sweetish flavour with some bitterness in the finish.

Pours copper with a thin ring of white bubbles. Smells of citrus, earthy tea and pepper. Tastes of oranges and aspirin with a tangy finish.

Bottled @ DBF2004: Golden coloured. No head. Not much going on in the nose. Some hoppy notes. Flavour is light hoppy and fruity. Ends light bitter. I think its time to go home.

500 ml bottle. Clear orange-amber beer with a white head. Aroma is quite leafy with orange marmalade notes and a soft earthy character as well. There is a bit of cherry and a touch of celery as well. Lovely malt character. Very British tasting (perhaps unsurprisingly). Flavour also shows soft leafy hoppiness behind the sweet pale malt. Decent brew.

Tastes mildly malty, and overall very pale. I can't trust my mouth all that well considering this is the last sampled at the Dallas RB gathering, but I did not get much from this at all. A little sweet, but I just plain is the best word to use.

A decent enough session ESB, a pale amber body with an initially creamy head that soon turns into halo & film. The aroma is a mild nutty malt with some earthy bitterness around the edges. The flavor is a caramel malt that features some bitter spiciness. It finishes on a nice herbal bitter note. A bit thin overall, but quite drinkable.

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Label actually states English Ale, but I’m reasonably assured that it is a marketing thing for here in the states. Bright copper color with a moderate, but stable ecru head. Wet floor malt, and mild hops of mild herb in the aroma. Nothing that excites the schnoz. I saw this was a Wychwood brew and cringed slightly as I placed it in my basket. Forgot about it until I tasted and the memories flooded back. Nutty malt mixes with mild alcohol. Dry hopsack flavors add little to balance. THere are some nice floral flavors in the middle, but they are swept away by a dry caffeine bitterness. Gets sweeter as you progress.
Earlier Rating: 9/26/2005 Total Score: 3
Label actually states English Ale, but I’m reasonably assured that it is a marketing thing for here in the states. Bright copper color with a moderate, but stable ecru head. Wet floor malt, and mild hops of mild herb in the aroma. Nothing that excites the schnoz. I saw this was a Wychwood brew and cringed slightly as I placed it in my basket. Forgot about it until I tasted and the memories flooded back. Nutty malt mixes with mild alcohol. Dry hopsack flavors add little to balance. THere are some nice floral flavors in the middle, but they are swept away by a dry caffeine bitterness. Gets sweeter as you progress.

Bottle: Murky copper, light sticky head, some lacing. Nose of light oxidized malt and grassy hops. Light oak and fig, nice feigned aging. The flavor is musty and malty. Thick restrained finish. Meh.