Duchy Originals Organic Ale

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

500 ml bottle purchased from City Market, Burlington (Feb 2006). Served a bit above cellar temp in a Sam Smiths pint. Wow, a new beer on the shelves that’s not from New England! Those in areas less benighted for bottles can appreciate how exciting this might be, and whoah! it’s something I haven’t even heard of! I look it up...oh, crestfallen. Wychwood. Sigh. Well, let’s have a go anyway....

Pours very, very clear light amber with no trace of yeast visible, though the website implies that it’s bottle-conditioned....a decent bit of off-white head, dies very quickly into a couple of millimeters of coating....nose is really indistinct, just hints of dry caramel and a faint touch of oak....once in the mouth, it’s actually quite pleasant and quaffable, with a mild hint of bitterness growing towards the dry (and unfortunately, slightly metallic) finish....oaky and smooth, lightly sweet at the front, just a nice pleasing full but never heavy mouthfeel....it’s no great shakes overall, but better than I had expected from this brewer.

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. Nut coloured with no great amount of foam. Aromas are floral hops and spice with some nutty malts - quite light. Flavours are more malty with caramel and some roast character. Dry and bitter. Quite warming on the finish despite its alcohol content. Slightly thin on the palate, if there was a cask version it would be quite nice.

Bottle. A hazed reddish orange color (a/ka/ murkey amber) with a quickly laced white bubley head. Malty, caramel, bright hops, flowers, with an earthy base. Wet on the palate with an organic grain like finish.

Golden yellow color. Fizzy white head. Slightly hoppy flavor with mild floral notes. Some citric and malt tastes. Nothing spectacular, but perhaps worth a try once..

Bottle. Orange-amber. Light head. Soft orange hop aroma. Pretty straight foward English bitter. Light hop presence.

A dark orange to copper color. A slightly musty aroma with some brown sugar, molasses, caramel and some light citrus. The flavor is somewhat sour with a hint of sweetness. Some lemons, caramel, and toffee. Only a hint of bitterness in the finish. This one might have some unwanted age on it but overall a decent session ale.

Pours cloudy copper with a thin head. Slight malt, light dry finish. Average.