Cask pint at NERAX on 5/2/07<br />Chestnut-amber hued bitter with a moderate amount of white head. Very bright condition, with marginal lacing.<br />Profound esters and lightly sweet malts in the nose are very classy. Has a slight woodiness to it, or hardness you might say, of very dry brown bread that emerges as the sweet, creamy sugars recede. Definitely hopped well, it has a strong floral character that melds well with the sugars and lightens the overall darker malt character. Just a hint of earthiness is left on the finish, with lightly bitter hop notes and more soft esters. Quite complex, as it ranges from hard to soft, malty to hoppy and pale to dark (sugars). No alcohol or flaws. Very clean, with a medium-high aroma strength.<br />A light English crystal/caramel malt hardness is laid upon the palate initially, but soft, vanilla and cream-like maltiness adds depth as does a fair notion of coffee and light nuttiness. The coffee is very subtle and lingers on the finish, almost chocolatey. Through the middle, there’s a fruity hop bouquet, replete with bright, red fruit esters and some leafy bitterness. Finishes dry, crisp and yet without any of the wateriness associated with the style. Probably the tight, moderate amounts of carbonation seeing to that, giving the body more fullness than it actually has. No flaws at all. Like the crop circle, I don’t get much house character, but that’s ok.

Cask (gravity dispense), Clifton Hotel Beer Festival, Portland, Dorset. Don’t know whether this is a new beer from Hop back or a special for this festival and I couldn’t find any reference to this beer anywhere. Its a copper coloured beer with a decent balance of citrus fruit and tangy hops. Dry finish. Nothing truly outstanding here but a jolly good session bitter.

Cask@Beer Hunters, Pori. Hazy deep orange colour, mediumsized creamy white head. Aroma is really fruity and slightly wooden and nectary. Flaour is herbs, wooden and slightly nectary. Pleasant and wellbalanced.

<i>Cask@Beer Hunters</i><br /> Rated Nov 2007 - rating was missing (or deleted) from Ratebeer. Copper-amber color, nice creamy head. Flowery hoppy nose with hints of honey. Nutty hoppy flavor, nicely bitter with long hoppy aftertaste. Decent malt profile for this ABV (4%). Good session beer. (7/4/7/3/13 3.4)<br /> <i>Cask@Beer Hunters</i><br /> Rated Aug 2008. Clear dark red-amber color, decent white head. Nutty hoppy aroma. Pale malty (good malt base), decent bitterness, which leans to long hoppy aftertaste. Some honey sweet and hazelnut notes too. (6/3/7/3/12 3.1)

Cask handpump at the Swan in the Rushes, Loughborough. Amber coloure with a slim white head. Nutty and malty flavour with a bitter finish. Firm body for the alcohol content. Good.