 wheresthepath (213), Buckinghamshire, England
Jul 13, 2008
[330ml bottle from Waitrose, Marlow] Lots of big chunks of sediment in this one, but quite easy to avoid with careful storage and pouring. Poured an odd slightly cloudy amber-brown, with a small but lasting white head. Good fresh malty smell that made me want to tuck in immediately! There’s an odd greasy mouthfeel, but the flavour is that classic English barnyard hay & straw, with some malt behind and a bit of pepper. There’s a fair whack of bitterness too (according to the website there’s 34 IBU’s, whatever that means) but it’s a fresh, uplifting bitterness that is perfectly balanced against the other flavours. Aftertaste is still that refreshing bitterness, although the greasy mouthfeel unfortunately remains to haunt it. Pepper comes through again strongly some time after finishing it. Overall this is a top-notch bitter with a delightfully fresh, modern taste; it’s a shame it only comes in a 330ml bottle (which left me feeling rather short changed!) - I do feel English beers need a 500ml bottle or pint to fully appreciate them.
berkshire_john (1035), Bracknell, Berkshire, England
Jun 12, 2008 33cl bottle from Waitrose. Brilliant amber with a loose off-white head; spicy plum aroma; malty body with more spicy fruit and a sharp bitter finish. Light and very drinkable.
Mes_and_Sim (4176), London, Greater London, England
May 15, 2007 A Sim rate (Cask at Reading Beer Festival): Aroma of plum, malt and herbs: maybe coriander or parsley. Flavour is similar with a bit of black pepper and sage. Nice beer.
chris_o (4405), London, Greater London, England
Dec 18, 2006 Cask (gravity dispense), Reading Beer Festival, April 2006. Copper colour and in good condition. The malty aroma has a slightly raw feel to it. Dry on the palate, with a fair dollop of robust bitterness. Its unrealistic to expect too much body or depth in what is virtually a boys bitter but, as a quaffer, its fine.
DJMonarch (4091), Northwich, Cheshire, England
Oct 30, 2006 Cask Stillage at the Victoria Leisure Centre, Nottingham 20/10/2006
Floral and slightly spicy aroma. Amber coloured with a slightly hazy appearance. A little dryness in a fresh spicy finish.
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