Marstons Hoggys Night Watchman (Cask)

Brewed by Marstons (Marstons plc)
Style: Bitter
Burton-on-Trent, England

Cask conditioned at The Three Merry Lads, Cutthorpe, Derbys. Gold with white head. Obviously this was better than at GBBF, but most beers tend to be. Good lively hoppy bitter with deep smooth base, refreshing bitterness, clean and bright. Enjoyed it.

Cask at Wellington Arms, Bedford. Gold with a small white head. Odd, slightly ashy aroma develops into sweet maltiness. Taste begins with a distinct blackcurrant fruitiness, quickly replaced a grainy, biscuity taste with a sharp bitterness. Lots of flavour. Unusual beer, which I quite liked. Incidentally the pumpclip makes it seem that the brewer is ’Hoggys’. The ’Marstons’ logo is small and insignificant, as if they have something to hide.

Aug 07 Cask conditioned @ Minster Inn, York. Dusty hops and light caramel sweetness to the malts. Dry scratchy hop finish. Not bad.

Cask conditioned - handpump - Wig & Pen, Northampton. A golden coloured beer with white head and lacing. Some Burton sulphur in the nose and slightly less in the mouth. There is some decent bitterness. A perfectly acceptable reasonable beer.

Cask at GBBF 08. Gold, lasting creamy head. Bit of Burton snatch on the aroma. Some biscuit, faint hop on end. Let’s say that Hoggy is a better night watchman than this is a bitter.

Cask, GBBF 07 (Pulled by Matthew Hoggard himself). Goldy with thick white head. Nose is slightly sulphuric hop/malt balance. Mouth is very hoppy and coating, slightly light and some maltiness. Dry chestnut coating feel. OK

Cask hand-pump at a Marston’s pub in Wakefield 20/08/2007.A golden colour with a medium-sized head. A musty aroma. A floral hoppy taste with a touch of malt. An easy-drinking bitter, but not very exciting.

Cask at GBBF 2007. Poured a golden colour with a white head. A very hoppy aroma with malts and hops coming through. Had better, nothing special.