Marstons Owd Rodger

Brewed by Marstons (Marstons plc)
Style: English Strong Ale
Burton-on-Trent, England

Almost stoutish deep ruby pour with a creamy yellowish head. Smells a bit like Vimto. Honey, blackcurrant and chocolate in the nose. Quite silkily bodied, but the head fizzes out in seconds. Audibly prickling with carbonation. Caramel licorice sweetness finishing roastily. Chewy dark fruits, Kasteel Donker and a great big slug of booze. A beer that very definitely unfolds its secrets as it warms. Going to try and stand up now.

A deep dark red in colour, with a light caramelly malt nose, but flavour is a bit clawing strong malt.

This is a fabulous winter beer - like a spiced fruitcake in a bottle. Rich, fruity, balanced by the dark roasted notes. Tastes great afterwards too - very satisfiying strong ale.

From bottle. Musky, honey aroma with a slight hint of caramel and berries. Deep red in colour with a practically no head at all. Syrupy taste. Blackcurrant flavour with a nice carb. Rich flavour. Little to rich for me and a little dull. It is strong in alcohol but just missing something special. <June 2008> Well have to say completely different rating this time. Again a very rich ale with hints of berries and fruit. Smooth rich tasty ale. Enjoyable.

Had this after the appaling Peeterman Artois, and its a case of chalk & cheese. This has so much flavour, rich and slightly sweet, a wonderful balance of malt and hoppy fruit. Good chestnut colour with a good offwhite head, ends with a satisfying lingering finish, classy stuff! Bottle from Morrisons.

Bottle, Dodgy Deli, Cowly Rd. Dark ruby with a small cap of dense light tan. Suede leather, minty sweetness, green hay. Burnt caramel, touch of chocolate and mint, musky attic notes. Rather sweet, but the roast and fairly bright carbonation provide balance. Pretty decent, though a by the half-pint mark its a bit tiring.

Bottle (BB Dec 07). Suprisingly good first off. Light roasted malts (liquoricey treacle) with raisiny malt and caramel, even a little earthy hop. Sweetish body but with a little roasty dryness. Unfortunately the body is thin with metallic carbonation. Well worth a try but the bottling process hasnt done this any favours.

Bottle. Deep amber colour, short small head. Aroma of roasted malts, hops and some nuttiness. Flavour is heavy on fruitiness, some raisins, moderate sweet roasty caramel, bit nutty, moderate roasty maltiness. Dry, moderate bitter very sweet finish.