Cask. Copper with a very short head. Not much scent, just some lemon-citrus. Bitter and dry with some sugars on the end. Very hoppy but also lots of earthy, nutty malts.

Cask at the Roebuck, Nottingham. This copper beer has a bread-like malt character but not much else. It’s pretty average.

Cask conditioned - handpump - Last Plantaganet, Leicester. A hazy, reddy brown coloured beer with an off-white head. The aroma is bready malts with some fruit. These qualities are replicated in the taste although the fact that it was served very cold didn’t help and actually gave the impression of lacking a little body. That said there is a little Wintery warmth to the flavour.

Knickersby ’Spoons. ESB chestnut haze lined with lace and effervescing steadily. Gentle quaffing coffee, caramel and a distinctive sweet berryish note not unlike blueberry. Biscuit finish. Pretty nice.

Cask at the Plough and Harrow (JDW), Hammersmith. Reddish copper with a thin off-white head; unusual cinnamon and apple aroma; fruity malt flavour, again slightly spicy; balanced bitter finish. A nicely made but unexciting beer.