Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale
Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale
(Black Sheep Brewery)
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: Ripon, England
Original text from product website:
Ten years later on the 40th anniversary, Holy Grail is still going strong. With more hops than a killer rabbit, it's a full-flavoured golden ale with a distinctively fruity flavour followed by the Black Sheep signature dry finish.
Aroma: Dangerously fruity against a biscuity, malty background.
Taste: You can always taste the difference when an ale has been tempered by burning witches. In this respect, Holy Grail certainly doesn’t disappoint with its clean zesty flavour and long crisp, bitter finish.
Ingredients: We brew Holy Grail with Maris Otter malt, an old and expensive variety that is renowned for the taste and the quality of the beer it produces. A mixture of old English hops, including a touch of Whitbread Golding Variety hops, gives Holy Grail its lovely fruity nose.
Awards: 2006 Favourite Import Ale - the Canada Cup of Beer
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Black Sheep Brewery
Watch the full-length movie at YouTube: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(Black Sheep Brewery)
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: Ripon, England
Original text from product website:
Ten years later on the 40th anniversary, Holy Grail is still going strong. With more hops than a killer rabbit, it's a full-flavoured golden ale with a distinctively fruity flavour followed by the Black Sheep signature dry finish.
Aroma: Dangerously fruity against a biscuity, malty background.
Taste: You can always taste the difference when an ale has been tempered by burning witches. In this respect, Holy Grail certainly doesn’t disappoint with its clean zesty flavour and long crisp, bitter finish.
Ingredients: We brew Holy Grail with Maris Otter malt, an old and expensive variety that is renowned for the taste and the quality of the beer it produces. A mixture of old English hops, including a touch of Whitbread Golding Variety hops, gives Holy Grail its lovely fruity nose.
Awards: 2006 Favourite Import Ale - the Canada Cup of Beer
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Black Sheep Brewery
Watch the full-length movie at YouTube: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Robinson's - Iron Maiden Trooper 666
Robinson's - Iron Maiden Trooper - 666
Style: English ESB
ABV: 6.6%
Origin: Stockport, England
Infused with strength. Inspired by Iron Maiden. Handcrafted by Robinsons.
At the request of fans, and following the huge success of TROOPER, Robinsons have made an even stronger ABV limited edition of the original brew. TROOPER 666 is the same award-winning TROOPER recipe but brewed to a higher gravity of 6.6% ABV. The result is another wonderfully authentic beer that is charged with even more flavour and even more alcohol. Packed with malt, TROOPER 666 is slightly sweeter than the original.
This is a full-bodied, extra strong bitter, with a complex malt character and notes of caramel combined with a fruity hop finish.
Stlye description: English ESB
Link to product website: Robinsons
Style: English ESB
ABV: 6.6%
Origin: Stockport, England
Infused with strength. Inspired by Iron Maiden. Handcrafted by Robinsons.
At the request of fans, and following the huge success of TROOPER, Robinsons have made an even stronger ABV limited edition of the original brew. TROOPER 666 is the same award-winning TROOPER recipe but brewed to a higher gravity of 6.6% ABV. The result is another wonderfully authentic beer that is charged with even more flavour and even more alcohol. Packed with malt, TROOPER 666 is slightly sweeter than the original.
This is a full-bodied, extra strong bitter, with a complex malt character and notes of caramel combined with a fruity hop finish.
Stlye description: English ESB
Link to product website: Robinsons
Robinson's - Iron Maiden Trooper - Red 'n' Black
Robinson's - Iron Maiden Trooper - Red 'n' Black
Style: English Porter
ABV: 6.8%
Origin: Stockport, England
Trooper Red ‘n’ Black Porter is the first dark beer in the TROOPER ranks and a modern take on a recipe dating back centuries. Named after a track from the latest Iron Maiden album ‘The Book Of Souls’, the red and black colour comes from the blend of chocolate and crystal malt which gives this full bodied beer a roasted malt and caramel backbone. The special Robinsons’ yeast provides hints of both liquorice and honey character to create a delicious warming brew.
Designed yet again by IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson and Robinsons' Head Brewer, RED ‘N’ BLACK takes its inspiration from an original Robinsons’ recipe from the 1850s, a time when porter style beer was becoming increasingly popular in Britain.
Style Description: English Porter
Link to product website: Robinsons
Style: English Porter
ABV: 6.8%
Origin: Stockport, England
Trooper Red ‘n’ Black Porter is the first dark beer in the TROOPER ranks and a modern take on a recipe dating back centuries. Named after a track from the latest Iron Maiden album ‘The Book Of Souls’, the red and black colour comes from the blend of chocolate and crystal malt which gives this full bodied beer a roasted malt and caramel backbone. The special Robinsons’ yeast provides hints of both liquorice and honey character to create a delicious warming brew.
Designed yet again by IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson and Robinsons' Head Brewer, RED ‘N’ BLACK takes its inspiration from an original Robinsons’ recipe from the 1850s, a time when porter style beer was becoming increasingly popular in Britain.
Style Description: English Porter
Link to product website: Robinsons
Robinsons - Iron Maiden Trooper
Robinsons - Iron Maiden Trooper
Style: English ESB
ABV: 4.8%
Origin: Stockport, England
Appearance: Clear, golden honey color. Head disappeared immediately with no lacing.
Aroma: A sweet malty smell with a spicy hop aroma.
Taste: Toffee and grainy notes with a light roasted flavor. Slightly sweet at first, then quickly revealing the hop flavors.
I have to admit that straight from the refrigerator, I was a bit disappointed, but the closer it came to room temperature, the more the flavors started to shine. The English malts come through much stronger as the beer warms and the hops blend in perfect harmony; sort of like a great dual guitar solo.
OK, that was silly, . . sorry.
Palate: Carbonation is almost undetectable, yet the body seems a bit thin and astringent while cold. As the beer warmed, the slight astringency disappeared and the mouth-feel became full, silky smooth and buttery.
As with so many great beers, if you try drinking this beer super cold, you'll miss out. Not sure this beer should be classified as an ESB; its flavor profile is more like a Pale Ale. Still, it's a solid rocker and worth a try.
From the Iron Maiden Beer website:
Real ale fan and history aficionado Bruce Dickinson, Maiden's vocalist, played a major role in developing the unique flavour of the beer, entailing ongoing visits to Robinson’s brewery in Stockport.
"I'm a lifelong fan of traditional English ale; I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when we were asked to create our own beer. I have to say that I was very nervous: Robinsons are the only people I have had to audition for in 30 years. Their magic has been to create the alchemical wedding of flavour and texture that is TROOPER. I love it." - Bruce Dickinson
ABOUT THE BREWER
Combining an impressive heritage, stretching from 1838, with innovation, Robinsons is one the UK’s largest family brewers, with 340 pubs across the North West and Wales. Our pubs are an integral part of the Robinsons family and the way customers enjoy our ales.
2013 is an exciting time for Robinsons as we proudly celebrate 175 years of brewing excellence and heritage. Our massive investment into the brewery brings 'cutting edge' technology. With our state of the art brew house kicking out some seriously tasty ales, and our 2013 limited edition ales already proving popular, our 175th anniversary promises to be a great year for quality handcrafted ales and our customers who drink them.
Click here to watch Trooper by Iron Maiden at YouTube.
Stlye description: English ESB
Link to product website: Robinsons
Link to Iron Maiden Beer site: Iron Maiden Beer
Style: English ESB
ABV: 4.8%
Origin: Stockport, England
Appearance: Clear, golden honey color. Head disappeared immediately with no lacing.
Aroma: A sweet malty smell with a spicy hop aroma.
Taste: Toffee and grainy notes with a light roasted flavor. Slightly sweet at first, then quickly revealing the hop flavors.
I have to admit that straight from the refrigerator, I was a bit disappointed, but the closer it came to room temperature, the more the flavors started to shine. The English malts come through much stronger as the beer warms and the hops blend in perfect harmony; sort of like a great dual guitar solo.
OK, that was silly, . . sorry.
Palate: Carbonation is almost undetectable, yet the body seems a bit thin and astringent while cold. As the beer warmed, the slight astringency disappeared and the mouth-feel became full, silky smooth and buttery.
As with so many great beers, if you try drinking this beer super cold, you'll miss out. Not sure this beer should be classified as an ESB; its flavor profile is more like a Pale Ale. Still, it's a solid rocker and worth a try.
From the Iron Maiden Beer website:
Real ale fan and history aficionado Bruce Dickinson, Maiden's vocalist, played a major role in developing the unique flavour of the beer, entailing ongoing visits to Robinson’s brewery in Stockport.
"I'm a lifelong fan of traditional English ale; I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when we were asked to create our own beer. I have to say that I was very nervous: Robinsons are the only people I have had to audition for in 30 years. Their magic has been to create the alchemical wedding of flavour and texture that is TROOPER. I love it." - Bruce Dickinson
ABOUT THE BREWER
Combining an impressive heritage, stretching from 1838, with innovation, Robinsons is one the UK’s largest family brewers, with 340 pubs across the North West and Wales. Our pubs are an integral part of the Robinsons family and the way customers enjoy our ales.
2013 is an exciting time for Robinsons as we proudly celebrate 175 years of brewing excellence and heritage. Our massive investment into the brewery brings 'cutting edge' technology. With our state of the art brew house kicking out some seriously tasty ales, and our 2013 limited edition ales already proving popular, our 175th anniversary promises to be a great year for quality handcrafted ales and our customers who drink them.
Click here to watch Trooper by Iron Maiden at YouTube.
Stlye description: English ESB
Link to product website: Robinsons
Link to Iron Maiden Beer site: Iron Maiden Beer
Greene King - Abbot Ale
Greene King - Abbot Ale
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Abbot ale is brewed in Bury St. Edmunds – A place which enjoys a rich brewing heritage that can be traced back nearly 1,000 years.
The famous Domesday Book includes a passage about 'cerevisiarii' or ale brewers as servants of the Abbot in Bury St Edmunds' Great Abbey. The Greene King brewery sits alongside the historic ruins of the Abbey and to this day our brewers still draw water from the same chalk wells used by their brewing predecessors all those years ago.
Hailed by the late beer writer Michael Jackson as "one of the great characters of the beer world," Abbot Ale is brewed for quality of the highest order. Abbot is an irresistible ale with masses of fruit characters, a malty richness and superb hop balance. It is brewed longer to a unique recipe, which makes it the full-flavoured, smooth and mature beer it is today.
This distinctive full bodied, smooth and mature beer is bursting with fruit cake and toffee flavours. Bottles are available throughout the year however cask beer is only brewed during November and December.
Abbot Ale now carries a Red Tractor badge. This means that you can be sure, local ingredients have been used to craft this complex and distinctive beer. The term ‘local’ really means local, the barley maltings can be seen from the top of the Greene King brewery. So, you’re not only enjoying a great beer but also doing your bit to support English farmers.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Abbot Ale
Photo credit: ralph-dot.blogspot.com
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Abbot ale is brewed in Bury St. Edmunds – A place which enjoys a rich brewing heritage that can be traced back nearly 1,000 years.
The famous Domesday Book includes a passage about 'cerevisiarii' or ale brewers as servants of the Abbot in Bury St Edmunds' Great Abbey. The Greene King brewery sits alongside the historic ruins of the Abbey and to this day our brewers still draw water from the same chalk wells used by their brewing predecessors all those years ago.
Hailed by the late beer writer Michael Jackson as "one of the great characters of the beer world," Abbot Ale is brewed for quality of the highest order. Abbot is an irresistible ale with masses of fruit characters, a malty richness and superb hop balance. It is brewed longer to a unique recipe, which makes it the full-flavoured, smooth and mature beer it is today.
This distinctive full bodied, smooth and mature beer is bursting with fruit cake and toffee flavours. Bottles are available throughout the year however cask beer is only brewed during November and December.
Abbot Ale now carries a Red Tractor badge. This means that you can be sure, local ingredients have been used to craft this complex and distinctive beer. The term ‘local’ really means local, the barley maltings can be seen from the top of the Greene King brewery. So, you’re not only enjoying a great beer but also doing your bit to support English farmers.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Abbot Ale
Photo credit: ralph-dot.blogspot.com
Greene King - Strong Suffolk
Greene King - Strong Suffolk
Style: English Old Ale
ABV: 6%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Launched in 1799 as Greene, King and Sons, Greene King brewery prides themselves on delivering the finest cask ales in England. From their brewery in Bury St. Edmonds, Greene King brewery delivers the same quality, value, and distinct taste as it did over 200 years ago.
Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale is unique and unrivalled in England. It's a blend of two ales: Old 5X, which is brewed to the maximum strength possible (around 12% ABV) and left to mature in 100-barrel oak vats for a minimum of two years, and BPA, a dark, full-bodied freshly brewed beer which is added just before bottling. The result is a unique beer – strong (6% ABV), dark, fruity, oaky and very, very special!
From the website:
A unique blend of two classic ales – BPA and two-year-old vintage 5X – Strong Suffolk is dark and intense, almost ruby in colour, with an appetising spicy fruit cake aroma. A full-bodied ale, it combines flavours of oak, caramel and burnt toffee that will march across the palate.
Accolades & Awards:
Gold Medal (2010 San Diego International Beer Festival)
Style description: Old Ale
Link to product website: Greene King
Style: English Old Ale
ABV: 6%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Launched in 1799 as Greene, King and Sons, Greene King brewery prides themselves on delivering the finest cask ales in England. From their brewery in Bury St. Edmonds, Greene King brewery delivers the same quality, value, and distinct taste as it did over 200 years ago.
Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale is unique and unrivalled in England. It's a blend of two ales: Old 5X, which is brewed to the maximum strength possible (around 12% ABV) and left to mature in 100-barrel oak vats for a minimum of two years, and BPA, a dark, full-bodied freshly brewed beer which is added just before bottling. The result is a unique beer – strong (6% ABV), dark, fruity, oaky and very, very special!
From the website:
A unique blend of two classic ales – BPA and two-year-old vintage 5X – Strong Suffolk is dark and intense, almost ruby in colour, with an appetising spicy fruit cake aroma. A full-bodied ale, it combines flavours of oak, caramel and burnt toffee that will march across the palate.
Accolades & Awards:
Gold Medal (2010 San Diego International Beer Festival)
Style description: Old Ale
Link to product website: Greene King
Greene King - IPA
Greene King - IPA
Style: English IPA
ABV: 3.6%
Origin: Suffolk, England.
Greene King IPA is an award winning, but above all, great-tasting real beer: It is brewed combining the traditions over 200 years of brewing with modern forward thinking. Greene King IPA is brewed in the historic market town of Bury St Edmunds, in the heart of Suffolk, where brewing has been an important part of the town's history even as far back as 1086.
A pint of Greene King IPA is a refreshing and ‘sessionable’ real beer. It is often described as being perfectly balanced ale and is characterised by the hoppy taste and aroma that comes from the use of Challenger and First Gold hops combined with pale and crystal malts. Despite the simplicity of the ingredients - barley, water, yeast and hops - it’s in the creation of the recipe that the skill of the master brewer, John Bexon, lies. In 2004 Greene King IPA won the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain award.
Style description: English IPA
Link to product website: Greene King
Style: English IPA
ABV: 3.6%
Origin: Suffolk, England.
Greene King IPA is an award winning, but above all, great-tasting real beer: It is brewed combining the traditions over 200 years of brewing with modern forward thinking. Greene King IPA is brewed in the historic market town of Bury St Edmunds, in the heart of Suffolk, where brewing has been an important part of the town's history even as far back as 1086.
A pint of Greene King IPA is a refreshing and ‘sessionable’ real beer. It is often described as being perfectly balanced ale and is characterised by the hoppy taste and aroma that comes from the use of Challenger and First Gold hops combined with pale and crystal malts. Despite the simplicity of the ingredients - barley, water, yeast and hops - it’s in the creation of the recipe that the skill of the master brewer, John Bexon, lies. In 2004 Greene King IPA won the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain award.
Style description: English IPA
Link to product website: Greene King
J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale
J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 11.5%
Origin: Manchester, England
From the website:
In 2012 we have found another year’s harvest really worth celebrating and brewed a phenomenal Harvest Ale. To look at, the beer is slightly darker than JW Lees Bitter and lighter than some previous vintages, with flavours of toffee and sherry. But as with all JW Lees Harvest Ale, these flavours will develop in the bottle as the beer ages. In 1986 Giles Dennis, Head Brewer at the time, invented JW Lees Harvest Ale. Harvest Ale is a vintage barley wine made from the first hops of the year and the very finest British malt. Very quickly the beer created a following of ale enthusiasts who recognised its quality. In the past 26 years, whilst retaining a cult following, the beer has grown in popularity and in some bars around the world it has gained legendary status, with older vintages being highly sought after and changing hands for up to $60 per bottle.
Style description: English Barleywine
Link to product website: J.W. Lees
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 11.5%
Origin: Manchester, England
From the website:
In 2012 we have found another year’s harvest really worth celebrating and brewed a phenomenal Harvest Ale. To look at, the beer is slightly darker than JW Lees Bitter and lighter than some previous vintages, with flavours of toffee and sherry. But as with all JW Lees Harvest Ale, these flavours will develop in the bottle as the beer ages. In 1986 Giles Dennis, Head Brewer at the time, invented JW Lees Harvest Ale. Harvest Ale is a vintage barley wine made from the first hops of the year and the very finest British malt. Very quickly the beer created a following of ale enthusiasts who recognised its quality. In the past 26 years, whilst retaining a cult following, the beer has grown in popularity and in some bars around the world it has gained legendary status, with older vintages being highly sought after and changing hands for up to $60 per bottle.
Style description: English Barleywine
Link to product website: J.W. Lees
J.W. Lees - Manchester Star
J.W. Lees - Manchester Star
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 7.3%
Origin: Manchester, England
Manchester Star was a brew discovered in an old recipe book (from about one hundred years ago). Manchester Star is a 7.3% ABV, dark ale, with chocolate, malty overtones and a warming finish made from 100% British ale malt, chocolate malt and Goldings hops.
Style Description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: J.W. Lees
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 7.3%
Origin: Manchester, England
Manchester Star was a brew discovered in an old recipe book (from about one hundred years ago). Manchester Star is a 7.3% ABV, dark ale, with chocolate, malty overtones and a warming finish made from 100% British ale malt, chocolate malt and Goldings hops.
Style Description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: J.W. Lees
J.W. Lees - Moonraker
J.W. Lees - Moonraker
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Manchester, England
"The name of this beer comes from a story about a group of farm-labourers who thought that the reflection of the moon in a pond was a lovely truckle of Lancashire cheese, and tried to rake it out but ended up falling in! This reddish-brown beer has a strong, fruity aroma accompanied by a rich, sweet flavour. First brewed in 1950." - J.W. Lees website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: J.W. Lees
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Manchester, England
"The name of this beer comes from a story about a group of farm-labourers who thought that the reflection of the moon in a pond was a lovely truckle of Lancashire cheese, and tried to rake it out but ended up falling in! This reddish-brown beer has a strong, fruity aroma accompanied by a rich, sweet flavour. First brewed in 1950." - J.W. Lees website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: J.W. Lees
Adnams - Tally-Ho
Adnams - Tally-Ho
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 7.2%
Origin: Southwold, England
Tally-Ho is a limited edition Barley wine style beer, brewed at Adnams since 1880. Traditionally a Christmas beer, and brewed in October in limited quantities, many pubs lay a cask down like fine wine and save it for special occasions throughout the year. The bottled version is brewed at the same time as the cask beer.
Brewed with pale ale, crystal and brown malts. Tally-Ho is dark mahogany red in colour with rich, fruity aromas and a warming sweet raisin and biscuit palate.
Style Description: English Barleywine
Link to product website: Adnams
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 7.2%
Origin: Southwold, England
Tally-Ho is a limited edition Barley wine style beer, brewed at Adnams since 1880. Traditionally a Christmas beer, and brewed in October in limited quantities, many pubs lay a cask down like fine wine and save it for special occasions throughout the year. The bottled version is brewed at the same time as the cask beer.
Brewed with pale ale, crystal and brown malts. Tally-Ho is dark mahogany red in colour with rich, fruity aromas and a warming sweet raisin and biscuit palate.
Style Description: English Barleywine
Link to product website: Adnams
Adnams - Broadside
Adnams - Broadside
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter
ABV: 6.3%
Origin: Southwold, England
"Adnams Broadside commemorates the fierce battle of Sole Bay fought against the Dutch Republic in 1672 off the Southwold coast, just across the green from our brewery. The fullness of the beer makes it a good accompaniment for stews and steak or kidney and ale pies. All sausage dishes complement Broadside well. A mature cheese ploughmans or cheeseboard of hard English cheeses are a perfect match for bottled Broadside." - Adnam's website
Style description: English ESB
Link to product website: Adnams
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter
ABV: 6.3%
Origin: Southwold, England
"Adnams Broadside commemorates the fierce battle of Sole Bay fought against the Dutch Republic in 1672 off the Southwold coast, just across the green from our brewery. The fullness of the beer makes it a good accompaniment for stews and steak or kidney and ale pies. All sausage dishes complement Broadside well. A mature cheese ploughmans or cheeseboard of hard English cheeses are a perfect match for bottled Broadside." - Adnam's website
Style description: English ESB
Link to product website: Adnams
Adnams - Ghost Ship
Adnams - Ghost Ship
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Southwold, England
"Ghost Ship is a ghostly pale ale which takes its inspiration from Adnams 600-year-old haunted pub, The Bell. Brewed with a selection of malts - Pale Ale, Rye Crystal and Cara. We use Citra, and a blend of other American hop varieties to create some great citrus flavours. Bronze Medal Winner at The International Brewing Awards, 2013. (Contains barley & rye)." - Adnams Website
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Adnams
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Southwold, England
"Ghost Ship is a ghostly pale ale which takes its inspiration from Adnams 600-year-old haunted pub, The Bell. Brewed with a selection of malts - Pale Ale, Rye Crystal and Cara. We use Citra, and a blend of other American hop varieties to create some great citrus flavours. Bronze Medal Winner at The International Brewing Awards, 2013. (Contains barley & rye)." - Adnams Website
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Adnams
Marston's - Old Empire
Marston's - Old Empire
Style: English India Pale Ale
ABV: 5.7%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
"In the 19th century Burton-Upon-Trent became famous for brewing the best beer for export to thirsty ex-pats and colonial soldiers in India.
With its pale appearance, strong hoppy taste and higher alcoholic strength, Marston's Old Empire has all the genuine characteristics of a true India Pale Ale.
It is a low colour pale ale malt, a subtle and paler grain that allows other flavours to come through. Goldings and Fuggles hops are added, and then late-hopped with the American Cascade variety for extra hop strength.
To experience a genuine IPA, discover Old Empire." - Marstons website
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Marston's
Style: English India Pale Ale
ABV: 5.7%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
"In the 19th century Burton-Upon-Trent became famous for brewing the best beer for export to thirsty ex-pats and colonial soldiers in India.
With its pale appearance, strong hoppy taste and higher alcoholic strength, Marston's Old Empire has all the genuine characteristics of a true India Pale Ale.
It is a low colour pale ale malt, a subtle and paler grain that allows other flavours to come through. Goldings and Fuggles hops are added, and then late-hopped with the American Cascade variety for extra hop strength.
To experience a genuine IPA, discover Old Empire." - Marstons website
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Marston's
Marston's - Burton Bitter
Marston's - Burton Bitter
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 3.8%
Origin: Burton-on-Trent, England
Marston's Burton Bitter is one of our oldest beers, and was amongst the first created by John Marston when he established his brewery in 1834.
Crafted using only the finest barley, hops, yeast and famous Burton spring water, it delivers an exceptionally clean tasting beer combining malty, biscuity flavours with a delicate hop character and finish.
We also use spring water that comes from several wells on site at our brewery – it’s not from the River Trent, it’s rain water that has fallen on the surrounding hills, and percolated down through gypsum beds, forming an underground stream on the valley floor. It is these trace elements of gypsum (calcium sulphate) which help to make a clearer, brighter bitter.
They also add the distinctive sulphurous aroma that has affectionately become known as 'Burton Snatch', something other brewers try in vain to copy.
Style Description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Marston's
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 3.8%
Origin: Burton-on-Trent, England
Marston's Burton Bitter is one of our oldest beers, and was amongst the first created by John Marston when he established his brewery in 1834.
Crafted using only the finest barley, hops, yeast and famous Burton spring water, it delivers an exceptionally clean tasting beer combining malty, biscuity flavours with a delicate hop character and finish.
We also use spring water that comes from several wells on site at our brewery – it’s not from the River Trent, it’s rain water that has fallen on the surrounding hills, and percolated down through gypsum beds, forming an underground stream on the valley floor. It is these trace elements of gypsum (calcium sulphate) which help to make a clearer, brighter bitter.
They also add the distinctive sulphurous aroma that has affectionately become known as 'Burton Snatch', something other brewers try in vain to copy.
Style Description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Marston's
Marston's - Strong Pale Ale
Marston's - Strong Pale Ale
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.2%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
Marston’s Strong Pale Ale was first brewed before the Great War and was voted the World Champion Beer at the Brewing Industry Awards. Today, Marston’s Strong is brewed using a cool, slow fermentation process together with the finest quality barley and Fuggles and Goldings whole hops.
Combining our expertise and artistry at brewing with exceptional ingredients results in a smooth, strong and very quaffable beer with a superb flavour and robust colour.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Marston's
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.2%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
Marston’s Strong Pale Ale was first brewed before the Great War and was voted the World Champion Beer at the Brewing Industry Awards. Today, Marston’s Strong is brewed using a cool, slow fermentation process together with the finest quality barley and Fuggles and Goldings whole hops.
Combining our expertise and artistry at brewing with exceptional ingredients results in a smooth, strong and very quaffable beer with a superb flavour and robust colour.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Marston's
Marston's - Oyster Stout
Marston's - Oyster Stout
Style: English Stout
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
"In the Victorian London of Dickens, stout and oysters were considered the poor man's meal of good hearty, tasty food.
Oyster Stout is a great tasting traditional English stout that brings back the flavours of those simpler times.
The unique character of Oyster Stout comes from its fermentation with Marston's unique strain of yeast. Taken from the Burton Unions, it’s a very active yeast that gives a dry clean after-palate.
English aromatic hops such as Fuggles and Goldings are added for their fruity, floral and spicy contribution to the taste with the majority of the bitterness coming from the roasted malts. The final result is a rich, dark and extremely creamy smooth stout with good character and strength." - Marston's website
Style description: English Stout
Link to product website: Marston's
Style: English Stout
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
"In the Victorian London of Dickens, stout and oysters were considered the poor man's meal of good hearty, tasty food.
Oyster Stout is a great tasting traditional English stout that brings back the flavours of those simpler times.
The unique character of Oyster Stout comes from its fermentation with Marston's unique strain of yeast. Taken from the Burton Unions, it’s a very active yeast that gives a dry clean after-palate.
English aromatic hops such as Fuggles and Goldings are added for their fruity, floral and spicy contribution to the taste with the majority of the bitterness coming from the roasted malts. The final result is a rich, dark and extremely creamy smooth stout with good character and strength." - Marston's website
Style description: English Stout
Link to product website: Marston's
Marston's - Pedigree
Marston's - Pedigree
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
Lots of people talk about 'passion' these days but our Master Brewers still have a genuine passion for brewing. Why else would they go to the lengths needed to operate the world's last remaining union system?
Pedigree is also unique - not only is it still brewed in oak casks, but it is one of the only remaining few beers left in Britain that is brewed with water from the actual Burton well .
There's a distinctive flavour, down to its blend of Fuggles and Goldings hops, and Cassata Malt that reminds you of your Mum's home-baked biscuits.
“Gentle caramel notes on the nose with a hint of the “Burton snatch”; toasted biscuity maltiness also in the background. The mouthfeel is rounded and voluptuous with interplay between spicy hop and a soft billowing of malt sweetness, before a lasting dry finish.” - Adrian Tierney Jones, 1001 Beers you must try before you die.
"You get lovely spicy hops, juicy malt and a very light hint of apple fruit. It's an incredible beer." - Roger Protz, Good Beer Guide Editor
"This is the beer that is still brewed in the famous Burton Union sets, the sole survivor of Burton's unique brewing tradition. Dry, fruity and malty with a clean finish, the hops are kept in check to produce a cracking session beer." - Pete Brown, allaboutbeer.com
Pedigree is great as a drink on its own, but it also works beautifully with food, whether it's an ingredient or an accompaniment. It's perfect with a really good steak, a warming roast, or a deep, steamy casserole.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Marston's
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Wolverhampton, England
Lots of people talk about 'passion' these days but our Master Brewers still have a genuine passion for brewing. Why else would they go to the lengths needed to operate the world's last remaining union system?
Pedigree is also unique - not only is it still brewed in oak casks, but it is one of the only remaining few beers left in Britain that is brewed with water from the actual Burton well .
There's a distinctive flavour, down to its blend of Fuggles and Goldings hops, and Cassata Malt that reminds you of your Mum's home-baked biscuits.
“Gentle caramel notes on the nose with a hint of the “Burton snatch”; toasted biscuity maltiness also in the background. The mouthfeel is rounded and voluptuous with interplay between spicy hop and a soft billowing of malt sweetness, before a lasting dry finish.” - Adrian Tierney Jones, 1001 Beers you must try before you die.
"You get lovely spicy hops, juicy malt and a very light hint of apple fruit. It's an incredible beer." - Roger Protz, Good Beer Guide Editor
"This is the beer that is still brewed in the famous Burton Union sets, the sole survivor of Burton's unique brewing tradition. Dry, fruity and malty with a clean finish, the hops are kept in check to produce a cracking session beer." - Pete Brown, allaboutbeer.com
Pedigree is great as a drink on its own, but it also works beautifully with food, whether it's an ingredient or an accompaniment. It's perfect with a really good steak, a warming roast, or a deep, steamy casserole.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Marston's
Morland - Old Crafty Hen
Morland - Old Crafty Hen
Style: English Old Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Smooth, creamy malt, with a touch of liquorice and light fruit. Full, smooth and malty with a moreish oaky dryness. There are hops aplenty, and hints of liquorice, marzipan and cherry, but sweetness just has the edge. Oaky-dry, hoppy and bitter but with a sugary malt note lingering on the lips.
A variation on a theme. This beer takes the oak-aged Old 5X that Greene King normally blends with a young beer to create Strong Suffolk and marries it with Old Speckled Hen.
From the Greene King website:
“Old Crafty Hen” is elegance and mystery in one. Enjoy the best of both worlds, with this ingenious rare blend of “Old Speckled Hen” with the legendary Old 5X. Our Master Brewer has created a premium, vintage oak-aged beer which delivers a variety of sophisticated tastes. The marvellous 5X brings resonance, depth and an eruption of fruity, raisin notes, underscored by the malt and toffee from “Old Speckled Hen” to create a perfectly smooth and rounded beer. Complex, mysterious… and a question and answer all in one.
And we’ll let you in on a secret… this beer is great with cheese, especially robust cheese. But try a quick pint at teatime with some fruitcake – that will set you up for the rest of the day!
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Old Crafty Hen
Style: English Old Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Smooth, creamy malt, with a touch of liquorice and light fruit. Full, smooth and malty with a moreish oaky dryness. There are hops aplenty, and hints of liquorice, marzipan and cherry, but sweetness just has the edge. Oaky-dry, hoppy and bitter but with a sugary malt note lingering on the lips.
A variation on a theme. This beer takes the oak-aged Old 5X that Greene King normally blends with a young beer to create Strong Suffolk and marries it with Old Speckled Hen.
From the Greene King website:
“Old Crafty Hen” is elegance and mystery in one. Enjoy the best of both worlds, with this ingenious rare blend of “Old Speckled Hen” with the legendary Old 5X. Our Master Brewer has created a premium, vintage oak-aged beer which delivers a variety of sophisticated tastes. The marvellous 5X brings resonance, depth and an eruption of fruity, raisin notes, underscored by the malt and toffee from “Old Speckled Hen” to create a perfectly smooth and rounded beer. Complex, mysterious… and a question and answer all in one.
And we’ll let you in on a secret… this beer is great with cheese, especially robust cheese. But try a quick pint at teatime with some fruitcake – that will set you up for the rest of the day!
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Old Crafty Hen
Morland - Old Golden Hen
Morland - Old Golden Hen
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 4.1%
Origin: Suffolk, England
After a very long wait, I finally got my paws on this brew!
Pours a gorgeous, almost-clear golden color with a fluffy white head. Earthy aromas of cereal grains, dewy grass and a sweet bouquet of spicy hops. Taste is all hops at the beginning with malty and fruity English barley following close behind. Aftertaste is pleasantly hoppy and long-lasting. Body is light, crisp and refreshing with mild carbonation.
Overall, a light, but tasty brew with a low ABV; the perfect recipe for warm weather!
Crafted by the Master Brewer of "Old Speckled Hen", this light golden beer delivers both flavour and refreshment. Brewed using the finest pale malts and the rare galaxy hop to give a light golden colour, subtle tropical fruit notes and a deliciously smooth finish.
From the Greene King website:
“Old Golden Hen” captures a celestial ray of sunshine in the form of a rare and very special Tasmanian hop called Galaxy. The result is a triumph for its sheer powers of refreshment. Hold it up to the light before tasting, and savour its bright golden glow. Spot, if you care to, the note of grapefruit and mango on the nose and then sip. Malty sweetness, a hint of tropical fruit and a clean finish: out of this world.
The Old Golden Hen’s lightness makes it the perfect partner to fish, seafood, chicken and spicier dishes.
Style description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Old Golden Hen
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 4.1%
Origin: Suffolk, England
After a very long wait, I finally got my paws on this brew!
Pours a gorgeous, almost-clear golden color with a fluffy white head. Earthy aromas of cereal grains, dewy grass and a sweet bouquet of spicy hops. Taste is all hops at the beginning with malty and fruity English barley following close behind. Aftertaste is pleasantly hoppy and long-lasting. Body is light, crisp and refreshing with mild carbonation.
Overall, a light, but tasty brew with a low ABV; the perfect recipe for warm weather!
Crafted by the Master Brewer of "Old Speckled Hen", this light golden beer delivers both flavour and refreshment. Brewed using the finest pale malts and the rare galaxy hop to give a light golden colour, subtle tropical fruit notes and a deliciously smooth finish.
From the Greene King website:
“Old Golden Hen” captures a celestial ray of sunshine in the form of a rare and very special Tasmanian hop called Galaxy. The result is a triumph for its sheer powers of refreshment. Hold it up to the light before tasting, and savour its bright golden glow. Spot, if you care to, the note of grapefruit and mango on the nose and then sip. Malty sweetness, a hint of tropical fruit and a clean finish: out of this world.
The Old Golden Hen’s lightness makes it the perfect partner to fish, seafood, chicken and spicier dishes.
Style description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Old Golden Hen
Morland - Old Speckled Hen
Morland - Old Speckled Hen
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 5.2%
Origin: Suffolk, England
"Old Speckled Hen" was first brewed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Named after an old MG car which was used as the factory run around, they would park the old MG Featherweight Fabric Saloon outside the paint shop where it would normally get spattered in paint and so it became known as the ‘Owld Speckl’d Un’. This turned into "Old Speckled Hen" when the beer was unveiled.
"Old Speckled Hen" has a full, smooth flavour and is very easy to drink. Its rich amber colour and superb fruity aromas are complemented by a delicious blend of malty tastes. Toffee and malt combine with bitterness on the back of the tongue to give a balanced sweetness. This is followed by a refreshingly dry finish.
From the Greene King website:
“Old Speckled Hen” was first brewed in 1979 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic MG factory. And what a celebration! Auburn and copper on the eye; malty, toffee notes on the nose; and then a further lovely helping of malt in the taste, with distinctive hints of caramel balanced by a touch of fruit. As English as English can be.
The secret to its success? Crystal and pale malts first and foremost, plus our Master Brewer’s blend of Challenger, Pilgrim, First Gold and Goldings hops. Especially fine with full-flavoured meats, roasts, sausages and pies.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Old Speckled Hen
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 5.2%
Origin: Suffolk, England
"Old Speckled Hen" was first brewed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Named after an old MG car which was used as the factory run around, they would park the old MG Featherweight Fabric Saloon outside the paint shop where it would normally get spattered in paint and so it became known as the ‘Owld Speckl’d Un’. This turned into "Old Speckled Hen" when the beer was unveiled.
"Old Speckled Hen" has a full, smooth flavour and is very easy to drink. Its rich amber colour and superb fruity aromas are complemented by a delicious blend of malty tastes. Toffee and malt combine with bitterness on the back of the tongue to give a balanced sweetness. This is followed by a refreshingly dry finish.
From the Greene King website:
“Old Speckled Hen” was first brewed in 1979 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic MG factory. And what a celebration! Auburn and copper on the eye; malty, toffee notes on the nose; and then a further lovely helping of malt in the taste, with distinctive hints of caramel balanced by a touch of fruit. As English as English can be.
The secret to its success? Crystal and pale malts first and foremost, plus our Master Brewer’s blend of Challenger, Pilgrim, First Gold and Goldings hops. Especially fine with full-flavoured meats, roasts, sausages and pies.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Old Speckled Hen
Morland - Old Hoppy Hen
Morland - Old Hoppy Hen
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.2%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Old Hoppy Hen is brewed for a light richness, skilfully bringing the sensitive aromas of hops to the fore.
Our Master Brewer has brought together four varieties of premium hops and matched them with carefully selected malts to craft a delightfully bitter pale ale bursting with tropical flavour and aroma, most notably a hint of cool fresh grapefruit citrus thanks to the American Chinook hop.
Tasting notes
Pale malt and crystal malt give biscuity and toffee notes and the addition of rye malt adds a touch of spiciness and astringency. Single copper hop Chinook gives crisp bitterness and the fresh-picked hoppyness. Late hopping with more Chinook plus Willamette, Cascade and Tettnang adds fresh grapefruit citrus, tropical fruits and a clean fresh-picked hop character and satisfying bitterness.
Malt: Pale malt, Crystal malt, Rye malt
Hops: Chinook, Willamette, Cascade, Tettnang
Food Pairing: Perfect with grilled fish or BBQ prawns
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Old Speckled Hen
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.2%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Old Hoppy Hen is brewed for a light richness, skilfully bringing the sensitive aromas of hops to the fore.
Our Master Brewer has brought together four varieties of premium hops and matched them with carefully selected malts to craft a delightfully bitter pale ale bursting with tropical flavour and aroma, most notably a hint of cool fresh grapefruit citrus thanks to the American Chinook hop.
Tasting notes
Pale malt and crystal malt give biscuity and toffee notes and the addition of rye malt adds a touch of spiciness and astringency. Single copper hop Chinook gives crisp bitterness and the fresh-picked hoppyness. Late hopping with more Chinook plus Willamette, Cascade and Tettnang adds fresh grapefruit citrus, tropical fruits and a clean fresh-picked hop character and satisfying bitterness.
Malt: Pale malt, Crystal malt, Rye malt
Hops: Chinook, Willamette, Cascade, Tettnang
Food Pairing: Perfect with grilled fish or BBQ prawns
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Old Speckled Hen
Morland - Hen's Tooth
Morland - Hen's Tooth
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Suffolk, England
There's only one description for Hen's Tooth – the nearest thing to real ale in a bottle. Its balanced blend of strong, rich flavours (6.5% abv) leads to a satisfyingly smooth, clean finish. The active yeast in the bottle continues to condition and mature the ale through its life, producing not only the wonderful flavours but also a smooth, foamy head.
Launched in 1799 as Greene, King and Sons, Greene King brewery prides themselves on delivering the finest cask ales in England. From their brewery in Bury St. Edmonds, Greene King brewery delivers the same quality, value and distinct taste as it did over 100 years ago.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Greene King
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Suffolk, England
There's only one description for Hen's Tooth – the nearest thing to real ale in a bottle. Its balanced blend of strong, rich flavours (6.5% abv) leads to a satisfyingly smooth, clean finish. The active yeast in the bottle continues to condition and mature the ale through its life, producing not only the wonderful flavours but also a smooth, foamy head.
Launched in 1799 as Greene, King and Sons, Greene King brewery prides themselves on delivering the finest cask ales in England. From their brewery in Bury St. Edmonds, Greene King brewery delivers the same quality, value and distinct taste as it did over 100 years ago.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Greene King
Theakston - Old Peculier
Theakston - Old Peculier
Style: English Old Ale
ABV: 5.6%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Since Robert Theakston first took a lease on The Black Bull Inn and Brewhouse in 1827, the Theakston brewery has become synonymous with award winning creamy ales, and in particular, the legendary Old Peculier. It’s taken around 180 years for Theakstons’ range of classic and seasonal ales to develop into the legend that they are today. The brewery has seen numerous changes during that time, including ownership battles and development of many of the traditions still in existence today.
The Old Peculier is one of the most loved Yorkshire ales. Its emblem, the Official Seal of the Old Peculier is as unique as the ale’s taste. It pours a clear, reddish brown color with a big malt aroma of toasted malts. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, with wonderful carbonation. The flavor picks up from the aroma, with a malty sweetness, hints of roasted malts, toasted nuts and some dark fruits, too. It finishes with a mild bitterness and lingering nuttiness.
Pairings: Old ales work great with steak, game birds, venison and sausages. Big cheeses like the Roquefort or Stilton pair nicely.
From the website:
Old Peculier is possibly one of the country’s most well-known and loved ales. This unique, beautiful brew is often imitated but never matched and is sold literally all over the world. With countless awards to its credit, it is something of which every Briton can be very proud and is the epitome of the greatest of British brewing tradition. In the early years of the modern brewing era, about two hundred years ago, many brewers produced a dark, strong ‘stock’ beer in the winter months, to provide a base amount of fermented beer to add to beers brewed in the rather more volatile months of the summer. Old Peculier probably owes its origins to this. The name pays tribute to the unique ecclesiastical status of Masham as a ‘Court of the Peculier’ and is also reference to the strong characteristic of the beer! For many years it was affectionately referred to as Yorkshire’s ‘Lunatic’s Broth’.
Old Peculier is a beautiful, yet very simple beer, brewed using a very generous blend of finest pale, crystal and roasted barley with two bitter hops combined with the majestic and noble ‘Fuggle’ hop to produce a beer of awesome full-bodied flavour with subtle cherry and rich fruit overtones. It tastes superb when accompanied by rich stews, strong cheeses and sweet puddings.
Style description: English Old Ale
Link to product website: Theakston
Photo credit: Burnt Rostad
Style: English Old Ale
ABV: 5.6%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Since Robert Theakston first took a lease on The Black Bull Inn and Brewhouse in 1827, the Theakston brewery has become synonymous with award winning creamy ales, and in particular, the legendary Old Peculier. It’s taken around 180 years for Theakstons’ range of classic and seasonal ales to develop into the legend that they are today. The brewery has seen numerous changes during that time, including ownership battles and development of many of the traditions still in existence today.
The Old Peculier is one of the most loved Yorkshire ales. Its emblem, the Official Seal of the Old Peculier is as unique as the ale’s taste. It pours a clear, reddish brown color with a big malt aroma of toasted malts. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, with wonderful carbonation. The flavor picks up from the aroma, with a malty sweetness, hints of roasted malts, toasted nuts and some dark fruits, too. It finishes with a mild bitterness and lingering nuttiness.
Pairings: Old ales work great with steak, game birds, venison and sausages. Big cheeses like the Roquefort or Stilton pair nicely.
From the website:
Old Peculier is possibly one of the country’s most well-known and loved ales. This unique, beautiful brew is often imitated but never matched and is sold literally all over the world. With countless awards to its credit, it is something of which every Briton can be very proud and is the epitome of the greatest of British brewing tradition. In the early years of the modern brewing era, about two hundred years ago, many brewers produced a dark, strong ‘stock’ beer in the winter months, to provide a base amount of fermented beer to add to beers brewed in the rather more volatile months of the summer. Old Peculier probably owes its origins to this. The name pays tribute to the unique ecclesiastical status of Masham as a ‘Court of the Peculier’ and is also reference to the strong characteristic of the beer! For many years it was affectionately referred to as Yorkshire’s ‘Lunatic’s Broth’.
Old Peculier is a beautiful, yet very simple beer, brewed using a very generous blend of finest pale, crystal and roasted barley with two bitter hops combined with the majestic and noble ‘Fuggle’ hop to produce a beer of awesome full-bodied flavour with subtle cherry and rich fruit overtones. It tastes superb when accompanied by rich stews, strong cheeses and sweet puddings.
Style description: English Old Ale
Link to product website: Theakston
Photo credit: Burnt Rostad
Theakston - XB
Theakston - XB
Style: English ESB
ABV: 4.6%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
XB is a rare delight, a real ale connoisseur’s masterpiece. A strong full-bodied ale with a subtle but superb blend of two types of bitter and three fruit hop varieties giving a most thirst quenching and satisfying ale. XB was first brewed in 1982 to celebrate the purchase of the Carlisle Brewery by Theakstons a few years before. Brewed always and ever in Masham, XB was designed as a tribute to the classic ‘border’ style of beer, strong in gravity, low but complex hop. It was an instant success and has remained so, winning over real ale devotees all over the UK. Always in the shadow of its more famous stable–mate, Old Peculier, XB has quietly established itself as favourite among serious cask ale enthusiasts.
Its name came not from some clever marketing expert but rather based on the more prosaic features of the Masham brewery. In the days when the only way to distinguish the contents from one cask to the next was by use of one of only two wooden stamps dipped in white wash and applied to each cask, the only letters available were either an X or a B. We could have called in BX but we preferred XB!
The full-bodied nature of XB makes it the perfect accompaniment to big, full, flavoured dishes such as sausages, meat or game pies, stews etc.etness; First Gold and Goldings hops combine with the malt flavours to deliver the winter fruits and dried fruits aspects.
Tasting Notes:
A premium strength ale, ruby coloured with a rich flavour and full body. The balance between bitterness and fruitiness from the Bramling Cross and Fuggle hops used give XB the distinctively complex aroma, making it the beer to savour.
Style description: English ESB
Link to product website: Theakston
Style: English ESB
ABV: 4.6%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
XB is a rare delight, a real ale connoisseur’s masterpiece. A strong full-bodied ale with a subtle but superb blend of two types of bitter and three fruit hop varieties giving a most thirst quenching and satisfying ale. XB was first brewed in 1982 to celebrate the purchase of the Carlisle Brewery by Theakstons a few years before. Brewed always and ever in Masham, XB was designed as a tribute to the classic ‘border’ style of beer, strong in gravity, low but complex hop. It was an instant success and has remained so, winning over real ale devotees all over the UK. Always in the shadow of its more famous stable–mate, Old Peculier, XB has quietly established itself as favourite among serious cask ale enthusiasts.
Its name came not from some clever marketing expert but rather based on the more prosaic features of the Masham brewery. In the days when the only way to distinguish the contents from one cask to the next was by use of one of only two wooden stamps dipped in white wash and applied to each cask, the only letters available were either an X or a B. We could have called in BX but we preferred XB!
The full-bodied nature of XB makes it the perfect accompaniment to big, full, flavoured dishes such as sausages, meat or game pies, stews etc.etness; First Gold and Goldings hops combine with the malt flavours to deliver the winter fruits and dried fruits aspects.
Tasting Notes:
A premium strength ale, ruby coloured with a rich flavour and full body. The balance between bitterness and fruitiness from the Bramling Cross and Fuggle hops used give XB the distinctively complex aroma, making it the beer to savour.
Style description: English ESB
Link to product website: Theakston
Shepherd Neame - Bishops Finger
Shepherd Neame - Bishops Finger
Style: English ESB
ABV: 5.4%
Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
Bishops Finger Kentish Strong Ale is a connoisseur's beer with excellent credentials and pedigree and is a silver medal-winner in the Daily Telegraph Taste of Britain awards.
It takes its name from the finger-shaped signposts which pointed pilgrims on their way to the tomb of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury and was the first strong ale to be brewed by Shepherd Neame after malt rationing was eased in the late 1950s. It is also one of the UK's oldest bottled beers, brewed since 1958.
Bishops Finger holds EU Protected Geographical Indication, recognising its unique provenance. Uniquely, it is brewed to a charter which states it can only be brewed by the head brewer on a Friday and that it must be brewed using 100% natural ingredients, Kentish hops and barley, and the brewery's own artesian mineral water.
Tasting Notes:
Fashioned on a firm, fruity foundation of Crystal malt, this rich, ruby-coloured Kent classic belies its burly appearance with a complexity of flavour. Mouth-filling fruit, prunes, plums and dried apricot spiked with palate-prickling pepper, cinnamon and a soft bitter blood-orange finish.
Style description: English ESB
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Style: English ESB
ABV: 5.4%
Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
Bishops Finger Kentish Strong Ale is a connoisseur's beer with excellent credentials and pedigree and is a silver medal-winner in the Daily Telegraph Taste of Britain awards.
It takes its name from the finger-shaped signposts which pointed pilgrims on their way to the tomb of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury and was the first strong ale to be brewed by Shepherd Neame after malt rationing was eased in the late 1950s. It is also one of the UK's oldest bottled beers, brewed since 1958.
Bishops Finger holds EU Protected Geographical Indication, recognising its unique provenance. Uniquely, it is brewed to a charter which states it can only be brewed by the head brewer on a Friday and that it must be brewed using 100% natural ingredients, Kentish hops and barley, and the brewery's own artesian mineral water.
Tasting Notes:
Fashioned on a firm, fruity foundation of Crystal malt, this rich, ruby-coloured Kent classic belies its burly appearance with a complexity of flavour. Mouth-filling fruit, prunes, plums and dried apricot spiked with palate-prickling pepper, cinnamon and a soft bitter blood-orange finish.
Style description: English ESB
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
"This 4.2% Kentish ale was first brewed in 1990 to commemorate the Battle of Britain which was fought in the skies above Kent 50 years earlier. The beer is named after the legendary Spitfire aeroplane designed by RJ Mitchell. The versatility of the aircraft and the courage of its pilots were essential to victory and were a key symbol of the spirit of that time.
Tasting Notes:
An infusion of three Kentish hops adorns this beautifully balanced, blood-orange tinted British bitter with an acutely aromatic allure. Hints of marmalade, red grapes and pepper are thrust from a springboard of warm, mellow malts." - Shepherd Neame website
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
"This 4.2% Kentish ale was first brewed in 1990 to commemorate the Battle of Britain which was fought in the skies above Kent 50 years earlier. The beer is named after the legendary Spitfire aeroplane designed by RJ Mitchell. The versatility of the aircraft and the courage of its pilots were essential to victory and were a key symbol of the spirit of that time.
Tasting Notes:
An infusion of three Kentish hops adorns this beautifully balanced, blood-orange tinted British bitter with an acutely aromatic allure. Hints of marmalade, red grapes and pepper are thrust from a springboard of warm, mellow malts." - Shepherd Neame website
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Sheperd Neame - 1698
Sheperd Neame - 1698
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
"Originally brewed to celebrate the tercentenary of Britain's oldest brewer, 1698 is a characteristically hoppy Kentish ale, and has Protected Geographical Indication, the same unique regional protection afforded to Champagne and Parma Ham.
The ale matures naturally in the bottle and can be enjoyed fresh or allowed to settle for a few months to mellow. The natural effervescence produced by bottle-conditioning – the interaction of yeast and brewing sugars – gives 1698 fine, Champagne-like bubbles that further enhance the fragrance, flavour and overall drinking experience.
A silver medal winner in the Taste of Britain Awards, 1698 has been included in the International Beer Challenge's World's Top 50 Beers and has won a Gold Award from the British Bottlers' Institute."
TASTING NOTES
First brewed in 1998 to celebrate Shepherd Neame's tercentenary, this copper-bronze, bottle conditioned beauty is an intense yet uniquely intricate offering thrice-hopped during the brewing process. This adds rich resinous notes and spikes of citrus to a moreish strong ale already rife with notes of liquorice, Marsala wine, caramel and spicy orange. A frisson of dark fruit freshens the finish. Serve with smoked cheese. - Shepherd Neame website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
"Originally brewed to celebrate the tercentenary of Britain's oldest brewer, 1698 is a characteristically hoppy Kentish ale, and has Protected Geographical Indication, the same unique regional protection afforded to Champagne and Parma Ham.
The ale matures naturally in the bottle and can be enjoyed fresh or allowed to settle for a few months to mellow. The natural effervescence produced by bottle-conditioning – the interaction of yeast and brewing sugars – gives 1698 fine, Champagne-like bubbles that further enhance the fragrance, flavour and overall drinking experience.
A silver medal winner in the Taste of Britain Awards, 1698 has been included in the International Beer Challenge's World's Top 50 Beers and has won a Gold Award from the British Bottlers' Institute."
TASTING NOTES
First brewed in 1998 to celebrate Shepherd Neame's tercentenary, this copper-bronze, bottle conditioned beauty is an intense yet uniquely intricate offering thrice-hopped during the brewing process. This adds rich resinous notes and spikes of citrus to a moreish strong ale already rife with notes of liquorice, Marsala wine, caramel and spicy orange. A frisson of dark fruit freshens the finish. Serve with smoked cheese. - Shepherd Neame website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Sheperd Neame - India Pale Ale
Shepherd Neame - India Pale Ale
Style: English IPA
ABV: 6.1%
Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
"Hailing from the tradition of 18th Century IPAs, which relied on generous hopping to protect exports during arduous journeys, this modern incarnation retains the strength, body and strong hop character which is synonymous with this beer's provenance. A glorious showcase of the distinct, heavily hopped beers for which Shepherd Neame is famed, India Pale Ale delivers potent bitterness, offset with generous amounts of pale ale malt to deliver a balanced, yet uncompromising brew. Available on draught from March to May."
- Shepherd Neame website
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Style: English IPA
ABV: 6.1%
Origin: Faversham, Kent, England
"Hailing from the tradition of 18th Century IPAs, which relied on generous hopping to protect exports during arduous journeys, this modern incarnation retains the strength, body and strong hop character which is synonymous with this beer's provenance. A glorious showcase of the distinct, heavily hopped beers for which Shepherd Neame is famed, India Pale Ale delivers potent bitterness, offset with generous amounts of pale ale malt to deliver a balanced, yet uncompromising brew. Available on draught from March to May."
- Shepherd Neame website
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Shepherd Neame
Fuller's - 1845
Fuller's - 1845
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.3%
Origin: Chiswick, England.
In 1995, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Fuller Smith & Turner partnership, Fuller's commissioned a special, celebration bottle conditioned ale. The results was 1845. A more auspicious beginning the brew could not have had: the inaugural beer's hops were added to the copper by none other than HRH The Prince of Wales, during a royal visit to Fuller's!
Since its introduction, 1845 has become a firm favourite with its wonderfully rich flavours helping the beer to win numerous awards around the globe including the CAMRA Champion Bottle Conditioned Beer of Britain.
Tasting notes:
1845 is a 6.3% ABV bottle conditioned beer, which means that it is the absolute pinnacle of bottled beers and is the closest to cask. Bottle conditioning is a demanding art; knowledge and skill are needed at every stage in the process. A tiny residue of yeast is allowed to ferment in the bottle, developing character and depth of flavour over time just as fine vintage wines do.
To ensure this magnificent ale reaches perfection, 1845 is matured for at least 100 days before being released for sale. During this time the rich fruity characteristics of the beer are enhanced, while the well-rounded malt flavours create a wonderfully balanced ale. Given this, it's no surprise that the philosophy of our brewers is that perfection cannot be hurried.
Roger Protz, beer writer and critic, describes 1845 as 'a rich beer with a fruit cake aroma, spices and nutmeg from malt and hops resulting in a dry, fruity finish'. It is also bottle conditioned, which means it is live beer which continues to ferment in bottle, adding to the complex development of flavours.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Fullers 1845
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.3%
Origin: Chiswick, England.
In 1995, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Fuller Smith & Turner partnership, Fuller's commissioned a special, celebration bottle conditioned ale. The results was 1845. A more auspicious beginning the brew could not have had: the inaugural beer's hops were added to the copper by none other than HRH The Prince of Wales, during a royal visit to Fuller's!
Since its introduction, 1845 has become a firm favourite with its wonderfully rich flavours helping the beer to win numerous awards around the globe including the CAMRA Champion Bottle Conditioned Beer of Britain.
Tasting notes:
1845 is a 6.3% ABV bottle conditioned beer, which means that it is the absolute pinnacle of bottled beers and is the closest to cask. Bottle conditioning is a demanding art; knowledge and skill are needed at every stage in the process. A tiny residue of yeast is allowed to ferment in the bottle, developing character and depth of flavour over time just as fine vintage wines do.
To ensure this magnificent ale reaches perfection, 1845 is matured for at least 100 days before being released for sale. During this time the rich fruity characteristics of the beer are enhanced, while the well-rounded malt flavours create a wonderfully balanced ale. Given this, it's no surprise that the philosophy of our brewers is that perfection cannot be hurried.
Roger Protz, beer writer and critic, describes 1845 as 'a rich beer with a fruit cake aroma, spices and nutmeg from malt and hops resulting in a dry, fruity finish'. It is also bottle conditioned, which means it is live beer which continues to ferment in bottle, adding to the complex development of flavours.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Fullers 1845
Fuller's - London Porter
Fuller's - London Porter
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.4%
Origin: Chiswick, London, England
Fuller's London Porter is widely regarded as the world's finest porter. Having won awards all over the world, London Porter is regularly voted the number one Porter on beer websites such as ratebeer.com, a tremendous accolade to our brewing team.
The origins of Porter date back to London in the early eighteenth century, and the beer has seen fame around the world, from Ireland to the USA and Australia. It was the dominant beer style in London for quite some time, and takes its name from the street and river porters of the city who carried goods around the streets.
Tasting notes:
Fuller's London Porter captures the flavours of those original brews perfectly, although you won't find a cloudy pint these days! Rich, dark and complex, at 5.4% ABV the beer has an outstanding depth of flavour.
It is brewed from a blend of Brown, Crystal and Chocolate malts for a creamy delivery balanced by traditional Fuggles hops. The range of flavours works well with a wide variety of foods, ranging from rich meat dishes, to oysters, and even chocolate puddings.
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: Fuller's
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.4%
Origin: Chiswick, London, England
Fuller's London Porter is widely regarded as the world's finest porter. Having won awards all over the world, London Porter is regularly voted the number one Porter on beer websites such as ratebeer.com, a tremendous accolade to our brewing team.
The origins of Porter date back to London in the early eighteenth century, and the beer has seen fame around the world, from Ireland to the USA and Australia. It was the dominant beer style in London for quite some time, and takes its name from the street and river porters of the city who carried goods around the streets.
Tasting notes:
Fuller's London Porter captures the flavours of those original brews perfectly, although you won't find a cloudy pint these days! Rich, dark and complex, at 5.4% ABV the beer has an outstanding depth of flavour.
It is brewed from a blend of Brown, Crystal and Chocolate malts for a creamy delivery balanced by traditional Fuggles hops. The range of flavours works well with a wide variety of foods, ranging from rich meat dishes, to oysters, and even chocolate puddings.
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: Fuller's
Fuller's - ESB
Fuller's - ESB
Style: English ESB
ABV: 5.5%
Origin: Chiswick, London, England
With three CAMRA Beer of the Year awards, two World Champion Beer awards, and numerous other gold medals to speak of, ESB is quite simply, a Champion Ale.
ESB was launched into the Fuller's family in 1971, as a winter brew to replace a beer named Old Burton Extra. The potential of the beer was soon realised and ESB was installed as a permanent fixture, creating an immediate impact.
Not only was it one of the strongest regularly brewed draught beers in the UK (at 5.5% ABV), it was also one of the tastiest, and as the awareness of the beer grew, so did its popularity. ESB's reputation was soon enhanced after being named CAMRA's (Campaign for Real Ale) Beer of the Year in 1978, and the beer has not stopped winning since!
Brewed at 5.5% ABV in cask and 5.9% ABV in bottle, ESB is a true liquid legend, and should be savoured as such. ESB has a wonderful rich mahogany appearance. Taking in the nose, the beer is bursting with cherry and orange, balanced by soft malty toffee and caramel notes. The flavour delivers everything you would expect from such a full-bodied ale.
The unique blend of Northdown, Target, Challenger and Goldings hops imparts grassy, peppery notes on the tongue along with intense citrus fruit characters of grapefruits, oranges and lemons. The blend of Pale Ale and Crystal malts in the brew give a biscuity, toffee element to the beer. A smooth, mellow bitterness lingers on the palate to give a superbly satisfying finish.
Style Description: ESB
Link to product website: Fuller's
Style: English ESB
ABV: 5.5%
Origin: Chiswick, London, England
With three CAMRA Beer of the Year awards, two World Champion Beer awards, and numerous other gold medals to speak of, ESB is quite simply, a Champion Ale.
ESB was launched into the Fuller's family in 1971, as a winter brew to replace a beer named Old Burton Extra. The potential of the beer was soon realised and ESB was installed as a permanent fixture, creating an immediate impact.
Not only was it one of the strongest regularly brewed draught beers in the UK (at 5.5% ABV), it was also one of the tastiest, and as the awareness of the beer grew, so did its popularity. ESB's reputation was soon enhanced after being named CAMRA's (Campaign for Real Ale) Beer of the Year in 1978, and the beer has not stopped winning since!
Brewed at 5.5% ABV in cask and 5.9% ABV in bottle, ESB is a true liquid legend, and should be savoured as such. ESB has a wonderful rich mahogany appearance. Taking in the nose, the beer is bursting with cherry and orange, balanced by soft malty toffee and caramel notes. The flavour delivers everything you would expect from such a full-bodied ale.
The unique blend of Northdown, Target, Challenger and Goldings hops imparts grassy, peppery notes on the tongue along with intense citrus fruit characters of grapefruits, oranges and lemons. The blend of Pale Ale and Crystal malts in the brew give a biscuity, toffee element to the beer. A smooth, mellow bitterness lingers on the palate to give a superbly satisfying finish.
Style Description: ESB
Link to product website: Fuller's
Fuller's - Vintage Ale
Fuller's - Vintage Ale
Style: Old Ale
ABV: 8.5%
Origin: London, England
Vintage Ale is a truly distinguished bottle-conditioned ale, crafted by Fuller’s Head Brewer, John Keeling. Each vintage is a blend of that year’s finest malt and hops, and of course their unique yeast, creating a unique limited edition brew.
Bottle conditioning means that a little yeast is left in the bottle after bottling, which will mature slowly over time like a fine wine or whisky, well beyond the "best before date" that we are obliged to state. Actually, it should read, "Best After Date."
The 2007 edition marked the tenth year of brewing this extraordinary ale. There are only 150,000 bottles produced, and it is available from Waitrose and Sainsbury’s while supplies last. Bottles of old Vintage Ales are now very hard to come by, but the Brewery Shop in Chiswick has all available editions. You can call the store at 020-8996-2085 for more information.
Style description: Old Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Photo credit: ohbeeryme.tumblr.com
Style: Old Ale
ABV: 8.5%
Origin: London, England
Vintage Ale is a truly distinguished bottle-conditioned ale, crafted by Fuller’s Head Brewer, John Keeling. Each vintage is a blend of that year’s finest malt and hops, and of course their unique yeast, creating a unique limited edition brew.
Bottle conditioning means that a little yeast is left in the bottle after bottling, which will mature slowly over time like a fine wine or whisky, well beyond the "best before date" that we are obliged to state. Actually, it should read, "Best After Date."
The 2007 edition marked the tenth year of brewing this extraordinary ale. There are only 150,000 bottles produced, and it is available from Waitrose and Sainsbury’s while supplies last. Bottles of old Vintage Ales are now very hard to come by, but the Brewery Shop in Chiswick has all available editions. You can call the store at 020-8996-2085 for more information.
Style description: Old Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Photo credit: ohbeeryme.tumblr.com
Fuller's - London Pride
Fuller's - London Pride
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: London, England
My notes:
Pours a bright, golden honey color with a white frothy head. Smells of English malts, cereal, apples and herbal hops. Taste is a strong cider-like sweetness up front with cereal grain character while in the mouth. Aftertaste is smooth, buttery with just the right amount of hops. Carbonation is soft. Nice balance and complexity.
From the Fuller's website:
Known and loved for its distinctive, rounded flavour, London Pride is the award-winning beer for which Fuller’s is most famous. In recent years its popularity has grown to the extent that it is now Britain’s leading premium ale: a welcome fixture in many pubs and off licences around the country, and now winning new friends abroad.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Photo credit: greekfoodblogs.com
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: London, England
My notes:
Pours a bright, golden honey color with a white frothy head. Smells of English malts, cereal, apples and herbal hops. Taste is a strong cider-like sweetness up front with cereal grain character while in the mouth. Aftertaste is smooth, buttery with just the right amount of hops. Carbonation is soft. Nice balance and complexity.
From the Fuller's website:
Known and loved for its distinctive, rounded flavour, London Pride is the award-winning beer for which Fuller’s is most famous. In recent years its popularity has grown to the extent that it is now Britain’s leading premium ale: a welcome fixture in many pubs and off licences around the country, and now winning new friends abroad.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Photo credit: greekfoodblogs.com
Fuller's - Black Cab Stout
Fuller's - Black Cab Stout
Style: English Stout
ABV: 4.5%
Orogin: London, England
"London family brewer Fuller's remains a beacon for quality beers brewed by a large, independent regional brewery. So it is great to see them seemingly going from strength to strength with major new supermarket listings for this stout, which has made the transition from seasonal cask ale to mainstream bottled product rather successfully. Pouring a very dark mahogany/black with a low-rise, tan head, the aromas are not aggressively roasted or malty, but have a lovely subtlety with some chocolate and rich red berry fruit. In the mouth it is substantial but medium-bodied, with some creamy cappuccino softness, then more chocolaty, roasted tones and a nice balance of bitterness and acidity that also leaves it fresh and, with its 4.5% ABV, eminently suppable. Not a ground-breaker, but very classy." - Tom Cannavan
Style description: English Stout
Link to product website: Fuller's
Style: English Stout
ABV: 4.5%
Orogin: London, England
"London family brewer Fuller's remains a beacon for quality beers brewed by a large, independent regional brewery. So it is great to see them seemingly going from strength to strength with major new supermarket listings for this stout, which has made the transition from seasonal cask ale to mainstream bottled product rather successfully. Pouring a very dark mahogany/black with a low-rise, tan head, the aromas are not aggressively roasted or malty, but have a lovely subtlety with some chocolate and rich red berry fruit. In the mouth it is substantial but medium-bodied, with some creamy cappuccino softness, then more chocolaty, roasted tones and a nice balance of bitterness and acidity that also leaves it fresh and, with its 4.5% ABV, eminently suppable. Not a ground-breaker, but very classy." - Tom Cannavan
Style description: English Stout
Link to product website: Fuller's
Fuller's - India Pale Ale
Fuller's - India Pale Ale
Style: English India Pale Ale
ABV: 5.3%
Origin: London, England
"Inspired by classic IPAs of the past, Fuller’s India Pale Ale is a refreshing affair with spicy hop character. Like its 19th century predecessors, exported to the east, this pale ale too is destined for foreign shores.
Brewed for the export market, Fuller’s India Pale Ale is popular in Sweden, America and indeed all over the globe. It’s an unmistakeably English-style IPA though, brewed with a combination of home-grown hops and malt.
India Pale Ale pours a pale amber colour and delivers earthy, hoppy aromas. On the palate, orange, character is followed by floral and spicy notes – leading on to a satisfying finish of mild bitterness. Great with a curry, India Pale Ale refreshes the palate while lending its own mild hint of spice.
Our India Pale Ale is part of an export business that started in the early 1980s - when a few bottles of Fuller’s beer found their way to ale aficionados in America." - Fuller's website
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Style: English India Pale Ale
ABV: 5.3%
Origin: London, England
"Inspired by classic IPAs of the past, Fuller’s India Pale Ale is a refreshing affair with spicy hop character. Like its 19th century predecessors, exported to the east, this pale ale too is destined for foreign shores.
Brewed for the export market, Fuller’s India Pale Ale is popular in Sweden, America and indeed all over the globe. It’s an unmistakeably English-style IPA though, brewed with a combination of home-grown hops and malt.
India Pale Ale pours a pale amber colour and delivers earthy, hoppy aromas. On the palate, orange, character is followed by floral and spicy notes – leading on to a satisfying finish of mild bitterness. Great with a curry, India Pale Ale refreshes the palate while lending its own mild hint of spice.
Our India Pale Ale is part of an export business that started in the early 1980s - when a few bottles of Fuller’s beer found their way to ale aficionados in America." - Fuller's website
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Fuller's - Past Masters Old Burton Extra
Fuller's - Past Masters Old Burton Extra
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 7.3%
Origin: Chiswick, England
REDISCOVER OLD BURTON EXTRA
Loved, lost and seemingly confined to the history books, Old Burton Extra was first brewed at Fuller’s in 1931. Now it’s back as part of our Past Masters series – and we’re using the original recipe to recreate those big, bold Burton malt flavours.
A RECIPE RECOVERED
Old Burton ales were originally made famous by the breweries of Burton on Trent in Staffordshire, but Fuller’s raised the bar with the introduction of Old Burton Extra. For 20 years it was one of our most popular pints until the fickle nature of brewing saw the style fade out. It’s our belief that no great beer should ever be lost for long though, so we’ve delved into the Brew Book and recovered the recipe for a whole new generation.
BREWER'S NOTES
Rich and golden, Old Burton Extra embodies its genre with big, unmistakeable malt character, present right from the initial aroma. There’s cakey, toffee sweetness too, and a generous flash of warmth on the palate.
RAISE A GLASS!
The historic Fuller’s Brew Book records recipes in such meticulous fashion that we can trace our first Old Burton back to Thursday, September 10th, 1931. We even know the temperature outside was 13c at 4am that morning. - Fuller's Website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 7.3%
Origin: Chiswick, England
REDISCOVER OLD BURTON EXTRA
Loved, lost and seemingly confined to the history books, Old Burton Extra was first brewed at Fuller’s in 1931. Now it’s back as part of our Past Masters series – and we’re using the original recipe to recreate those big, bold Burton malt flavours.
A RECIPE RECOVERED
Old Burton ales were originally made famous by the breweries of Burton on Trent in Staffordshire, but Fuller’s raised the bar with the introduction of Old Burton Extra. For 20 years it was one of our most popular pints until the fickle nature of brewing saw the style fade out. It’s our belief that no great beer should ever be lost for long though, so we’ve delved into the Brew Book and recovered the recipe for a whole new generation.
BREWER'S NOTES
Rich and golden, Old Burton Extra embodies its genre with big, unmistakeable malt character, present right from the initial aroma. There’s cakey, toffee sweetness too, and a generous flash of warmth on the palate.
RAISE A GLASS!
The historic Fuller’s Brew Book records recipes in such meticulous fashion that we can trace our first Old Burton back to Thursday, September 10th, 1931. We even know the temperature outside was 13c at 4am that morning. - Fuller's Website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Fuller's
Wells - McEwan's Scotch Ale
Wells and Young's - McEwan's Scotch Ale
Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
ABV: 8.0%
Origin: Bedford, England
William McEwan opened the Fountain Brewery, Edinburgh, in 1856 and by 1889, it was the UK's largest brewery in the hands of a single owner. At its peak, the Fountain Brewery was producing two million barrels of beer a year and became Scotland's biggest ale brand.
One of the most successful and best-loved beers from the Fountain Brewery was McEwan's Scotch Ale, fondly known as "Red Top" by its legion of fans. The beer was remembered for its unique and distinctive tartan packaging, which is now protected on The Scottish Register of Tartans as 'The McEwan 1856' by the renowned Scottish tailors, Kinloch Anderson.
McEwan's Scotch Ale has gained a fiercely loyal following throughout the years, especially in North America; and its rebirth is a direct result of customer demand. Wells & Young's Brewery has resurrected this iconic beer using the original recipe that made it so famous. Proudly bearing its Highland roots, Scotland's most iconic Scotch Ale returns to the States.
Style description: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Link to product website: McEwan's
Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
ABV: 8.0%
Origin: Bedford, England
William McEwan opened the Fountain Brewery, Edinburgh, in 1856 and by 1889, it was the UK's largest brewery in the hands of a single owner. At its peak, the Fountain Brewery was producing two million barrels of beer a year and became Scotland's biggest ale brand.
One of the most successful and best-loved beers from the Fountain Brewery was McEwan's Scotch Ale, fondly known as "Red Top" by its legion of fans. The beer was remembered for its unique and distinctive tartan packaging, which is now protected on The Scottish Register of Tartans as 'The McEwan 1856' by the renowned Scottish tailors, Kinloch Anderson.
McEwan's Scotch Ale has gained a fiercely loyal following throughout the years, especially in North America; and its rebirth is a direct result of customer demand. Wells & Young's Brewery has resurrected this iconic beer using the original recipe that made it so famous. Proudly bearing its Highland roots, Scotland's most iconic Scotch Ale returns to the States.
Style description: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Link to product website: McEwan's
Brakspear - Bitter
Brakspear - Bitter
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 3.4%
Origin: Witney, Oxon, England
The quintessential Oxfordshire beer is famed for its strength and depth of flavour at a sessionable 3.4% abv.
Brewed using the original Henley Brakspear brewing plant, including the famous ‘double-drop’ fermentation system, the original Copper, and the Victorian fermenting vessels.
Amber in colour with a good fruit, hop, and malt nose. The initial taste of malt and well-hopped bitterness dissolves into a bitter-sweet and fruity finish.
“I am thrilled that the complex flavours, which are the hallmark of Brakspear Bitter, have been preserved so well in this bottle. When I want a refreshing drink or two at home, this one will really hit the spot!” - Brakspear's head brewer
Pairs with:
Brakspear Bitter is ideal with foods such as fish and chips, Ploughmans lunch and mature English cheeses.
Style Description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Brakspear
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 3.4%
Origin: Witney, Oxon, England
The quintessential Oxfordshire beer is famed for its strength and depth of flavour at a sessionable 3.4% abv.
Brewed using the original Henley Brakspear brewing plant, including the famous ‘double-drop’ fermentation system, the original Copper, and the Victorian fermenting vessels.
Amber in colour with a good fruit, hop, and malt nose. The initial taste of malt and well-hopped bitterness dissolves into a bitter-sweet and fruity finish.
“I am thrilled that the complex flavours, which are the hallmark of Brakspear Bitter, have been preserved so well in this bottle. When I want a refreshing drink or two at home, this one will really hit the spot!” - Brakspear's head brewer
Pairs with:
Brakspear Bitter is ideal with foods such as fish and chips, Ploughmans lunch and mature English cheeses.
Style Description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Brakspear
Brakspear - Triple
Brakspear - Triple
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.7%
Origin: Henley on Thames, England
"This is a remarkable beer which is a challenge to brew but a pleasure to drink. It is triple hopped, triple fermented & brewed by the infamous “Double Drop” method in the brewery. A connoisseur’s beer, with a wonderfully complex flavour, aroma & bottle conditioned. Beer at its best.
Thanks to the two fermentations in the Brakspear 'Double Drop' system, this highly aromatic and satisfying strong beer delivers its rich flavour with subtlety and balance.
Crystal, Black and Maris Otter pale malts provide the backbone of this outstanding rich beer. Hops are added three times to provide a good balance between bitterness and fragrance.
Its high alcohol content along with the molasses and rum flavours create a beautiful contrast with blue cheeses or steak and kidney pie; and complement Dundee cakes or Cadbury’s fruit and nut." - Brakspear website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Brakspear
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.7%
Origin: Henley on Thames, England
"This is a remarkable beer which is a challenge to brew but a pleasure to drink. It is triple hopped, triple fermented & brewed by the infamous “Double Drop” method in the brewery. A connoisseur’s beer, with a wonderfully complex flavour, aroma & bottle conditioned. Beer at its best.
Thanks to the two fermentations in the Brakspear 'Double Drop' system, this highly aromatic and satisfying strong beer delivers its rich flavour with subtlety and balance.
Crystal, Black and Maris Otter pale malts provide the backbone of this outstanding rich beer. Hops are added three times to provide a good balance between bitterness and fragrance.
Its high alcohol content along with the molasses and rum flavours create a beautiful contrast with blue cheeses or steak and kidney pie; and complement Dundee cakes or Cadbury’s fruit and nut." - Brakspear website
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Brakspear
Batemans - XXXB
Batemans - XXXB
Style: English ESB
ABV: 4.8%
Origin: Wainfleet, England
A classic English copper-red bitter, brewed with pale, crystal and wheat malts, and hopped with English Goldings and Styrian Goldings varieties. Triple XB has a rich aroma of biscuity malt, hop resins and vine fruits. Peppery hops, ripe fruit and juicy malt fill the mouth, followed by a long, luscious finish packed with earthy hops and a dry, cracker biscuit like maltiness.
Contains: Barley & Wheat
Style Description: English ESB
Link to product website: Batemans
Photo credit: beerlog.ru
Style: English ESB
ABV: 4.8%
Origin: Wainfleet, England
A classic English copper-red bitter, brewed with pale, crystal and wheat malts, and hopped with English Goldings and Styrian Goldings varieties. Triple XB has a rich aroma of biscuity malt, hop resins and vine fruits. Peppery hops, ripe fruit and juicy malt fill the mouth, followed by a long, luscious finish packed with earthy hops and a dry, cracker biscuit like maltiness.
Contains: Barley & Wheat
Style Description: English ESB
Link to product website: Batemans
Photo credit: beerlog.ru
Batemans - Victory Ale
Batemans - Victory Ale
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 6.0%
Origin: Wainfleet, England
"A pale copper coloured, rewarding beer brewed with pale and crystal malts and hopped with English Goldings and American Liberty hops. The aroma booms with peppery hops and bitter oranges, balanced by fresh bread maltiness. Hops and fruit dominate the palate, while the finish has sappy malt, tart fruit and lingering hop bitterness." - Batemans website
Style Description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Batemans
Photo credit: beerohbeer.com
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 6.0%
Origin: Wainfleet, England
"A pale copper coloured, rewarding beer brewed with pale and crystal malts and hopped with English Goldings and American Liberty hops. The aroma booms with peppery hops and bitter oranges, balanced by fresh bread maltiness. Hops and fruit dominate the palate, while the finish has sappy malt, tart fruit and lingering hop bitterness." - Batemans website
Style Description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Batemans
Photo credit: beerohbeer.com
Bateman's - Combined Harvest
Bateman's - Combined Harvest
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, England
"A complex, pale bronze multigrain beer made with pale barley malts, combined with wheat, oats, rye then hopped with Phoenix and Target varieties. The superb aroma is dominated by a tart "orange and lemon slices" fruitiness, with a bready note from the rye. The wonderfully quenching palate has citrus fruit, rich, chewy malt and gentle hop resins, followed by a dry, fruity and biscuity finish." - Bateman's website
Contains: Barley, Wheat, Oats & Rye
Style Description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Batemans
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, England
"A complex, pale bronze multigrain beer made with pale barley malts, combined with wheat, oats, rye then hopped with Phoenix and Target varieties. The superb aroma is dominated by a tart "orange and lemon slices" fruitiness, with a bready note from the rye. The wonderfully quenching palate has citrus fruit, rich, chewy malt and gentle hop resins, followed by a dry, fruity and biscuity finish." - Bateman's website
Contains: Barley, Wheat, Oats & Rye
Style Description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Batemans
Wells - Young's London Stout
Charles Wells - Young's London Stout
Style: English Stout
ABV: 4.3%
Origin: Bedford, England
From the product website:
A traditionally crafted Stout with a contemporary London feel. Stout is often thought of as an Irish drink but many would argue its true roots are in middle class 18th century London. William Hogarth, the great English painter and satirist, depicted alcoholic spirits (such as gin) as the ruin of health and society, and beers (like stout) as the healthy alternative! For the discerning drinker who knows that Young’s beers are best in class for taste and quality, this rich dark brew is synonymous with the history of London itself and quite different from the more ubiquitous beers sold under the stout genre!
Tasting Notes:
A dark ruby coloured stout, with a beautiful creamy head. Unlike Irish stout, this true English stout is richer and slightly sweeter.
Style Description: English Stout
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Style: English Stout
ABV: 4.3%
Origin: Bedford, England
From the product website:
A traditionally crafted Stout with a contemporary London feel. Stout is often thought of as an Irish drink but many would argue its true roots are in middle class 18th century London. William Hogarth, the great English painter and satirist, depicted alcoholic spirits (such as gin) as the ruin of health and society, and beers (like stout) as the healthy alternative! For the discerning drinker who knows that Young’s beers are best in class for taste and quality, this rich dark brew is synonymous with the history of London itself and quite different from the more ubiquitous beers sold under the stout genre!
Tasting Notes:
A dark ruby coloured stout, with a beautiful creamy head. Unlike Irish stout, this true English stout is richer and slightly sweeter.
Style Description: English Stout
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Wells - Bombardier English Premium Bitter
Wells - Bombardier English Premium Bitter
Style: English ESB
ABV: 5.2%
Origin: Bedford, England
Wells Bombardier English Premium Bitter from Wells and Young’s Brewing Company, has become synonymous with St. George’s Day and all that is English, throughout the length and breadth of the country. It is known as the "Drink of England."
In the pub industry survey for the Publican Magazine 2005 Market Report, licensees were asked to name three brands that they would most like to stock in their pubs. The big news is the storming new entry of Wells Bombardier at No.3.
"A burnished copper colour, it has a rich, tempting aroma of peppery hops and raisins, while the palate is dominated by more dark fruit, juicy malt and tangy hops." - Roger Protz - Editor, The Good Beer Guide
Accolades:
Style Description: ESB
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Style: English ESB
ABV: 5.2%
Origin: Bedford, England
Wells Bombardier English Premium Bitter from Wells and Young’s Brewing Company, has become synonymous with St. George’s Day and all that is English, throughout the length and breadth of the country. It is known as the "Drink of England."
In the pub industry survey for the Publican Magazine 2005 Market Report, licensees were asked to name three brands that they would most like to stock in their pubs. The big news is the storming new entry of Wells Bombardier at No.3.
"A burnished copper colour, it has a rich, tempting aroma of peppery hops and raisins, while the palate is dominated by more dark fruit, juicy malt and tangy hops." - Roger Protz - Editor, The Good Beer Guide
Accolades:
- Number one Regional Cask Beer Brand Midlands and Wales – The Great British Pub Suppliers Awards 2009
- Licensees Choice – Silver – The Publicans Awards 2009
- Gold Medal – International Awards for Quality 2009
Style Description: ESB
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Wells - Banana Bread Beer
Wells - Banana Bread Beer
Style: Fruit Beer
ABV: 5.2%
Origin: Bedford, England
This unique brew combines all the traditional qualities and style of a Charles Wells bitter with the subtle flavour of banana. Its flavour unfolds with a sensual sparkle and a smart crispness, which balances its aroma perfectly. Tropically fruity; its ripe banana flavour, emphasised by a hint of bitterness, comes from the addition of real fair trade bananas and finishes with an emphatic, steely dryness.
"Fruity roughness of winter barley and toffeeish sweetness of crystal malt. Hugely tempting aroma of bananas, a creamy head, a firm, silky body." - Michael Jackson (Beer Writer for the Independent)
From Wells and Young's website:
Wells Banana Bread Beer is a popular beer in the Wells and Young’s range of ales. The beer has achieved a number of accolades including winner of "Beer of the Festival" award at CAMRA's London Drinker Festival in March 2002.
Tempting "banoffee" aromas tempered by a grassy, lemony nose all leading to a finely balanced, fresh, delicate flavour of peppery hops with a lingering dry finish.
Style description: Fruit Beer
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Photo credit: thefoodiespage.blogspot.com
Style: Fruit Beer
ABV: 5.2%
Origin: Bedford, England
This unique brew combines all the traditional qualities and style of a Charles Wells bitter with the subtle flavour of banana. Its flavour unfolds with a sensual sparkle and a smart crispness, which balances its aroma perfectly. Tropically fruity; its ripe banana flavour, emphasised by a hint of bitterness, comes from the addition of real fair trade bananas and finishes with an emphatic, steely dryness.
"Fruity roughness of winter barley and toffeeish sweetness of crystal malt. Hugely tempting aroma of bananas, a creamy head, a firm, silky body." - Michael Jackson (Beer Writer for the Independent)
From Wells and Young's website:
Wells Banana Bread Beer is a popular beer in the Wells and Young’s range of ales. The beer has achieved a number of accolades including winner of "Beer of the Festival" award at CAMRA's London Drinker Festival in March 2002.
Tempting "banoffee" aromas tempered by a grassy, lemony nose all leading to a finely balanced, fresh, delicate flavour of peppery hops with a lingering dry finish.
Style description: Fruit Beer
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Photo credit: thefoodiespage.blogspot.com
Wells - Courage Imperial Russian Stout
Wells - Courage Imperial Russian Stout
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 10%
Origin: Bedford, England
Appearance: Pours an opaque black coffee color with a two finger tan colored head with nice lacing.
Smell: Huge aromas of roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. A hint of a licorice aroma, too.
Taste: Taste follows the aroma; dark fruits and roasted malts right upfront. Finish is chocolate, coffee and alcohol flavor. Nice complexity with a big alcohol burn.
Mouthfeel: Thick, creamy and full bodied with moderate carbonation. Finish is dry and bitter.
Overall: NOT a beer for casual beer drinkers, but a treat for those with a mature palate.
Recommend pairing: Warm chocolate cake.
Wells and Young’s Brewing Company is the UK’s largest privately owned brewery and is a leader is cask ale and premium lager. With some of the UK’s best loved beers, Wells and Young’s is a leader in its field. With passionate farmers and expert brewers, the beers are brewed using techniques over a hundred years old, but in one of the UK’s most modern breweries. And all the beers are brewed with the accredited natural mineral water from the brewery’s very own well, sunk over 100 years ago.
A famous stout from the 18th and 19th centuries has been revived by Wells & Young’s brewery in Bedford. Courage Russian Imperial Stout (10%) was last brewed in London in 1982 when Jim Robertson was working for Courage. Now he has recreated the beer at Bedford and restored a historic stout.
The beer was first brewed by Thrale’s on the south bank of the Thames. It was an extra strong version of stout brewed for export to Russia where it was a popular drink at the court of Catherine the Great. She arranged for supplies of the beer to go to Russian troops fighting in the Crimea.
The beer had a high alcohol content to stop it freezing as ships crossed the Baltic Sea. It was also heavily hopped not only for bitterness but also to prevent bacterial infection.
Thrale’s became Barclay Perkins and the beer was re-branded Barclay’s Imperial Russian Stout. When Barclay Perkins merged with its near-neighbour Courage, the beer acquired a third name – Courage Imperial Russian Stout. Production stopped when Courage closed but the Courage brands were bought by Wells & Young’s from Scottish & Newcastle and Russian Stout now joins Courage Best and Directors at Bedford.
The new version of the beer was launched at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver and at first will be available only in the United States but Wells & Young’s plans to make the beer available in Britain in 2012.
Style description: Russian Imperial Stout
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Photo credit: sabeermetrics.blogspot.com
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 10%
Origin: Bedford, England
Appearance: Pours an opaque black coffee color with a two finger tan colored head with nice lacing.
Smell: Huge aromas of roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. A hint of a licorice aroma, too.
Taste: Taste follows the aroma; dark fruits and roasted malts right upfront. Finish is chocolate, coffee and alcohol flavor. Nice complexity with a big alcohol burn.
Mouthfeel: Thick, creamy and full bodied with moderate carbonation. Finish is dry and bitter.
Overall: NOT a beer for casual beer drinkers, but a treat for those with a mature palate.
Recommend pairing: Warm chocolate cake.
Wells and Young’s Brewing Company is the UK’s largest privately owned brewery and is a leader is cask ale and premium lager. With some of the UK’s best loved beers, Wells and Young’s is a leader in its field. With passionate farmers and expert brewers, the beers are brewed using techniques over a hundred years old, but in one of the UK’s most modern breweries. And all the beers are brewed with the accredited natural mineral water from the brewery’s very own well, sunk over 100 years ago.
A famous stout from the 18th and 19th centuries has been revived by Wells & Young’s brewery in Bedford. Courage Russian Imperial Stout (10%) was last brewed in London in 1982 when Jim Robertson was working for Courage. Now he has recreated the beer at Bedford and restored a historic stout.
The beer was first brewed by Thrale’s on the south bank of the Thames. It was an extra strong version of stout brewed for export to Russia where it was a popular drink at the court of Catherine the Great. She arranged for supplies of the beer to go to Russian troops fighting in the Crimea.
The beer had a high alcohol content to stop it freezing as ships crossed the Baltic Sea. It was also heavily hopped not only for bitterness but also to prevent bacterial infection.
Thrale’s became Barclay Perkins and the beer was re-branded Barclay’s Imperial Russian Stout. When Barclay Perkins merged with its near-neighbour Courage, the beer acquired a third name – Courage Imperial Russian Stout. Production stopped when Courage closed but the Courage brands were bought by Wells & Young’s from Scottish & Newcastle and Russian Stout now joins Courage Best and Directors at Bedford.
The new version of the beer was launched at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver and at first will be available only in the United States but Wells & Young’s plans to make the beer available in Britain in 2012.
Style description: Russian Imperial Stout
Link to product website: Charles Wells
Photo credit: sabeermetrics.blogspot.com
Samuel Smith - Taddy Porter
Samuel Smith - Taddy Porter
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground), malted barley, roasted malt, yeast and hops. Fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’.
Serving Suggestions:
Mussels on the half shell; oysters cajun style; clams; cockles and whelks; crab or prawn cocktail; lobster bisque; veal escalope; chocolate mousse or chocolate cake.
About The Old Brewery:
The Old Brewery at Tadcaster was established in 1758. It is Yorkshire’s oldest brewery. Traditional methods of brewing have been retained at The Old Brewery. The brewery still has its own cooper making and repairing all its oak casks. All Samuel Smith’s naturally conditioned draught beer is served from the wood. The yeast used to ferment Samuel Smith’s ales has been of the same strain since the nineteenth century.
The original well at The Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the brewing water being drawn from 85 feet underground. Samuel Smith’s ales and stouts (except draught Sovereign and Extra Stout) are fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’~ fermenting vessels made of solid slabs of slate, which give the beers a fuller bodied taste.
All Samuel Smith’s beers are brewed solely from authentic natural ingredients without any chemical additives, raw material adjuncts, artificial sweeteners, colourings, flavourings or preservatives.
Samuel Smith’s grey Shire horses are stabled behind the Angel & White Horse, the pub next to the brewery. Samuel Smith’s Shire horses are used to make local deliveries five days a week.
The little town of Tadcaster is home to three breweries. Samuel Smith’s is a small brewery producing less than 5% of the beer brewed in the town. The brewery operates in the region of 200 pubs. Many are small pubs situated in the post-industrial urban areas of the north of England. The pubs only stock Samuel Smith’s products.
Best served at about 55°F (13°C).
Ingredients: Water, malted barley, yeast, hops, roasted malt, cane sugar, seaweed finings, carbon dioxide.
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: Samuel Smith
Samuel Smith's Shire Horse Photo Gallery
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground), malted barley, roasted malt, yeast and hops. Fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’.
Serving Suggestions:
Mussels on the half shell; oysters cajun style; clams; cockles and whelks; crab or prawn cocktail; lobster bisque; veal escalope; chocolate mousse or chocolate cake.
About The Old Brewery:
The Old Brewery at Tadcaster was established in 1758. It is Yorkshire’s oldest brewery. Traditional methods of brewing have been retained at The Old Brewery. The brewery still has its own cooper making and repairing all its oak casks. All Samuel Smith’s naturally conditioned draught beer is served from the wood. The yeast used to ferment Samuel Smith’s ales has been of the same strain since the nineteenth century.
The original well at The Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the brewing water being drawn from 85 feet underground. Samuel Smith’s ales and stouts (except draught Sovereign and Extra Stout) are fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’~ fermenting vessels made of solid slabs of slate, which give the beers a fuller bodied taste.
All Samuel Smith’s beers are brewed solely from authentic natural ingredients without any chemical additives, raw material adjuncts, artificial sweeteners, colourings, flavourings or preservatives.
Samuel Smith’s grey Shire horses are stabled behind the Angel & White Horse, the pub next to the brewery. Samuel Smith’s Shire horses are used to make local deliveries five days a week.
The little town of Tadcaster is home to three breweries. Samuel Smith’s is a small brewery producing less than 5% of the beer brewed in the town. The brewery operates in the region of 200 pubs. Many are small pubs situated in the post-industrial urban areas of the north of England. The pubs only stock Samuel Smith’s products.
Best served at about 55°F (13°C).
Ingredients: Water, malted barley, yeast, hops, roasted malt, cane sugar, seaweed finings, carbon dioxide.
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: Samuel Smith
Samuel Smith's Shire Horse Photo Gallery
Samuel Smith's - Winter Welcome Ale
Samuel Smith's - Winter Welcome Ale
Style: Winter Warmer
ABV: 6.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Original text from product website:
This seasonal beer is a limited edition brewed for the short days and long nights of winter. The full body resulting from fermentation in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ and the luxurious malt character, which will appeal to a broad range of drinkers, is balanced against whole-dried Fuggle and Golding hops with nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire.
Serving Suggestions • The ideal beverage to combine with a winter menu of turkey, roast goose, ham and roast beef or on its own as an aperitif.
Best served at about 51°F (11°C).
Ingredients • Water, malted barley, yeast, hops, seaweed finings, carbon dioxide.
Winter Welcome Ale has a collectable label.
The picture in the middle of the label changes every year.
Style description: Winter Warmer
Link to product website: Samuel Smith
Photo credit: bonesbeerblog.blogspot.com
Style: Winter Warmer
ABV: 6.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Original text from product website:
This seasonal beer is a limited edition brewed for the short days and long nights of winter. The full body resulting from fermentation in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ and the luxurious malt character, which will appeal to a broad range of drinkers, is balanced against whole-dried Fuggle and Golding hops with nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire.
Serving Suggestions • The ideal beverage to combine with a winter menu of turkey, roast goose, ham and roast beef or on its own as an aperitif.
Best served at about 51°F (11°C).
Ingredients • Water, malted barley, yeast, hops, seaweed finings, carbon dioxide.
Winter Welcome Ale has a collectable label.
The picture in the middle of the label changes every year.
Style description: Winter Warmer
Link to product website: Samuel Smith
Photo credit: bonesbeerblog.blogspot.com
Samuel Smith's - Imperial Stout
Samuel Smith's - Imperial Stout
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 7.0%
Origin: Tadcaster, England
This distinctive type of beer was originally brewed to withstand the abuses of shipping in foul weather to Imperial Russia. It was a favourite of Russian nobility whose taste for the finest food and drink was world famous.
A rich flavourful brew; deep chocolate in colour with a roasted barley nose and flavour that is a complexity of malt, hops, alcohol and yeast. Fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’.
Best served at about 15°C.
Ingredients: Water, malted barley, roasted malt, cane sugar, yeast, hops.
Style description: Russian Imperial Stout
Link to product website: Samuel Smith's
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 7.0%
Origin: Tadcaster, England
This distinctive type of beer was originally brewed to withstand the abuses of shipping in foul weather to Imperial Russia. It was a favourite of Russian nobility whose taste for the finest food and drink was world famous.
A rich flavourful brew; deep chocolate in colour with a roasted barley nose and flavour that is a complexity of malt, hops, alcohol and yeast. Fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’.
Best served at about 15°C.
Ingredients: Water, malted barley, roasted malt, cane sugar, yeast, hops.
Style description: Russian Imperial Stout
Link to product website: Samuel Smith's
Samuel Smith's - Nut Brown Ale
Samuel Smith's - Nut Brown Ale
Style: English Brown Ale
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
"Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground); best barley malt, yeast and aromatic hops; fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ to create a relatively dry ale with rich nutty colour and palate of beech nuts, almonds and walnuts." - Samuel Smith's website
Pairing Suggestions • Stilton cheese; game such as roast grouse; pheasant; partridge; roast and barbecued duck; guinea fowl; pepper steaks; spicy foods; teriyaki; Thai food; Malaysian and Chinese food; biryani.
Best served at about 55°F (13°C).
Ingredients • Water, malted barley, yeast, cane sugar, hops, roasted barley.
Style description: English Brown Ale
Link to product website: Samuel Smith's
Style: English Brown Ale
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
"Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground); best barley malt, yeast and aromatic hops; fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ to create a relatively dry ale with rich nutty colour and palate of beech nuts, almonds and walnuts." - Samuel Smith's website
Pairing Suggestions • Stilton cheese; game such as roast grouse; pheasant; partridge; roast and barbecued duck; guinea fowl; pepper steaks; spicy foods; teriyaki; Thai food; Malaysian and Chinese food; biryani.
Best served at about 55°F (13°C).
Ingredients • Water, malted barley, yeast, cane sugar, hops, roasted barley.
Style description: English Brown Ale
Link to product website: Samuel Smith's
Samuel Smith's - Yorkshire Stingo
Samuel Smith's - Yorkshire Stingo
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 9.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Released annually on August 1st, England's "Yorkshire Day."
LIMITED AVAILABILITY - Only 2,000 cases produced annually!
Some of the oak casks at Samuel Smith’s date back more than a century with the individual oak staves being replaced by the Old Brewery coppers over the years. Gradually the casks soak in more and more of the character of the ale fermented in stone Yorkshire squares. Yorkshire Stingo is aged for at least a year, matured in these well-used oak casks in the brewery’s underground cellars deriving fruit, raisin, treacle toffee, Christmas pudding and slight oaky flavours, before being further naturally conditioned in the bottle.
Best served at about 51°F (11°C).
Ingredients: Water, malted barley, cane sugar, hops, yeast. (8% ABV)
All Samuel Smith’s beers are brewed solely from authentic natural ingredients without any chemical additives, raw material adjuncts, artificial sweeteners, colourings, flavourings or preservatives. The yeast used to ferment Samuel Smith’s ales has been of the same strain since the nineteenth century. The original well at The Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the brewing water being drawn from 85 feet underground.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Samuel Smith's
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 9.0%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Released annually on August 1st, England's "Yorkshire Day."
LIMITED AVAILABILITY - Only 2,000 cases produced annually!
Some of the oak casks at Samuel Smith’s date back more than a century with the individual oak staves being replaced by the Old Brewery coppers over the years. Gradually the casks soak in more and more of the character of the ale fermented in stone Yorkshire squares. Yorkshire Stingo is aged for at least a year, matured in these well-used oak casks in the brewery’s underground cellars deriving fruit, raisin, treacle toffee, Christmas pudding and slight oaky flavours, before being further naturally conditioned in the bottle.
Best served at about 51°F (11°C).
Ingredients: Water, malted barley, cane sugar, hops, yeast. (8% ABV)
All Samuel Smith’s beers are brewed solely from authentic natural ingredients without any chemical additives, raw material adjuncts, artificial sweeteners, colourings, flavourings or preservatives. The yeast used to ferment Samuel Smith’s ales has been of the same strain since the nineteenth century. The original well at The Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the brewing water being drawn from 85 feet underground.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Samuel Smith's
Samuel Smith - India Ale
Samuel Smith - India Ale
Style: English India Pale Ale
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Tadcaster, England
From the website:
Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground); best malted barley and a generous amount of choicest aroma hops; fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ to create an exceptionally full-flavoured complex ale with an abundance of maltiness and fruity hop character.
Best served at about 51°F (11°C).
Ingredients • Water, malted barley, yeast, hops.
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Samuel Smith
Style: English India Pale Ale
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Tadcaster, England
From the website:
Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground); best malted barley and a generous amount of choicest aroma hops; fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ to create an exceptionally full-flavoured complex ale with an abundance of maltiness and fruity hop character.
Best served at about 51°F (11°C).
Ingredients • Water, malted barley, yeast, hops.
Style description: English India Pale Ale
Link to product website: Samuel Smith
Boddingtons Pub Ale
Boddingtons - Pub Ale
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: Manchester, England
Boddingtons Bitter is a brand of beer, formerly brewed in the English city of Manchester, that is now sold in over 30 countries worldwide by Anheuser–Busch InBev.
Strangeways Brewery was founded by two grain merchants, Thomas Caister and Thomas Fry, in 1778 just north of Manchester city centre. Henry Boddington joined the brewery in 1832 as a traveller, and eventually rose up to become a partner in the company. In 1853 he borrowed money to become the sole owner of the enterprise. Boddingtons remained a family company until 1989, when the last family chairman Ewart Boddington sold the Strangeways brewery and the Boddingtons brand to Whitbread for £50.7 million. In May 2000, the Whitbread Beer Company was acquired by Interbrew.
Boddingtons cans have widgets, to create a head when poured. The strength was reduced from 3.8% to 3.5% in late 2008. For export markets the beer is 4.7% alcohol by volume and named Boddingtons Pub Ale as opposed to Boddingtons Draught Bitter in the home market.
In September 2004, InBev announced plans to close the Strangeways brewery and move production out of Manchester to Magor in South Wales and Glasgow in Scotland. However, the brewing of Boddingtons cask ale was moved to Hydes Brewery in Moss Side, Manchester.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Photo credit: realbeer.wordpress.com
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Origin: Manchester, England
Boddingtons Bitter is a brand of beer, formerly brewed in the English city of Manchester, that is now sold in over 30 countries worldwide by Anheuser–Busch InBev.
Strangeways Brewery was founded by two grain merchants, Thomas Caister and Thomas Fry, in 1778 just north of Manchester city centre. Henry Boddington joined the brewery in 1832 as a traveller, and eventually rose up to become a partner in the company. In 1853 he borrowed money to become the sole owner of the enterprise. Boddingtons remained a family company until 1989, when the last family chairman Ewart Boddington sold the Strangeways brewery and the Boddingtons brand to Whitbread for £50.7 million. In May 2000, the Whitbread Beer Company was acquired by Interbrew.
Boddingtons cans have widgets, to create a head when poured. The strength was reduced from 3.8% to 3.5% in late 2008. For export markets the beer is 4.7% alcohol by volume and named Boddingtons Pub Ale as opposed to Boddingtons Draught Bitter in the home market.
In September 2004, InBev announced plans to close the Strangeways brewery and move production out of Manchester to Magor in South Wales and Glasgow in Scotland. However, the brewing of Boddingtons cask ale was moved to Hydes Brewery in Moss Side, Manchester.
Style description: English Pale Ale
Photo credit: realbeer.wordpress.com
Wexford Irish Creme Ale
Wexford Irish Creme Ale
Style: Cream Ale
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Wexford Irish Creme Ale is based on a traditional Irish recipe from Wexford, Ireland which dates back to 1810. Wexford uses only the finest ingredients to ensure a smooth mellow creaminess. Best served slightly chilled to be smooth and refreshing.
Malt: A blend of pale malt made from a 2 row English spring barley called Tipple, and crystal malt
Hops: A complex blend of Challenger, Admiral, Boadicea, First Gold and WGV ( Wye Goldings)
Yeast Strain: Greene King Ale yeast
Style Description: Cream Ale
Link to product website: Greene King
Style: Cream Ale
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Suffolk, England
Wexford Irish Creme Ale is based on a traditional Irish recipe from Wexford, Ireland which dates back to 1810. Wexford uses only the finest ingredients to ensure a smooth mellow creaminess. Best served slightly chilled to be smooth and refreshing.
Malt: A blend of pale malt made from a 2 row English spring barley called Tipple, and crystal malt
Hops: A complex blend of Challenger, Admiral, Boadicea, First Gold and WGV ( Wye Goldings)
Yeast Strain: Greene King Ale yeast
Style Description: Cream Ale
Link to product website: Greene King
Timothy Taylor's - Landlord
Timothy Taylor's - Landlord
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.1%
Origin: Keighley, England
"A Classic Strong Pale Ale, Landlord has won more awards nationally than any other beer: This includes four times as Champion at the Brewers' International Exhibition and four times as CAMRA’s beer of the year.
Refreshingly reliable, nationally renowned, this full-drinking Pale Ale with a complex and hoppy aroma has real "Pulling Power" and stands out in any bar as the ideal regular." - Timothy Taylor's website
Brewing Industry International Awards
2000 Draught Beer Challenge Cup
2000 1st Prize & Gold Medal
1988 2nd Prize & Silver Medal
1984 3rd Prize & Bronze Medal
Great British Beer Festivals
2010 Gold Award
2010 Silver Award
2008 Bronze Award
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Timothy Taylor
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.1%
Origin: Keighley, England
"A Classic Strong Pale Ale, Landlord has won more awards nationally than any other beer: This includes four times as Champion at the Brewers' International Exhibition and four times as CAMRA’s beer of the year.
Refreshingly reliable, nationally renowned, this full-drinking Pale Ale with a complex and hoppy aroma has real "Pulling Power" and stands out in any bar as the ideal regular." - Timothy Taylor's website
Brewing Industry International Awards
2000 Draught Beer Challenge Cup
2000 1st Prize & Gold Medal
1988 2nd Prize & Silver Medal
1984 3rd Prize & Bronze Medal
Great British Beer Festivals
2010 Gold Award
2010 Silver Award
2008 Bronze Award
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Timothy Taylor
Ridgeway - Insanely Bad Elf
Ridgeway - Insanely Bad Elf
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 12%
Origin: Southstoke, England
Pours a deep copper color with a 1 finger head on the pour. Bits of lacing, but not much. The aroma has notes of dark fruit preserves and a hint of fruit liqueur. Flavor is malty and yeasty with hints of fruity liqueur, then it mellows on the palette to a dry, clean hop finish. A really robust beer! Mouth-feel is thick and full bodied; very lightly carbonated.
Overall: This is a truly AMAZING beer, and one of my all-time favorites of the Christmas season. But, at 12% ABV, this bad little elf will sneak up on you, if you aren't careful! Prices in my area are around $4.99 for a 11.2 oz bottle. Pricey, but well worth the treat!
Best served at 45-50°F in a snifter or over-sized wine-glass.
Pairs well with sharp cheddar and blue cheeses.
Can be cellared (aged) for at least two years.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Ridgeway
Photo credit: oluenystava.blogspot.com
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 12%
Origin: Southstoke, England
Pours a deep copper color with a 1 finger head on the pour. Bits of lacing, but not much. The aroma has notes of dark fruit preserves and a hint of fruit liqueur. Flavor is malty and yeasty with hints of fruity liqueur, then it mellows on the palette to a dry, clean hop finish. A really robust beer! Mouth-feel is thick and full bodied; very lightly carbonated.
Overall: This is a truly AMAZING beer, and one of my all-time favorites of the Christmas season. But, at 12% ABV, this bad little elf will sneak up on you, if you aren't careful! Prices in my area are around $4.99 for a 11.2 oz bottle. Pricey, but well worth the treat!
Best served at 45-50°F in a snifter or over-sized wine-glass.
Pairs well with sharp cheddar and blue cheeses.
Can be cellared (aged) for at least two years.
Style description: English Strong Ale
Link to product website: Ridgeway
Photo credit: oluenystava.blogspot.com
Ridgeway - Criminally Bad Elf
Ridgeway - Criminally Bad Elf
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 10.5%
Origin: Southstoke, England
This beer pours a hazy reddish copper with a 1-2 finger, off-white creamy head with good lacing. The aroma is very sweet with a strong dark fruit presence. Sweet doughy yeast with notes of caramel, toffee and a mild wine scent. The taste is extremely sweet, bold and malty with notes of honey and caramel from the start with the finish being sweetly acidic and having a big note of dark fruits, toffee and an almost white wine alcohol presence towards the end. The flavor sticks with you for a long time after swallowing with a thick, sweet, fruity taste left to settle on the taste buds. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy in body with a light syrupy texture and mild carbonation. Overall: A bold, sweet Barleywine with a nice strong fruity presence. One of my favorite beers!
Best With:
Barleywines are primarily thought of as an aperitif, but barleywines have an affinity to strong flavoured meats like lamb and venison. Classic cheeses such as English cheddars, blue cheese and Gruyeres from Switzerland. Caramelized desserts as crème brûlée and crepes can combine for a wonderful evening of food and beer.
Best served at 45-50°F in a snifter or over-sized wine-glass.
Can be cellared (aged) for at least two years.
Prices in my area are normally $6.99 for a 500 ml bottle.
Style description: Barleywine
Link to product website: Ridgeway
Style: English Barleywine
ABV: 10.5%
Origin: Southstoke, England
This beer pours a hazy reddish copper with a 1-2 finger, off-white creamy head with good lacing. The aroma is very sweet with a strong dark fruit presence. Sweet doughy yeast with notes of caramel, toffee and a mild wine scent. The taste is extremely sweet, bold and malty with notes of honey and caramel from the start with the finish being sweetly acidic and having a big note of dark fruits, toffee and an almost white wine alcohol presence towards the end. The flavor sticks with you for a long time after swallowing with a thick, sweet, fruity taste left to settle on the taste buds. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy in body with a light syrupy texture and mild carbonation. Overall: A bold, sweet Barleywine with a nice strong fruity presence. One of my favorite beers!
Best With:
Barleywines are primarily thought of as an aperitif, but barleywines have an affinity to strong flavoured meats like lamb and venison. Classic cheeses such as English cheddars, blue cheese and Gruyeres from Switzerland. Caramelized desserts as crème brûlée and crepes can combine for a wonderful evening of food and beer.
Best served at 45-50°F in a snifter or over-sized wine-glass.
Can be cellared (aged) for at least two years.
Prices in my area are normally $6.99 for a 500 ml bottle.
Style description: Barleywine
Link to product website: Ridgeway
Moorhouse's - Pendle Witches Brew
Moorhouse's - Pendle Witches Brew
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 5.1%
Origin: Burnley, Lancashire, England
"A full, malty flavoured beer with a crisp fruity aftertaste and soft citrus nose. The legendary beer, one sip of which inspired Moorhouse’s owners to buy up the brewery, Pendle Witches Brew casts a powerful spell. Auburn in colour, bittersweet - and steeped in Lancashire history." - Moorhouse's website
British Bottlers’ Institute Awards
2016 Ales, ABV 5.0%-5.9% Silver
International Beer And Cider Awards
1996 Small Pack Beer Competition, International Ale Competition Silver
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain
1994 Strong Bitter/Ale Class Silver
1989 Special Bitter Class Silver
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Moorhouse's
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 5.1%
Origin: Burnley, Lancashire, England
"A full, malty flavoured beer with a crisp fruity aftertaste and soft citrus nose. The legendary beer, one sip of which inspired Moorhouse’s owners to buy up the brewery, Pendle Witches Brew casts a powerful spell. Auburn in colour, bittersweet - and steeped in Lancashire history." - Moorhouse's website
British Bottlers’ Institute Awards
2016 Ales, ABV 5.0%-5.9% Silver
International Beer And Cider Awards
1996 Small Pack Beer Competition, International Ale Competition Silver
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain
1994 Strong Bitter/Ale Class Silver
1989 Special Bitter Class Silver
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: Moorhouse's
Moorhouse's - Black Cat
Moorhouse's - Black Cat
Style: English Dark Mild
ABV: 3.4%
Origin: Burnley, Lancashire, England
"A dark, refreshing beer with a distinct chocolate malt flavour and a smooth hoppy finish. Once the Black Cat has crossed your path you can never go back! Maris Otter malt and chocolate malt are combined with Fuggle hops for a beautifully balanced, rich ruby beer." - Moorhouse's website
International Beer And Cider Awards
2013 Draught Beer, International Cask Ale Competition Bronze
2011 Draught Beer, International Cask Ale Competition Gold
1998 Smallpack Beer Competition, International Dark Competition Gold
Drinks International Beer Challenge
2013 Ales Bronze
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain
2002 Mild Class Bronze
2001 Mild Class Bronze
2000 Supreme Champion Gold
2000 Mild Class Gold
1998 Supreme Champion Bronze
1998 Mild Class Bronze
Style description: English Dark Mild
Link to product website: Moorhouse's
Style: English Dark Mild
ABV: 3.4%
Origin: Burnley, Lancashire, England
"A dark, refreshing beer with a distinct chocolate malt flavour and a smooth hoppy finish. Once the Black Cat has crossed your path you can never go back! Maris Otter malt and chocolate malt are combined with Fuggle hops for a beautifully balanced, rich ruby beer." - Moorhouse's website
International Beer And Cider Awards
2013 Draught Beer, International Cask Ale Competition Bronze
2011 Draught Beer, International Cask Ale Competition Gold
1998 Smallpack Beer Competition, International Dark Competition Gold
Drinks International Beer Challenge
2013 Ales Bronze
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain
2002 Mild Class Bronze
2001 Mild Class Bronze
2000 Supreme Champion Gold
2000 Mild Class Gold
1998 Supreme Champion Bronze
1998 Mild Class Bronze
Style description: English Dark Mild
Link to product website: Moorhouse's
Coniston - Bluebird Bitter
Coniston - Bluebird Bitter
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 3.6%
Origin: Coniston, Cumbria, England
A fine session ale with light golden colour. The intense resinous and spicy hop character, which is the beer’s hallmark, is derived from the use of unusual quantities of English Challenger hops, each bale being individually selected by the brewer. The malt is Maris Otter, fermented slightly warm to give a soft fruitiness with a faint hint of scented geranium.
This 3.6% session beer won Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 1998 at the Great British Beer Festival Olympia London and has continued to be awarded accolades of recent years.
The pure waters of the Coniston hills, the finest Challenger hops and wonderfully roasted pale and crystal malts allow the Coniston Brewing Company to use all their skill and instinctive know-how to create what must be described as the finest fully matured cask conditioned Ales. - Coniston Brewery website
"Juicy malt and tart hops vie for attention in the mouth while the finish is tart and hoppy but well balanced by creamy malt. The bitterness rating is a substantial 36-38. The tangy fruit lingers on the back of the tongue until it develops a hint of orange liqueur.” - Roger Protz, CAMRA
Style description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Coniston
Photo credit: nonsnobbeer.com
Style: English Bitter
ABV: 3.6%
Origin: Coniston, Cumbria, England
A fine session ale with light golden colour. The intense resinous and spicy hop character, which is the beer’s hallmark, is derived from the use of unusual quantities of English Challenger hops, each bale being individually selected by the brewer. The malt is Maris Otter, fermented slightly warm to give a soft fruitiness with a faint hint of scented geranium.
This 3.6% session beer won Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 1998 at the Great British Beer Festival Olympia London and has continued to be awarded accolades of recent years.
The pure waters of the Coniston hills, the finest Challenger hops and wonderfully roasted pale and crystal malts allow the Coniston Brewing Company to use all their skill and instinctive know-how to create what must be described as the finest fully matured cask conditioned Ales. - Coniston Brewery website
"Juicy malt and tart hops vie for attention in the mouth while the finish is tart and hoppy but well balanced by creamy malt. The bitterness rating is a substantial 36-38. The tangy fruit lingers on the back of the tongue until it develops a hint of orange liqueur.” - Roger Protz, CAMRA
Style description: English Bitter
Link to product website: Coniston
Photo credit: nonsnobbeer.com
Coniston - Old Man Ale
Coniston - Old Man Ale
Style: Old/Aged Ale
ABV: 4.2%
Origin: Coniston, Cumbria, England
“A radically different beer... it has roasted barley added to the pale and crystal malts. It has a deep burnished copper colour, a rich port wine aroma, a big chocolate and creamy malt palate and a dry, grainy, roasty finish balanced by hop bitterness and tart fruit. It is a remarkably complex beer that deepens and changes as you sup it.” - Roger Protz - CAMRA
Malt - Roasted Barley, Crystal & Pale Ale Malts
Hops - Challenger/Mount Hood
Style Description: Old Ale
Link to product website: Coniston
Style: Old/Aged Ale
ABV: 4.2%
Origin: Coniston, Cumbria, England
“A radically different beer... it has roasted barley added to the pale and crystal malts. It has a deep burnished copper colour, a rich port wine aroma, a big chocolate and creamy malt palate and a dry, grainy, roasty finish balanced by hop bitterness and tart fruit. It is a remarkably complex beer that deepens and changes as you sup it.” - Roger Protz - CAMRA
Malt - Roasted Barley, Crystal & Pale Ale Malts
Hops - Challenger/Mount Hood
Style Description: Old Ale
Link to product website: Coniston
St. Peter's - Organic English Ale
St. Peter's - Organic English Ale
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Bungay, Suffolk, England
"Water is extracted from our own 300’ deep borehole and combined with Soil Association accredited light malted barley from Norfolk. Organic hops provide the distinctive palate. The yeast used is St. Peter’s own single strand variety. The result is a delicate, clean, crisp, lightly carbonated, traditional English Ale with a full ‘citrus hop’ aftertaste. Gold and Silver winner of the Soil Association annual awards and Silver award at the 2011 SIBA National Beer Competition, Bronze at the International Beer Challenge 2015! Serve chilled or at room temperature." - St. Peter's website
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: St. Peter's
Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Origin: Bungay, Suffolk, England
"Water is extracted from our own 300’ deep borehole and combined with Soil Association accredited light malted barley from Norfolk. Organic hops provide the distinctive palate. The yeast used is St. Peter’s own single strand variety. The result is a delicate, clean, crisp, lightly carbonated, traditional English Ale with a full ‘citrus hop’ aftertaste. Gold and Silver winner of the Soil Association annual awards and Silver award at the 2011 SIBA National Beer Competition, Bronze at the International Beer Challenge 2015! Serve chilled or at room temperature." - St. Peter's website
Style description: English Pale Ale
Link to product website: St. Peter's
St. Peter's - Old Style Porter
St. Peter's - Old Style Porter
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.1%
Origin: Bungay, Suffolk, England
"This fine beer is a blend of a mature old ale and a younger light beer – just as a true Porter should be. The marriage produces an extremely characterful brew which is dark in colour and complex in taste." - St. Peter's website
CAMRA Champion Beer of Suffolk - 2005
Bronze medal CAMRA Winter Beers Festival - 2007
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: St. Peter's
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.1%
Origin: Bungay, Suffolk, England
"This fine beer is a blend of a mature old ale and a younger light beer – just as a true Porter should be. The marriage produces an extremely characterful brew which is dark in colour and complex in taste." - St. Peter's website
CAMRA Champion Beer of Suffolk - 2005
Bronze medal CAMRA Winter Beers Festival - 2007
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: St. Peter's
Nethergate - Old Growler
Nethergate - Old Growler
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Clare Suffolk, England
Our famous porter has won at the CAMRA winter festival twice, the only brewery to do so, first in 1998 and again in 2003, also winning the highest accolade Supreme Champion in 2003. Also Supreme Champion at the Chicago International Beer Festival in 2004, in the porter category.
A complex, satisfying porter, smooth and distinctive. Roasted malt and fruit feature in the palate. The finish is powerfully hoppy with a hint of liquorice.
About Nethergate:
The Brewery was established in 1986, in the small town of Clare, in Suffolk. From the very beginning it set out to brew distinctive beers of a consistent quality, this being quickly recognised in the many awards won at beer festivals throughout the region. Over a period of time, they built up a range of eight so-called permanent beers, these being beers that are brewed throughout the year, as opposed to seasonal beers, which are brewed from time to time, and cover a very much larger range.
More about Nethergate brewery and the definition of "Real Ale."
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: Nethergate
Photo credit: bloodstoutandtears.blogspot.com
Style: English Porter
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Clare Suffolk, England
Our famous porter has won at the CAMRA winter festival twice, the only brewery to do so, first in 1998 and again in 2003, also winning the highest accolade Supreme Champion in 2003. Also Supreme Champion at the Chicago International Beer Festival in 2004, in the porter category.
A complex, satisfying porter, smooth and distinctive. Roasted malt and fruit feature in the palate. The finish is powerfully hoppy with a hint of liquorice.
About Nethergate:
The Brewery was established in 1986, in the small town of Clare, in Suffolk. From the very beginning it set out to brew distinctive beers of a consistent quality, this being quickly recognised in the many awards won at beer festivals throughout the region. Over a period of time, they built up a range of eight so-called permanent beers, these being beers that are brewed throughout the year, as opposed to seasonal beers, which are brewed from time to time, and cover a very much larger range.
More about Nethergate brewery and the definition of "Real Ale."
Style description: English Porter
Link to product website: Nethergate
Photo credit: bloodstoutandtears.blogspot.com
Black Sheep - Riggwelter Yorkshire Ale
Black Sheep - Riggwelter Yorkshire Ale
Style: English Brown Ale
ABV: 5.7%
Origin: Ripon, England
"The name is Yorkshire dialect for a sheep that has rolled onto its back and cannot get up again - perhaps a veiled warning about this beer's strength. Riggwelter pours a very dark chocolate, almost black colour with a cream-coloured head that is quite dense. On the nose lots of toast, roasted aromas and chocolate malt, with a little citrussy note peeking through. On the palate it is a medium-bodied beer, with plenty more dark, espresso and roasted barley flavours, and a dry, savoury character. Hops are minimal, though there is a juicy acidity to keep it fresh. A bright and crisp style of stout-like dark beer." - Tom Cannavan
Style description: English Brown Ale
Link to product website: Black Sheep Brewery
Photo credit: Kevin Stafford
Style: English Brown Ale
ABV: 5.7%
Origin: Ripon, England
"The name is Yorkshire dialect for a sheep that has rolled onto its back and cannot get up again - perhaps a veiled warning about this beer's strength. Riggwelter pours a very dark chocolate, almost black colour with a cream-coloured head that is quite dense. On the nose lots of toast, roasted aromas and chocolate malt, with a little citrussy note peeking through. On the palate it is a medium-bodied beer, with plenty more dark, espresso and roasted barley flavours, and a dry, savoury character. Hops are minimal, though there is a juicy acidity to keep it fresh. A bright and crisp style of stout-like dark beer." - Tom Cannavan
Style description: English Brown Ale
Link to product website: Black Sheep Brewery
Photo credit: Kevin Stafford
Wychwood - Bah Humbug
Wychwood - Bah Humbug
Style: Spiced Beer
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Witney, Oxon, England
Bah Humbug is Wychwood Brewery’s offering at Christmas time to warm up those cold toes on a winter’s night. This is a very mildly spiced amber ale that is not quite malty enough to be a classic winter warmer, but it doesn’t pretend to be, as it is labelled ‘Christmas Ale’ and implies a more general festive beer, made with the addition of some seasonal flavour. This ale has a pleasant medium-bodied feel to it, with subtle notes of banana and clove; the hops are just detectable too, though mainly on the finish and aftertaste. The solitary added spice is cinnamon, and this is done with a frugal hand, as it certainly doesn’t overwhelm the caramelly malt. This beer is an easily quaffable Christmas pint with a hint of seasonal pep to give it a bit of festive flair. - The Beer Wrangler
Style decsription: Spiced Beer
Link to product website: Wychwood
Style: Spiced Beer
ABV: 5.0%
Origin: Witney, Oxon, England
Bah Humbug is Wychwood Brewery’s offering at Christmas time to warm up those cold toes on a winter’s night. This is a very mildly spiced amber ale that is not quite malty enough to be a classic winter warmer, but it doesn’t pretend to be, as it is labelled ‘Christmas Ale’ and implies a more general festive beer, made with the addition of some seasonal flavour. This ale has a pleasant medium-bodied feel to it, with subtle notes of banana and clove; the hops are just detectable too, though mainly on the finish and aftertaste. The solitary added spice is cinnamon, and this is done with a frugal hand, as it certainly doesn’t overwhelm the caramelly malt. This beer is an easily quaffable Christmas pint with a hint of seasonal pep to give it a bit of festive flair. - The Beer Wrangler
Style decsription: Spiced Beer
Link to product website: Wychwood