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Tasting notes.
B&T - Romeos Ruin 4.5%
Tasted - 13/2/97
Banks and Taylor Limited, The Brewery, Shefford, Bedfordshire SG17 5DZ - (01462) 850841
Colour - Light and Clear
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Like drinking Water
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Nose - Who Nose?
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Body - Watery
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Impression - A Valentines Day beer, easily quaffable due to its light (almost watery taste) No aftertaste, ideal for the lazy hazy summer evenings
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Barnsley - Blackheart Stout - 4.6%
Tasted - 23/5/98
Barnsley Brewing Co. Limited, Elsecar Brewery, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley, S Yorks S74 8HJ - (01226) 741010
Colour - Dark brown typically stout
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Maltiness predominates with a distinctive chocolate aftertaste.
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Nose - Very fruity
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Body - Full bodied
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Impression - A very good beer
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Beartown - Bear Ass - 4.0%
Tasted - 23/4/01
Colour - Ruby
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Style - Summer |
Flavour - Smooth, dry, malty flavour |
Nose - Excellent hop and malt aromas |
Body - Light |
Impression - A real ale that landlords tell us is popular with younger drinkers
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Beecham's - Crystal - 4.8%
Tasted - 7/9/99
Beechams Bar & Brewery, Water Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1PZ - (01744) 623420
Colour - Pale Amber |
Style - Summer Wheat Beer |
Flavour - Citrus with hop finish |
Nose - Floral Hop |
Body - Full |
Impression - Refreshing full-bodied summer beer, very smooth,strong and irresistible! |
BASS - No 1 - 10.5%
Bass Brewers Ltd, 137 High Street, Burton Upon Trent, Staffs - (01283) 511000
Colour - Dark brown typically barley wine
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Style - Any time, but winter best
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Flavour - lt is firm, smooth, oily, oaky, and at first tasting shockingly bitter. |
Nose - Smokey
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Body - Full bodied
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Impression - Heavy, but addictive |
Belvoir - Whippling - 3.6%
Tasted - 27/8/97
Belvoir Brewery, Woodhill, Nottingham Lane, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, LE14 3LX - (01664) 823455
Colour - Golden
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Style - Bitter
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Flavour - Crisp
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Nose - Hoppy
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Body - Light
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Impression - A very light beer that's good for a lunchtime session.
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Belvoir - Bitter 4.3%
Tasted - 31/8/97
Address as above
Colour - Tawny
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Style - Bitter
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Flavour - Hoppy and Bitter
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Nose - Malt
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Body - Full
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Impression - A premium full flavoured beer with a malt finish. Quite hoppy too with a bitter finish.
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Belvoir - Peacocks Glory 4.7%
Tasted - 6/9/97
Address as above
Colour - Golden
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Style - Bitter
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Flavour - Hoppy and surprisingly refreshing for a 4.7% ales
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Nose - Hoppy
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Body - Full
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Impression - A premium full flavoured beer with a malt finish. Quite hoppy too with a bitter finish.
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Belvoir - Star Bitter 3.9%
Tasted - 2/10/97
Address as above
Colour - Orange
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Style - Bitter
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Flavour - Dry with surprising bitterness.
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Nose - Hoppy
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Body - Medium
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Impression - A traditional style bitter which leaves a distinctive taste on the palate.
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Beowulf - Heroes Bitter - 4.7%
Tasted - 26/4/97
Impression - This golden beer has a distinctive fruit flavour with a gentle aroma. The perfect beer for those hot summer afternoons
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Blackmoor - Banana Madness 4.6%
Tasted - 2/3/97
Blackmoor Brewery now closed.
Colour - Straw
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Wow, that banana is strong.
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Nose - Fruity
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Body - moderate dry
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Impression - This is a beer for those who wished they never had to give up banana milkshakes when they grew up.
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Black Sheep - Special Bitter - 4.4%
Tasted - last 10 years
Black Sheep Brewery, Wellgarth, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire - (01765) 689746.
Colour - Dark
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Only an aftertaste of bitter but nice
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Nose - Hoppy
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Body - Between?
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Impression - I am sure if I continue to drink another thirty pints or so every week I will be able to give a realistic unbiased opinion on the subject
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Bottleworks Tripel Krullekop - 9.8%
Brewed in Lo Christi, Belgium
This Flemish ale's flavourful mouthfeel has hints of chocolate and spicy clove notes playing off one another with finesse. A soft, bitter yet yeasty character rests patiently on the tongue, then joins the
sweet, flowery taste that emerges at mid-bottle. Plentiful alcohol (9.8%) plays a unifying role, prudently organizing the varied flavours at every sip. Bottled or on tap, Krullekop (Flemish for "curlyhead"
or "Curly top") ends with a tempting alcohol sweetness. |
Broughton - Scottish Oatmeal Stout - 4.2%
Tasted - 8/1/98
Broughton Brewery Limited, Broughton, Biggar, Borders MI12 6HQ - (01889) 830345
Colour - Dark Brown
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Style - Stout
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Flavour - Slightly smoky flavour with a fruity aftertaste
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Nose - Smoky
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Body - Full
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Impression - A smooth taste with maltness dominating. Doesn't taste as strong as it is.
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Brooklands - Stealth Stout - 4.5%
Tasted - 26/4/97
Impression - Dark, malt beer, with a pungent nose and a distinctive smoky/oaked flavour which diminishes slightly as the taste buds become accustomed to it. Deceptively drinkable.
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Bunces - Sign of Spring - 4.6%
Tasted - 25/3/98
Bunces Brewery, The Old Mill, Mill Road, Netheravon, Salisbury, Wiltshire, (01980) 670631.
Colour - Green
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Style - Spring
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Flavour - Bitter
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Impression - Since this beer is light green in colour, you may at first glance think that it has 'gone off'. That, however is meant to be what it looks like. Though an extremely bitter aftertaste led me
to believe that this particular brew was not all that it should have been.
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Burtonwood - Tom Thumper 4.5.%
Tasted - 12/4/97
Burtonwood Brewery PLC, Bold Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington, Cheshire - (01925) 225131
Body - Between?
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Flavour - Malt and hops predominate
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Nose - Hoppy
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Impression - A beer will be missed from the range on offer.
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Cambrinus - Honey Wheat 3.7%
Tasted - 05/07/02
Cambrinus Craft Brewery, Home Farm, Knowsley Park, Knowsley, Merseyside, L34 4AQ - (0151) 546 2226.
Colour - Straw
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Sweet/Acidic
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Nose - Strange smell not "A Nose"
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Body - Easy going/Watery
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Impression - Smell was off putting but drink was fine.
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Castle Eden - Bitter 4.2%
Impression - Ever been to the dentists and sluiced with that blue stuff to wash your remains of your fillings away? Well, take a Pint of this to your dentists next time - it tastes the same.
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Church End - Pooh Beer 4.3%
Tasted - 28/2/97
Church End Brewery Limited, Ridge Lane, Warwickshire
Colour - Straw
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Style - Sweet
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Flavour - Sweet
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Body - Watery
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Impression - 'Pooh bear', sorry beer is the giveaway to the taste of this honey flavoured beer. Golden in colour and almost clear, this beer is light and sweet with a slight aftertaste. The beer has quite
a floral aroma.
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Church End - Avon Ale - 3.8%
Impression - Dry and light wheat like beer, extremely quaffable.
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Church End - Anchor Bitter - 4%
Impression - An extremely light almost shandy like beer, sweet and watery.
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Clarke's - Rams Revenge - 4.8%
Clark's, HB Clark & Co (Successors) Limited, Westgate Brewery, Westgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2 9SW - (01924) 373328
Colour - Red/Brown
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Style -
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Flavour - Malty
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Nose -
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Body - Medium/Full
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Impression - Malty with caramel overtones. Lingering aftertaste with a bitter kick.
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Clarks - Traditional Bitter - 3.8%
Tasted - 8/7/97
H B Clark & Co (Successors) Limited, Westgate Brewery, Westgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 9SW - (01924) 372306
Colour - Medium Brown
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Body - Thin
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Nose - Floral aroma
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Taste - Fruity
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Impression - For a relatively weak beer this ale packs a real fruity punch. Medium brown in colour, it has a slight hoppy flavour, clean palate and a smooth fruity taste.
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Coach House - Gunpowder Strong Mild - 3.8%
Tasted - 18/1/98
Coach House Brewing Company, Wharf Street, Howley, Warrington, Cheshire WA1 2DQ - (01925) 232800
Colour - Black
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Style - Mild
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Flavour - Malty
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Nose - Fruity
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Body - Full
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Impression - A full bodied bitter, which is almost black in colour. Possessing a fruity (almost plummy) nose it has a strong malty taste. Smooth both in the taste and aftertaste.
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Crouch Vale - Best Bitter 4.0%
Tasted - 8/7/97
Crouch Vale Brewery Limited, 12 Redhills Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 5UP - (01245) 322744
Colour - Dark Red
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Nose - Yeasty
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Body - Thick
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Flavour - Malty
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Impression - This full bodied dark red fruity beer tastes as though it ought to be a porter. It has a malty palate, though not overbearing, with a dominant yeasty aftertaste.
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Darwin Brewery - Saints Sinner OG 1052 ABV 5%
Tasted - 8/10/99
Darwin Brewery, Unit 5, Castle Close, Crook, Co Durham, DL15 8LU - (0191) 515 2531
Colour - Ruby |
Style - Session
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Flavour - Smooth hoppy |
Nose - Fruity |
Body - Full rich |
Impression - Yummy |
Deakins - White Rabbit 4.3%
Mansfield Brewery PLC, Littleworth, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 1AB - (01623) 658620
Colour - Dark Oak
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Style - Session
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Flavour - Roast malt
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Nose - Malt
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Body - Medium
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Impression - Dry good session ale.
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De Koninck - Cuvee - 8%
Antwerp, Belgium
De Koninck's sugary sweetness is kept well under control as hints of spice dance in the low profile fizziness. An intriguing woody, organic quality adds substance and character. Dry on the palate, the shiny,
bright-orange body takes its time before leaving a hoppy imprint on the tongue. Dispensing its abundant alcohol (8%/vol.) with a light hand, the sleek, malty-sweet finish produces a brandy-like splash on
the last sip. |
Elgood's - Black Dog Mild 3.6%
Tasted - 26/8/97
Elgood and Sons Ltd, North Brink Brewery, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 1LN - (01945) 583160
Colour - Dark Red
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Style - Spring
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Flavour - Roast Bitter
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Nose - Malt & Hops
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Body - Full Bodied
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Impression - A typical mild with strong flavours and a dry grain finish. Strong roast smell and aftertaste.
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Elgood's - Cambridge Bitter 3.8%
Impression - Amber coloured beer, malty aroma with a fruity flavour, bitter taste with a dry aftertaste
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English Ales - Penny Black Porter - 5%
Marina, California
Smooth and easy going down, draft-only Penny Black opens with roasty overtones of aromatic chocolate invigorated by a restrained acidity. Licorice notes lurking in the dark-brown body emerge as the liquid
warms. The ensuing mildly bitter character is tempered by a nice sugary sweetness. A malty quality escorts the chocolate aspect to the delicious finish. |
Everards - Dare Devil 7.1%
Tasted - Feb/97
Everards. Everards Brewery Limited, Castle Acres, Narborough, Leicestershire LE9 5BY - (0116) 2814100
Colour - Dark
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Style - Winter
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Flavour - Strong and Fruity
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Nose - Hoppy
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Body - Full Bodied
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Impression - This is a typical winter ale, dark golden, strong and warming
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Exmoor Gold 4.5%
Tasted - 23/5/97
Exmoor Ales Limited, Golden Hill Brewery, Wiveliscombe, Somerset, TA4 2NY - (01984) 623798
Colour - Golden
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Sweet
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Nose - Hoppy
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Body - Clear
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Impression - This sweet golden beer has a clean aftertaste and is the ideal summer ale. Light in flavour it is a easily drinkable and a good session beer.
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Flannerys - Granny's Flan 3.8%
Tasted - 27/6/97
Flannerys Brewery, Aberystwyth
Nose - Not noted
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Colour - Ruby
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Style - Bitter
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Impression - This amber/ruby coloured beer has a particularly bitter palate. First impressions are reasonably pleasant - until the awful almost detergent like aftertaste. Definitely not "like granny used
to make"!
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Fullers ESB 5.5%
Tasted - 19/8/97
Fuller Smith and Turner PLC, Griffin Brewery, Chiswick Lane South, Chiswick, London, W4 2QB
Nose - Aromatic, hoppy
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Colour - Ruby
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Style - Strong bitter
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Body - Full
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Flavour - Malty
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Impression - Quite a strong beer with a fulsome taste. Not a session beer.
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Goffs - White Knight - 4.7%
Impression - At 4.7% the strength of this beer is deceptive. Light not only in colour but in taste, it has a slight hoppiness and is easily quaffable.
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Goose Eye Brewery- Wharfdale - 4.5%
Tasted - 27/697
Goose Eye Brewery, Ingrow Bridge, South Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire - (01535) 605807
Nose - Very slightly perfumed
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Colour - Amber
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Style - Hoppy
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Body - Weak
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Impression - This amber coloured beer has a weak taste which belies its strength. It has a clean palate but no over-riding flavour. A good session beer but not one to remember.
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Green King - Demon Eyes 4%?
Tasted - 25/5/97
Green King PLC, Westgate Brewery, Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk - (01284) 763222
Colour - Dark Golden
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Body - Medium Bodied
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Flavour - Sweet
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Nose - Floral, Perfumed
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Impression - Yummy Yummy was my first impression. This dark golden beer has an unusual flavour - reminiscent of toffee and bananas. It is immensely drinkable though it is deceptive in that its quaffability
belies its strength. Recommended.
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Hampshire Brewery - King Alfreds Ale - 3.8%
Tasted - 23/1/98
Hampshire Brewery, 5 Anton Trading Estate, Andover, Hants - (01264) 336699
Nose - Little aroma
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Colour - Red/brown
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Style - Bitter
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Body - Medium
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Flavour - Fruity
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Impression - A red/brown medium bodied ale having little aroma but a smooth fruity taste. Its mulled wine/cinamon undertones act as a reminder of Christmas. A slightly bitter lingering aftertaste.
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Hogs Back - TEA (Traditional English Ale) 4.2%
Tasted - 22/2/97
Hogs Back Brewery, Manor Farm, The Street, Tongham, Surrey GU10 1DE - (01252) 783000
Impression - Literally a 'Traditional English Ale'. For those Black Adder fans amongst you this beer conjures up visions of sitting in Mrs Miggins Pie Shop with a pitcher of this wonderful golden brew.
Light, hoppy and fruity this is an ideal summer brew.
|
Hop Back - Summer Lightning - 5%
Tasted - 7/1/98
Hop Back Brewery, Unit 21 - 23 Batten Road Industrial Estate, Downton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3HU - (01725) 513116
Nose - A perfumed aroma
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Colour - A pale golden beer
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Flavour - Hoppy with fruity overtones and a lasting bitterness
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Body - Medium
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Impression - This is one of my favourite beers - such that it became a bit of a standing joke that I would always sample it whenever it was on offer. I decided to lay off it for a while and, when I tried
it again recently it had lost none of its magic. Who care if I'm predictable - this beer is well worth it - recommended!!
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Hughes - Sedgley Surprise 5%
Tasted - 22/12/97
Sarah Hughes Brewery, Beacon Hotel, 129 Bilston Street, Sedgley, Dudley, W. Midlands, DY3 1JE - (01902) 883380
Nose - Hoppy
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Colour - Straw coloured
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Style - Deceptively Summery
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Body - Medium
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Nose - Malty with hint of fruit
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Impression - A bittersweet flavour gives way to the malt and a fruit aftertaste. Deceptively strong.
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Inverlamond - Blackfriar Scottish Ale - 7%
Brewed in Perth, Scotland
This ale's sweet toffee and butterscotch maltiness is paired with a balancing bitter hoppiness and a light citrus presence that's sugary around the edges. There is an underlying bready quality to the rich,
enveloping aroma that rises from the smooth, dark amber liquid. Filled with warming alcohol from mid-bottle onward, Blackfriar finishes with a resurgent hop bite on the tongue. |
John O'Gaunts - Cropped Oak - 4.4%
Tasted - 12/5/03
John O' Gaunt, 1 Chapel Close, Melton Mowbray, Leics, LE14 3HW. - (01664) 820103)
Nose - Sweet
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Colour - Red/Brown |
Style - Deceptively Summery
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Body - Medium
|
Nose - Hoppy, fruity |
Impression - This beer is so scrummy. I was sharing it with someone else and they thought so too and nabbed it. Sorry I can't tell you any more about it other than I am just dying to try it again! |
Judges - Magistrates Delight - 4.6%
Tasted - 23/1/98
Judges Brewery, Unit 15a, Boughton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 9HD - (01788) 535356
Nose - Hoppy
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Colour - Golden Brown
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Style - Bitter
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Body - Medium
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Nose - Floral aroma
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Impression - Predominant hoppy flavour
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Judges - Verdict 4.3%
Tasted - 28/6/97
Judges Brewery, Unit 15a, Boughton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 9HD - (01788) 535356
Nose - Fruity
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Colour - Straw coloured
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Style - Summer
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Body - Watery
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Impression - A straw coloured beer with a hoppy and light fruity flavour. A dry clean palate and a good session beer.
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Kerkom Winterkoninkske - 8.3%
Sint-Truiden, Belgium
With its cherry red glow, dark brown body, and small bubbled, tan head, Kerkom presents an attractive package indeed. The delicate mouth feel has a light touch of dried fruitiness at its core. Hints of
cocoa are suggested on the tip of the tongue. Though clearly present, the slow and steady alcohol character never overwhelms the other ingredients. A satisfying malt flavour finishes this well-made ale. |
Kimberly - Kimberly Cool
Tasted - 29/4/00 Review by M.H.
Hardys and Hansons, Kimberley Brewery, Nottingham, NG16 2NS - (0115) 9383611
Nose - Hoppy
|
Colour - Dark brown
|
Style - Bitter
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Body - Full
|
Flavour - Kind of smooth with a bit of a bitter after taste
|
Impression - The beer was of good quality and rivals the up market beers of Worthington Creamflow, Cafferys and John Smiths Smooth. I would recommend it to any beer drinker as it can
be drunk for ages, on a good night out, there goes the tenth |
Leatherbritches - Steaming Billy Bitter.
Tasted - 14/6/97 (by S.M.S, Leicester)
Leatherbritches Brewery, Fenny Bentley, Derbyshire.
Colour - Straw
|
Style - Bitter
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Flavour - Light bitter
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Nose - Floral
|
Body - Medium
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Impression - An excellent thirst-quenching light bitter. Perfect for summer.
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Leatherbritches - Raspberry Lambic - 4.7%
Tasted - 25/7/98
Leatherbritches Brewery, Bentley Brook, Brewery Yard, Fenney Bentley, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1LF - (01335) 350278
Colour - Salmony Pink
|
Style - Lambic
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Flavour - Like raspberry and vodka
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Nose - Smells like sherbet
|
Body - Thin
|
Impression - Looks like cloudy Tango. Like raspberry and vodka this beer would be more at home in a cocktail bar than a pub. An unusual and acquired taste!
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Leatherbritches - Goldings - 3.6%
Tasted - 12/5/03
Leatherbritches Brewery, Bentley Brook, Brewery Yard, Fenney Bentley, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1LF - (01335) 350278
Colour - Straw |
Style - Summer |
Flavour - Light ale |
Nose - Fruity |
Body - Average |
Impression - A very nice pint which is very quaffable. |
Liefmans - Oud Bruin - 5%
Oudenaarde, Belgium
Liefmans' woody, leather-tinged character is a perfect fit with its smooth, delicate maltiness. By the second sip, the cloudy, golden brown body displays bright citrus highlights, resulting in a sharp,
characteristic tartness at the back of the mouth. Its more substantial caramel aspect eventually segues into a smooth, buttery mouthfeel. A fruity, cherry-like quality turns perfumy at the finish. With
596 alcohol by volume, Oud Bruin (Flemish for "old brown') is a fine sipping ale. |
MacLays 80/- Export 4%
Tasted - 22/2/97
MacLay & Co Limited, Thistle Brewery, East Vennel, Alloa, Clackmannshire, Central FK10 1ED - (01259) 723387
Impression - Described elsewhere as 'rich, creamy, bittersweet. I disagree and would more appropriately describe it as watery with no dominant flavour. Bad beer or bad barrel? Whichever one it is definitely
not 'worth seeking out'
|
MacTarnahan's - Mac Frost Winter Ale 6%
Brewed in Portland, Oregon.
Mac Frost's lightly chocolaty taste neatly arrives on a soft bed of alcohol (6%/vol.). A laid-back yet noticeable malty aspect adds substance and depth to the mouthfeel. A full-bodied character develops
as the cloudy, rich brown body warms to room temperature.The well-placed alcohol and malt acquire an obliging fruit tinged chocolate presence at the end. bottled or on tap, this is a winter charmer
|
Marston's - Albion - 4.9%
Tasted - 27/9/98
Marston's, Thompson and Evershed, Shobnall Road, Burton-upon-Trent
Colour - Pale
|
Style - Bitter
|
Flavour - Nutty
|
Body - Dry
|
Impression - Paler than many brews, it is a strong ale with nutty dry edge. A sort of session beer, but watch out for the kick.
|
Marston's - Oyster Stout - 4.5%
Tasted - 27/2/99
Marston's, Thompson and Evershed, Shobnall Road, Burton-upon-Trent
Colour - Dark |
Style - Stout |
Flavour - Like real oysters, heavy on the roast barley |
Nose - Caramel |
Body - Heavy |
Impression - Pleasant bitter, dry but refreshing flavour. |
Marston's - Summer Wheat Beer - 4.2%
Tasted - 27/6/98
Marston's, Thompson and Evershed, Shobnall Road, Burton-upon-Trent
Colour - Bright/Pale |
Style - Wheat |
Flavour - Like bananas with bubble-gum and vanilla |
Nose - Smells like bananas |
Body - Light |
Impression - Tastes like a kids dream, all fruit and makes you want to swallow. |
Mauldons - Black Adder - 5.3%
Tasted - 25/10/97 - DERRY'S REVIEW
Mauldons Brewery, 7 Addison Road, Chiltern Industrial Estate, Sudbury, Suffolk. (01787) 311055
Colour - Very dark
|
Style - Stout
|
Flavour - A little sweet
|
Body - Full
|
Impression - Sweet with a follow up that takes your leg off at the knee and causes your eyes to spin in their sockets and you're happy about it.
|
Mildmay - Patrick Cream Stout 4.2%
Tasted - 8/3/97
Mildmay Brewery, Holbeton, Plymouth, Devon PL8 1NA. (01752) 830320
Colour - Dark
|
Style - Stout
|
Flavour - Strong
|
Body - Full
|
Impression - A stout in every sense of the word. Heavyweight and dark this is the Frank Bruno of beers.
|
Nemesis 4.5%
Tasted - 22/2/97
Hart Brewery, Cartford Hotel, Cartford Lane, Little Eccleston, Lancashire, PR3 OPY - (01995) 670166
Colour - Golden
|
Style - Summer
|
Flavour - Fruity and hoppy
|
Nose - Fruity
|
Impression - A fruity, hoppy beer, golden in colour and easily drinkable. If I hadn't come here to a beer festival (and therefore needing to taste lots of different beers) I could have quite happily spent
the whole evening drinking this
|
Old Laxey - Bosuns Bitter - 3.8%
Old Laxey Brewing Company, Old Laxey, Isle of Man - (01624) 862451
Colour - Golden Brown
|
Style - Bitter
|
Flavour - Musty with clean aftertaste
|
Nose - Yeasty
|
Body - Medium
|
Impression - Golden brown in colour this beer has a yeasty nose. It possesses an unusual musty taste. Clean aftertaste.
|
Paddiwack/St Patricks Day - Possibly Dorothy Goodbodys??
The landlord wouldn't precisely confess what this beer was but hinted that it was Dorothy Goodbodys. We weren't convinced. This very dark, very sweet beer appeared to have an excess of caramel, with a taste
almost resembling liquidised demerera sugar. The taster found it difficult to drink even the half that had been ordered and, if beer is being left half drunk, it must be bad! If anyone can put me out of
my misery and tell me what it was then please let me know through the Editor.
|
Pater Lieven Triple - Brewed in Herzele, Saint Lievens, Belgium - 8%
Simultaneously intensely fruity and yeasty, this robust abbey ale offers a sweet, doughy character at the swallow. A minimal bite is the only hint of its high alcohol content (8%), which stays calm throughout.
Surrounded by a sweet, buttery flavour, the defining clove spice remains a common theme from start to finish. At the end, hints of orange mix neatly with clove in the cloudy, amber liquid. An absolutely
top-notch triple. |
Paulaner Salvator - Munich, Germany - 7.5%
Tasted - 1/4/05
Roasted and malty, this pioneering doppelbock delivers the distinctive flavour of the classic style, and then some. Its nicely layered molasses and apple like character and obvious alcohol (7.5%/vol.) make
a memorable combination that's complex on the palate. A spreading, doughy, caramelized quality absorbs the awaiting speck of tanginess at the back of the throat. Salvator (Latin for "savior") deserves its
place in history and in your glass. |
Phoenix - Thirsty Moon 4.6%
Tasted - 1/5/97
Phoenix Brewery Ltd., Green Lane, Heywood, Gtr Manchester, OL10 2EP - (01706) 627009
Colour - Brown
|
Style - Bitter
|
Flavour - Malty with hop finish
|
Nose - Crisp and fresh
|
Body - Full
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Impression - An all year round bitter with a distinctive character. Had a slight tang aftertaste to it from the hops. Leaves a nice dry finish on the tongue.
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Poole Brewery - Best Bitter - 3.8%
Tasted - 4/5/97
The Brewhouse Brewery, 68 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1DA - (01202) 682345
Colour - A dark amber, almost ruby coloured bitter
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Very fruity, underlying blueberry flavour
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Nose - Hoppy aroma
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Body - Clean, dry palate with little aftertaste
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Impression - At ?1.16 per pint when tasted it is also very competitively priced - recommended.
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Poole Brewery - Bosun Bitter - 4.6%
Tasted - 4/5/97 - PAM AND DERRY'S REVIEW.
The Brewhouse Brewery, 68 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1DA - (01202) 682345
Colour - Deep amber
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Style - Warming
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Flavour - Flowery with a slight bitterness and a lingering aftertaste.
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Nose - Slightly yeasty
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Body - Medium Bodied
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Impression - Mellower than its sibling 'Best Bitter'
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Red Cross Brewery - OBJ - 4.2%
Tasted - 8/8/98
Red Cross Brewery, Perryfields Road, Bromsgrove, Hereford and Worcester, B61 8QW - (01527) 871409
Colour - Golden Brown
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Style - Bitter
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Flavour - Sweet
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Nose - Malty
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Body - Full
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Impression - The taster found this beer very dry and bitter with a lingering after-taste. It has slightly fruity flavour reminiscent of grape-fruit. A reasonably tasty beer whose flavour seemed to improve
with drinking. As OBJ stands for Oh Be Joyful, you no doubt would after a few of these!
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Riding Traditional Mild - 3.5%
Tasted - 23/4/98
Mansfield Brewery PLC, Littleworth, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 1AB - (01623) 658620
Impression - A dark session mild with a roast malt aroma. Slightly sweet and hoppy though the malt dominates.
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Trappistes - Rochefort 10 - 11.3%
Brewed in Rochefort, Belgium
Tasted - 23/6/05
The creamy mouth feel of this playful Belgian beauty is so smooth and delectable that the plumy, spicy character melts in the mouth. Its generous alcohol content (ABV 11.3%) quickly reaches all comers of
the palate. Hints of lush coconut appear after mid-bottle. The omnipresent alcohol and feisty yeast quality pack a powerful wallop. The finish lightens and sweetens a bit, with a delicious woody taste at
the last swallow. A delightful concoction. |
Sarah Hughes - Ruby Mild - 6%
Tasted - 12/2/99
Sarah Hughes Brewery, The Beacon Hotel, 129 Bilston Street, Sedgley West Midlands DY3 1JE
Colour - Dark almost black
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Nose - Malty, slightly perfumed
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Body - Thick, stout like
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Impression - This strong mild has a distinctive malty taste. It is slightly hoppy with mild fruity overtones and has a lingering finish.
|
St Feuillien Trippel Belgian Abbey Ale - 8.5%
Brewed in Le Roeulx, Belgium
This scrumptious, golden-hued tripel's intense, yeasty tartness has a tantalizing chewy quality that encourages lip smacking after each swallow. Its finely honed woody presence provides a ready-made launching
pad for the generous alcohol (8.5%). Luckily, the fresh, clove aroma stays until the end. A sassy spice bite cleanses the mouth in preparation for the next helping of food. St. Feuillien is a must with
pre-dinner nibbles of a hard cheese like Parmiggiano-Reggiano. |
St Peters - Cream Stout - 6.5%
Brewed in Bungay, Suffolk
St Peter's rich, roasted character is filled with delicious balancing chocolate and coffee overtones. The lush flavour reaches far and wide into the stolid, brownish-black body, giving it a depth not often
found in other beers. Splashes of bitterness tickle the back of the throat. A sweet floral taste briefly flits by at mid-bottle. Aided by a creeping alcohol presence (6.5%/vol.), the very flavourful roasted
quality resumes its gentle dominance by the end. This is an absolutely superb stout.
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Steam Packet - Poachers Swag 5%
Tasted - 27/6/97
Steam Packet, The Bendles, Racca Green, Knottingley, West Yorkshire - (01977) 674176
Nose - Slightly perfumed
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Colour - Ruby coloured
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Style - Sweet and Malty
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Body - Medium Bodied
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Impression - This dark red/ruby coloured beer has a slightly perfumed almost toffee'ish scent but do not let this lull you into a false sense of security as it also has a lingering antisceptic aftertaste.
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Strawberry Bank Brewery - Peer Howe - 4.2%
Tasted - 7/1/98
Strawberry Bank Brewery, The Masons Arms, Cartmel Fell, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6NW - (01539) 568780
Nose - Fruity
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Colour - Dark Amber
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Style - Smoky and Malty
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Impression - Produced by this isolated brew pub in the Southern Lake District, Peer Howe is a dark amber bitter with a slightly fruity nose. It has a strong smoky flavour with malty overtones and a subtle
but lasting finish.
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Strawberry Bank Brewery - Damson Beer - 6% (draught), 7% (bottled)
Tasted - 23/2/98
Strawberry Bank Brewery, The Masons Arms, Cartmel Fell, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6NW - (01539) 568780
Nose - Very Fruity
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Colour - Red/Amber
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Style - Fruity wine
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Flavour - Strong Damsons
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Taste - Smooth & Fruity
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Impression - Produced by the same brew pub, this beer has the added quirkiness of being brewed from locally grown damsons (with the current crop providing sufficient for a years supply of the brew). Red/amber
in colour the damson flavour prevails through to the aftertaste. Its taste is smooth and fruity and it could easily be mistaken for a wine rather than a bitter. Its taste belies its strength and therefore
it is dangerously quaffable. A word of warning though - it doesn't come cheap - ?2.00 for a half pint and ?2.25 for a bottle.
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Timothy Taylor - Landlord - 4.3%
Tasted: 12/09/01 Review by GW.
Timothy Taylor, Knowle Spring Brewery, Keighley, W. Yorkshire, BD21 1AW - (01535) 603139
Nose - Fruity/Hoppy
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Colour - Straw
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Style - Pale Ale
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Flavour - Fruity/Hoppy
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Body - Full
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Impression - An excellent bottled beer.
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Tisbury - Natterjack Ale - 4.3%
Tasted - 28/2/99
Tisbury Brewery Limited, Church Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire - (01747) 870986
Nose - Hoppy
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Colour - Golden
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Style - Bitter
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Flavour - Perfumed
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Body - Full
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Impression - This beer is very much a matter of personal taste. An overwhelming perfumed taste with a strong glycerine like flavour.
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Titanic - Stout
Tasted - 18/1/99
Impression - A dark malty beer with a slightly bitter after taste. A few too many and you too could end up sinking!
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Uley -Old Spot - 5%
Tasted - 23/3/98
Uley Brewery Limited, The Old Brewery, Uley, Dursley, Gloucestershire - (01453) 860120
Nose - Slightly perfumed
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Colour - Reddish brown
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Style - Fruity
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Flavour - Fruity/Caramel
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Taste - Hoppy
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Impression - A slighty perfumed nose, reddish brown in colour. Fruity flavour predominates with caramel undertones. A slight hoppy aftertaste. Well balanced.
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Ushers - Founders Ale - 4.5%
Tasted - 14/12/98
Ushers of Trowbridge PLC, Directors House, 68 Fore Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8JF - (01225) 763171
Colour - Pale brown
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Style - Year round
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Flavour - hoppy
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Nose - Citrus
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Impression - A sweet brown beer with a hoppy nose with citrus palate. The aftertaste is very much bitter.
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Vaux - Waggle Dance
Tasted - 2/97
Vaux Breweries Limited, The Brewery, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR1 3AN - (0191) 567 6277
Colour - Golden
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Style - Summer
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Flavour - Honey Flavoured
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Nose - Scented
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Impression - At 5.0% this sweet and scented honey beer is easily drinkable.
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Weetwood - Best Cask Bitter - 3.8%
Tasted - 27/1/98
Weetwood Ales Limited, Weetwood Grange, Weetwood, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0NQ - (01829) 752377
Colour - Pale
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Style - Quaffing
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Flavour - Malty
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Nose - Light
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Body - Thin
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Impression - Pale golden in colour with a thin, clear body. This beer has a predominant malty taste with a lasting bitter aftertaste.
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Whim - Magic Mushroon Mild - 3.8%
Tasted - 24/7/98
Whim Ales, Whim Farm, Hartington, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 0AX - (01298) 84702
Colour - Dark red/brown
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Body - Medium
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Flavour - Malty
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Nose - Scented
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Impression - Unusual taste but maltiness dominates.
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Woodfordes - Wherry Best Bitter (3.8%)
.
Woodfordes, Broadland Brewery, Woodbastwick, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 6SW - (01603) 720353
Tasted - 3/4/99
Colour - Amber
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Style - Bitter Ale |
Flavour - Hoppy |
Nose - leafy, sharp, fresh Iime aroma |
Body - Light |
Impression - The beer named after the boat is a crisp, cookie-like, malt background, and a dry, candied-peel finish. |
Wychwood - Rubgy Special (5%)
Wychwood Brewery Limited, The Eagle Malthings, The Crofts, Corn Street, Witney, Oxfordshire OX8 7AZ - (01993) 772553
Colour - Brown
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Body - Medium
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Flavour - Nutty
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Nose - Malty
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Impression - A rich brown beer, medium bodied. A malty nose and a nutty taste. A clean aftertaste.
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