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about beer but were too drunk to ask. Simply e-mail the Cwrw Gwrw and
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Banks’s Bitter 3.8%

This pale brown session bitter from Wolverhampton & Dudley’s is the standard to set other session beers by. It has a nice balance of hops and malt with a lingering bitter-sweet aftertaste.

Marstons Pedigree 4.5%

Pedigree is the famous premium bitter from Marstons of Burton-on-Trent and it still brewed using the famous Burton Union System. It has that famous Marstons sulphury aroma and is a powerful hoppy, fruity ale.

        Latest First

10th November 2006

Williams Brothers Fraoch Heather Ale 4.1%

This beer has a unique taste from the makers of Roisin, the Tayberry beer.Fraoch has a flowery aroma and taste similar to a wheat beer. It is fruity and spicy and is a very drinkable speciality beer.

Highwood Tom Wood’s Jolly Ploughman 4.6%

Jolly Ploughman is mid-brown copper-coloured ale. It has a small tight head and little aroma. However it is very tasty with malt to fore and a slightly smoky flavour.

White Horse Black Horse Porter 5%

White Horse is Brewery was founded in 2004 in Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire. Black Horse Porter is their latest addition to the range. It is a full bodied rich dark porter with a good balance of roasted malts and a hint of bitterness. It has a wonderful smooth fruity aftertaste. A deliciously dark beer that you could drink all night.

5th November 2006

Rooster’s Leghorn 4.3%

Rooster’s was founded in 1993 and is based in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire . Leghorn was the Gold medal winner of the 3.8%-4.5% ABV category at the 2005 International Brewing Awards held in Munich . It is a pale coloured premium bitter with a fruity aroma. It is a full-bodied well balanced ale with a nice long dry finish. Excellent

2^nd November 2006

Moorhouses Black Cat 3.4%

Moorhouses started brewing real ale in 1978 in Burnley . Black Cat is a deliciously dark mild ale with chocolate and coffee roast flavours much to the fore. It has a nice sharp bitter finish. A mild to die for.

Hanby Wizard’s Wobbler 4.3%

This is the Halloween special from the Shropshire brewer. Wizard’s Wobber is a light amber, fruity slightly scented ale. Unusual, but interesting and certainly goes down well.

Banks & Taylor Body Snatcher 4.5%

Body Snatcher is the Halloween offering from B & T. It is a malty, bitter sweet beer, with plenty of body (geddit?) and a pleasant bitter aftertaste. Nice one!

3^rd November 2006

Cottage Wessex Banger 5%

Cottage began brewing in 1995 in  Somerset. They produce numerous different beers and maintain a very high standard. This is no exception, Wessex Banger is the Bonfire Night special and describes itself as “a traditional olde English ale that is mature, dark and fruity” and such it is. Its a wonderful smooth, sweet tasting beer with a nice mouthfeel. It is dark brown in colour with a white creamy head. A great beer to keep you warm during a fireworks display.

29th October 2006

Cottage Western Arches 4.3%

Brewed to celebrate 200 years of the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (it says here), Western Arches is a light amber hoppy brew. Interesting, if not spectacular.

26th October 2006

Corvedale Norman’s Dark and Delicious 4.6%

Corvedale started brewing in 1999 behind the Sun Inn in Corfton, Shropshire . Norman ’s Dark and Delicious is a dark ruby beer with a fruity aroma and taste. Finishes with a nice sweet aftertaste. The pump clip says “ Norman wasn’t feeling himself after a night on Dark and Delicious”. Too many of these and you won’t feel  a thing! Basically, it’s what it says on the tin: Dark and Delicious!

23rd October2006

Tring Jack O’Legs 4.2%

The Brewery was founded in1992 in Tring, Hertfordshire. Jack O’Legs is a copper-coloured premium bitter beer with full fruit and a distinctive hoppy bitterness. Long dry finish.

16th October2006

Banks’s Original 3.5%

Is it a mild or is it a bitter? Banks’s Original used to be called Banks’s Mild Ale so technically, that’s what it is. It’s is an amber coloured, well-balanced, malty, refreshing beer. As such it can pass for either a light mild or a light bitter. I suspect that the name was changed so as to avoid any stigmatism towards mild. So, is it a mild, or is it a bitter? Well, whatever it is, it’s a damn good session beer!

Great Orme Three Feathers 5%

The third beer to come from the Glan Conwy brewery, Three Feathers is a ruby coloured ale with a nice balance of malt and hops making it very different from the first two brews. This premium strength bitter is nice addition to the range and is very drinkable for a beer of 5%.

15th October2006

Cottage Champflower Ale 4.2%

Champflower is one of Cottage’s regular brews. It is an amber ale with a fruity hop aroma. It has a hoppy flavour and a strong bitter aftertaste.

Wye Valley Monster Ale 4.4%

Monster Ale is brewed for Halloween using Pale and Crystal Malt with Flaked and Roast Barley the subtle flavours of Northdown and Target hops. This makes for a black, rich full-bodied porter. A brew to keep the ‘Ghouls’ at bay.

11th October 2006

Arundel Harvest 4.4%

Arundel brewery was set up in Arundel, West Sussex in 1992. Harvest is a light brown, sweet, hoppy beer with a bitter finish. Quite quaffable!

Sharp’s Atlantic IPA  4.8%

Sharp’s was set up in 1994 in Cornwall . Atlantic IPA is brewed to support the RNLI lifeboats. It is light amber ale that is fruity and sweet. There are definite citrus notes in there and there is a sharp aftertaste (pun intended) that is sweet at first and then hoppy and lingering.

Arundel Old Knucker 5.5%

Old Knucker is a black, strong old ale with a surprising bitter sweet taste. Roasted malts to the fore and there’s a hint of fruit as well. Long sweet aftertaste. Delicious, a minor classic!

10th October 2006

Springhead Sweet Lips 4.6%

A delightful, pale refreshing ale brewed using the finest Maris Otter Pale malt complemented by American Cluster hops which give a long dry finish.
The beer was named after a Roundhead cannon captured by the Royalists at the North Muskham bridge. The cannon being particularly small was a favourite of the Roundheads and had been affectionately named after a certain lady of the night of Hull .

Kelham Island Pale Rider 5.2%

Kelham are from Sheffield and were set up in 1990 in land adjoining the Fat Cat pub. Pale Rider was CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2004. It is a full-bodied straw pale ale that is well balanced and fruity flavoured and hoppy made with North American Hops. Nice bitter finish. Superb.

Hanson’s Mild Ale 3.3%

A mid-to-dark brown mild with a malty sweet roasted flavour and delicate aftertaste. A good session ale.

Hydes Hidden Treasure 4.5%

Hydes autumnal offering is one of there better seasonals. It is Gold coloured with thin white head.  English Northdown and Fuggle hops combined with Maris Otter and Cara malts dictate its fullness of flavour.

6th October 2006

Wolf Whistle 4.7%

Whistle is a one-off beer from Wolf. It is a reddish brown bitter, lightly hopped with citrus overtones. Nice dry finish. Another excellent beer from the Norfolk brewery.

27th Sept 2006

Wolf Granny Wouldn’t Like It 4.8%

The brewery was founded by Wolfe Witham in 1996 in Attleborough, Norfolk . Granny Wouldn’t Like It is a well-rounded strong ale with a nice mix of malt and fruit. The aroma matches the taste with the fruity malt character looming large throughout. A hoppy bitterness gives an understated contrast.

Old Mill Bullion 4.7%

Old Mill starting brewing in 1983 in an old corn mill in Snaith, East Yorkshire . Bullion is dark brown/amber in colour and it has a malty and hoppy aroma. The malt and fruit tastes combine nicely to make a very pleasing flavour.

17th Sept 2006

Hook Norton Hooky Dark 3.2%

Hook Norton was founded in 1840. The current premises were built in 1900. Hooky Dark is a not very dark, dark ale. It is an easy-drinking with a complex balance of malt and hops and hints of fruit. Quite a hoppy finish for a mild ale.

Nottingham Dreadnought 4.5%

The Nottingham brewery started in 2001. Dreadnought is a premium bitter that is light amber in colour and sweet and fruity in the taste. Finishes with a bitter, hoppy aftertaste. Goes down very nicely indeed.

14th Sept 2006

Coach House Taverners Autumn Ale 5%

A gold coloured beer, fruity and bitter, with a light dry aftertaste. Warming and autumnal. Highly Quaffable for a beer at this gravity.

Kelburn Carte Blanche 5%

Kelburn brewery started in 2002 in Barrhead, East Renfewshire . Carte Blanche is a light amber/yellow beer with hints of citrus. It is full-bodied with a dry after taste. Very refreshing

10th Sept 2006

Cottage Jack the Whippet 4%
This is a brown coloured highly quaffable session beer. Palatable enough.

Brains SA Gold 4.7%
A smooth light golden yellow summer ale that goes down very easily. It has a nice tight white head. SA Gold is full-flavoured, hoppy and very refreshing.

8th Sept 2006

Holts 1849 4.8%

Originally brewed in 1999 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Holts Brewery, but now back by popular demand 1849 is a very fresh, hoppy ale not quite as bitter as Holts Bitter. It has a pleasant subtle after taste.

Cottage Thames Tunnel 4.7%
Not particularly notable, but a pleasant enough ale with subtle notes of fruit and malt. Dry finish

30th August 2006

29th August 2006

Wye Valley Bulls Up 4.5%

This beer was brewed to celebrate Hereford United’s success in climbing back up into the Football League. Their nickname is the Bulls, hence the name. It was launched at Hereford’s ‘Beer on the Wye’ real ale festival on July 7-9. Wye Valley Brewery has been sponsors of Hereford United for a number of years now and we wanted to show their support for the club in a “tangible way”. The pump clip shows a picture of the team celebrating. The beer is a deliciously dark smooth ale reminiscent of a strong mild. What a great way to celebrate!

Wye Valley Legger’s Ale 4.6%

Legger’s Ale is made in support of the heritage of the West Midlands and the canal network.It is brewed using Marris Otter, wheat and single hopped with tyrian Goldings. This is a golden yellow summer beer that is quite bitter with a nice lingering finish.

Castle Rock Elsie Mo 4.7% 

Castle Rock from Nottingham started in 1996 as Bramcote and then moved to its present site next the Vat & Fiddle pub in 1998 when its current name was chosen. Elsie Mo is a blonde single malt beer light in colour and refreshing in the palate.

E & S Elland Nettle Thrasher 4.4% 

Eastwood & Sanders was formed in 2002 as a result of the amalgamation of the Barge & Barrel Brewery and West Yorkshire Brewery. Nettle Thrasher is a premium bitter brewed with three different malts and English and American hops. A very bitter beer but you get used to it after the first two or three pints!

23rd August 2006

Cottage Indiana Bones and the Golden Whippet 4.6%

Yet another in the Whippet series and a return to form for Cottage. This is a pale amber hoppy beer with hints of citrus fruit. A refreshing, satisfying drink.

Shardlow Five Bells 5%

The Shardlow brewery is in Leicestershire. Five Bells is a strong dark ale, almost black in fact, it has a bitter/sweet flavour. Some roasted malt in the finish. Excellent.

15th August 2006

William Brothers Roisin Tayberry Beer 4.2%

The William Brothers brewery is in Kelliebank, Alloa. They produce some unusual beers such as Fraoch, the heather beer. This concoction is made from tayberrys and as such comes out an amazing pink colour. It is a tart, fruity ale that is cloudy like a wheat beer. It stands up against some of the better Belgian fruit beers. Ribena with a kick, but not one you could drink all night.

Mauldons White Adder 5.3%

This is a dark amber strong ale. The fruity flavours dominate the taste but there is a nice malt and hop balance to the beer and is it has a lingering aftertaste. Highly quaffable for a premium bitter.

6th August 2006

Tomos Watkin Merlin Stout 4.5% 

A black burnt stout with a blend of roasted malts caramel and hops. It has a malt aroma and a crisp bitter finish.

Otley OG 5.4%

The Otley brewery is in Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan. OG is and unusually sweet yet bitter tasting beer. It pale yellow in colour and is citrusy and fruity and packs quite a punch.

1st August 2006

Cottage Leg Before Whippet 4%

A pale brown beer this and very malty and just a hint of bitterness with some fruit. Pretty tasty for a session beer.

Tastings 27^th July 2006

Jennings Fish King 4.3%

A pale amber coloured easy drinking beer, Fish King is hoppy and fruity. Very refreshing.

Cottage Lazy Hound 4.3%

Lazy Hound is a mid brown beer which is sweet with a nice dry bitter finish.

Mauldons Suffolk Pride 4.8%

This is a golden amber coloured premium bitter with malt and fruit in the aroma and taste. An unusual bite to the aftertaste.

Tastings 20^th July 2006

Nethergate Augustinian 4.5%

Nethergate are from Cavendish in Suffolk. Augustinian Ale is an amber bitter beer that is malty and fruity. It has a pleasant citrusy aftertaste.

Wye Valley Traveller’s Best 4.9%

Mid brown in colour Traveller’s Best is a light amber bitter that is quite a thirst quencher. It has a very interesting hoppy, spicy aftertaste

York Centurion’s Ghost Ale 5.4%

Dark ruby in colour Centurion’s Ghost is a seliciously dark, stout like beer with sweetness balanced by roasted malts and toffee notes. A marvellous beer

16th July 206

Courage Directors Bitter 4.8%

Now brewed at the John Smiths brewery in Tadcaster, Directors is a fruity, medium-bodied pale brown beer with hoppy and yeasty notes throughout.

Hadrian & Border Secret Kingdom 4.

(See previous tasting 22^nd August 2005)

6th July 2006

Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody’s Wholesome Stout 4.6%

Go down to the bottom of this list and you will find that this was one of the first tastings; but what a tasting, this is a fantastic beer on fine form here, a superb dry stout with a nice white head. Fantasic!

Stonehenge Danish Dynamite 5%

A light summer ale in the style of Summer Lightning and yet done with a bit more style. Quite sweet tasting, and definitely drinkable!

Hop Back Summer Lightning 5%

The classic modern summer ale on which many other recipes have based. A pale bitter with a hoppy aroma and taste doesn’t drink it’s strength. Can’t go wrong with this one.

3rd July 06

Smiles Zing Ale 4.3%

A summer style ale with the ‘zing’ in question being provided by added cointreau. Sounds odd, but it seems to work, not sure if I can really taste the cointreau but it certainly drinks very well.

Cottage Maidenhead Bridge 4.6%

This is a tawny-coloured ale with a wonderfully bitter taste full of hops and a nice bitter aftertaste. Cottage are definitely back to form with this one.

Haviestoun Schiehallion 4.8%

Well, it took me a couple years to convince Sumbie to get this but I think it was worth the wait. This does not resemble the cold fizzy lagers brewed mainly in the capital, no; this is what lager should taste like, light, hoppy and highly drinkable with a bitter finish. Brewed using a lager yeast, this Scottish cask lager was one of the first of its kind and definitely the best.

26th June 2006

Wye Valley Rapid Ale 4.6%

Very pale yellow in colour, Rapid Ale is a hoppy premium bitter that is quite quaffable!

Banks & Taylor SOD (Shefford Old Dark) 5%

A black beer full of fruit, malt, hops and caramel this beer is very much like a porter or old ale. It has a smooth dry roasted finish. Delicious!

17th June 2006

O’Hanlon’s Yellow Hammer 4.2%

O’Hanlon’s brewery is based in Devon. Yellow Hammer is a golden amber colour beer that is smooth and hoppy with citrus notes and a malty, fruity aroma. It has a nice dry finish.

Robinsons Dark Hatters Mild 3.3%

Robinsons of Stockport produce two milds. Hatters Mild is a light mild while Dark Hatters is the same beer with added caramel and is rarely found. The extra caramel gives it that edge and puts in a class with other good dark milds. It is a smooth, easy drinking session beer with a nice white foamy head. It is has a fruity aroma and there is fruit and chocolate in the flavour. An excellent mild.

13th June 2006

Windsor Castle Saddler’s Pipe Dream 4.5%

This light coloured ale is a very hoppy and bitter beer with a nice bitter finish. Pretty damn good!

Cottage Somerset & Dorset Ale 4.4%

One of Cottage’s regularly brewed beers, S & D is a well hopped reddy-brown coloured ale, it is fruity with a chocolaty aroma. There is much malt and chocolate in the finish.

Highgate Bee Line 4%

The honeycombed shaped pump clip proclaims that this is a “honey beer made from pure Worcestershire honey” and such it is. It is a light summer ale with a sweet finish. Good for quaffing.

4th June 2006

1st June 2006

Banks’s Chocolate Mild 4.2%

A strong mild ale with chocolate to give a _mocha taste with a velvety smooth texture. The burnt taste makes you think this beer has pretensions of being a stout.

Mauldons Black Adder 5.3%

A stout strong stout, with a nutty aroma, this beer is incredibly black and bitter with a wonderful lingering aftertaste.

Cottage Our Ken 4.5%

A dark amber bitter beer with a nice smooth, bitter finish. Very drinkable.

23rd May 2006

Cottage Golden Arrow 4.5%

A premium golden summer ale Golden Arrow was a silver medal winner at the Great British Beer Festival and gold medal winner at the 14^th Maltings Beer Festival. This beer goes down extremely well and ends with a nice hoppy aftertaste.

Rugby No. 8 5%

Rugby started brewing in 2005. All beer names are connected to the town or Rugby Union football. No. 8 is a light gold coloured premium bitter with a bitter sweet aftertaste.

Wye Valley Trekker’s Ale 4.2%

Tekker’s Ale is a pale chestnut coloured session beer that is quite sweet tasting with a nice bitter finish. Highly enjoyable.

17th May 2006

Conwy Mulberry Mild 3.8%

Mulberry Mild is a dark if not black mild brewed especially for CAMRA’s Mild in May campaign. It is fruity and chocolaty with a malty aroma. There are hints of liquorice and coffee flavours with a citrusy finish. An excellent session beer.

Harviestoun Ptarmigan 4.5%

A light amber coloured beer, Ptarmigan is a hoppy beer with a bitter sweet taste.
The nice balance of malt and hops produces a nice bitter aftertaste.

Oakleaf Blake’s Gosport Bitter 5.2%

A burnt black beer that is full of fruit and roasted malts. Almost in the style of a Belgian ale, carmel is also to the fore. A very well balanced beer, excellent.

Cottage Box Tunnel 5%

A smooth black stout-like ale Box Tunnel is packed with roasted malt and barley. It is chocolaty and nutty with a bitter sweet after taste.

10th May 2006

Salopian Golden Thread 4.5%

A light golden ale from the Shropshire brewery definitely in the style of a summer ale, it has a hoppy bitter finish. Goes down very nicely.

Black Dog Rhatas 4.6%

Black Dog brewery are from Whitby in Yorkshire and this is an excellent dark brown coloured ale. It had that great burnt flavour of a classic stout. Too many of these and you’ll be Rhatased!

Marstons Merrie Monk 4.5%

A revival of one of Marstons classic beers of yesteryear, Merrie Monk is a sort of dark version of Pedigree. Described as a premium mild this a ruby coloured sweet ale and pretty good it is too. A religious experience (?)

3rd May 2006

Orkney Dark Island 4.6%

This is a dark ruby red coloured stout with a burnt flavour that is very rich and warming and yet highly drinkable. The roasted malt and chocolate flavours are definitely to the fore with a malty slightly bitter aftertaste. A wonderful ale.

25th April 2006

 12thApril 2006

Mauldons Cuckoo 4.3%

A light full-bodied hoppy bitter ale. Golden amber in colour with a slightly bitter, crisp malt finish.

Oakleaf Heart of Oak 4.3%

“Brewed in the British Naval Tradition” according to the pumpclip, Heat of Oak was brewed to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Initial strong, fruity hop flavours lead to a bittersweet aroma, balanced by a warm chocolaty finish.

6th April 2006

Bradfield Farmer’s Pale Ale 5%

Bradfield are a new brewery from Sheffield. Farmer’s Pale Ale is a golden hoppy ale with citrus notes. It had a nice crisp malt finish. Highly drinkable.

5th April 2006

23rd march 2006

Facer’s Jackdaw Mild 3.3%

Red brown in colour this is a smooth drinking fruity mild with a hint of ginger in the taste and the aroma. There is roast malt and caramel in the flavour and a little fruit and malt in the aftertaste. Another good ‘un from the Flint Mountain brewer.

Great Orme Extravaganza 4.6%

Great Orme are the brand new local brewery who opened for business in Glan Conwy a couple of weeks ago. Brewed to celebrate Llandudno’s Victorian heritage Extravaganza a light amber refreshing ale in the style of a summer beer. There are citrus flavours in there too and it is reminiscent of a Belgian amber ale such as De Konink. A great start for the Great Orme.

21st March 2006

Highgate Irish Whiskey Ale 4.6%

A light Summer-type beer, Irish Whiskey Ale is strong and refreshing with a hint of whiskey. Brewed for St. Patrick’s Night but tasting remarkably like the Highlander Whisky Beer (see tasting notes for 16^th Feb 2005).

Facer’s This Splendid Ale 4.3%

Another excellent beer from Dave Facer. The brewery in Flint Mountain is now fully operational having moved from Salford. This Splendid ale is a light hoppy bitter beer packed with taste and has a nice bitter aftertaste.

Lichfield Hoppy Daze 4%

The pump clip has a picture of the Fonz declaring “Hey it’s so tasty, it’s cool”. Well, I’m not sure about that but it is a pleasant enough session ale. It is light amber in colour and bitter tasting. Bog standard but inoffensive.

15th March 2006

Smiles Old Tosser 4.3%

A warming mid-amber coloured traditional ale with malt to the fore and a hint of fruit.

Medium bodied and quite sweet but not particularly distinguished ale from the Bristol brewer

12th March 2006

Wye Valley Victory Ale 4.6%

The second in Wye Valley Brewery's history series commemorated Robert Jones V.C. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour at Rourke's Drift in the 1879 Zulu Wars. He defended and helped evacuate the wounded in the hospital complex and was the last to leave. Victory ale us a hoppy, light brown quaffing ale with a nice tight white head. Another good ‘un from Wye Valley.

Cottage Double Century 4.5%

This beer has apparently been brewed to celebrate the bi-centenary of something to do with Brunel. Double Century is dark brown ale with hints of fruit. This is a sweet, malty beer which is okay but doesn’t inspire. Not one of Cottage’s high points.

Jennings Dark Mild 3.1%

A super dark mild with lots of flavour despite its low strength. This is precisely what dark mild’s should be like. The idea is to be able to drink it in quantity without getting too drunk and at 3.1% ABV this is ideal. The roasted malts give it a good flavour and the hops give it a nice bitter finish.

Cottage Goldrush 5%

(see tasting notes for 5^th June 2005)

5th March 2006

 2nd March 2006

Bragdy Bryn Du 4.2%

A magnificent stout with a superb tight white head. No need to drink the Irish stout when this Welsh beer has all the qualities of a great stout and more. The burnt flavour and bitter finish make this the Celtic beer to celebrate St. David’s Day with.

28th February 2006

Copper Dragon Challenge IPA 4.4%

A light, amber, hoppy best bitter in the traditional style. A nice balance of malt and hops and a nice bitter finish.

Dark Star Original 5%

The Dark Star brewery was set up in 1994 at the Evening Star pub in Brighton. Original is a dark full-bodied ale which is a little bit like a stout with a nice dry finish. Heavy going, but worth it!

Springhead Bitter 4%

A pale amber easy drinking hoppy bitter from the Nottinghamshire brewery. Very quaffable, an excellent session bitter.

19th February 2006

17th February 2006

14th February 2006

Hydes XXXX 6.8%

This is Hydes original Winter brew, albeit in a slightly weaker form. It used to be 8% but is still fairly potent at 6.8%. A dark brown sweetish fruity ale, this is ideal for the cold weather. Very nice indeed, needs to be treated with respect.

Cottage Great Western 4.8%

Another one of Cottage’s railway-themed brews, Great Western is a dark, sweet ale which is strong and full-bodied but drinks very well for a beer of its strength.

Grays Champion Ale 4.2%

(see previous tasting 18/12/05)

9th February 2006

Grays Traditional Dark Mild 3.8%

A proper tasty dark mild full of roasted malt flavour. At 3.8% it is on the strong side for a mild and does, in fact, lean towards a porter or a stout. Very nice indeed.

Grays Hunny Pot 3.8%

A light, bitter-sweet quaffable ale made with honey. While not being spectacular, it is not unpleasant and is certainly a good ale for a bit of a session.

7th February 2006

31st January 2006

Olde Swan Holts Entire 4.4%

Originally brewed by Holt, Plant & Deakin, Entire is now produced by “Ma Pardoe’s” Olde Swan brewery in Dudley in the West Midlands. Entire is a light, hoppy premium bitter beer that is highly quaffable.

29th January 2006

Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody’s Winter Tipple 4.7%

This Winter ale is a light, bitter, strong hoppy ale. It is full-bodied with strong malt and hop flavours throughout in perfect balance.

Jennings La’al Cocklewarmer 6.5%

This is a strong mellow ruby coloured ale. It fruity and smooth and is highly drinkable. A nice balance of malt and hops, this is a superb Winter warmer

19th January 2006

16thJanuary 2006

Facers Landslide (1927) 4.9%

Facers Brewery was established in Salford in 2003 but is now in the process of moving the plant to Flint Mountain. Landslide is a mid amber coloured ale with an impressive fruit aroma. It is wonderfully hoppy and fruity and finishes with a gorgeous tangy, bitter aftertaste. A great addition to the North Wales brewing scene.

9th January 2006

Theakstons XB 4.6%

Theakstons are now an independent brewery again after 20 years under the control of first Matthew Brown and then Scottish & Newcastle. In 20003 S&N sold the brewery back to the family. XB is a sweet tasting light brown best bitter with background fruit and spicy hop. Some caramel character gives this ale a malty dominance.

6th January 2006

Greene King Fireside Ale 4.5%

Ruby in colour Fireside is a full-bodied, robust and refreshing. It has mellow, fruity flavour with malty overtones. Fireside Ale is an excellent winter warmer.

Lees Plum Pudding 4.8%

This is a rich, warming, dark beer brewed with a hint of fruit especially for the festive season. There is a definite plum flavour and aroma in there but it does not overwhelm. Nice, but couldn’t drink it all night.

Ring ‘O’ Bells Tipsy Trotter 5.1%

Sumbie’s fourth selection from Ring O’ Bells, Tipsy Trotter is an amber-coloured, full-bodied, powerful ale with a good malty taste. It is slightly fruity with a good clean finish

The Christmas Crawl. Ian Saunders

`Twas the week before Christmas,so all the pubs visited were looking very festive.Most were fairly quiet too,the lull before the storm as it were.First port of call was The Queens Head Glanwydden and althoughthe pub is famous for its food it serves a pretty good pint as well.The Guest beers on offer were Bragdy`r Bryn Special 4.5% from Denbigh and Weetwood Ambush 4.8% from Chesire and both were in excellent condition.The regular beer is Tetley bitter and that was also pretty good.

A bit of a walk followed to get to the Penrhyn Old Hall in Penrhyn Bay. Here the evening diners were finishing up their mealsand the staff were preparing for imminent opening of the nightclub.The DJ wasn`t quite so prepared as he`d forgotten his CD`s.The regular beer here is Draught Bass 4.4% and the guest beer was Greene King IPA 3.6% and both beers were very palatable.

Another walk no,this time uphill into Penrhynside and to the Cross Keys,a cosy local`s pub.Here a meeting of the Dog and Ferret club was in progress and the landlady was busy preparing a mountain of food.The guest beers available were the festive Bateman`s Rosey Nosey 4.9% and Theakston`s XB 4.6%; Bank`s bitter is the standard bitter.All three were of form with the XB being the favorite.

Last stop of the evening was the Penrhyn Arms,a mecca for real ale fans in the area.The regular beers here are Bank`s Bitter and Marston`s Pedigree which were very well-kept as usual.There are three handpumps for guest beers.The excellent Telford Porter had,unfortunately,gone off.Luckily it had been replaced by another excellent Welsh beer :Purple Moose Cwrw Glaslyn 4.5%.This turned out to be the favorite beer of the evening although it was run a close second by Thwaite`s Christmas offering Good Elf 4.9% which is a darkstout like beer.Also available were Robinson`s Robin Bitter 4.5% and on gravity , Robinson`s excellent barley wine OLd Tom 8.5%.Real cider was also available in the form of Gwatkins Stoke Red 8.0% and this too was deemed to be very good.After the cider and Old Tom we decided to call an end to proceedings.

And so ended an excellent night out which saw 13 different beers and one real cider in the four pubs,a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

28th December 2005 

Smiles Holly Hops 5%

A dark gold ale from the Bristol brewey. It is laced with spices for the festive period. Dark with a warming character to ward off those Winter chills.

Purple Moose Merry X-Moose / Bragdy Mŵs Piws X-Mŵs Llawen 5%

Another dark beer from the Porthmadog brewery. Not quite as nice as Dark Side of the Moose but this is still a fine ale brewed for Christmas. It is full bodied with a slight bitterness. It has a hoppy aroma and the dark malts give it a rich ruby colour.

Hop Back Pickled Santa 6%

Pickled Santa is a deep copper coloured beer with a thinnish head and a pleasant aroma. It a very sharp hoppy taste and is also quite spicy. Packs quite a punch

Weetwood A Blonde for Christmas 4%

This is Weetwood’s brand new beer. For now it has been named A Blonde for Christmas and features a provocative pump clip. In the New Year it is set to become a regular session beer with a new name. It is blonde Summer style beer and is very sharp and tasty, a bit like a weaker version of Oasthouse gold. It has a tart bitter aftertaste. A welcome change to the other stronger Christmas ales.

Youngs John Youngs Christmas Ale 4.3%

A dark brown easy drinking Winter beer from the London Brewer. It is a mature and full flavoured ale with a strong, satisfying hop character. Smooth and satisfying.

Ring ‘O’ Bells Sozzled Santa 5.5%

A rich, ruby coloured strong ale with a good flowery aroma, well balanced with a true malty aftertaste. A very tasty Christmas beer.

Hydes Yule be Back 4.6%

Hydes of Manchester have produced this seasonal beer, a chestnut coloured ale with a thin beige head. The chocolate malts give it a moreish fruity flavour and there is some bitterness. Not bad, but lacks that something extra a Christmas beer should have. Nice pump featuring Arnie: “I’ll be back”; “Yule be Back”, geddit? Oh, please yourselves.

18th December 2005

13th December 2005

Enville Gothic Ale 5.2%

Enville brewery is in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. Gothic Ale is named after Enville's unique sandstone Gothic church. This is a black beer traditionally referred to as 'dinner ale', derived from pale ale. Created using a specially produced black malt and a selection of specialised sugars, the ingredients combine with a strong roast malt taste to produce a memorable stout-like beer with lurking hints of honey adding to the roundness of the flavour.

Robinsons Robin Bitter 4.5%

This is the Stockport brewer’s seasonal beer for November and December. It is a strong bitter ale that is eminently drinkable and has that distinctive Robinsons hoppy taste and sulphury smell. For a Winter Ale, though, you can’t beat Robinsons Old Tom (see previous tasting).

7th December 2005

Sadler’s Stumbling Bader 4.9%

Stumbling Badger is brewed by Sadler’s at the Windsor Castle brewery in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. Brewed as the Winter seasonal it is a copper amber brew that is quite quaffable with undertones of fruit and spice. Smooth and satifying.

5th December 2005

4th December 2005

Cottage Atlantic 4.4%

The latest Cottage beer describes itself as a chestnut coloured traditional ale, and such it is. It is dark, sweet and warming with a nice fruity finish. Reminiscent of their Howling from a couple of weeks ago but nice enough to quaff a few.

Mordue Radgie Gadgie 4.8%

The original Mordue brewery closed in 1879 and was revived in 1995 in North Sheilds. Radgie Gadgie is a former champion strong bitter of Britain. It is a strong easy drinking bitter with plenty of fruit and hops. The hoppy, zesty flavours extend to a long lingering finish.

Smiles Winter Stout 4.7%

Smiles of Bristol have produced this wonderful Winter Stout. It is a dark sweet ale with a tight white head. Fruit flavours dominate the taste. Goes down very smoothly indeed. Excellent

25th November 2005

Ring O’ Bells Bodmin Boar 4.3%

Ring O’ Bells originally started trading in Cornwall as a cider and ale house in the 13^th century. It closed in 1918 and re-opened in 1999.  Bodmin Boar is a full-bodied, easy drinking amber brown ale. It has a malty, fruity flavour and a long bitter finish.

Frog Island Fire-Bellied Toad 5%

Well, it’s taken Sumbie nearly a year to get his second Frog Island beer but it was worth the wait as this is another good-un. Fire Bellied Toad is a gold amber beer with plenty of malt and hop flavours. It finishes with a long tangy, bitter aftertaste. Excellent.

Cottage Trembling Whippet 5%

This Cottage beer comes from the Whippet series and is the Christmas offering. It is a wonderful sweet tasting dark brown ale. Cottage do it again!

21st November 2005

Lichfield Steeple Jack 4.5%

The Lichfield brewery was set up over ten years ago by two CAMRA members in Staffordshire. Steeplejack is their staple brew and it is a pale brown beer that is both hoppy and fruity. A good quaffing ale.

 

Holdens Dragon’s Blood 4.7%

Holdens of Dudley have produced this light golden ale reminiscent of a Summer style of beer. It is very refreshing and easy to drink but otherwise unremarkable. Nice pump clip though.

18th November 2005

Brains 125^th Anniversary Ale 4.4%

Brewed to celebrate 125 years of Welsh rugby, this is a light amber coloured ale and a mellow aroma. It is very smooth and easy drinking for a beer of its strength. Much better than Brains last rugby effort, Bread of Heaven.

Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody’s Big Bang 5%

Another from Wye Valley’s Dorothy Goodbody’s range, Big Bang is the Bonfire night offering. It is a light brown malty brew with some spices thrown in to give it a little bit of en edge.

Pardoe’s Hung, Drawn & Quartered 6.2%

From the Old Swan brewery in Dudley in the West Midlands comes this dark brown sweet strong ale. Hung Drawn & Quartered refers to what happened to Guy Fawkes. It is a fruity brew that is leaning towards a barley wine. Just the ticket to keep you warm as the temperatures are lowering

14th November

4th November 2005

Bragdy Mŵs Piws / Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose 4.6%

The third beer from the Porthmadog brewery and possibly the best yet. The wonderfully named Dark side of the Moose is in the style of a strong mild and leaning towards a porter. It is dark and sweet with a fruity bitterness. It’s a very smooth drinking beer and you can really taste the roasted barley. Da iawn.

Bragdy Conwy Telford Porter 5.6%

The Conwy brewery was set up by Gwynne Thomas in 2003 in an industrial unit on the Conwy Morfa. Telford Porter is Gwynne’s latest beer brewed originally for the Conwy feast but due to its popularity will continue for the long cold Winter months. It is a dark warming beer that is full of flavour. The roasted malts are definitely to the fore and there is a slight hint of fruit and a nice lingering aftertaste. It goes down very easily and doesn’t drink its strength. The Cwrw Gwrw is a big fan of dark beers and porters in particular as they tend not to be as dry as stouts. Best yet from Bragdy Conwy. Bendigedig. 

30th October 2005

Wye Valley Ruby Ale 4.6%

A ruby brown fruity full-bodied ale with a little sweetness. It has a long, bitter, hoppy finish.

Cottage Howling Ale 4.6%

Another Cottage beer from the Whippet series this is another ruby coloured ale. It is a bitter sweet warming ale which is highly drinkable.

25th October 2005

Bragdy Bryn Herald 6.2%

This latest brew from the new Denbigh brewery is a strong sweet ale. The beer is an India Pale Ale but brewed the North American way. It has fruity notes and has a hoppy flavour. Despite its strength it is very refreshing and easy to drink. Nice one.

17th October2005

Rudgate Father Squires Best 4%

Rudgate brewery was founded in 1992 in Tockwith, York.  Father Squires Best is one of Rudgate’s monthly specials. It is a light coloured easy drinking session beer. It has a cirtusy taste and has good head retention. Goes down very easily

15th October 2005

Inveralmond Thrappledouser 4.3%

Inveralmond was established in 1997 and was the first brewery in Perth for over 30 years. Thrapple is a Scottish term  for throat emphasising that this beer is a thirst quencher. It is an amber, refreshing beer with a hoppy aroma with a slight tang in the aftertaste.

Jennings Sneck Lifter 5.1%

A sneck is another name for a door latch. A sneck lifter is one who lifts the sneck of the pub door in order to leave before it is his round. The beer is a strong dark, sweet brown ale with hints of fruit and roasted malts. A superb, dark warming beer this with pretensions of being a porter. In the Cwrw Gwrw’s top five list.

14th October 2005

Everards Equinox Autumn Ale 4.8%

Everards of Narborough near Leicester celebrated its 150^th anniversary in 1999. This seasonal ale is a light amber hoppy, bitter beer. It has hints of fruit and has a sweet finish. Quite refreshing.

Hydes Dark Mild 3.5%

Hydes from Manchester are the only brewery to regularly brew three different milds: a Light Mild, a ‘Traditional’ mid-brown mild and this, probably the best of the three, the Dark Mild. At 3.5% it is the same strength as the other two beers but this has a more complex taste including hints of malt, fruit and chocolate. It is reddy brown in colour rather than black and has a creamy white head. It ends with a satisfying finish.

8th October 2005

5th October 2005

2nd October 2005

Cottage Silly Mid Whippet 4.5%

From the Whippet series comes this cricket-related beer. It is a light hoppy ale which starts off tasty and lively but becomes a little insipid after a while and soon loses its head. Not bad, but not as good as Norman’s Conquest (see below)

Cottage Norman’s Conquest 5%

(See tasting notes for 1^st December 2004)

22nd September 2005

19th September 2005

Bragdy Bryn Bitter 4%

Bragdy Bryn is the brand new brewery that’s just opened in Denbigh. They have started with two brews. For tasting notes on the stronger one, see next weeks’ tasting notes (what a concept). Meanwhile, this is their standard session bitter, although weighing in at 4% makes it slightly stronger than the average cooking bitter. This is an amber, bitter ale with hints of fruit and a sharp bitter aftertaste. Excellent, can’t wait for next week.

Hambleton Nightmare 5%

This beer from Thirsk in North Yorkshire describes itself as a stout porter and although that sounds like a short fat guy that carries your bags to your hotel room, I think they are just hedging their bets as it is debatable what the difference is between a stout and porter. Since stouts tend to be more dry tasting, so I’m going for porter for this one. It is dark and chocolaty as you might expect with a creamy white head. There are plenty of roasted malts in the taste as well as hops, ten out of ten.

Vale Hadda’s Headbanger 5%

The Vale brewery is in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire. Hadda’s Headbanger is a pale amber beer with a creamy head. It is a strong, bitter ale with a sharp finish.

Marstons Double Drop 4.6%

Normally only available in bottles, this beer is so name as it is ‘double dropped’, that is wort is transferred into a second vessel on second day of fermentation. This produces this enjoyable hoppy amber strong ale.

26th August 2005