GUEST ALE TASTING NOTES - Real Ale

GUEST ALE TASTING NOTES 

CALEDONIAN DEUCHARS IPA 3.8% ABV 

Caledonian Brewery, Edinburgh. Est. 1869 

A distinctive golden beer, long on refreshment, 

this has a citric, zesty hop aroma and crisp bitterness. 

It’s a winner of many awards, including CAMRA’s 

Champion Beer of Britain, in 2002. 

Hops used: Styrian Goldings 

DARK STAR HOPHEAD 3.8% ABV 

Dark Star Brewery, West Sussex. Est. 1994 

This pale golden ale has a floral aroma, with 

elderflower notes from the Cascade hops, plus a fullbodied 

and full-flavoured character which is still gentle 

enough to make this an extremely drinkable beer. 

Hops used: Amarillo, Cascade 

NETHERGATE UMBEL ALE 3.8% ABV 

Nethergate Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1986 

This refreshing, amber-coloured ale is brewed using 

coriander, giving a floral aroma and a fruity tang, with 

a distinctive spicy flavour, balanced by a constant hop 

flavour and well-rounded finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Fuggles 

OAKHAM JHB 3.8% ABV 

Oakham Ales, Cambridgeshire. Est. 1993 

This golden-coloured beer has an aroma dominated 

by hops, giving characteristic citrus notes, while the 

hops and fruit on the palate are balanced by malt 

and a bitter base, leading to a dry, hoppy finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Mount Hood 

ORKNEY RAVEN ALE 3.8% ABV 

The Orkney Brewery, Orkney. Est. 1988 

Voted CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Scotland, in 2009, 

this is light brown in colour, with a spicy hop aroma 

and a biscuity malt character, balanced by a gentle 

hoppiness in the finish. 

Hops used: Fuggles, Goldings 

RCH PG STEAM 3.9% ABV 

RCH Brewery, Somerset. Est. 1982 

This multiaward-winning beer has a fine, floral hop 

aroma and a medium-bodied bitter hop flavour, 

balanced by some fruit and sweetness, leading to 

a pleasing, hoppy finish. 

Hops used: Fuggles, Progress 

GREENE KING 

BONKERS CONKERS 4.1% ABV 

Greene King Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1799 

This seasonal beer has a reddish-brown colour, 

with an initial nutty, spicy flavour, developing into a 

biscuit malt character, with plenty of fruit and citrus 

notes, plus a clean, crisp bitterness in the finish. 

Hops used: Bramling Cross, First Gold, Fuggles 

WELLS BOMBARDIER 4.1% ABV 

Wells & Young’s Brewery, Bedfordshire. Est. 2006 

This distinctive, classic English bitter has a rich 

copper colour and smooth, light, fruity flavour, 

leading to a robust finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Goldings 

WOODEN HAND 

CORNISH GRIBBEN 4.1% ABV 

Wooden Hand Brewery, Cornwall. Est. 2004 

This mid-coloured beer was first brewed in May 2010 

and is well hopped and distinctive, with citrus and 

fruit notes in the aroma, continuing into the flavour, 

resulting in a well-balanced, bittersweet finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Fuggles, Goldings 

BRAINS SA 4.2% ABV 

Brains Brewery, Cardiff. Est. 1882 

A justifiably renowned full-bodied bitter, this has a 

good balance of malt and hops, leading to a pleasing, 

moreish flavour and smooth, dry finish. 


MAULDONS SILVER ADDER 4.2% ABV 

Mauldons Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1982 

First brewed in 2007, to celebrate this popular 

brewery’s 25th anniversary, this beer has been in 

such demand that the light-coloured ale is now a 

full-time brew. A fine combination of pearl malt 

and two varieties of hops creates a full, refreshing 

flavour, with a crisp finish. 

Hops used: Cascade, Willamette 

THREE CASTLES HERITAGE 4.2% ABV 

Three Castles Brewery, Wiltshire. Est. 2006 

This chestnut-brown beer has an inviting hop aroma 

which leads through to a flavour of wild berry fruits, 

balanced by underlying malt flavours, before resulting 

in a pleasing, smooth finish. 

Hops used: Brewer’s Gold, Willamette 

SEPTEMBER–NOVEMBER 2012


JENNINGS CRAG RAT 4.3% ABV 

Jennings Brewery, Cumbria. Est. 1828 

Named after the light-hearted term used to 

describe enthusiastic Lake District climbers, this 

refreshing golden-coloured bitter is brewed using 

pale ale malt and classic English hops to impart a 

delicate flavour and aroma. 

Hops used: East Kent Goldings, Fuggles 

NELSON DRAGON’S REVENGE 4.3% ABV 

Nelson Brewery, Kent. Est. 1995 

This is a traditional-style light brown ale, brewed 

using solely Kentish hops. These supply a pleasing 

hoppy aroma and full flavour, with a soft bitterness 

created by generous quantities of East Kent Goldings 

added late in the boil. 

Hops used: East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, Northdown 

OTTER BRIGHT 4.3% ABV 

Otter Brewery, Devon. Est. 1990 

This pale, golden-coloured beer is brewed using 

lager malt and the finest English hops, creating a 

refreshing and well-balanced bitter, with an 

underlying hoppiness and smooth finish. 

Hops used: Fuggles 

ROOSTER’S YANKEE 4.3% ABV 

Rooster’s Brewery, North Yorkshire. Est. 1993 

This modern classic is a light, easy-drinking bitter, 

showcasing the floral and citrus fruit aromas of the 

Cascade hops, projected against a backdrop of soft 

Yorkshire water and Golden Promise pale malt. 

Hops used: Cascade 

CAIRNGORM BLACK GOLD 4.4% ABV 

Cairngorm Brewery, Aviemore. Est. 1997 

This is an award-winning Scottish stout with a rich, 

dark colour, traditional smooth sweetness and 

underlying roasted barley hints, balanced by a 

subtle bitterness from the hops used. 

Hops used: Challenger, Fuggles 

B & T EDWIN TAYLOR’S 

EXTRA STOUT 4.5% ABV 

B & T Brewery, Bedfordshire. Est. 1981 

This is a creamy, black and complex cask-conditioned 

stout, with bitter coffee and roasted malt flavours. 

Its emerging hoppiness leads to a full, lingering, 

bitter aftertaste. 

Hops used: Challenger, Herkules 

BATEMANS XXXB 4.5% ABV 

Batemans Brewery, Lincolnshire. Est. 1874 

This is a superb classic bitter with a delicate aroma 

of hops and a complex palate of robust hop flavours, 

delightfully balanced by a prominent malty character 

and finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Goldings, Styrian 

BLINDMANS ICARUS 4.5% ABV 

Blindmans Brewery, Somerset. Est. 2002 

This ruby-coloured ale is brewed with a blend of 

fine malts and quality hops, resulting in a rich, full 

flavour, with a fruity, red berry character and hints 

of toffee emerging in the satisfying finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Chinook, Styrian Goldings 

CONWY RAMPART 4.5% ABV 

Conwy Brewery, Conwy. Est. 2003 

This amber-hued beer is brewed using traditional 

hops and dark malts, giving an enticing floral hop 

aroma, a smooth flavour (with spicy and citrus notes) 

and a lasting, memorable finish. 


EXMOOR GOLD 4.5% ABV 

Exmoor Brewery, Somerset. Est. 1980 

This classic ale has a predominant maltiness 

throughout, balanced by an underlying hoppiness 

and sweet flavour, leading to a refreshing finish. 


MORLAND OLD SPECKLED HEN 4.5% ABV 


This rich amber-coloured beer has a superb 

fruity aroma, complemented by a malty, smooth 

flavour, leading to a balanced sweetness on the 

back of the tongue. 

Hops used: Challenger, Goldings 

OLD BEAR GOLDILOCKS 4.5% ABV 

Old Bear Brewery, West Yorkshire. Est. 1993 

This light golden ale has a fruity aroma, with a 

lemony tang, followed by a pungent hoppy taste, 

leaving a refreshing, clean, citrus flavour on the 

palate, with hints of wheat. 

Hops used: Fuggles, Goldings, Mount Hood, 

Northern Brewer 



PHOENIX WHITE MONK 4.5% ABV 

Phoenix Brewery, Manchester. Est. 1982 

This beer is pale golden in colour, with a full flavour, 

yet smooth and easy-drinking character, with a full, 

floral aroma and a powerful attack of hops on the 

palate, giving way to a lingering hop finish. 

Hops used: Cascade, Willamette 

VALE SPECIAL 4.5% ABV 

Vale Brewery, Buckinghamshire. Est. 1995 

This is a classic, old-school-style, copper-coloured 

ale, with a big malt aroma and a superb balance of 

malt and hop flavours, leading to an impressive 

smack of Goldings hops in the finish. 

Hops used: Goldings, Perle 

WYCHWOOD HOBGOBLIN 4.5% ABV 

Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 1983 

With its chocolate-toffee malt flavour, moderate 

bitterness and distinctly fruity character, this is a 

ruby-red-glowing, full-bodied and well-balanced ale. 

Hops used: Fuggles, Styrian Goldings 

YOUNG’S SPECIAL 4.5% ABV 

Wells & Young’s Brewery, Bedfordshire. Est. 2006 

This full-flavoured pale ale has a fruity, slightly estery 

nose and a good hop aroma, followed by toasted 

nutty malt flavours, finely balanced by earthy hops 

and a pleasing, dry finish. 


HOOK NORTON OLD HOOKY 4.6% ABV 

Hook Norton Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 1850 

This consistently popular tawny bitter has a strong 

fruity aroma and palate, balanced by a subtle hoppiness, 

creating a well-rounded and pleasing beer. 


ADNAMS BROADSIDE 4.7% ABV 

Adnams Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1872 

This classic beer is dark ruby-red in colour, rich in 

fruitcake aromas, with hints of almond and fruit in the 

smooth flavour, leading to a pleasing, dry, bitter finish. 

Hops used: First Gold 

EXE VALLEY 

SHEPPARD’S CROOK 4.7% ABV 

Exe Valley Brewery, Devon. Est. 1984 

This chestnut-brown premium bitter has a fruity 

nose and a flavour full of Devon malt, resulting in 

a smooth character which develops into a slightly 

dry, bitter finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, First Gold 

GOFFS WHITE KNIGHT 4.7% ABV 

Goffs Brewery, Gloucestershire. Est. 1994 

This light-coloured bitter is deceptively drinkable for 

its strength, with a hoppy aroma and predominant 

bitterness in the flavour, plus a dry, hoppy aftertaste. 

Hops used: Fuggles, Perle 

HOOK NORTON DOUBLE STOUT 4.8% ABV 

Hook Norton Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 1850 

This impressive, smooth and full-bodied beer is 

ebony-black in colour, with the black malt used 

teasing the palate with an unmistakable roasted, 

toast flavour, while the brown malt imparts an oaky, 

smooth and silky finish. 


LODDON BAMBOOZLE 4.8% ABV 

Loddon Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 2002 

This straw-coloured strong pale ale is brewed with 

Maris Otter pale ale malt and a blend of the finest hops, 

creating a grassy aroma and a mouthful of refreshing 

hops over a pure, malty body. 

Hops used: Fuggles, Goldings, Styrian Goldings 

NAYLOR’S PINNACLE PORTER 4.8% ABV 

Naylor’s Brewery, West Yorkshire. Est. 2005 

This black beer has an instant hit of cocoa and coffee 

in the aroma, leading to a bitter (yet mellow) flavour, 

while the roasted barley and generous amount of hops 

deliver a bold, warming aftertaste. 

Hops used: Cascade 

SPRINGHEAD THE LEVELLER 4.8% ABV 

Springhead Brewery, Nottinghamshire. Est. 1990 

Brewed in the style of Belgian Trappist beers, 

this dark-coloured beer has a rich, inviting aroma 

which leads to a smoky, intense flavour, resulting 

in a burnt-toffee-and-coffee finish. 


WOOD’S WONDERFUL 4.8% ABV 

Wood’s Brewery, Shropshire. Est. 1980 

A powerful ruby brew, this has a rich and complex 

flavour, derived from pale, crystal and chocolate 

malts, complemented by a pleasing aroma and a full, 

lasting finish. 




RINGWOOD FORTYNINER 4.9% ABV 

Ringwood Brewery, Hampshire. Est. 1978 

This superb, consistently popular, moreish beer, 

golden-brown in colour, has a well-balanced blend 

of malt and hops, leading to a refreshing and 

distinctively fruity aroma and finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Fuggles, Goldings, Progress 

DORSET DURDLE DOOR 5.0% ABV 

Dorset Brewery, Dorset. Est. 1994 

This rusty-golden beer is brewed with a blend of three 

varieties of hops, combining to produce a full-bodied, 

clean-tasting flavour, with hints of marmalade, a 

vanilla-and-citrus aroma and a dry finish. 

Hops used: Brewer’s Gold, Cascade, Fuggles 

HAWKSHEAD 

CUMBRIAN FIVE HOP 5.0% ABV 

Hawkshead Brewery, Cumbria. Est. 2002 

Originally brewed especially for a Wetherspoon 

real-ale festival, this is a strong, golden pale ale, with 

a highly hopped aroma of tropical fruit and a blend of 

traditional and modern hops, giving a full flavour and 

a long, dry finish. 

Hops used: Amarillo, Bramling Cross, Citra, 

Fuggles, Goldings 

SHEPHERD NEAME 

BISHOPS FINGER 5.0% ABV 

Shepherd Neame Brewery, Kent. Est. 1698 

This strong, ruby-red-coloured ale is brewed to a 

traditional Kentish recipe, using local hops to create 

a fruity palate and impressive bitter flavour. 

Hops used: First Gold, Target 

STONEHENGE DANISH DYNAMITE 5.0% ABV 

Stonehenge Brewery, Wiltshire. Est. 1984 

This light golden, dry, strong ale has won several 

major beer festival awards. Its slightly fruity flavour 

is well balanced by a fine hop flavour and bitterness, 

before resulting in a smooth, dry, refreshing finish. 

Hops used: Cascade, First Gold 

JENNINGS SNECK LIFTER 5.1% ABV 

Jennings Brewery, Cumbria. Est. 1828 

This rich, dark and satisfying bitter contains generous 

quantities of amber and chocolate malts which impart 

a full malt flavour, balanced by a hoppiness in the finish, 

to leave you wanting more. 


SUMMERSKILLS 

BUNKER HILL BITTER 5.1% ABV 

Summerskills Brewery, Devon. Est. 1983 

This mid brown beer is brewed with all English 

ingredients and has a subtle hop aroma which leads 

to an initial sweetness in the mouth, developing into 

a balanced character, with a fine, hoppy aftertaste. 

Hops used: First Gold, Goldings, Phoenix 

KELHAM ISLAND PALE RIDER 5.2% ABV 

Kelham Island Brewery, South Yorkshire. Est. 1990 

This deceptively easy-drinking pale ale is brewed 

using water drawn from the foothills of the Pennines, 

Yorkshire malt and American hops, giving a fruity berry 

aroma and fruity flavour, with a hint of malty sweetness, 

leading to a smooth, long finish. 

Hops used: Willamette 

RINGWOOD OLD THUMPER 5.6% ABV 

Ringwood Brewery, Hampshire. Est. 1978 

This justifiably famous, classic English ale is copper 

in colour, with a predominantly fruity flavour and 

slight sweetness, leading to a full flavour and pleasing, 

dry finish. 

Hops used: Challenger, Fuggles, Goldings, Progress 

MARSTON’S OLD EMPIRE 5.7% ABV 

Marston’s Brewery, Staffordshire. Est. 1834 

In this impressive re-creation of a traditional IPA, 

pale in colour, the light, spicy aroma leads to a juicy 

malt palate, balanced by its refreshing bitterness. 

Hops used: Cascade, Fuggles, Goldings 

THORNBRIDGE 

JAIPUR INDIA PALE ALE 5.9% ABV 

Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire. Est. 2005 

The initial impression of this award-winning ale is soft 

and smooth, but this soon builds to a crescendo of 

massive hoppiness, with hints of honey, then finishes 

in a powerful, yet pleasant, enduring bitter finish. 

Hops used: Ahtanum, Centennial, Chinook 

GREENE KING ABBOT RESERVE 6.5% ABV 


This distinctive, full-bodied, smooth, mature beer 

has a primarily sweet and malty character which 

bursts out with rich fruit cake and toffee flavours. 

Hops used: Challenger, First Gold, Fuggles

GUEST ALE TASTING NOTES - Real Ale

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?