Cask (handpump) at The Colonies, Westminster, London, January 2007. Dark, full copper colour. Thin white head. Mainly malty, as expected, with some caramel notes. The malt is pleasantly dry, which gives a firmer feel than the scarcity of hop presence would suggest. That’s not to say that hops are entirely absent. There’s a smidgen of tangy hop (I’m not sure I’d describe it as floral) but not in sufficient quantity to qualify to be described as assertive. Some developing berry fruit notes add to the interest. Not usually my preferred style of bitter but this one drinks quite nicely. Presumably has now replaced the stronger (4.7%) Burns Ale that has appeared in previous years.

A deep ruby red colour, with a smopeky maly nose, a typical not inspired fruity malt.

Cask at Wellington Arms, Bedford. Amber with a small white head. Sweet malt aroma. Taste is fruity with some pear, sweet malts developing in the background. Not very bitter. Thin bodied but not unappealing.

Cask handpull at Pembury Tavern, Hackney. Mid brown beer, bubbly beige head. Toffeeish aroma. Some hop on finish. Pretty standard bitter with toffeeish edge. Good condition, just not my kind of beer. Disappointing malty finish.

One iv never heard of so must be hew. Aroma is roasted with cali yeast coming through. Taste is similar less roasted though with quite a bit of floural hops, though not that bitter or dry.