Courage Ceremonial Ale

Formerly brewed at Fountain (Scottish Courage - Scottish & Newcastle)
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland

Serve in English pint

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This is a special ale brewed for the golden aniversary of Queen Elizabeths coronation. Being a republican I felt a bit hypocritical drinking it! I hoped I wouldn’t be dissapointed but I was. Carbonisation levels were high which gave the beer a sharp edge. Once I got use to this there were some flavours perhaps caramel or roated hops-but then again perhaps not. The fifty year wait wasn’t worth it.

1981 vintage; courtesy of Thomas and Philipp - hazy amber colour; no foam; caramel and madeira in the nose, notes of marzipan; medium-bodied and with a moderate carbonation, decent bitterness; long malty, caramelish and portwine-like finish - impressive after all those years!

1981 Bottle from the Wedding of Charles and Di. Aroma was fruity and boozy, but the pour had me disappointed right away. It was a very viscous and cloudy brown. My suspicions were confirmed upon tasting; This has long gone bad. Total drain pour because it no longer tasted like beer. It just tasted, well, awful. Spoiled.

Bottled. Deep chestnut colour with a good but shortlived head and moderate condition. Malty nose with hints of toffee and a low smokiness. Complex flavours of malt, fruit (raisins), some peppery hops and a woody oakiness.sweet and fullbodied finish.