 Pub (4124), Banbury, Oxfordshire, England
Jun 15, 2003 Updated: Feb 18, 2006
Cask Conditioned at The Cuckoo’s Nest Gawcott, Bucks.
Beer tasting can be so subjective, many factors can supplement the way you ‘feel’ about a beer, mood, company, place, time and even the weather. So on a fine sunny Saturday afternoon we approached a highly recommended pub by a slightly eccentric friend with great hopes. As we opened the door and the light flooded into the dark interior, instinct told us that this could be a rare moment of perfection, that and the pump clip pronouncing that Crouch Vale had produced an extra version of one of the Beers of Banbury Festival. This was June and the beer is a seasonal for dark and rainy February, we didn’t ask! As I ordered (I held the kitty, a British thing I think) the radio from a far room started playing the seventies smoocheroo Barry White.
[we got it together did’nt we
nobody but you and me
we got it together baby]
Four Pints of the Crouch Vale please Landlord, I pronounced.
[my first, my last, my everything
and the answer to all my dreams
you’re my sun, my moon, my guiding star
my kind of wonderful, that’s what you are]
With a touch of anticipation the first of the light brown beers filled the straight pint glass. The head cleared to a pale white smoothie, this looked good anyway.
[i know there’s only, only one like you
theres no way they could have made two
you’re you’re all i’m living for
your love i’ll keep for evermore,
you’re the first my last my everything]
The cool liquid was raised to my lips and a burst of fragrant hops splashed across my tongue, a crisp grapefruit tangy dry flavour filling the mouth.
[in you i’ve found so many things
a love so new only you could bring
can’t you see if you,
you’ll make me feel this way
you’re like a first morning dew on a brand new day]
In charges the balancing malt sweetness, but still the vital crispness holds on allowing the alcohol to add nose to the beer. This is Elysium and Paradise together and we are sharing it with Bazza.
[i see so many ways that i can love you
till the day i die........
you’re my reality yet i’m lost in a dream
you’re the first my last my everything]
Back to reality, beer tasting is subjective, I will hold off giving perfect marks but by heck it got close.
motelpogo (4124), Plzen, Czech Republic
Oct 26, 2007 on cask at 3 judges, glasgow. golden with a faint haze and modest white head. promisingly prickly hop aroma, smooth texture, quite crisp with hints of ripe apple. slightly medicinal, minty character, pretty bitter, perhaps it wasn’t in optimum condition but still a good drop
Rastacouere (5409), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Oct 2, 2007 Cask at the 3 judges in Glasgow. Minimal haze obstructs the light golden hue. Flowery and kinda perfumey, rather funky hops with a wild side. Not too grainy in maltiness, but slightly nondescript, letting most of the place to the hops. Fresh flavoured, bright and pretty aromatic. Limited minerals despite the light salty touch. Mellow melon undertones introduce the sandy, evolving bitterness. Tannic upon the finish that is bready and long-lasting. Good indeed, if not my favourite golden ale.
Miksu (1301), Jyväskylä, Finland
Sep 17, 2007 Cask at Black Door, Helsinki. Golden color. Sweet, malty and honeyish aroma with citrusy hops. Firm citrusy and herbal hop flavor with sturdy bitterness. Some raisiny notes. Tastes a bit like hops mixed water, this beer is probably not at its best.
dnas2 (524), Yelverton, Devon., Devon, England
Sep 9, 2007 Cask gravity at Jersey BF 2007. Golden with a very short head. Citrus/flowery bouquet. Not particularly bitter or sweet, slightly malty with lime at the back. Simple, refreshing, good.
cgarvieuk (2547), Edinburgh, Scotland
Sep 2, 2007 Cask 3 Judges ... This took me by suprise as i wasnt that keen on the non extra variety... Light Gold ...Fruity hop nose ... light fruity the golden hop innot fond of but balanced well with some sweetness andsome fruity malt.
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