Bottled bland, boring beer. Another dismal failure from Wychwood (and Charlie Battenberg, the ’brains’ behind Duchy in the first place). Insipid taste, even when you mix in the yeast. Virtually no aroma and a thin body means there’s nothing to get a hold of here. Avoid like the plague, and sod the monarchy.

2008 Bottle - Pours amber with a rather large head, aroma is of light malt and wet grass, flavour is bitter without being hoppy, finishes slightly caustic in the back of my mouth, not my favourite...

[500ml bottle, gift from wife] Colour veering towards mid-brown - darker than one would expect for the style of ale. Good and lasting creamy head. Sweet, fresh, delicious aroma. Taste initially sweet and malty, and very smooth. The middle of the bottle went very sour for a few mouthfuls - quite a strange interlude - before the sweetness returned towards the end of the bottle - it was only at this point that the elderflower suddenly came through. Left a pleasantly light, fresh, hoppy aftertaste. This went down very easily, and would make a nice summer ale. A good effort from Charley boy (or at least from Wychwood Brewery, who have contract-brewed this beer for him) but it was somehow a little too light. If you’re looking for a similar organic ale with just a little more kick than this, try Shepherd Neame’s Whitstable Bay. However, I will definitely look forward to other beers from our monarch-in-waiting!

Bottle. Pours a dark golden colour with thick white head. Plenty of fruit in the nose, with a bitter sweet taste, with a sour finish. Not sure if I liked this or not.

Dark orange color with no head. Dusty aroma, very earthy. Tastes little like wet cardboard. Some orange from the hops.