SilkTork (3794), Rochester, Kent, England Nov 23, 2003 Updated: May 27, 2007 Nov, 2003 Bottle Goddards is an Isle of Wight micro founded in 1993 by the head brewer of Burt’s, the island’s long established brewery which was shutting down, and a businessman interested in brewing. Quality standards are very high - this bottled beer is filtered not pasteurised, and has no added gas - but the brewery does not export to the mainland, so it’s either a ferry to the island, or picking up a rare bottle. This Fuggle Dee Dum is made, obviously, from Fuggles hops, which give it a fascinating sweaty leather aroma; and some roast barley to add a dark edge. This really does come across as the product of a brewer who had long fantasied about brewing quality beers while struggling with the slack malt and dodgy old hops of a brewery struggling with finances. Runner-up for Champion Beer of Britain in 1995. A rare example of a bitter in the bottle that almost tastes like the real deal. Splendid. [3.4]
May, 2007Bull, Ditchling Creamy, slight toffee flavour. Fruit emerges. Very nice. Had this after a stiff walk with friends along the South Downs in which we got caught in the rain. At the time Chrissie and I thought we’d be on the Isle of Wight at the end of the week, and this would be a good sampler of the local beers. But later that week she had a miscarriage, and we had to call the weekend off. Anyway - nice beer. [3.7]
harrisoni (4930), Ashford, Kent, England Apr 19, 2007 Cask gravity at Planet Thanet BF 2007. Hazy amber colour with no head. Plenty of English hops. Some fruity malt. Good fuggles hop throughout. Citrus and floral and aromatic. I rather like it, touch of ginger to the biscuity malt. Well made very English beer. Mes_and_Sim (3967), London, Greater London, England Apr 8, 2007 A Mes rate:
Gravicask @ Planet Thanet. Aroma is ok with a nice balance with some orange notes too. As for the rest I thought it was a let down. Lifeless and thin in the mouth and too much of an alcohol taste and no finesse at all. omhper (10145), Stockholm, Sweden Mar 27, 2007 Bottled. Clear amber, minimal head. Strong hay aroma. Sweetish with soft caramelly malt and lots of hay-like Fuggles hops. Feels rich for 4.8% - almost massive. Lots of malt balances the hop contents perfectly. Medium bitterness. Fin (2026), Merton, Oxfordshire, England Jun 24, 2006 Cask at Red Lion, Swanage, 20-06-06. Very decent bitter, dark brown appearance, malty and bitter with a hoppiness lingering. StueyD (590), King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Norfolk, England Mar 13, 2006 A dark golden beer with a light sparkle, but no head. Slightly fruity and spicy in the aroma. A malty bitterness with a hoppy aftertaste. (Bottle - Purchased from the Rosemary Vineyard on the island)
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