Greene King Abbot Ale (Cask)

Brewed by Greene King
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Bury St. Edmunds, England

Serve in English pint

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UPDATED: FEB 18, 2007 Greene King are not the most loved of Britain’s brewers due to their aggressive policy of buying up other brewers and asset stripping for the most profitable brands and pubs. Yet, as far as brewing beer is concerned, they are a decent enough company, taking care to brew to reasonably high standards. The quality of the ingredients can be clearly tasted. But what does lack in Abbot - a beer that Greene King have brewed since the 1950’s - is a distinctive feature or character that encourages enthusiastic praise. It’s a malty brew as is appropriate for a beer termed an Ale - though it does have enough hops to provide bite and balance. The malts are toffee sweet with gently tangy fruit flavours. It is in the sum of the parts, and the embracing harmony and warmth, that this beer really shines. There is something slow and radiant here - something like a lazy Sunday - that seduces and relaxes. And the Sunday feel is appropriate given that the beer is brewed for seven days so that is always "blessed by the Sabbath" as the brewery says. Abbot Ale - heavenly!

Aug, 2002 <a href=http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/10/107 Eagle, Rochester. Superbly well kept. A heavenly beer. [3.8]
Dec, 2002 <a href=http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/25/258 Bell, Blue Bell Hill. This is A Greene King pub, and CAMRA recommended, so it’s a little disappointing that the beer is not in prime condition. [2.6]
June, 2003. <a href=http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/28/287 Head, Rochester. Excellent condition. Fruity with a lovely hoppy dance which is clean and citric. [3.8]
Dec, 2003 <a href=http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/show.sht Hope & Anchor, Islington. Smooth and pleasant. [3.6]
Aug, 2006 <a href=http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/16/164 A Thought It, Rochester. Gentle, full, fruity, touches of toffee. A very pleasant and enjoyable pint. Not great. Not wow. But damn nice. [3.4]
Feb, 2007London Pub, Russell Square Gentle brown sugar, toffee and fruit. A little rub of tanginess in the finish. Very pleasant. [3.5]

Sweet malty aroma. Has a very rich fruity, sweet taste. Very full on malt flavour.

Cask by handpump at Prestwick Pioneer, Prestwick - clear rustic brown ale, thin off-white head, mild roasted malt aroma, pine, nutty malt and caramel flavour, sweetish

Full pint, from cask @Wetherspoon, Stansted Airport. Pours a near-clear pure amber body, topped by a layer of blond fisheyes. Inviting fruity caramel nose. Softly carbonated, and supersmooth in the mouth. Light peppery caramel flavor. Notes of nuts and jammy fruits. Spicy/earthy bitterness underneath. A moreish and well-conditioned Bitter.

Drought at justice mill. Relatively clear, slight amber hue. Caramel and light malty. Slightly malty with caramel flavors. Just a hint of bitterness, but finish is definetly sweet. Low carb

Just crap. Give me a John Smith’s nitro or Tennents lager instead. Why JDW promote this I don’t know. Really that poor.

Unremarkable. Everything about Abbot is fine, just not particularly notable. A bitter taste but not really noteworthy in any other sense, keeps a nice head and is drinkable enough if you just wanted a fairly standard bitter.

good palate, with amber color and nice head. Butter, caramel, bread with minimal hops and poor flavor.

Half at Fleur de lyes. Amber pour with a creamy tan head. Caramel and malt in the aroma. Bitter malty flavor also with caramel.

#1421 draught; Nose Is weak peach, sweet tobacco note, broad red berries, later decent bittersweet malt, feel is mediumwatery, taste Is decent red berries, little gum, some iron, later medium, sweet malt

Heavy textured ale, but just about palatable. Mild bitterness, no flavours.