Greene King Ale Fresco (Cask)

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

Serve in English pint

Cask conditioned at The Garrick, Stratford upon Avon, rebadged for the pub. Amber with no head. Cold stewed tea right from the start with a metallic and perfumed edge. Not particularly pleasant.

On tap. Interesting - there is almost zero carbonation. Nice subtle flavors, pine, wood. Decent.

Pint at the Old Manor in Bracknell, guest beer. Amber brown with a short-lived but smooth head. Tastes hoppy, mild, slightly bitter and lightly spiced, pretty good on the palate. Weak aroma, but light and fruity. Pretty smooth and enjoyable.

The Baron. Slick clean gold with a fine, draping collar. Light citrus-hinting aroma suggesting tangerine and red apple; hints of peach and cardamom as it warms. Soft and delicately soapy with tangerine streaks, earthy apple peel, perfume (cardamom again) and a mushy, left over corn-based cereal finish. Seriously soured and mineral- accented on the second pint, with none of the citrus and perfuminess showing. But fair dos, at least GK are having a go at clambering on the bandwagon and brewing something half-arsedly contemporary aficionados like us might actually want to drink. The result is predictably pissy, corny and anodyne. But at least they’re having a go.

Cask, The Pump House, Liverpool, UK. Pale golden, effervescent lime aroma. Mild flavour, bright citrus with some clove on the finish.

Cask. The Lansdowne, Leicester. Thin white head, gold body. Fruit, yeast. Bitter. Dry finish.

Cask @ Montagu Pyke, JDW. Pours a clear golden amber, with a small off white head. Dominated by mandarin, orange, peach, toffee, caramel, lemon and a slightly floral kick in the aroma. Quite nice.

Cask Handpump at the Brunswick Hotel, Crewe 29/05/2011 Fruity aroma. Golden coloured fruity and a little pale with a hint of bitterness in a dry malt finish.