Nifty that Chris at Redbones was able to get this (and yes, I did confirm that this was not just a nitro/low-C02 keg, but an actual cask). Drunk on 11/28/06 (less than 6 hours from being tapped)<br />Couldnt ask for much more from the appearance. I suppose, when a British cask ale is done correctly, ie "Bright", and has a perfectly retained head that provides full lacing, it’s difficult to give it a poor score, as it is technically perfect. The rest would be adjusting it based on subjective color preference, methinks, which I don’t do. So a 5 it is. Anyways, the head is white/off-white and the body is a very deep, heavily burnished brass with light peach and copper tints. Perfectly clear with light bubbles rising sporadically.<br />Touches of diacetyl grace a lightly biscuit-like pale maltiness, that provides some dough, wet straw/hay and watered down buttermilk, I suppose. Hops only seem to provide bitterness, adding a dusty, pepperiness probably indicating EKGs or Saaz. Light ester fruitiness in the nose, but I thought it was muted by the creamy/doughy maltiness. Though I shouldnt imply that the nose was too sweet; it was actually quite dry and attenuated. Medium to medium-low strength overall, no flaws (mild diacetyl is hardly offensive).<br />Very creamy in the mouth, with light plant-like notes from the leafy, dry, dusty hops that give way to a light poundcake sweetness. A touch of hay-like graininess (or perhaps hop bitterness) perks up towards the end and delivers a refreshing enough finish. Not much flavor lingering on, a touch of sourness/mineral-like notes. Sweetness does not build up, nor does the beer seem overly dried out, nor terribly undermalted. Interesting in its extreme plainness. Fully inoffensive. I don’t know what I thought as I drank it, other than to think that it was quite quenching and gone rather quickly.

<b>Augest, 2006</b><i>The Kestrel, Lordswood. </i>Tasty. A good malty beer. Lacks the sweetness, depth, character and strength of the old Hen, but is a drinkable best bitter in its own right. OK. [3.0]<br /> <b>May, 2007</b><i>The Eagle, Cambridge</i> Sweet, smooth, and with a twig of character. Nice. I’ve had this many times since last August (The Kestrel being the only pub where I work), and I do acknowledge that it is a tasty drop. [3.8]

<i> Cask at Standing Order, Edinburgh. </i> Amber colour. Sweetish aroma with good fruitiness and hops backing up. Bit sugary in flavour, but I can take it as long as fresh hops are used. Bit nutty, toffeish with low bitterness.

Cask (handpump) at The Colonies, Westminster. I don’t often go out of my way to drink Greene King beers. In fact I generally try to avoid them. But I always felt that Old Speckled hen was the best beer in the Greene King portfolio and wanted to try the new weaker version to see how badly GK had managed to cock it up. In fact, the beer has enough character to remain tasty and enjoyable despite the emasculation. The ripe, full, deep malt is still there. And the nutty backdrop. There’s still a robust, spicy hop presence to cut through, giving rise to a bittersweet feel. I distinctly picked up aniseed or licorice in the flavour. And it still has an attractive deep burnished bronze appearance. Maybe a touch less depth than the old version but its rather hard to tell without being able to compare them side by side. So, overall, still a pretty decent drop.

1. Cask Handpump at the Tun ’n’ Shive, Doncaster 19/09/2006 Fruity aroma. Amber mid brown coloured with some fruit flavour and alcohol present. A little bitterness and dryness in a crisp and lasting malt finish. 2. Cask Handpump at the Old School House, Aberdeen 15/12/2006 Thick white head. Hop aroma. Copper amber coloured with some alcohol present. Fruit flavoured. Crisp and bitter full malt finish.