Cask at ’Spoons, Milton Keynes, in ’Spoons Real Ale Festival, at which there will be few better beers. Very dark brown with a trace of off white head that suggested saliva. Roast malt aroma. Taste is burnt, ashy and cindery, like a grate where cheap anthracite has been burning. Bitter, ugly and good.

As black as coal, Big dry earthyness like going face down in a compost heap. Dark, dry roast malt. Saty, satisfying, berry fruits. I’d really like to try a bottled version now.

Hand pulled at JDW St.Albans. Perfect condition with healthy head. Bitter chocolatey taste. Very moreish. (I had 3 pints).

<i>Cask, gravity dispense, at the Back of Beyond &#40;JDW&#41;, Reading.</i> Dull black with a ring of transparent head, rather like a pint of coke; fruity aroma; in the mouth it’s oily, with fruit, licorice and aniseed; the finish is long and bitter with a touch of coffee.

Cask, The Highcross, Leicester. Black with a beige head. Aromas are very earthy and roasty with chocolate and liquorice. Smooth malts with peppery hops. Flavours are dry coffee with earthy notes. Some peat and dark chocolate. Has a spritzy and yeasty sparkle. Smooth on the palate but not as oily as I remember the bottled version being. Still good.