RCH Ale Mary

Brewed by RCH
Style: English Strong Ale
Weston-super-Mare, England

Serve in English pint, Trappist glass

Chocolatey on the first sip, following a slightly sweet, slightly banana-ey nose. Ultimately it’s a pretty standard ale that may be benefiting a touch from the tendency for higher alcohol beers to achieve higher ratings in my view.

Thick rich white head that lasts for quite some time in the glass, and leaves a nice lacing. Very warming with touches of citrus and some mild bitter hoppines also. Finishes dry and the hints of cloves finishes off on the palate, good winter ale, but also would be good to drink in early spring. This could also take place of a port for a good after dinner drink.

UPDATED: APR 13, 2007 Bottle (500ml). Poured slightly hazy amber with a large lasting creamy-foamy white head. Incredibly funky aroma - I detect ginger, cloves, coriander, plenty of pungent UK hops, sweet malt, yeast. The taste is even more pungently spicy, the coriander and nutmeg are very strong, but this has a solid ESB backbone with some fruitiness and yeast - and I like it. Mouthfeel is astringent, creamy and lively - really nice stuff.

Bottle Conditioned, 500ml. Blood orange colou with lasting and heavy head. Substantial spicy aroma right from the off and initially a very spicy brew, cloves and ginger to the fore. But it does settle downto a pleasant sipping beer, Christmas Ale in character. Fortunately I had plenty of time to drink this because is not one for rushing through. Decent alcohol on the finish. Enjoyable.

The bottle poured a clear reddish amber beverage with an average sized creamy off-white head that lasted throughout the tasting and left beautiful lacing on the glass. The aroma was quite complex. My first impression was that of 12-year old scotch. The grains were represented by a light background of caramel and chocolate, the hops, by the light presence of flowers and herbs. There were notes of spices such as pepper, coriander and cinnamon represented as well. Wow, this was a real nose banquet. The body was medium-full with lively carbonation and a creamy texture. There was a moderate alcohol warmth in the finish. The flavor started off lightly sweet with all the spiciness mentioned in the aroma plus a slight oak wood cask edge and tawny port presence. The finish flavor was moderately bitter and long lasting.

Very thin head lacing around the glass. Burnt orange hue. Flavors are welcoming, spicy, sweet but not cloying. Full-bodied and yet a wee bit thin on the palate. Definite coriander and cloves. The ginger is down there somewhere too and comes through more potently as part of the finish. Reminds me of a winterized version of a summer ale.

Ginger Coloring with White Frothy Head. Spicy/Hot Aroma. Fruity, Cherry, Hops and Ginger. Watery Aftertaste.

Bottle. Red. A reasonable strong ale, fruity and with some restrained spice making it appropriate for the season. There is also a touch of sourness, possibly slightly infected. Acceptable but I couldn’t finish it.