4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
Multiple cask half-pints/pints at NERAX on 5/4 and 5/5/07
What a beer! This was definitely high on the list of most samples I had of a beer at the fest.
Great appearance. Perfectly bright, with a rich, white head that leaves good lace and sits atop a dark bronze body.
Lovely, clear, fresh, highly aromatic hoppy nose is not the typical tangerine, nectarine, lemon, but rather a much more deep, green, lush hoppiness with light resins and some sweet grapefruit. Very fragrant, with lightly sweet caramel malts in the background and just a wonderful balance overall. A slight touch of earthy, mineral-laden yeast is enjoyable as well. Absolutely flawless, with no alcohol noted.
As hoppy as the nose is, the malt is foremost present in the flavor. Dry, not overly so, but with a creamy, soft texture that belies the good attenuation. Hops are not as overly flavorful as the aroma is aromatic, but still provide plenty of leafy, brisk flavors (resin, grapefuit) and lots of bitterness on the end. Similar to the Fullers beers, the malt had a very polished, almost woody flavor to it, with very light biscuit notes. Some esters on the end as well. Perfectly engaging, tight carbonation leading to a very drinkable texture. Flawless.
2.5 AROMA 4/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 10/20
Bottle. A amber beer with a white head. Aroma is malty, apples and grass, the taste is malty, apples and hops. Medium body with a bitter dry finish.
2.5 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 9/20
Bottle.
Hazy golden coloured with a white head.
Fruity aroma with notes of hops.
Fruity flavour of hops.
Boring.
3 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 11/20
Cask conditioned at the Bag O’ Nails, Bristol. A hazy, copper coloured beer with a foamy white head. Aroma was of floral hops. Flavours were more subdued, with a bit of citric hops and some residual sweetness. Palate was a touch watery. Not my favourite session beer.
3.3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
500 ml bottle. Golden/copper color. Lovely, big, frothy/creamy white head. Malt, hops, apple/fruit, nice bitterness. Refreshing - perfect for hot summer days.
3.3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Bottle from Party Town, KY. Poured hazy golden color with an average frothy white head that lasted with good lacing. Moderate tart citrus hoppy aroma. Medium body with a soft carbonation. Medium bitter flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration. Solid drinkable beer.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Cask conditioned - handpump - Malt Shovel Northampton. A copper coloured beer. The aroma has a pleasant balance of hopand malt together with a touch of caramel or toffee sweetness. The taste has all these attributes and the sum of its parts is a very good balanced English bitter.
3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 10/20
Cask. Aroma of flowers, maybe some tobacco? Bright orange colour with a small white head. Taste bitter, quite nice but nothing special. Short finish.
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