Name: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ABV: 5.6 Bottled/ Draft: Bottled, bottle conditioned Price: £1.29 from Aldi Colour: Amber, a little clouded from the yeast Head: Fine, lingering head Mouthfeel: Rich, full body and flavour Taste: Strongly bitter, with the kind of “strong” flavour that I normally associate with very strong beers. Comment: America is not… Read more »

Name: Batemans Summer Swallow ABV: 4.2% Bottled/ Draft: Bottled, not conditioned Price: £1.29 from Aldi Colour: Classic amber beer Head: Big bubbles, *very* short lived Mouthfeel: Once the fizziness has bubbled off, pleasant. Taste: Surprisingly deep maltiness for the colour; positively sweet tasting. Light, well balanced hops. Comment: “One Swallow does make a summer” says… Read more »

Name: Young’s Luxury Double Chocolate Stout ABV: 5.2% Bottled/ Draft: Bottled, not conditioned. Colour: Pitch black Head: Fine bubbles, lingering deep brown head Mouthfeel: Fine bubbles remain in the mouth, giving an almost creamy texture. Taste: Slight bitterness, but more from the deep roasted malt than hops. Comment: In both taste and smell, this beer… Read more »

Name: Coniston Old Man Ale ABV: 4.2% Bottled/ Draft: Both! Colour: Deep gold, almost ruby – draft a little darker Head on draft: Utterly flatHead in bottle: Slightly over fizzy but short-lived Mouthfeel on draft: Positively wateryMouthfeel in bottle: Pleasantly firm body Draft Taste: A hoppy nose yields a pleasantly hoppy start, with some good… Read more »