659: Backyard Brewhouse | Gold

The brewery: “….Since 2008 we have experimented with different combinations of hops and ingredients to find both traditional and new tasting ales…..Finest English malt is the base for all Backyard Brewhouse beers but it does not stop there. Combinations with hops such as New Age American, Old English, Slovenian and New Zealand as well as one or two other secret ingredients have helped make all our beers popular and distinctive…..We are determined to build on our previous successes; Winning national SIBA awards for Gold and Hoard. Regional SIBA and CAMRA awards for several of our beers as part of an ever growing awards cabinet, has helped us to secure a place as serious operators in the brewing community.”

The beer: “Golden bitter. Mosaic and Citra hops give an intense citrus, tropical experience.”

Another birthday gift, folks certainly know what to buy me which is lovely. A bit too citrusy for me if I’m honest but it’s a very welcome taste on a warm day nonetheless again, perhaps served a tad colder than usual. 4.5% A.B.V.

August 2020.

658: Hobsons | Old Henry

The brewery: “Founded in 1993 by the Davis family, over the past 26 years Hobsons have grown to become a leading brewer in Shropshire and one of the most sustainable breweries in the UK. The success of our brewery and its many awards has been down to a strong culture of supporting our region, its people and its resources.”

The beer: “A rich auburn ale with complex malty flavours and a richness balanced by the clean hoppy finish.  A signature brew for Henry Hobson that embodies the Hobsons art of brewing beyond their weight…..Old Henry is a premium British ale brewed with the finest local Maris Otter barley and Worcestershire hops - Goldings and Challenger.”

A birthday gift and a lovely drop, the sort of ale my palate craves. I was delighted to come across another Hobsons beer after a 4 year gap. 5.2% A.B.V.

August 2020. Related entries

657: Goffs Brewery | Jouster

The brewery: ”Goffs Brewery was born in the shadows of Sudeley Castle by Marcus and Alison Goff, both of whom have a passion for creating great tasting beers.  Marcus’ father, Master Brewer Brian Goff, created the first batch of Jouster in 1994 – a good honest all English hopped session bitter – which has twice been a finalist in CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival, as well as winning many other regional awards.”

The beer: “A drinkable, tawny coloured ale, with a light hoppiness in the aroma. It has a good balance of malt and bitterness in the mouth, underscored by fruitiness, with a clean, hoppy aftertaste.”

My second beer from Goffs and like the Black Knight it didn’t disappoint either. Well balanced and very drinkable. 4.0% A.B.V.

August 2020. Related entries

656: Goffs Brewery | Black Knight

The brewery: “Goffs Brewery was born in the shadows of Sudeley Castle by Marcus and Alison Goff, both of whom have a passion for creating great tasting beers.  Marcus’ father, Master Brewer Brian Goff, created the first batch of Jouster in 1994 – a good honest all English hopped session bitter – which has twice been a finalist in CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival, as well as winning many other regional awards.”

The beer: “A deep ruby red beer with powerful chocolate malt aromas and a hint of vanilla.  Brewed with Bramling Cross hops for a soft lingering fruity finish.  A classic porter.”

When in Rome etc, or in this case the Cotswolds as I was for a few weeks in the summer. Not a brewery I’d heard of but the imagery appealed and so did the beer. Hardly an ale to be drinking on a hit summers’ night but it went down well anyway. Tasty. 5.3% A.B.V.

August 2020. Related entries

655: Tower Brewery | Imperial

The  brewery: ”In 2001 helped by his family, John Mills established the Tower Brewery, continuing in the long tradition of brewing in Burton on Trent……Over a period of nine months and with a lot of hard work, John and his father Geoffrey converted the handsome water tower, in which the brewery is now based….Steeped in brewing history and known as Walsitch Maltings, the tower was built in the 1870s by Thomas Salt & Co Ltd., and later in 1927 owned by Burton brewers Bass & Co……With the conversion finished and the building returned to its former heritage, production began on 10th April 2001.”

The beer: “A premium IPA, light golden in colour with a rich fruity citrus flavour and floral hoppy aroma. Distinctive and deceptively quaffable”

Another beer, the style of which does not normally please my fussy palate but which went down quite well. A warm sunny day helped no doubt. Looking forward to trying some others from the range when the opportunity arises.

August 2020.

654: Chadlington | Oxford Blue

The brewery: “Known as The Oxford Beer, Chadlington Brewery is passionate about the art of brewing beer. We take our inspiration from the glorious Oxfordshire countryside to create great tasting beers that everyone can enjoy. Brewed using only natural ingredients including Oxfordshire spring water and the finest English hops and malt, we take our time to ensure each and every brew is the best it can be.”

The beer: “Oxford Blue is golden in colour, superbly balanced with a refreshingly clean and citrus finish.”

On one of the hottest days of the year this worked really well, imbibed whilst trying to avoid the late afternoon scorching sun on a campsite in the Cotswolds. Should have served it colder but the cool box was struggling in the heat. Still enjoyed it though. 4.2% A.B.V.

August 2020.

653: Teme Valley Brewery | Wotever next

The brewery: “The Teme Valley Brewery is a craft producer of cask and bottle-conditioned beers. Opened in 1997 to brew for The Talbot in Knightwick, Worcestershire (www.the-talbot.co.uk), the brewery has expanded and now sells directly to pubs and specialist off-licences across the West Midlands.”

The beer: “A strong, dark and bitter beer. The distinctive dry finish derives from chocolate malt, Pilgrim and Cascade hops. A long fermentation leaves little sweetness behind. A good counter balance to a sticky dessert.”

Another procured from a Co-Op near the Malverns - it’s great to see shops make the effort to stock local and regional brews. I wish my local Co-Op did. Anyway, this was more back to my usual and very tasty it was too. Unfiltered and unpasteurised so needed to be poured carefully. A nice drop even without the sticky dessert!

August 2020