The Ale Archive

What they say: “A cornerstone of our range of real ales, this chestnut-coloured wonder is a mouthwatering example of a cask-conditioned bitter.Brewed using Maris Otter and Crystal malts together with locally grown Target and Goldings hops, Wye Valley Bitter has a delicate hoppy aroma leading on to a full malty flavour and ending in a crisp, clean bitter finish.” A straightforward name for a straightforward beer, but that’s no bad thing in my book when it seems so many are trying create something unique that ends up smelling like a vase of flowers. A good honest pint of bitter. It was lovely – and the right strength to have a few without reaching for the paracetamol in the morning. 3.7& A.B.V The Twelve Bells , Cirencester, Gloucestershire. July 2016

What they say: “The Half Bore has an aroma of malt and barley sugar made with Devon honey to produce a smooth and sweet taste that will leave you wanting more…….Nose: Fruity smell, with aroma of malt and barley sugars. Palate: Smooth, sweet and moreish malt flavours with a floral finish.” My first local brew whilst staying in Devon – in a bottle anyway – did not disappoint. Full of flavour but still easy drinking 4.0% A.B.V. July 2016.

  What they say: “ Crafted from British hops, Maris Otter barley and Cornish spring water, Cornish Best is an easy-drinking, traditional, well balanced bitter with wide appeal. Cornish Best is brewed from the heart of Cornwall but with a flavour that appeals further afield. For its strength it drinks much fuller with plenty of toffee and biscuit flavours complemented with a hint of bitterness on the finish. A very nice well balanced beer.” Our first stop on our summer jaunt is in North Devon just up from Woolacombe but our first taste was from over the border in Cornwall and it didn’t disappoint. In a word, delicious. It was everything I like in a beer, it’s flavour belying it’s strength and at less than three quid a pint, a bargain. The Chichester Arms, Mortehoe, Devon. July 2016

What they say: “Double Dragon has an ABV of 4.2%. It is a full drinking, premium Welsh Ale, which is malty and subtly hopped. Double Dragon has a rich colour and smooth balanced character. This deep copper red ale has a tangy red fruit flavour with nutty, toffee overtones.” The first canned beer outside of the USA apparently and I got to sample the tinned version a couple of years ago when we were staying on a campsite in south Wales and a fellow caravanner who lives just up the road kindly deposited some at reception for us.  This bottled version also came courtesy of another caravanner who we met up on site recently thanks to a foray into Aldi who are now stocking it. It reminded me of some of the lovely Irish reds we got to sample a couple of years ago - very drinkable and one I’d happily ‘sample’ again. May 2016

What they say? Well, nothing. This doesn't appear on the brewery’s website so presumably it’s a seasonal or special. Anyway, ever reliable the good folks at www.perfectpint.co.uk say this: “A clear, golden-coloured wheat beer brewed with continental yeast. Initial hop bitterness with hints of melon, grapefruit and pear gives way to a soft, dry finish. Saaz hops add a wonderful herbal spice aroma” The latest to guest at our local The Rottingdean Club and the last before we headed off in the caravan for our Easter break. To be honest, had I actually read the pump clip and noted that it was a blonde wheat beer I probably wouldn’t have tried it. A bit too fruity for me but otherwise ok. 4.7% A.B.V. The Rottingdean Club, East Sussex. March 2016

What they say “ A well-hopped and well balanced refreshing amber session beer. Triple hopped with Brewers Gold gives light citrus notes and a fresh clean finish. The one beer to have when you’re having more than one.” Those who noticed the word citrus will guess correctly that this wasn’t one of my favourites. A good session beer but not ‘bitter’ enough for me and a bit too fruity. 3.8% A.B.V.   The Postal Order , Crystal Palace. February 2016

What they say “ A distinguished best bitter with warm malt flavours and a clean bitter finish.Brewed using the highest quality Pale ale, Maris Otter, Wheat, Crystal and Roasted malts and hopped with a blend of Challenger, Goldings and East Kent Goldings whole hops.” Another excellent guest at one of our favourite watering holes in Crystal Palace. Best Bitter is my choice of ale and this was delicious. Nothing fancy, just a mighty tasty pint, served at the right temperature and in excellent condition.   The Grape & Grain , Crystal Palace. February 2016

What they say: “Sherbet nose with a hint of liquorice and grapefruit.” The first new ale I got to try after my six week holiday from ‘researching’ was in Wetherspoon’s in Crystal Palace, South London, who always have a great and changing range of ales. This seasonal offering was from Somerset based brewer Cotleigh - another new one for me. Didn’t take to this but regulars reading the above description will not be surprised - it’s just not my thing. They do a wide choice of ales though and I look forward to trying some of their other offerings. The Postal Order , Crystal Palace. February 2016

What they say: “The aroma is toffee malt and fresh green hops with a full body and lingering bitter finish” I was so pleased to come across this on or first ‘research’ expedition whilst staying in Ramsgate. I’d already tried the bottled version back in March and that was lovely – read my entry HERE . I wasnt disappaointed in the cask version either, it was as I remembered it – very tasty indeed. At 4.5% A.B.V it was full of flavour but not one to be taken too lightly. Sir Stanley Gray, Ramsgate, Kent. December 2015

What they say: A tawny-coloured classic best beer with well-balanced malt flavours, finished with a hint of blackcurrant and a slightly spicy, sweet aroma. One of my last tastes of ‘proper beer’ before we headed off to France - which is where this blog is coming from. Nice but a little on the sweet side for me. I went back to the ever excellent Harvey’s Sussex Best for the second pint. Not bad though but at 4.5% A.B.V a bit on the strong side for a session beer - for me anyway. From just over the border in West Sussex, so it didn’t have to travel far. The Rottingdean Club, East Sussex. June 2015

What they say: The definitive English Bitter. This fine golden-coloured beer has a full flavour that lingers pleasantly on the palate. With good bitter sweet balance, this beer has a subtle hop character described as citrus and spicy. It’s a refreshing and very satisfying pint – noted for the aroma of its Fuggle hops and the dry hopping of Bramling Cross to add to its characteristic Theakston aroma Yes, a great Best Bitter but I did find it a little too gassy, even though it was hand pulled. Apart from that - great stuff. 4.0% A.B.V. The White House , Whitby, North Yorkshire. March 2015