The Ale Archive

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: “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 “ 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: 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