The Ale Archive

What they say: “A rare IPA Bitter” Brewed in shared facilities behind the Prince of Wales in Green Tye, Hertfordshire, this was the last ale to pass my lips at the beer festival. Pleasant enough and very drinkable but not outstanding. My taste buds had taken a battering by more aggressively flavoured beers by this point so maybe my impression was a little skewed. Have tasted a lot worse though. 4.0% A.B.V The Chappel Beer Festival , Essex. September 2017.

What they say: “An easy drinking dark ale brewed from chocolate malt and Admiral hops to give a hint of orange.” Established in just 2016 and with only five employees but an impressive range of beers. Thankfully the orange was just a hint and not predominant. Looking forward to trying more from their range. 4.4% A.B.V The Chappel Beer Festival . September 2017.

What they say: “A malty ruby bitter with a delicate lemon aroma and fruity bittersweet finish” Available from July to September this certainly packed a fruity punch although by this time my taste buds were a bit er, weary so the effect may have been numbed somewhat. A nice pint but one to savour not slosh back I reckon. 4.8% A.B.V The Chappel Beer Festival , September 2017

What they say: “Starts as a pale IPA then black malt is added to change the colour but not the taste” Back to the black stuff at the beer festival was this seasonal offering from another Essex based brewery. Not as full on or rich as the other black ales and very much an IPA. Pleasant enough and a little lighter on the A.B.V. too. The Chappel Beer Festival , Essex. September 2018

What they say :”Houndingly good best bitter” Third up at the beer festival and I took a break from the black stuff for a great bitter from Elgoods. It was just full bodied enough to compete with the lingering flavours of the full on ales it followed. Would like to try it solo to really appreciate fully. Not on their website though so I guess it’s a seasonal. The Chappel Beer Festival, Essex. September 2017

What they say :”Multi award winning porter deliciously complex, roasted coffee And chocolate flavours with a hint of liquorice and sweet port finish.” Yep, another black’un. The idea was to only go for black beers – a plan which went a little awry later on, but this was only the second. Another powerhouse of flavours but perhaps just a tad too sweet for my fussy palate. Chappel Beer Festival , Essex. September 2017

What they say :”Dark, heavy, well hopped ale with grainy toffee taste and creamy head.” The first of a few at the Chappel Beer Festival held at the East Anglian Railway Museum in Essex at the end of the summer and I dived straight in with a pint before more sensibly opting for halves from then on. A great ale to start with, full on and very rich. Not one to slosh back but very enjoyable. The Chappel Beer Festival , Essex. September 2017