The Ale Archive

Another extremely local ale from the shed in the bottom of the garden of the pub. Not my favourite type of ale as regulars will know but in the interests of research I indulged. Pale – obviously and quite hoppy. 4 % A.B.V The Twelve Bells Cirencester, Gloucestershire. July 2016

What they say: “…..a medium smooth malt brown bitter…brewed using Maris Otter and Crystal malt, torrified wheat with Target, Golding’s and Brambling Cross whole hop flowers” Well, you couldn’t get much more local than this. In a pub in Cirencester drinking a beer not only brewed in Cirencester, but just a few meters away at the end of the pub garden. A good honest pint and I really enjoyed this. 3.8% A.B.V. The Twelve Bells , Cirencester, Gloucestershire. July 2016

What they say: “Originally brewed as a special in 2003 to celebrate the 80th birthday of Peter Arkell OBE, father of the present Chairman James. The name moonlight portrays Peter's missions flying low-level sorties over France in 1943, picking up agents in occupied territory using the moon to land. The label on the bottle has a Lysander plane on it, which Peter Arkell actually flew in. Now a regular beer, Moonlight has a golden auburn colour with a warm toasty aroma and distinctive citrus hoppy flavour from Celeia hops.” Another Arkell’s Ale and perhaps more enjoyable than the 3B and slightly stronger at 4.5& A.B.V. Again, a slight twang but it didn’t put me off at all. The Thames Head Inn , Cirencester, Gloucestershire. July 2016.

What they say: “Originally known as Arkell’s Best Bitter Beer. First brewed in 1910 and affectionately known as BBB or 3B by customers ever since. A copper coloured Ale with a pleasant fruity and malty nose. It has a lingering bittersweet flavour of balanced Maris Otter malt and traditional Fuggles and Golding hops.” If memory serves this was my first beer from Arkell’s and I quite liked it, although a couple of friends on Facebook clearly didn’t. A bit of a twang but the combination of hops and malt pleased my palate. 4.0% A.B.V The Thames Head Inn , Cirencester, Gloucestershire. July 2016.

What they say: “A surprisingly light stout with the aroma of coffee and malt it also has rich liquorish flavours. Good match with most meat dishes but almost a meal in itself!……Nose: A coffee and malt aroma. Palate: Rich liquorish and coffee flavours with a bittersweet finish.” The last of my quartet of beers from Hunters had a lot to live up to but again, did not disappoint.  It didn’t taste at all heavy but packed a serious punch coming in at 6% A.B.V. July 2016.

What they say: “ First brewed to commemorate the Queens Diamond Jubilee it has become Hunter’s most award winning ale. A beer fit for a king (or queen) with the aroma of caramel, toffee and fruit citrus…….. Royal Hunt is a full bodied, spicy and morrish ale, enjoy with a traditional English Ploughman’s lunch……. Nose: A sweet bouquet of caramel, toffee and fruit citrus. Palate: Full bodied, spicy and moreish” Oh, this was nice. really nice. A wonderful melange of flavours made this very drinkable indeed but at 5.5% A.B.V it needs treating with respect or else you’ll be reaching for the painkillers! July 2016

What they say: “A good all year round pint but especially perfect in the summer.  With the aroma of orange and flowery hops this is a zesty, refreshing well balance ale…..Triple hopped using typical English Goldings with a late addition of Citra a perfect pint on a summers afternoon with the BBQ sizzling…..Nose: Aroma of orange and fresh Goldings. Palate: Zesty, refreshing and well balanced” A tad too fruity for me normally, but sitting outside – with the sun actually shining – this went down rather well. Another great ale. 4.1% A.B.V. July 2016