7.4

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

First off, this is not a stout. But hey, what do I know. Anyway, after a week all inclusive on a family holiday in Turkey I realise what is good beer. I worked out that I could drink a maximum of 3 of the local macro stuff before I couldn't face any more, but luckily they had Chivas Regal so i was OK. Back in the room. This is a proper dark bitter, rich, a bit of smokiness, rich depth of flavour. It's really good. Maybe i needed the holiday as a palate cleanser.

20/05/2011. ROYAL OAK, 89 Oak Hill, WOOD STREET VILLAGE, Surrey, England

6.1

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask at the Guildford arms. Pours deep amber, nose is grass, toffee, caramel, taste is similar, quite bitter.

5.4

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

Bottle @ Cobbetts, Dorking. Clear dark brown with an off-white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, caramel, baking yeast and a little dark fruit. Flavor is medium sweet and light bitter. Dry and light bitter finish. 140218

6.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Drink in bottle @ Cobbetts, Dorking. Nice head with good duration. Color is dark brown. Aroma and taste are caramel, toasted malt, little nuts snd hops. Sweet finish.

6.9

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle from Beers of Europe. Poured mid brown with an average sized pale beige head. Aroma of roasted malt, nut, caramel, chocolate and bread. Medium sweetness, quite heavy bitterness. Medium to full body, oily texture, soft carbonation. Finish is roasted and chocolate.

5.6

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 3 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask at Prince of Wales, Farnborough. 12/08/16. Nil aroma - picking up something sweet but may be my imagination. Dark brown - treacle toffee. Light head, but it’s just a whisp. Light bodied. Flat. Medium sweet, with the slightest bitterness. Malty. Not bad, just a bit bland. Not convinced it’s a stout.

6.2

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

500 ml bottle as Downtown Dark Delight, extra strong bitter. Clear, deep bronze golden-brown body with an average sized off-white head. Aroma is malt, caramel, toast, biscuit and some dry fruit. Flavor is medium sweet, dark, mild roasted malt, toast, caramel, dry fruit and moderate in aftertaste. Quite balanced body and average aftertaste. Decent version of a British strong bitter, not more nor less.

5.4

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

KØLF 090115. Dark brown colour with a beige head. Flavour is roasted malt, hop, caramel, bread. Medium body. Ordinary beer.