First brewed in 1958 there has been much confusion around the legendary ale’s name ever since.
Does it stand for Special Ale? Or Samuel Arthur? Or is it Skull Attack? And to be honest its true meaning is so lost in myth and mystery that we aren’t quite sure anymore.
Back in the day, SA was seen as a much stronger alternative to the other brews on offer which gave it a certain reputation, yet despite its full flavour, it’s surprisingly session-able!
Over time SA has become the toast of the Welsh nation. Our renowned premium bitter ale is copper coloured and has a nutty richness derived from Pale and Crystal malts and three hops; Challenger, Goldings and Fuggles.
Does it stand for Special Ale? Or Samuel Arthur? Or is it Skull Attack? And to be honest its true meaning is so lost in myth and mystery that we aren’t quite sure anymore.
Back in the day, SA was seen as a much stronger alternative to the other brews on offer which gave it a certain reputation, yet despite its full flavour, it’s surprisingly session-able!
Over time SA has become the toast of the Welsh nation. Our renowned premium bitter ale is copper coloured and has a nutty richness derived from Pale and Crystal malts and three hops; Challenger, Goldings and Fuggles.
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6.2/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 8
Overall 6
Cask at DoW. Medium golden with a tight, creamy head. Light, sweet malty aroma. Taste becomes more white bread, light malty notes. The cask body saves it though, smooth and silky.
Tried
from Cask
on 10 Nov 2019
at 15:24
4.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 4
Flavor 4
Texture 6
Overall 3.5
From cask at Crosse Keys, London, 24.08.19. Translucent golden amber. Slighty sour and oxidized aroma and taste, with some grass, sorrel and malt. Sourness and some bitterness is lingering on.
Tried
from Cask
on 24 Aug 2019
at 14:48
6.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
11 Feb 19. Mørk gyldenbrun. Lavt tett skum. Nøttearoma. Smaken tørket aprikos. Søt tørr avslutning.
Tried
on 15 Feb 2019
at 21:41
7.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Hand-pulled cask pint on 13th Nov 2018; The White Ball, a Wetherspoons in Tiverton, Devon. Golden amber body, creamy head in colour and texture, decent lacy too. Malty lead in both the aroma and taste, light sweetness throughout on a fruity hop base. Had this many times, but somehow it's never been rated by me before. I like it.
Tried
from Cask
on 16 Nov 2018
at 20:31
6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Cask at Ashbridge Inn, Cwnbran. Amber colour, white foam head leaving lacing and fruity malty aroma. Taste is sweetish, malt, fruity, floral hop with earthy bitterness. Light to medium bodied, soft carbonation, dry bitter finish. Quite OK.
Tried
from Cask
on 26 May 2018
at 17:39
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Cask at the Hope and Champion, Beaconsfield. Poured a crystal clear medium amber with a long lasting frothy white head. The aroma is sweet malt woofy hop. The flavour is moderate bitter with a smooth fresh malty fruit woofy hop bitter palate and a lingering bitter finish. Medium to light bodied with soft carbonation.
Tried
from Cask
on 17 May 2017
at 13:34
6.5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Pours a clear amber with a small creamy off white head. Sweet malty caramel aroma with a little nuttiness. Some lacing, a sweet malt and caramel flavour with a mellow bitter finish.
Tried
on 25 Jun 2016
at 13:46
6.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Cask at the Prince of Wales in Cardifff. Pours amber with a creamy beige head. Light fruit aroma. Near med body. Flavor is sllightly roast malt, light fruit, ligher spice. Tasty ale.
Tried
from Cask
on 29 Sep 2015
at 12:53
5.9/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 10
Overall 5.5
Cask @ Sir Titus Salt, Bradford. Copper with a small head. Smooth tasting bitter with a very light maltiness that includes some biscuit.
Tried
from Cask
on 17 Sep 2015
at 04:16
5.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Appearance: Hazy nutty color with a fine off white head. Ok lacing.
Aroma: Mild fruity and a bit bready.
Palate: Medium body. Slightly sweet and a moderate bitterness. Soft carbonation.
Taste: Some toffee, bready and mild fruity.
Overall impression: Decent ok session ale.
Personal stats: Handpull at Hamilton Hall (JDW) Liverpool Street Station in Bishopsgate/London, England
Aroma: Mild fruity and a bit bready.
Palate: Medium body. Slightly sweet and a moderate bitterness. Soft carbonation.
Taste: Some toffee, bready and mild fruity.
Overall impression: Decent ok session ale.
Personal stats: Handpull at Hamilton Hall (JDW) Liverpool Street Station in Bishopsgate/London, England
Tried
on 29 Aug 2015
at 01:22