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.
Sign up to add a tick or review
5.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Cask @ William Morgan, Prestatyn [090615]
Amber, clear, thin dense white head
Aroma of soft caramel, dab of sweet toffee
Taste of soft caramel, light soft twiggy hops, hint of toffee, soft bitter grain, clean, simple, not awful but muted flavour
Palate - Medium light body, quite smooth, malts a bit creamy. Finish of light bitter twiggy hops, soft toffee.
Overall - Simple fare, as expected tbh. OK drinking. Plain session stuff.
Amber, clear, thin dense white head
Aroma of soft caramel, dab of sweet toffee
Taste of soft caramel, light soft twiggy hops, hint of toffee, soft bitter grain, clean, simple, not awful but muted flavour
Palate - Medium light body, quite smooth, malts a bit creamy. Finish of light bitter twiggy hops, soft toffee.
Overall - Simple fare, as expected tbh. OK drinking. Plain session stuff.
Tried
from Cask
on 15 Jun 2015
at 10:10
6.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Cask half pint at the Prince of Wales, Cardiff. Deep golden to copper colour, moderate head, slightly off-white. Nice lacing. Moderate aroma, malty and nutty notes. Smooth mouthfeel and flavour, moderately malty, not sweet, a slight fruitiness. Easy drinking, but not exciting.
Tried
from Cask
on 11 Apr 2015
at 10:00
5.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 3
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Pint on tap. Slight malt nose. Clear still beer,small solid white head. Good body, excellent malt taste. Ending has a bit of bitterness, but really all malt. Good session ale.
Tried
from Draft
on 05 Apr 2015
at 16:39
6.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Cask. Creamy White good mostly lasting head. Dark yellow colour. Moderate malty and light hoppy aroma. Light bitter flavor. Sttange fruity notes. Average light bitter finish. Oily palate.
Tried
from Cask
on 31 Mar 2015
at 09:58
5.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 4.5
Cask @ Cockney. Clear dark amber with small creamy tan head. Aroma is malt, caramel, toasted, hop and a little dark fruit. Flavour is malt, caramel, biscuit, little dark fruit, toasted, notes of butter, medium sweet, little bitter and notes of acidity.
Tried
from Cask
on 27 Mar 2015
at 01:03
5.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Cask @ Cockney Pub, Aarhus. Clear dark amber with a dense off-white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, caramel and light dark fruit. Flavor is medium sweet and light bitter. Sweet finish. 240315
Tried
from Cask
on 24 Mar 2015
at 10:25
5.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Cask at the Alexander Graham bell. Pours clear amber, nose is dull toffee, taste is sweet toffee, floral, grassy.
Tried
from Cask
on 06 Mar 2015
at 10:57
6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Part of my 2013 backlog, and tried at the bowl inn almondsbury. Copper brown colour with a thick white head. Aroma is malty with berries and a sweetness. Taste is bittersweet.
Tried
on 02 Jan 2015
at 09:43
6.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
On cask at the William Stead. Appearance - amber with a decent head. Nose - spiced biscuit and apple. Taste - more of the same plus slight malt astringency. Palate - light to medium bodied with a crunchy texture and a dry malty finish. Overall - solid but not special.
Tried
from Cask
on 02 Jan 2015
at 07:47
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Cask at the Goat Major, Cardiff. Copper brown with a thick creamy head. Sulphurous berry aroma, a bit of biscuity malt. Taste is robust, bittersweet with slightly sour edges. Malty caramel and tart berry dominate the flavour. Thicker body that one would expect. Slightly odd finish and aftertaste but all in all a decent and dependable if not outstanding cask bitter.
Tried
from Cask
on 29 Jul 2014
at 06:52