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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4.8/10
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Appearance 4
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
Cask in Wales. Copper colored with small white head. Fruity malts, herbal hops and bready.
Tried
from Cask
on 14 Jun 2014
at 03:25
5.9/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Cask at the Crown Rivers, LHR T5, 28/02/14 0555 pre flight loosener. Clear golden with a moderate white covering. Nose is orchard fruit, light butterscotch, pears, perfumed tones, caramel. Taste comprises earthy bitter fruit, light citrus notes, bread dough. Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, semi drying close laced with grassy bitterness. Ok I guess.
Tried
from Cask
on 04 Mar 2014
at 13:44
5.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
Sample at SBWF 2013. Clear golden with a small white head. Aroma and taste of bread, hay and flowers. Thin and not that interesting to be honest.
Tried
on 29 Sep 2013
at 04:04
4.3/10
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Appearance 4
Aroma 5
Flavor 4
Texture 4
Overall 4
Pint at Oakeley Arms, Maergwlon Wales. Fairly average medium bodied ale, not too heavy on taste but ok for a session.
Tried
on 13 Jul 2013
at 12:39
5.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5
Cask at JDW Charlie Hall; amber pour with foam off white head, sweet malt aroma, nutty malty taste, light hops OK.
Tried
from Cask
on 26 Mar 2013
at 08:41
5.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 6
Copper pour with an off white head. Aroma Is light hops and fruit. Watery but smooth and sweet, hoppy.
Tried
on 31 Mar 2012
at 10:35
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask @ The Libert Bonds, JDW, Tower Hill EC3. Pours a pale amber color with a small off-white head. Has a fruity malty caramel aroma. Fruity malty caramel flavor with hoppy hints. Has a fruity malty caramel finish.
Tried
from Cask
on 22 Nov 2011
at 01:40
6.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bright amber colour. The aroma is a bit minerally, caramelly. Caramel accent but balanced. Finishes with a light yeasty fruitiness. Not - in my view - their best brew.
Tried
on 11 Sep 2010
at 02:50
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
From cask. Pours golden dark amber with a creamy dense and off-white head. Aroma is malty, vague butterish. Dark breadish. Dark roasted malty flavoured. Subdued bitterness to a fruity ad rather malty base into the finish.
Tried
from Cask
on 09 Aug 2010
at 00:35
5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 4
Flavor 4
Texture 6
Overall 5
Cask at the Colombia Press (JDW), Watford Rather unpleasant. Looks good, gold with a thin white head, but it’s downhill from there. Thin in body with sweet malts and some red fruit; then a finish that’s dry with a metallic bitterness. Perhaps this doesn’t travel well and it’s fine in Wales?
Tried
from Cask
on 15 Jan 2010
at 01:23