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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4.9/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 4.5
Cask@GBBF2009. Pale coppery colour, small white head. Aroma is mild malts, floral hops as well as mild herbal and wooden notes. Flavour is quite much the same. A bit watery.
Tried
from Cask
on 15 Aug 2009
at 02:59
6.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask (handpump) @ Wenlock Arms, 26 Wenlock Road, London, Greater London England N1 7TA.Clear medium amber orange color with a average, fizzy, fair lacing, fully diminishing, white to off-white head. Aroma is moderate malty, caramel, toffee. Flavor is moderate sweet and light bitter with a average duration. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft to flat. [20081228]
Tried
from Cask
on 17 Mar 2009
at 13:45
5.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 6
Cask @ Bon Accord. Hazy golden colour, tiny head. Malty aroma. Flavour has some hops which gives it a nice bitterness. Ok bitter.
Tried
from Cask
on 20 Nov 2008
at 08:10
5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
Cask (Gatekeeper JDW,Cardiff) - Copper coloured with a slight haze. Lightly fruity aroma with some malt. Lightly tart taste with fruity hints. This could be on the turn so I think I will rate it again in future. Judging from DruncanVeasey’s comments below, this could’ve been a bad batch as I remember it being much better when I tried it before.
Tried
from Cask
on 05 Sep 2008
at 03:43
4/10
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Appearance 4
Aroma 4
Flavor 4
Texture 4
Overall 4
[on draught at The Turks, Reading] Initially malty, then dry dirty straw flavour; aftertaste bitter with slight sour fruits. A very average British bitter, indistinguishable from so many others I’ve tasted; with so many innovative beers in Britain, it’s a shame that there’s still dull, bland bitters like this dominating the real ale market.
Tried
on 16 May 2008
at 17:00
7/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Toffee malt and grass aroma. Amber color. Full toffee malt flavor with a light grass hops finish. A very nice beer.
Tried
on 27 Mar 2008
at 12:29
6.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
(Cask at White Horse, Parson’s Green, London, 1 Dec 2007) Dark reddish brown colour with brief head. Malty, fruity nose with notes of dried fruit, dusty hops and dark fruity hints. Malty, fruity taste with toffee, dark fruit, cherries and dusty hops in the finish. God balance. Nice session beer.
Tried
from Cask
on 16 Dec 2007
at 15:52
6.4/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Cask@The George Borrow Hotel, Ponterwyd, Wales. Amber beer with a strong white head. The aroma is lightly creamy, and the flavour is smoothly dry, creamy and slightly toffee. Overall a nice creamy, smooth and dry beer.
Tried
from Cask
on 02 Oct 2007
at 16:35
5.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5
Cask-conditioned at the Highbury Vaults, Bristol. Amber coloured with minimal head. A slightly sweet and nutty aroma followed by a fruity flavour. Sour, somewhat astringent aftertaste which wasn’t enjoyable.
Tried
from Cask
on 21 May 2007
at 14:59
8.3/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 9
amber coloured ale, with a pleasent seet malt nose with a full nutty fruity malt flavour
Tried
on 03 Mar 2007
at 04:12