03/04/2011. WATER HOUSE, 65 North Road, DURHAM, Durham, England (WETHERSPOONS)

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

Well crafted ale with a good body and a strong bitter flavour that feels nice.

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

[Cask at the Hope Tap (JDW), Reading] Amber (appropriately!) with a large creamy head and a soft, foamy mouthfeel. Flowers dominate from the off with soft, sweet caramel behind. Growing flavours of green apple and new leaves. Restrained bitterness in finish. OK, but the unripe notes jarred somewhat. Felt it should have been better than it actually was, and would be interested to try the US version.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask at the Old Manor (JDW), Bracknell. Golden amber with a loose cream head; fresh fruity hop aroma; full of juicy hops in the mouth, seemingly green and not too bitter with some ginger spice; the finish is dry, lingering and lightly bitter. Very nice.

Appearance - 2 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask-conditioned at the Commercial Rooms (JDW), Bristol 38/03/2011. Hazy, muddy brown in colour, very offputting. Aroma of orange fruit, pine and caramel. Flavour of bread pudding, with some more oranges and dry finish. Strange.

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

Cask @ Camperdown place, JDW. Amber colour, dense off-white head. Aroma is hoppy and fruity. Flavour is well malted, pine hops, grapefruits, hint of brown sugar. Fairly bitter and medium bodied. Smooth and good drinkable.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

Half, cask at JDWs Willow Walk, Victoria. Tiny, beige head. Golden-brown body with a slight haze. Dried fruity nose. Malt-hoppy taste profile with a spicy touch. Raisin sweetness can be detected. Bittersweet finish. Has definitely got its moments, being rather sweet, though (London, 22.03.2011).

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

Cask, handpump at The Penny Black, JDW, Bicester, Oxon 28.03.11 Big hoppiness from the off. Bitter in mouth but quite substantial mouthfeel. Mid amber in colour peeling away to a yellowy brown at the edges. Furry bitterness throughout, distinct american tasting beer, tasting much stronger and more substantial than 5.2%. Nice beer. A7 A4 T7 P4 Ov14 3.6

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Cask at the Abraham Darby, JDW, Brierley Hill. Poured an orange Amber with a small head. Aroma was orange, fruitcake and piney hops. Taste started with flat orangeade and a piney hop finish. I wonder if Sheps could brew more beers like this?

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Cask at Willow Walk Wetherspoons, Victoria, London. An amber coloured pour with a medium off white head. Malty, hoppy aroma. Tastes malty, hoppy, caramel, slight roastiness, fruity. US influenced and very drinkable.