The normal (fairly new) brown bottle Adnams use, 500ml and only 3.4%ABV, best before 6 Feb 2010, drank July 2009. Poured into an ’Old Speckled Hen’ vase shaped pint glass. Looked fine, a bright chestnut brown body with an off-white head that tried to hang around but failed. Lacing stayed at the top of the glass otherwise I just had a collar around the beer as it sank down the glass with each sip. Aroma was initially weak, some nuts and earthy esters, a little maltiness was also present as the beer warmed in the glass. I was pleasantly surprised by the extent of the flavours and their strenght considering the ABV. Malty at first, then a mellow hoppy aftertaste. Refreshing and mature, impressed. I don’t normally like weaker beers, but this is one I’d have again and again, ideal for a long session or if working early the next day.

Cask. Frothy white fair mostly deminishing head. Dark yellow colour. Moderate malty grainy and light hioppy aroma. Moderate bitter flavor. Average moderate bitter finish. Oily palate.

cask at haymarket ... orangeamber ... thin white head ... dry musty light smoke malt nose ... dry malts ... little nuttty woodyness ... no real depth or complexity ... not me

Cask @ The Dog and Duck. Nice head with good duration. Color is amber. Aroma and taste are caramel, fruits, hops and malt. Dry bitter finish. Soft carbonated and medium bodied.

As Adnams Eat, Drink and Be Jolly. Cask @ 3 Craws. Orange colour, white head. Nose is light malted, bit of sourness. Flavour is light malts, fruits, bit of sourness, followed by dry biscuit. A bit bland.

Cask @ Snowgoose, Inverness. 081211
Chestnut brown, clear, thin white head, good lacing
Aroma - not much here, faint malt bit of hops.
Taste - biscuity malt, dark caramel malt, light spicy biiter hops, touch of fruit, slightly mineraly
Palate - soft carb, thin body, watery. Middle of palate - bittersweet malt. Finish - bitter, malt, bit overlingering, hint of metal.
Overall - OK. So-so. Not an Xmas beer.

Cask at the Golden Retreiver, Bracknell. Pale gold with a tight cream head; malty aroma; digestive biscuit flavour; and lightly bitter to finish. A traditional English Pale Ale - not very seasonal!

50cl bottle. Amber colour with off white head but quickly dissipating and good lasting. Aroma is fruity, sweet, honey, Flavour is bready, light, fresh, sweet at the beginning with a final slightly bittery with a medium duration. Carbonation is soft. Texture is oily. Body is light to medium.

Cask @ Bridge House, Tower Bridge SE1. Pours a pale amber color with a small white head. Has a fruity malty weak hoppy caramel aroma. Fruity malty caramel flavor with weak hoppy hints. Has a fruity malty weak hoppy finish.