SA
Brains in Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales 🏴
Bitter - Ordinary / Best Bitter Regular|
Score
5.91
|
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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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5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 4
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
Utseende: Gulbrun.
Lukt: Malt, svak fruktig.
Smak: Malt, svak fruktig, bitter avslutning.
Skum/kullsyre: Tykt dekkende heng.
Medium: Rating:8-4-5-4-5=5, Bottle@500ml, ABV@4.3%, Når@2026.05.15.
Hvor: Kjøpt@Vaaland, Bryne, Nydt@Hjemme.
Navn: SA (Bottle, Can & Keg)
Stil: BITTER - ORDINARY / BEST BITTER
Bryggeri: Brains
Lukt: Malt, svak fruktig.
Smak: Malt, svak fruktig, bitter avslutning.
Skum/kullsyre: Tykt dekkende heng.
Medium: Rating:8-4-5-4-5=5, Bottle@500ml, ABV@4.3%, Når@2026.05.15.
Hvor: Kjøpt@Vaaland, Bryne, Nydt@Hjemme.
Navn: SA (Bottle, Can & Keg)
Stil: BITTER - ORDINARY / BEST BITTER
Bryggeri: Brains
Tried
from Bottle
from
Vaaland 1889
on 15 May 2026
at 18:31
6/10
Tried
from Cask
on 22 Mar 2026
at 12:35
6.1/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Bottle on the train with some Monster Munch. My how my life has spiralled.... Anyway, a really sweet and malty beer with hardly any trace of hops. A bit too sweetly rich for my liking.
Tried
from Bottle
from
Morrisons Supermarket (Various locations)
on 19 Mar 2026
at 17:22
5.6/10
Tried
from Cask
on 22 Dec 2025
at 10:40
7/10
Magus, mõru, kuiv, karamelline, linnaseline, puuviljane. Ok.
Tried
from Draft
on 10 Aug 2025
at 16:31
6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
50 cl bottle from Factory Foods & More
Thick off white head. Clear light amber pour. Light bitterness
Thick off white head. Clear light amber pour. Light bitterness
Tried
from Bottle
on 25 Mar 2025
at 18:44
6.3/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Pint from the cask at the Kings Head, Salisbury. Pours brown with a white creamy head. Aromas & tastes of fruits, caramel, biscuit, grass & malt. Medium body. Light to moderate bitter finish
Tried
from Cask
on 28 Jan 2025
at 12:28
6.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 6
500ml bottle. Pours clear amber with a white foamy head. Aromas & tastes of fruits, toffee, caramel, nuts, grain & malt. Medium body. Smooth finish. Enjoyable
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Jan 2025
at 18:31
6.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Bottle from Home Bargains. Clear amber with nicely formed off-white head. Aroma of malt, toffee, grass, moderate sweetness. It has quite a moreish sweet toffee, malt, burnt bread crust with a slight herbal and grassy hop finish. Decent bitter.
Tried
from Bottle
on 02 Jan 2025
at 03:04
6/10
Tried
from Cask
on 30 Nov 2024
at 12:30