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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4.3/10
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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
6.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bottle. Pours a pale amber color with a small white head. Has a fruity malty caramel aroma with weak hoppy hints. Fruity malty caramel flavor with hoppy hints. has a fruity malty hoppy caramel finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 03 Jul 2013
at 07:54
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Sample from clear bottle at Copenhagen Beer Festival 2013. Served cold. Deep golden to amber colour, low white head (the bottle had probably been open a while): Modest "typical standard bitter" aroma with toffee notes. The flavour is not too sweet, and fairly refreshing, with nutty and biscuity notes and a hint of toffee. The hops are too moderate.
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 May 2013
at 08:15
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
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
50cl bottle, BBE 07/13. Deep amber with a creamy dirty white head. Aroma has toffee, nutty, caramel and bready malt. Flavor has caramel, toffee, light vegetable notes in the background,. Light bitter finish. Light to medium bodied, decent, easy to drink.
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Mar 2013
at 07:54
6.5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
50 cl bottle @ home. Rated on 04.04.2009
Aroma has English hops, toffee, some caramel and hay. Flavour is slightly sweet with toffee, some caramel and hints of citrus. Somewhat dry and nutty finish. Decent bitter.
Aroma has English hops, toffee, some caramel and hay. Flavour is slightly sweet with toffee, some caramel and hints of citrus. Somewhat dry and nutty finish. Decent bitter.
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Feb 2013
at 02:49
5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 4
Texture 4
Overall 4
Appearance: Clear copper color with a tan head. Some lacing.
Aroma: Caramel malt and light fruity.
Palate: Medium body. A bit sweet and some bitterness. Average carbonation.
Taste: Sweet caramel malt. Light fruity and light hoppy.
Overall impression: Unusual dull and boring British bitter.
Personal stats: Bottle from SPAR Stansted Airport in England
Tried
from Bottle
on 27 Jan 2013
at 13:00
4.6/10
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Appearance 4
Aroma 5
Flavor 4
Texture 6
Overall 4.5
Modest bitter that has a clear deep golden colour and an excellent body. Mid-bitterness.
Tried
on 09 Jan 2013
at 10:19
4.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 4
Flavor 4
Texture 6
Overall 5
Bottle. Deep golden colour with an off-white head. Aroma is butterscotsch, malt, hop, fruit, grass. Flavour is butterscotsch, malt, hop, fruit, grain. Medium body. Boring beer.
Tried
from Bottle
on 01 Dec 2012
at 01:21
5.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Bottled (K CM Kivihaka, Vaasa). Golden colour, small white head. Aroma is fruity, floral, some grassyness and quite malty. Flavour is quite similar with some good bitterness in the finish. Mild doughy notes as well (due to see through clean bottles?)
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Oct 2012
at 10:23