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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5.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bottle, 4.2% at KØ12. Weak fruity aroma. Clear amber colour. Very small white head. The flavour is fruity and OK grainy with a little green apple. Has a little liquorice and nut, very subtle. Medium bitterness.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 May 2012
at 01:31
5.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Bottle 50 cl. Pours a clear deep golden with a small off-white head. Very discreet crystal malts in the nose. Light body, a little caramel and nuts and some subtle - fortunately - British hops. Ends dry. 110512
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 May 2012
at 10:26
7.4/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Oct 2009: Clear 500ml bottle poured into a normal UK sleeved pint glass. The beer was a reddy, amber colour, clear and clean looking. On top sat a bubbly head, off-white almost a cream colour. The aroma was of hops and yeast with a hint of caramels and molasses. Challenger, Goldings and Fuggles are all used in the brew, the blend of thses hops produces a well balanced and pleasant tasting beer. There is an overiding mini sweetness throughout the drink, the aroma starts it off and the aftertaste reminds you. I very drinkable beer, even better when on cask and kept well.
Tried
from Bottle
on 27 Apr 2012
at 05:37
5.2/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5
500ml bottle. Clear dark amber with small frothy off-white head. Dark malt aroma, dark fruit, bitter hop. Taste is like sucking on an ice cube, it’s not pure water, but less a taste than a kind of mouthfeel, metallic and dry. Not bad, but extremely faint.
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Feb 2012
at 12:27
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask @ The Libert Bonds, JDW, Tower Hill EC3. Pours a pale amber color with a small off-white head. Has a fruity malty caramel aroma. Fruity malty caramel flavor with hoppy hints. Has a fruity malty caramel finish.
Tried
from Cask
on 22 Nov 2011
at 01:40
7/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle at home. Clear, light orange pour with a small, white head. Lots of that distinctive pasteurization odor on the nose, along with some cereal malts. Nice flavor, sweet and lightly doughy with some leaves, toast, light earth and resin. Mild bitters. Light bodied with average carbonation. Crisp, fairly sweet finish with touches of dry hops, slightly earthy.
Tried
from Bottle
on 09 Mar 2011
at 13:19
6.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Pours rich amber with a small head.Nose shows lovely nutty, toffee and caramel notes, very appetising.Flavours are exactly the same but with that addition of some hazelnut praline.Moderate carbonation, could be higher really.
Tried
on 01 Oct 2010
at 01:23