Bottle from Chester Beer & Wine. Clear copper with a small white head, good retention. Aroma of toffee, quite fruity with berry notes, spice, light floral notes. Taste is malty at first with toffee and light bread notes, then hops kick with notes of pear, berries, spice, floral bitter finish. Light bodied so flavours don't hang around too long but overall a good bitter and a nice example of the style.

Cask at Crewe Dog, Crewe. Pours “bitter brown” with a small off-white head and good lacing. The aroma has ripe orchard fruits. In the mouth, floral hops vie with malts for supremacy. Underneath the flavours of apples, spices and cloves can be detected. Finish is fruity and slightly bitter. This certainly packs a punch of flavour for its strength – very nice.

500ml bottle from Booths (Knutsford): BB February 2022. Drank at home on 1st October 2021. Clear and clean bright bronze body, not much of a head. Fruity and malty in nature, nice honest English Bitter with no citrus hops involved.