5.1

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 3

NL/BEL excursion day minus 1: The King’s Arms, Fitzrovia, London: a small one, hand pulled. Aroma: vaguely vinous. Appearance: unusual: looks a bit like ruby port in the shade, add amber when held to the light, no head. Palate: light-bodied and slick, completely flat; finish is long with pronounced bitterness, no real astringency. Taste: medium-bitter, biscuit, oak, a hit of butter. A bit of carbonation would make this far more interesting.

6.5

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Cask. Rich amber beer with a dark cream head. Light citrus aroma. Citrus and malt flavor. Medium bodied. Citrus and malt linger.

6.4

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 5

This is not even a classic English IPA. It actually reminds me of a Boddingtons, and I last had one of those over 30 years ago. Drinkable but totally non-descript.

7.3

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Cask at the Nag’s Head, Covent Garden on 11th January 2025. Copper with shallow foam and a descending band of lacing. Sweet malts and leafy hoppiness in aroma. Nutty malts and leafy hops in-mouth and a bitter finish. Smooth yet engaging mouthfeel, medium body.
87787

6

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

How: Cask.
Where: Horse and Guardsman, London.
Appearance: Amber colour with an off-white head.
Aroma: Malt, caramel, hops, resin.
Body: Medium body, flat carbonation.
Flavour: Malt, caramel, hops, some bitterness in the finish.

23/02/2008. FARRIERS ARMS, 32-34 Lower Dagnall Street, ST. ALBANS, Hertfordshire, England (McMULLENS)

6.4

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask at The Stag, Chorleywood, Herts. An amber/brown coloured pour with a medium off white head on top. Fruity, malty, caramel taste and aroma. This was in pretty good condition and actually quite drinkable.

5.4

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 5.5

Cask at random pub near the British Museum. A deep amber copper coloured pour with a loose beige head. Aroma is semi sweet toffee apple, raisin, caramel, twig. Flavour is composed of semi sweet, some diacetyl, toffee, cakey, malts, some spice. Pretty boring trad, lifeless stuff.

6.1

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Historical tick which I am adding as a rate so that I can see the impact it has on my stats. Kingfisher, Mytchett. Standard boring bitter.