Aroma has chocolate and spice. Darkest brown. Thick frothy foamy beige head. Creamy chocolate. Sour berries. Sugary. Medium bodied. Oily. Soft-fizzy carbonation. Long somewhat astringent finish. Noise.

Cask at the Allied Arms, Reading. This was my first cask beer of the year following all the Covid bollox (although not my first pub beer), do it was gratifying that it was served in top-notch condition (as I'd expected in this nice pub). More black than ruby and with a thick creamy-beige head and a light fizz. Nice smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Taste of milk chocolate and lightly toasted malt. It's pretty simple, but tasty, satisfying and surprisingly easy to drink for a dark beer on a warm night. A good beer with which to start the (fingers crossed) return to pub normality.