16/03/2016. KING OF WESSEX, 5-10 James Street West, BATH, Bath & North East Somerset, England (WETHERSPOONS)

5.3

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

Cask (handpump) @ Standing Order (JDW), 62-66 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 2LR. [ As Greene King Benjamin’s Red Molasses Beer ].Clear medium amber color with a average, frothy, good lacing, mostly lasting, off-white head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, caramel, spicy, curry, cinnamon, coriander, flowers. Flavor is moderate sweet and light to moderate bitter with a long duration, spicy, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, sweet malt, spicy bitter. Body is medium, texture is oily to watery, carbonation is soft to flat. [20160320] 5-3-5-3-10

6.1

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask-conditioned at the Commercial Rooms (JDW), Bristol March 2016. Copper in colour, with a slight, off-white, head. Aroma of sweet malts and plenty of cardamom and cinnamon spice. Flavour had toffee, red berries and lots more spice before a gently bitter finish. Fine.

8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 8

Cask at the Hope Tap, Reading. Reddish brown beer with a thin beige head and a light fizz. Immediately sweet, with powdered coriander seed evident. Very smooth and creamy, with more spice coming through and a hint of coffee. Treacle and chocolate and cinnamon in the finish, with just a touch of posh lemonade. Somehow, I’m not sure how, it gets away with not being over-the-top sweet. Instead it’s intriguing and tasty and very likeable. On the first taste I wasn’t sure I’d finish it but by the end I wanted more. It’s highest rated GK beer ever and also my joint highest rate at this fest. Well done Greene King- more like this please!

7.2

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Cask at the Queen Hotel (JDW), Aldershot. Bright chestnut in colour with a ring of cream head; spiced toffee aroma; rather thin in the mouth with an unusual dry spicy taste - cardomon particularly - and then a gentle spicy warmth; following by a lingering coriander finish. An interesting beer, but could do with more body - I didn’t really get the molasses and treacle.

6.5

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

Cask at the Windlesora, Tourist Town, 15/03/16. Hazel reddish amber with a decent beige cap. Nose is floral, spice, Cardoman seed, caramel, rhubarb, hint of root beer. Taste comprises spiced fruit loaf, Cardoman seed, Rye bread, perfume, caramel wafer. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, semi drying close. Decent for style.

5.4

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

Cask @ Stick or Twist, Leeds. Copper with a glow and a small bubbly. Has a light spice, with its herbal and floral flavours dominating its taste, and providing a fair potency too.

6.9

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask at the AG Bell. Pours clear copper with a head. Aromas of curry spice, menthol, earl grey. Taste is curry, mint, cardamom. Brown bread finish. Tea loaf. Wouldn’t drink another, but not bad.

6.9

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

On cask at the Alexander Graham Bell. Appearance - amber with a decent head. Nose - earl Grey and ginger bread. Taste - cardamon and more earl Grey. Sweet spiced loaf backdrop. Palate - close to medium bodied with a creamy texture and a long dry herb and spicy finish. Overall - very interesting but not that drinkable.