22/04/2010. KING OF WESSEX, 5-10 James Street West, BATH, Bath & North East Somerset, England (WETHERSPOONS)

7.2

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

Gravity cask at the Bree Louise. Pours a light, ruby brown with not much head. A bit of piney and citrusy hops in the nose, along with light toast. Pretty decent flavor, mildly roasty with some toffee sweetness. Faintly piney bitterness. Light to medium in body with fine carbonation. Mild stickiness in the finish, a bit of smoke and roasty malts, a slight minerality, some toffee. All these characteristics are here, though not too intense. A very nice beer overall.

6.3

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

Cask (handpump) @ JDW - The Moon Under Water, 68-74 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England M3 2FN.Clear dark brown color with a average, creamy, good lacing, mostly lasting, light beige head. Aroma is moderate malty, roasted, chocolate, oat, sweet malt, toffee, vanilla. Initial flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and light to moderate bitter, finish flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and moderate bitter with a long to average duration, spicy notes. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is flat to soft. [20100425]

6.9

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

21st April 2010. Clear dark brown beer with a little white head. Softish palate, a tad dry. Rich malt - a little unsweet dark toffee. Reasonably well balanced by some juicy hop. A little orange and a little peach. Only mild bitterness. Hangs together well. Finishes light and dry and fruity. Very drinkable.

6.1

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

Cask at the Monks Retreat (JDW), Reading. Reddish copper with a dense cream head; fruity aroma; dry, smooth and creamy in the mouth with a malty flavour and a sweet caramel finish. A really drinkable heavy.

7.4

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Cask handpull at The Society Rooms, JDW, Maidstone. Really been looking forward to this after the rates so far for this beer. Deep reddy brown with a firm thickish collar of light tan foam. A slightly choccy initial taste. Then some sweet dark fruits kick in. More milk choc on aroma. The mix of choc, slight roast/toast and then jammy fruit, is a little unusual. Not unattractive at all. In fact I quite like it. The half pint lasted just 4 gulps and less than 5 mins, in fact extremely likeable beer with some sting on the finish which is more sour fruit than hop. Excellent.

7.3

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

cask at standing order JDW ... brown .. thin creamy tan head ... soft dark fruit ... soft rich ... dark fruity malts ... light toffee ... nice if a little dull