7.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Cask at Shrewsbury Arms, Stafford. Pours almost black with a small foamy tan head and good lacing. There’s roasted malts in the aroma, alongside vanilla and milky coffee. In the mouth it is quite sweet to start off with though there is a little underlying sharpness as well. Smooth with a creamy texture and roasted malts and chocolate flavours. Later there is a growing bitterness and plenty of liquorice too leading to a decidedly bitter finish. This is decent – hides its strength well.

6.9

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

Cask at the Pup and Duckling, Solihull. Poured a clear, almost black colour with a lasting frothy tan head. The aroma is roasted malt, molasses and liqourice. The flavour is moderate liquorice bitter, with a rich, roasty, light toffee, chocolate, light boozy, big liquorice bitter palate. Medium bodied with soft carbonation.

Drink Valley Autumn Beer Festival