7

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

Cask at the Back of Beyond (JDW), Reading during Helen's leaving do - congratulations on your escape, Hels! Anyway, this beer's amber with a white head. It starts earthy, with some butterscotchy diacetyl, before turning fruity (sweet apples?) with a bittersweet marmalade finish. The mouthfeel was decent although it was only in average condition. There's nothing much Christmassy about it but I quite enjoyed it.

5.9

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 5.5

29/11/2024. Cask at The Windmill, Stansted Airport. Pours very slightly hazy golden brown with a small frothy white head. Aroma is caramel, malt, fruits, butter, biscuit, slightest hint of spice. Medium plus sweetness, light bitterness and body. It’s okay.

7.9

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

Cask at the Crosse Keys in the City. Long day at a cyber conference before heading to a dinner in Mayfair. So a pint in the warmness necessary. Good colour in the glass with lasting lacing. Lots of malt and bitter hops and just plain drinkable. Nothing spectacular but a good winter warmer for a freezing day.

04/12/2002. COMMERCIAL ROOMS, 43-45 Corn Street, BRISTOL, Bristol, England (WETHERSPOONS)

6.2

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

Cask at Crosse Keys (JDW), half-pint shared with Finn after breakfast. Upper part lacing on the glass, filmy layer, clear dark golden body. Leafy hops on the nose, hints of mid-sweet malts. Fine blended taste of ripe fruits, earth, and caramel malts. Expressive bittersweet finish. Yuletide feel. (London 21.11.2021).

6.6

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

Cask at The Wrong Un, Bexleyheath. Amber pour with a white head. Nose is citrus, light malts, quite buttery. Taste is grapefruit, light spice, citric peel. Bitter fruity finish.

6.1

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

Sample at the red Lion jdw. Medium white head. Clear golden pour. Light herbal aftertaste

6.5

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

Cask at the White Swan, Solihull. Poured a clear golden colour with a lasting frothy white head. The aroma is malt, light woody hops. The flavour is moderate to light bitter, with a malt, funky yeast, woody hop bitter palate and a lingering bitter palate. Medium bodied with soft carbonation.