Cask (hand pump / beer engine) at the GBBF 2008. ABV was said to be 4.4%. Copper coloured beer, minimal head. Malty aroma with decent notes of fruity hops (dark fruits). Malty flavour, notes of caramel but not really sweet, moderate "dusty" hops in the finish.

Cask@GBBF2008. Hazy amber colour, not much head. Aroma is wooden, malty and caramelly with some mild flowery hops. Flavour is quite much the same in a good balance. Also has som slight toasted and earhy notes.

Cask-conditioned at the Black Horse, Naunton, Gloucs 9/9/07. Clear amber colour with a moderate off-white head that left plenty of lacing down the glass. Fruity malt aroma without being too sweet, with some accompanying hoppiness. Flavour was malty with a touch of red fruit and a decent bitter finish. An excellent well-balanced bitter. The landlord of the pub indicated that the Swindon Arkells inheriting the Donnington brewery has not led to any changes - long may this continue to be the case [4.0]. Re-rate at the Plough in Ford, Gloucestershire, October 2009. Still very enjoyable, although rather more sweet on this occasion [3.6]

Cask conditioned at the Royal Oak Beer Festival, Gretton, Glos’ Sat 4th March. Wonderful dark amber ale the balance of this beer is just right malty hoppy and lovely nice bitter finish. Donnington’s are one of the best exponents of getting an English bitter just right in my opinion this would have scored even higher if it were not for the fact that it was served just a tad too warm for my liking.