This strong, nutty, full strength dark beer has built a cult following amongst real ale aficionados since it was first brewed for bottles in 1949. The oaky and roasted flavour, with its deep and distinctive taste, make it a cask-conditioned beer with a real difference.
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7/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Dark brown colour. Smooth, rich, creamy. Flavours of sweet red fruits come through but it remains a well balanced bitter.
Tried
on 31 Dec 2012
at 02:16
5.8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 6
From notes. Handpump. Clear dark brown, small beige head, medium lacing. Aroma of prunes and dates, Taste is watery, some fruit, but some metal as well. Average.
Tried
on 14 Apr 2010
at 16:35
6.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask (handpump) @ Great British Beer Festival, GBBF 2008, Earls Court, London, England SW5.Clear medium to dark brown color with a small to average, fizzy, fair lacing, mostly diminishing, off-white head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, roasted, dark fruits - raisin, prune. Flavor is moderate to light light heavy sweet and moderate bitter with a average to long duration. Body is medium, texture is oily to watery, carbonation is soft to flat. (070808)
Tried
from Cask
on 20 Oct 2008
at 08:16
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Cask-conditioned at the Bag ONails, Bristol 14/10/08. Mahogany coloured with no head and slight carbonation. Aroma of treacle, dark fruits with some earthiness. Flavour was very sweet, with more fruit, almonds and caramel. A rather vinous mouth feel and a short, bitter finish. Ok.
Tried
from Cask
on 18 Oct 2008
at 03:34
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Cask at the GBBF 2008. Dark brown colour, nearly black. Very nice roasty aroma with notes of oak, raisins and fortified wine. The flavour is sweet, oaky and moderately roasty, nice.
Tried
from Cask
on 21 Aug 2008
at 03:41
5.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 4
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5
Cask@GBBF2008. Deep brown colour, small brown head. Not really much of an aroma, mainly dark fruits and some earth. Flavour is mainly dry grass, dark fruits and some sour wood along with herbal notes.
Tried
from Cask
on 16 Aug 2008
at 05:52
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Cask @ Lamb & Flag, Oxford. Pours a dark amber color with an off-white head. Fruity malty dark fruit aroma. Sweet malty fruity dark fruit flavor. Roasted malty dark fruit finish.
Tried
from Cask
on 11 Sep 2007
at 08:55
5.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
[Cask at GBBF 2005] A red-brown beer with a thin brown head. The aroma is sweet malty with notes of roasted malt and over ripe fruit, but also hints of sulphur. The flavor is sweet malty with notes of prunes and over ripe fruit, leading to a roasted bitter end.
Tried
from Cask
on 06 Feb 2006
at 16:40