09/04/2009. HOPE TAP, 99-101 Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, England (WETHERSPOONS)

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

[6/8/2010 - Cask at the Nag’s Head, Reading] 5/3/6/3/11 (2.8) Amber. A little malt, a little blackcurrant, a little citrus, a little red wine, a little half-hearted, a little confused. Not up to Loddon’s usual standard. [rerate 28/9/2010 - cask at the Back of Beyond (JDW), Reading] Deep amber, slight off-white head, a little fizz. Flavours as before but with an added frisson of earthy wood. In excellent condition, which I assume has resulted in my slightly increased mark.

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

Cask, gravity at Banbury Beer Festival 07-05-10 Pours amber with a smattering of bubbles. Some light hops on the nose but these didn’t come through much in the mouth, fairly standard beer, some sweetness showing touch malty and whilst absolutely fine a little forgettable. A6 A3 F6 P3 Ov12 3.0

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

Cask-conditoned at the Seven Stars, Bristol 09/09/09. Amber coloured with a slight white head. Sweet, red fruit and caramel aroma. Flavour was much the same with a moderately bitter finish. Ok.

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

Cask Conditioned at The Castle, Furnival St., London
Hazy amber color. Light aroma, malty and fruity. Medium bodied, with a sweetish caramel flavor, light fruitness; the bitterness is below average. Pleasant but simple.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 3 | Flavor - 4 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 4

Half pint, hand pulled cask at Whey Pat Tavern in St Andrews. Clear dark amber body. No head. Sparse smell of malts. Very anonymous flavour, only a faintly hint of sweet, fruitlike malts. Clean tasting. Thin to medium bodied [31.10.2008].

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

Cask handpump @ Allied Arms, Reading RG1, England.Clear medium amber color with a average, frothy - creamy, good lacing, mostly diminishing, off-white head. Aroma is moderate malty, strawberry jam, notes of butter. Flavor is moderate sweet and light bitter with a average to long duration. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is flat. (010508)

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 5

Cask at the Monks Retreat (JDW), Reading. Deep gold with a thin cream head; wet grain aroma; very thin and watery but with a pleasant malt flavour with a touch of citrus; dry bready finish. Rather ordinary - in fact a perfect example of an old fashioned Ordinary Bitter.