Handpull cask at the Sweet Green Tavern, Bolton. The darker side of amber, clear with a big sparkler-infused beige head. Caramel smell, a touch of medicinal aroma. Sweet taste at first, with toffee and red berry, followed by an easy yet strident bitterness. Very English, and very drinkable.

On the 3rd Oct 2013 my wife and I had 22 half-pints between us at the 35th Telford Beer Festival: this was one of those 22. Hand-pulled, this was deep red in colour, with a beige head that hung around and gave some heavy lacing. Rich malty molasses ruled the sweet aroma and taste: toffee and caramel notes ooze out of this brew and fill your senses, I really liked this beer. Sadly we had others to try or I’d have stayed on this all afternoon. The beer at the festival that suited my taste buds the most: a bit too malty and sweet for the wife.

Cask at the White Swan, Solihull. Poured a clear deep mahogany with a reddish hue and a big frothy light tan head. The aroma is malty with some fruit and hops. The flavour is medium to weak bitter with a smooth, dark toffee, liqourice, malty palate with a rich chewy consistency.