Cask at Portwall Tavern, Bristol. Slightly opaque copper gold. Thin foamy white head. Aroma has sweet sugared fruit and a sour streak- fruity with a vinous hints. Flavourwise it's again starts sugary fruit sweet before a bitterness emerges with a sour edge. Underlying light malts. Light-medium bodied. Slick. Soft-flat carbonation. Long dry somewhat astringent finish. Nice if somehow basic.

Cask at Crewe Dog, Crewe. Pours “bitter brown” with a medium sized foamy cream head and excellent lacing. The aroma is basically malty but with hints of nuts and dried fruit too. In the mouth there is a little sweetness at first but very quickly this is cancelled out by creamy bitterness. Flavour has malts and traditional hops back up by caramel and generic fruit. Later it becomes quite spicy and this is emphasised in the finish. This is reasonable – perks up after a slow start.

440ml can at Tønne, Leicester. Mid-brown, very translucent with a loose khaki head. Aroma is light, a little bit of vanilla and some coffee. Flavour is improved, with over-roasted coffee and vanilla pod. Initial sweetness with a bitter finish. Light body with heavy carbonation. A little ho-hum.l think but overall drinkable.

Cask at Clytha Arms, Llanover - deep clear russet body with no head. Caramel forward with some malty fruit hints. Thin and lifeless.

Old rating - Picked up from the brewery shop, one of only 3 beers they currently bottle. This Ruby Porter is very dark in colour almost pitch black but up to a good light a brown reddish hue can be just picked out. You can taste the darker malts, and a roasted and almost dessert taste can be thoroughly sensed. This is one beer I'm going to enjoy slowly.