23/01/2004. MARBLE ARCH INN, 73 Rochdale Road, MANCHESTER, Greater Manchester, England (FREE HOUSE)

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

Cask at Bricklayers Arms Yorskhire Festival 09. Black, lasting beige head. Attractive choccy beer. Lovely smoke, bonfire smokiness, rich and full in mouth. Excellent rich, dark fruit beer. Dark jammy plums and blackberry. Good dry roast finish. Superb. Beer of the festival for me.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Cask-conditioned at the Bag O’Nails, Bristol 17/4/08. Burnished gold colour with a moderate white head. Caramel and floral hop aromas. Slightly sweet malt flavours with some juicy hops and a decent bitter finish. Very drinkable.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Cask gravity at London Drinker BF 08. Deep gold, bubbly ivory head. Some toffee, some leafy hop. Condition could be better, but the earthy nettley hop is excellent underpinned by juicy malts. Bit of tea maybe, but otherwise a very good best bitter. Some decent malts. Peppery leafy hop, very good best bitter.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Cask-conditioned at the Bag O’Nails, Bristol 27/11/07. Near black with a decent tan head. Aroma of coffee and liquorice. Easy drinking with flavours of chocolate and coffee and a decent dry finish. Very enjoyable.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Cask-conditioned at the Bag O’Nails, Bristol 18/11/07. Pale copper colour with a moderate white head. Aroma of biscuit malt and grassy hops. Flavour began with some more sweet malt before earthy/fruity hops and a long lasting bitter finish. Very good.