As I was the only brewer onsite I was left responsible for the day to day brewing, cleaning and packaging of the brewery which I gained massive experience for later on in my career. I later left Blue bear to go and work with an old friend at the Worcestershire brewing company. Together myself and the head brewer worked on new recipes and new ideas and successfully built up a good reputation for our ales. This was the time when I came truly passionate about real traditional ales and made the first steps into building my own brewery.
Co Owner & Brewer: Andy Dukes
BlackHaddock (17284) reviewed Rudolph's Rainbeer from AJ's Ales 1 month ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7.5
Two hand pulled pints at the Crown Inn, Oakengates on 20th December 2025. Clean and clear amber body, snow white head that lasted. Nice blend of hops and semi sweet malts, slight floral and fruity feel to both the aroma and taste.
lad_newton (4207) reviewed Dukeys Delight from AJ's Ales 3 months ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 9
Cask at the Broomfield Tavern, Coventry on 31st October 2025. Clear, straw coloured with shallow whitish foam and full lacing. Fruity and hoppy aroma. Exquisitely and richly bitter in-mouth and throughout its long grassy finish. A fair amount of body and a smooth mouthfeel. Absolutely superb.
dragnet101 (5184) reviewed Stuck In The Doghouse from AJ's Ales 5 months ago
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7
Half of cask from Wellington, Birmingham. Clear light amber with foamy white head. Mid-sweet and low to mid bitterness. Nice malty biscuit and caramel notes with mild grassiness. Simple but fairly tasty. Slight yeasty tang in the finish.
dragnet101 (5184) reviewed Choc & Vanilla Porter from AJ's Ales 1 year ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Cask at The Wellington, Birmingham. Near black with small beige head. It's quite roasty with the dark chocolate and vanilla coming though mid way. There is a chalkiness to it. Moderately sweet. Decent.
dragnet101 (5184) reviewed Dukeys Delight from AJ's Ales 1 year ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5
Cask at The Wellington, Birmingham. Clear gold with consistent white top, good lacing. This one isn't overly complex but I thought it had a bit of bite to it with bitter lemon, straw and grassy spice. Mine was medium bodied. Decent.
dragnet101 (5184) reviewed Black Jack Mild from AJ's Ales 1 year ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6.5
Cask at The Wellington, Birmingham. Dark ruby with small beige head. It had notes of roasted malt, cola, wood. Moderate sweetness and drying finish. Pleasant but a touch on the light side even for the style.
dragnet101 (5184) reviewed Dukes Deuce from AJ's Ales 1 year ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6
Cask at The Wellington, Brum. Clear light gold with small white top. Has a sweet and light tangy mango and pear fruitiness with some biscuit malt. Light to mid-bodied, slick, modest bitterness. It's ok.
dragnet101 (5184) reviewed IPA from AJ's Ales 1 year ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Cask at The Wellington, Birmingham. Surprisingly this is my first from this brewery. Clear gold, thin white head. Bitter grapefruit, biscuit, touch of lime, light herbal note in finish. Light to medium bodied, drying and tangy. Not bad.
dragnet101 (5184) reviewed Stuck In The Mud from AJ's Ales 1 year ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Cask at Prince of Wales, Birmingham. Dark ruby/near black with small smooth off white top. It has a roasted malt, coffee, light chocolate, ear medium bodied. Not overly complex but certainly tasty.
BeardedAvenger (9068) reviewed Hop Pot from AJ's Ales 1 year ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
Cask at Wellington, Brum. Aroma has light resin and marmalade but is underpowered. A slightly opaque copper gold. Thin foamy translucent white head soon thins out. Light-medium bitter with a malty edge. It's resinous but this is dulled by twigs. Light-medium bodied. Slick. Soft-fizzy carbonation. Long dry somewhat astringent finish.