Fra fat på Five Lamps i Derby 18 Feb 16. Delt med Rune. Amber. Skum langs glasset. Aroma av bær. Søt plommearoma. Smaken plommer. Lett syrlig etter hvert.

Cask at NWAF, Derby, Thursday, 18th February 2016 Pours crystal clear gold with not much of a head, steady gingerness from the off and some malt (though this takes a backseat) ginger coming through quite a bit now. Rating interrupted by Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas. Quite a good beer. A6 A5 T6 P3 Ov12 3.2

Cask at NWAF, Derby, Thursday, 18th February 2016 Dark brown on the pour, a good bitter that had a solid maltiness throughout, hops a little bit quiet, but caramel, dark fruit and malt showing well. A6 A4 T7 P4 Ov13 3.4

500ml bottle stored in by cellar for almost a year. Bought at Kellen Tay Beers in Derby. Shared with Finn and djoeye. Stable, creamy tan-coloured head. Spotty lacing. Almost jet black in body appearance. Chocolate, raisin and ashy nose. Mid-sweet chocolate flavours joined by almond, ash and liquorice. Hints of dried fruits towards a long-lived ending. Well balanced and smooth on the swallow. Enjoying (Tromsø, 01.02.2016).

Flaske 500ml spandert av Rune. Delt med ham og djoeye i WCveien 1 Feb 15. Ultradyprød. Høyt mokkafarget skum. Litt lacing. Forskiktig sjokoladearoma med innslag av metall. Silkemyk munnfølelse. Smaken sammensatt. Litt frukt, lakris & sjokolade. Spor av mandler i avslutningen. Utmerket øl!

Bottle from The Real Ale Store, Newark. Golden colour with a thick white head. Ginger and spicy aroma. Taste has ginger and chilli warmth.

Tried at the Nottingham beer festival. Almost black colour with a thin head. Roasted malt aroma and taste.

500ml bottle conditioned: brought back from the Tramway Museum by my sister-in-law, thanks Sue. BBE of Nov 15, poured at home into an Abbot Ale glass tankard on 29th July 15 while answering my questions as AMA #18 on the OY-Light forum pages. Very little head to speak of on the dark brown, almost black bodied brew, just a light wisp. The aroma and taste come from the high malt content and offer a pleasant sweetness before any bittering hops find their way into the flavouring. I shared a bottle yesterday with my brother-in-law and really enjoyed it: now with a full one too myself I can fully appreciate it’s finer points at leisure. Rich almost in depth and flavour, it belies it’s 3.7% ABV and comes across as much stronger. A lovely example of this old English style and I hope more get the chance to try this classic beer, Ratebeerians or not.