Beer Reviews by SIGMUND

Profile | Card View | Table View
Reviews Per Page  
# Beer Origin Style Score Date
5901 Orchards Blakeney Red duplicate United Kingdom Cider 3.4

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Barrel at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. The perry variety on tap here was simply called "Orchards", as the variety that would be available was not known when the festival programme went into print. ABV was listed as 6.4%, same as the bottled version of Orchards Blakeney Red Medium Dry Perry. But the colour of the perry I drank was considerably paler than the one the raters of "Blakeney Red" seem to have had. I presume the cask perries will vary in colour with the pear varieties that are available at any given time. The one I had was supposed to be "dry", and "made from fruits from renovated derelict orchards". It was actually pale straw coloured and cloudy. Aroma of pears (of course), yeast, and (if you want to be unpleasant:) toilet cleaning agent. Flavour was fruity (of course) - pears, sweeter than expected from an allegedly "dry" perry, hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Not too bad.

Jun 3, 2005
02:49:03 PM
5902 Hopstar Smokey Joes Black Ale United Kingdom Porter 4.4

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Like the name says - black. LOVELY roasty aroma with strong notes of chocolate, hints of plums and prunes. Flavour is definitely dark chocolate with some coffee roastiness. Very good.

Jun 3, 2005
03:02:03 PM
5903 Fowlers Prestonpans IPA United Kingdom Bitter 3.5

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Deep golden colour, slightly hazy. Malty pleasant aroma with notes of apricot and honey. Moderately malty flavour, moderate hops. Certainly no "IPA" by American standards, but a drinkable ale all the same.

Jun 3, 2005
07:00:03 PM
5904 Leadmill William IV ESM (Extra Strong Mild) United Kingdom Mild Ale 3.8

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Pitch black (= very, very dark brown) colour, no head or carbonation. Strong roasted coffee aroma. Coffee flavour, a bit on the sweet and mellow side.

Jun 4, 2005
01:27:04 PM
5905 Wissey Valley Peachy Ale United Kingdom Bitter 3.3

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Golden / amber colour, no head or carbonation. Peachy aroma (no surprise!). Flavour is slightly fruity and moderately malty, with moderate dusty hops.

Jun 4, 2005
01:36:04 PM
5906 Cairngorm Trade Winds United Kingdom Blonde Ale 4.5

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Golden colour, moderate natural carbonation. Lovely INTENSE hoppy aroma - fruits (citrus), honey, flowers. Flavour is extremely pleasant and well balanced with a citrussy hoppiness throughout. One of the best session beers I’ve had.

Jun 4, 2005
07:20:04 PM
5907 Orkney Dragonhead Stout United Kingdom Dry Stout 4.1

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Black colour, low head. Roasty aroma, hints of dark chocolate. Flavour is decidedly roasty with coffee notes, quite dry. Not very complex, but beats Guinness any day! Rerate: 500 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 4.0%. Black colour, big and creamy brown head. Pleasant aroma of dark roasted malts, coffee and dark chocolate, hints of smoke and tar. The flavour has roasted malts, mild coffee and dark bitter chocolate, some fruit in the finish, with a roasty bitterness and moderate hops in the aftertaste. Good beer, but would probably profit from a higher ABV.

Jun 4, 2005
07:27:04 PM
5908 Anglo Dutch Tabatha the Knackered United Kingdom Abbey Tripel 3.9

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Golden colour. Like the CBF programme says, it is: "Fruity, hoppy and bitter, powerful and warming" - but "tripel style??? This is a strong English pale ale, as far as I’m concerned. Oh well, the brewers call it an abbey tripel, so be it. Typical pale ale aroma and flavour.

Jun 4, 2005
07:33:04 PM
5909 Greene King Ale Fresco United Kingdom Bitter 3.8

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the Baron of Beef, Cambridge. Was also available at the Cambridge Beer Festival. Deep golden colour, low head. Nice refreshing hoppiness throughout, citrussy elements in aroma and flavour. Decent.

Jun 4, 2005
07:55:04 PM
5910 Berrow BBBB United Kingdom Bitter 3.5

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. ABV was listed as 3.9%. Golden colour. Unusual aroma of horse stable, spices, painting varnish, old leather and fermenting fruits. Flavour is quite soft with just a hint of fruits and spices, moderate hops.

Jun 4, 2005
08:03:04 PM
5911 Iceni Cranberry Wheat United Kingdom Fruit Beer 2.8

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. ABV was listed as 4%, but brewery website says 4.1%. Intensely clear red (and I mean RED - like a cranberry soda) colour. Minimal carbonation. Moderate cranberry aroma. Very thin mouthfeel - like water with artificial red colouring added. The colour makes you expect something very sweet, but it is not. Not sour either. Relatively dry, actually, with just a very moderate flavour of cranberries and some faint hops. Not much wheat character. Did I mention a thin and watery mouthfeel? Yes, I know it’s not a fruit lambic, but I feel entitled to expect something better than this. Better leave brewing fruit beers to the Belgians, I guess ....

Jun 4, 2005
08:14:04 PM
5912 Cox & Holbrook Stormwatch United Kingdom Extra Special Bitter 3.6

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Brownish colour. Moderate caramel and nuts aroma. Fairly malty premium bitter with a tolerable dusty hoppiness.

Jun 4, 2005
08:19:04 PM
5913 Oakham White Dwarf United Kingdom Blonde Ale 4.4

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Pale golden colour. Lovely citrussy sweet aroma, hints of honey. Some natural carbonation, zesty. Some wheat character. A nice hoppy bitterness throughout. Another great session beer from Oakham.

Jun 4, 2005
08:22:04 PM
5914 Triple fff Pressed Rat & Warthog United Kingdom Mild Ale 3.6

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. One of the craziest beer names so far - a fellow beer rater told me it’s adopted from a Cream song (I guess I should have known that). Dark brown colour, low head, some natural carbonation. According to the CBF programme it’s "a little too hoppy to be a classic mild" - still it is not VERY hoppy, just the typical Southern English dusty hoppiness. Aroma and flavour are malty with some caramel (but not really sweet), some cola notes.

Jun 4, 2005
08:27:04 PM
5915 Oakham Harlequin United Kingdom Blonde Ale 4.1

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. ABV was listed as 4.9%. The brewery website does not mention the ABV, it might vary. This is another lovely citrussy golden ale from Oakham, a style which seems to be their specialty. Golden colour, low head. Plenty of citrus, tropical fruits and honey in the aroma. Flavour has some citrus, but also some of the dusty hoppiness you’ll find in many Southern English ales.

Jun 4, 2005
08:30:04 PM
5916 Wensleydale Lidstones Rowley Mild United Kingdom Mild Ale 3.7

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, as "Wensleydale Rowley Mild". Gravity dispense. Dark brown colour. Lovely aroma of dark fruits with slightly roasty notes. Flavour is moderately malty with a moderate fruity character - lacking in hops, but that’s the traditional mild for yer, mate. Not too much of a mouthfeel at 3.2% ABV, but decent enough.

Jun 5, 2005
08:40:05 AM
5917 Belhaven Fruit Beer United Kingdom Fruit Beer 4.0

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, as "Belhaven Classic Fruit Beer". Dark amber colour. Strong fruity aroma of blackcurrants, blackberries, boysenberries and maybe some redcurrants too. Flavour is extremely fruity, raspberry, blackberries and redcurrants abound. A tolerable maltiness and a decent hoppy finish makes this an above-average ale. From the ratings of the pasteurized and bottled version it seems apparent that the cask version is superior.

Jun 5, 2005
08:44:05 AM
5918 Yates Undercliff Experience United Kingdom Bitter 3.7

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Brownish golden colour. Complex aroma of blackcurrants, blackberries and hay, some sherry too. Malty flavour with tolerable hops, hints of blackcurrant leaves and marsala (Italian fortified wine). Very moderate hops in the finish, slightly dusty.

Jun 5, 2005
10:46:05 AM
5919 Newmans Wolvers Ale United Kingdom Bitter 4.1

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Deep amber colour. Strong treacle / burnt caramel aroma, lovely. Butterscotch flavour, moderately sweet but with a hoppy finish. Unusual and nice.

Jun 5, 2005
11:34:05 AM
5920 Whittingtons Cats Whiskers United Kingdom Bitter 4.2

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Bottle conditioned, 500 ml. A gift from chris_o (a fellow beer rater), a very fine gift indeed! Thanks! Pours with an enormous and lingering foamy head, deep golden colour. Fairly clear till I disturbed the sediment in the end. Lovely hoppy aroma, "typically British" - at its best. Flavour is hoppy throughout on a nice malty background with some toffee notes, again "typically British". This is what John Smith’s SHOULD have tasted like! Rerate: now available in Norway at Cardinal pub, Stavanger. Still a great beer! This time I also get some hints of smoke in the flavour, which does not make the beer any worse.

Jun 6, 2005
05:44:06 PM
5921 Brakspear Triple United Kingdom English Strong Ale 4.5

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Bottle condtioned, 500 ml. Bottle No. 001880. Pours with a large, thick and lasting beige head. Beautiful copper colour, transparent, no sediment in bottle. Delightful sweet aroma - Christmas spices, caramel, brown sugar, oak, fruits (sultanas, plums), sherry. Flavour is malty and spicy with some brown sugar notes, but not too sweet. A substantial hoppy bitterness from start to finish. Very good!

Jun 7, 2005
03:08:07 PM
5922 Plassey Dragons Breath United Kingdom Extra Special Bitter 3.8

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival 2005, gravity dispense. This beer was described as an "old ale styled beer" in the festival programme, but the brewery website describes it as a "strong bitter". Colour is reddish brown. Excellent complex aroma: dark fruits, sherry, oak, butterscotch, hints of ensilage and new-mown grass. Fairly sweet oaky and malty flavour, some caramel and dusty hops too.

Jun 7, 2005
03:14:07 PM
5923 Tigertops Blanche de Newland United Kingdom Witbier 3.9

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Orange colour, hazy, low head. Lovely aroma of orange peel, coriander and witbier yeast (in other words: like it should be). Moderately sweet witbier flavour, orange peel and coriander dominates. Moderate dusty hops finish. Not a bad try on an un-English style!

Jun 7, 2005
03:24:07 PM
5924 Frog Island Croak & Stagger United Kingdom English Strong Ale 4.1

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Bottle conditioned, 500 ml. Dark reddish brown colour, slightly hazy, large to moderate head. Fine aroma of oak, leather and camphorwood, some roastiness, brown sugar and prunes too. Flavour is very malty and slightly spicy with a moderate roastiness, but first and foremost dominated by a pronounced hoppy bitterness from start to finish - it’s debatable whether they have overdone the Target hops here. Aftertaste is definitely astringent. Still, it’s nice to have a beer where the use of both malts and hops obviously has been generous. This is not a beer for the "Carlings Black Label" crowd!

Jun 7, 2005
03:28:07 PM
5925 Harviestoun Old Engine Oil United Kingdom Scottish Ale 4.6

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

330 ml bottle. Black colour, impenetrable for light. Moderate tan head. Looks like old engine oil, smells like old engine oil too - just add dark and roast malts, oak, leather, liquorice and dark bitter chocolate. Lovely roast malts flavour, oily texture. Elements of oak, dark bitter chocolate and substantial hops, maybe some dried fruits and English liquorice too. Great roasty bitter aftertaste with elements of peaty smoke. A great beer!

Jun 7, 2005
04:19:07 PM