Don’t know if this is a new high or a new low, as it’s only 9:50 am, but there it is. To be fair, I’ve been awake since 7, so my body thinks it’s at least 11. Plus I’ve waited about as long as I could to drink this so I guess it’s time. Also I had a very healthy breakfast, so I think it all balances out.
I would have bought this bottle even if Bill George (Beer Avatar of the LCBO) hadn’t specifically told me to. Label is a lovely depiction of an English pub, and the neck label literally reads “CAMRA says this is real ale”. It could have had a poison logo on it, and I would probably still consume it.
Poured from a 500ml brown bottle that tells me CAMRA says this is Real Ale. Best by date is stamped on the label. I wish I’d also noticed the instruction to “pour carefully”, as this bottle conditioned ale comes with yeast bits. Oh well, at least I know why CAMRA supports them. The beer is a slightly hazy brown with hints of red. Nearly no head though there is a bit of a ring. Aroma is immediately bready malts with a a wonderful hop bite. Oh yes, this is awesome, I’m so glad I gave it 15 minutes to warm up a bit. Taste is a perfect balance, with the hop leading the charge, nicely bitter, without being citrusy or too resinous. Maybe hints of something floral to the hop. the malt is present throughout, sweet and malty, like the loaf of bread I’m hoping Erika arrives home with from Brick Street Bakery. There are elements of nuttiness on the finish. The hop is nicely drying, though the malt lingers on, not really sweet, but just a reminder of that wonderful bready taste. The mouthfeel is actually fairly medium bodied, with no carbonation (it’s real ale, remember). Especially considering the thermometre I just stuck in it says it’s sitting at about 14*C, this beer goes down so smooth and easy. I wish I had a 10l cask sitting on my desk (okay, my desk is 150 years old, I probably wouldn’t risk it, let’s say on a stand next to my desk). Believe me, it wouldn’t go to waste. I would drink it, Erika would drink it (despite being gluten-free for the next two weeks), and Ben would drink it (despite being 19 months old). That is, if they could get any before I’d finished it. Do I make myself clear? This is a drinkable beer. Go buy it, you owe yourself. Drink it at 9:50 am or 9:50 pm. Just drink it, if you like beer, you won’t be sorry.
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