One woman's ale journey

A beery boozy journey with delightful snacks along the way and a book in my hand.

Monday 30 January 2017

Purity Warwickshire Amber Ale


I just have to say that, although it is a perfect amber colour, this ale has no head, nothing at all no matter whether poured straight or at an angle. There wasn't even a rapidly disappearing head, it's just not there at all, there are only a few bubbles around the edges. It's slightly disappointing in appearance for an amber ale, but we all know that appearances can be deceptive, so let's see what it smells and tastes like.

I was very impressed by the smell and taste; it is very malty and has a smooth and fruity taste like a thick butterly slice of malt loaf. It's actually a very nice taste and it's a real shame that there's no head (did I mention that). It is quite fizzy but smooth, you can see from the picture that there isn't much carbonation but the bubbles appear from nowhere as they burst on your tongue.  It's tastes very crisp and refreshing, with a clear spring water aftertaste.  Half way down the glass, the head magically appeared, but it was too little too late I think.

Brewed by Purity Brewing Company, Warwickshire
4.5% ABV

My rating:

Sunday 29 January 2017

Arundel Castle


This is definitely a traditional bitter colour of ale - it's a lovely toffee colour with a traditional tight frothy head.  It smells hoppy, fruity, malty and ever so slightly sweet.

There is an abundant mixture of tastes coming through including toffee, fruit and biscuit with the traditional slight metallic aftertaste.  Arundel Caste is smooth, dry and deliciously hoppy; an easy 4 or even 4.5 rating from me.

Brewed by Arundel Brewery, West Sussex
3.8% ABV

My rating:

Saturday 28 January 2017

Wychwood Dunkel Fester


A Halloween special edition ale from Wychwood is a delicious dark ale with a ruby tinge.  It has a beige head although there isn't much of it.  The smell is predominantly malty yet fruity so I think I'm going to like this one!

It has a lovely sweet liquorice taste, very much like Guinness but fizzy.  It's a surprisingly pleasant drink, and feels rather light for a dark ale, but one I'd definitely pick up again at around the £1.50 mark from Aldi. 

Brewed by Wychwood, Oxfordshire
4.4% ABV

My rating:
Although Dunkel Fester was a seasonal ale, you can find out more about Wychwood brewery by clicking here.

Sunday 22 January 2017

Allendale Curlew's Return


This has a lovely light ruby colour with a distinct floral and citrus, yet malty, smell.  It has a really good head on pouring but it is quite loose so disappears after a few minutes to a thin foamy layer which does lace on the glass.

The citrus is very subtle in the taste, but mixes excellently with a floral bitter aftertaste.  It has a really nice mixture of flavours with malt giving way to floral and then citrus.  It's quite unusual and certainly not a traditional red ale, with the additional of the floral and citrus notes.  Curlew's Return is very nicely carbonated with just enough bubbles to give a pleasant explosion on the tongue.

A highly unusual red that Ale Be Seeing Again.

Brewed by Allendale Brewery, Northumberland
4.2% ABV

My rating:





Find out more at Allendale Brewery