Badger England's Own

 

Like sunshine in a bottle, this golden blonde ale has the most amazing hoppy, floral and elderflower aroma.  It's a shame that it has such a small, rapidly disappearing off-white head as it looks a bit off-putting in its headless state.

The elderflower aroma is replicated in the flavour along with white grape and its actually very refreshing.  It has a slight hint of bitterness in the finish which rounds it off nicely.  It has a thin body and surprisingly prickly carbonation which belies its flat appearance.

I really didn't expect it to be so nice; it's a perfect summer beer and I'd buy it again if it gets rebrewed.  Ale Be Seeing You again!

Brewed by Badger Brewery, Dorset
4.6% ABV

My rating:

My Untappd score: 3.75/5

Find out more at Badger Beers

Badger The Blandford Fly

I love anything with ginger in it so I was really excited to try The Blandford Fly from Dorset brewers, Badger.  As much as I love a ginger ale soft drink, what could be better than a real ginger ale?

This is a beautiful golden ale, that you can see through the clear bottle (oh what a shame, I had to buy two for the photograph), and it pours with a loose and very rapidly disappearing cream coloured head.

As I was pouring there was a very strong smell of hops but as the ale fills up the glass there is a lovely warm spicy aroma of ginger and a hint of toffee too.  With such a lovely ginger aroma, I couldn't wait to dive in for a taste.

Oh heavenly ginger!  Badger have got this one spot on with a lovely sweet and spicy combination that doesn't let the ginger overpower the taste yet remains gingery enough for us ginger lovers.  The initial flavour is sweet toffee followed by a spicy ginger kick and rounded off with a lovely dry finish.  Despite the lack of head, it's well carbonated and has a good medium body for a golden ale.

So very dry and refreshing, The Blandford Fly is definitely one for the ginger lovers!  The ginger spice catches the throat nicely without being too harsh; that's the perfect amount of ginger in my opinion.  I loved it and Ale Be Seeing You again!

Brewed by Badger Brewery, Dorset
5.2% ABV

My rating:

My Untappd score: 4.25/5

Find out more at Badger Brewery

Badger Golden Glory

As you can see, I didn't quite manage to get a full pint as there was a bit of sediment in the bottle, which is unusual for Badger ales but I think perhaps it had something to do with the peach.  Peach?  It's not a misprint, Golden Glory is a peachy beer!  It's an absolutely glorious colour like melted toffee with a loose, thin creamy head.

The initail hoppy aroma gives way to the most amazing peach smell.  Even if it didn't have peach on the neck label there is no mistaking this aroma.  I admit I wasn't looking forward to tasting it but I was pleasantly surprised.  The peach flavour is not overbearing at all, it's dry and slightly sweet at first with an unusual peach flavour lingering on the tongue.  Despite the small head, it's very fizzy with hard bubbles full of flavour.  Golden Glory is so very refreshing and perfect for a sunny day.

Much better than I thought, it's more likely Ale Be Seeing You Again than seeing the sun in North East England.

Brewed by Hall & Woodhouse, Dorset
4.5% ABV

My rating:

Find out more at Hall & Woodhouse

Badger First Gold

Now named First Call, this Badger ale is named after the dwarf hops used in its brewing. It is a delicious dark amber ale with a hint of ruby and an amazing head.  It smells predominantly malty with a nice hint of orange fruit.  The thick creamy head shows no sign of disappearing and leaves tremendous lacing as it is supped.

It's a really pleasant taste which is nice and creamy on the palate with a slight hint of orange and a subtle spicy aftertaste followed by a mellow nutty taste.  There is just the right amount of carbonation giving it a lovely refreshing zing.

An excellent light choice for a cold winter's day and, come snow or sun, Ale Be Seeing You Again!

Brewed by Hall and Woodhouse, Dorset

4.0% ABV

My rating:

Find out more at Hall and Woodhouse

Badger Firkin Fox

This is in between a deep golden and light amber colour with a huge frothy head.  It smells slightly malty with a subtle hint of citrus.

After the initial carbonation disperses it is silky smooth.   Warm spicy biscuit notes explode on the tongue with just a slight citrus aftertaste.  The huge head leaves some impressive lacing on the glass as it holds on to the very last drop.

I really like Firkin Fox and Ale Be Seeing You Again.

Brewed by Hall & Woodhouse, Dorset

4.6% ABV

My rating:

Find out more at Hall & Woodhouse

Badger First Call

With a lovely deep amber colour, I couldn't wait to sample this one and I certainly wasn't disappointed.  It has a pretty perfect head which, although it does disappear quickly, leaves just enough foamy goodness all the way down with a nice bit of lacing.

It smells of hops and orange zest but neither of these aromas are overpowering on tasting. With minimal carbonation, it is perfectly smooth with a subtle malty taste and it leaves a lingering sweetness on the tongue.

I don't think you can go far wrong with a Badger ale and Ale be Seeing You Again.

Brewed by Hall & Woodhouse, Dorset

4.0& ABV

Find out more about Badger First Call

Badger Daring Diver

I almost didn't buy this one but I am so glad that I did!  It has an abundant foamy head with bubbles a-plenty. It is a beautiful deep golden / light copper colour and it smells fruity, like a distant aroma of freshly squeezed oranges.

It tastes so creamy with a delicious malt biscuit taste and has a very slight aftertaste of lemons.  Although there is a lot of carbonation it is not too gassy. The head is amazing and lasts right to the end, even leaving a delightful lacy pattern on side of glass.

Brewed by Hall & Woodhouse, Dorset 

4.7% ABV

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Badger Hopping Hare

The first thing you notice on popping the top off this one is the very strong smell of hops, which is not surprising given the name but it really is a very strong smell and lingers long after the beer has gone!

It's actually a very refreshing light amber ale - there is a distinct citrus flavour, bubbles that never seem to disappear and a perfect foamy head.  It made me think of rustling cornfields and summer sun.  I would definitely buy it again and will ignore the complaint of the house smelling like a brewery!

Brewed by Hall & Woodhouse in Dorset

4.4% ABV

Find out more at Hall & Woodhouse