St Austell Tribute

Purple is my favourite colour and with a label reminiscent of Cadbury's chocolate I just had to get this Cornish Pale Ale.

It's a nice deep golden or light amber colour and smells of tropical fruit when poured.  It has a definite citrus taste but, being mainly a palate of grapefruit, it doesn't taste like lemon squeezy washing up liquid (not that I've ever tried it).

A very refreshing ale with a hint of a malty taste so I would put this somewhere between a pale ale and a bitter.  I am definitely a bitter girl (it's a fact - I'm bitter and I like bitter!) and with the sun shining in the North East today this gets a big thumbs up from me!

Brewed by St Austell Brewery, Cornwall

4.2% ABV

Find out more at St Austell Brewery

Mordue Radgie Gadgie

A deep golden and strong tasting outstanding ale - just look how perfect it is!  Another proper northern bitter with good body, a hoppy flavour and malty aftertaste.  It's very pleasant and exceedingly good - indeed, it's a Mr Kipling of beers!

After spending half of my holidays working and feeling like a bit of a radgie lass it was rather fitting that I had a Radgie Gadgie!  It tastes of sunshine and beer gardens - yes, we do sometimes see the sun Up North!

Interesting fact: Radgie Gadgie means angry old man in Geordie

Brewed by Mordue Brewery, Tyne & Wear

4.8% ABV

Check out my review of Mordue Workie Ticket here

Head to Mordue to find out more

Cumberland Breweries Corby Ale

This is a nice light amber colour but as you can see it is slightly cloudy, although not unpleasant.  It is labelled as being fruity with malt and biscuit notes but I felt that it had more subtle notes of toffee and honey and is quite refreshing.  There's a small amount of fizz which goes a bit flat after a while.  So drink it quickly!

Brewed by Cumberland Breweries, Carlisle

3.8% ABV

Find out more at Cumberland Breweries

Coniston Brewing Co Bluebird Bitter

This fizzes out of the bottle thanks to the live yeast and pours with a stunning bubbly frothy head.  It is a lovely amber colour so I knew I was in for a treat.  There is a very light sediment but it's hardly noticeable and I managed to keep most of it in the bottle on pouring.

It has a very light fruity taste and there is a definite and not unpleasant hint of geraniums. Its not even too fizzy, which I expected it to be after the explosion of bubbles on opening. The big frothy head soon disappears and leaves a much more manageable foam.  I felt it also had a bit of a buttery taste and could imagine eating buttered scones on the banks of Coniston Water with the ghost of The Bluebird whizzing by.

Voted CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 1998

It's been on my wishlist for a while and will definitely be a repeat purchase.

Brewed by Coniston Brewing Co, Cumbria

4.2% ABV

Find out more about Coniston ales

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

Blue Moon Brewing Co Blue Moon

The sun is out, it's almost summer, so time for a wheat beer.  This is my favourite wheat beer - it's not as gassy as most and has an appealing cloudy appearance.

Blue Moon is best served with a slice of orange, but it's just as good without one.  It has enough of its own citrus flavour to blast your tastebuds and a creamy head that lasts despite its minimal appearance.

It's definitely very moreish which is why it's an astounding wheat beer - most wheat beers fill you so full of gas that you can't drink too many but I could keep drinking this one until the moon rises and beyond.

Brewed by Blue Moon Brewing Co, Toronto, Canada

5.4% ABV

Head to Blue Moon Brewing Co to find out more

Batemans Dark Lord

This beer was brewed to commemorate 'Black Tom' who fought in the English Civil war Battle of Winceby in Lincolnshire.

Like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to this dark ruby beer and I wasn't disappointed.  You can just see the dark ruby glow in my photograph and it is very dark - it looks almost stout-like.

My first taste was like eating a bag of liquorice allsorts - not overpowering by any means, but enough to tell you with your eyes closed that you were drinking a dark ale.  The label states spicy notes but I found it a bit more fruity than spicy.  It's not overly fizzy, there's no nasty aftertaste and the head clings to the glass until the last drop.  A perfect dark ale.

If you like stout and porter you will love this!  It's going on my shopping list.

Brewed by Batemans in Lincolnshire

5% ABV

Find out more about Batemans Brewery and Dark Lord