Dockyard Bootlegger Prohibition Beer

This is a lovely amber colour and pours with an overwhelming smell of apples.  It has quite a small head and not bad retention.  It neither tastes of beer nor cider but more of an apple juice.  It smells alcoholic but doesn't taste like it is a 5.5% beer.

It does, however, transport me back to the prohibition era when alcohol was made out of any old fruit or vegetable.  It's historical value alone is priceless as we taste what might have been our ancestors' tipple.

It was a nice afternoon beverage and would be amazing in the Summer, drinking outside and refreshing a sun-baked thirst.  Just tell your brain it's not beer and it's quite enjoyable.

This was one of my Christmas gifts from my parents but can be found in Morrisons for £1.65.

Brewed by Dockyard Distillers, Tunbridge Wells

5.5% ABV

Cotleigh Tawny Owl

This is a beautiful copper coloured ale.  It is slightly cloudy and I suspected there may be sediment in the bottom so I poured it slowly and carefully.  I did manage to get a little head that lasted quite some time, although wasn't robust enough to lace.  It smells very malty and I was surprised at the sweetness of the taste - it reminds me of honey. 

This was a really nice pint - smooth and malty with a hint of honey.  Ale be seeing you again!

Brewed by Cotleigh Brewery, Somerset

3.8% ABV

Find out more at Cotleigh Brewery

Hatherwood The Ruby Rooster

This is a gorgeous dark ruby colour with a very thin and fast disappearing head.  It has a distinct metallic smell so I was expecting a bitter taste.  It is actually slightly sweet with hints of chocolate and toffee, and does have a metallic aftertaste.  Once the head disappeared (within the first minute), and with it being a bit thin, it resembled Coca Cola.

Brewed by Wychwood, Oxfordshire for Lidl

3.8% abv

Wells Sticky Toffee Pudding Ale

I do love Wells Banana Bread Beer so I thought I'd give this one a try.  It's a lovely dark brown treacle colour with a slightly red tinge.  There is an interesting smell of sweet toffee cake as it pours. The rather disappointing head only lasts a few seconds giving the ale a look of Coca Cola.

It actually does taste of sticky toffee pudding with a slight bitterness of chocolate, although it is a bit odd in an ale.  It has a burnt toffee/treacle flavour and a not unpleasant sponge cake aftertaste.  It is quite fizzy with harsh little bubbles bursting on the tongue so I was quite surprised at the lack of head.  It is because of this fizz that I felt like I was drinking coke rather than ale.

It's ok as a gimmick but not one Ale be seeing again.

Brewed by Charles Wells, Bedford

5% ABV

Find out more at Wells

Badger Tanglefoot

This is a lovely golden/light amber colour with a striking white head, although it disappears quite quickly.  It is very fizzy and smells of fruit and hops.  It has a very sweet fruity and slightly spicy taste, making it very easily drinkable.  It has a pleasant bitter aftertaste and is a nice English Pale Ale.

Brewed by Hall and Woodhouse, Dorset

5% ABV

Find out more at Hall and Woodhouse

Badger Fursty Ferret

This was really lovely and right up my street.  A gorgeous amber ale with an amazing complex aroma of nuts, hops, malt and a hint of orange.  It has a very good head although it disappears quite quickly.

It's such a smooth pint that it was an absolute delight to drink, leaving a slightly malty and bitter aftertaste.

I really liked it and Ale be seeing you again!

Brewed by Hall and Woodhouse, Dorset

4.4& ABV

Find out more at Hall and Woodhouse

Wold Top Mallard

This is a beautiful clear deep golden colour with an abundance of fizzy bubbles, and a small frothy pure white head. It smells hoppy and slightly fruity like apples or pineapples.

It was a lot smoother than I expected and despite the evident carbonation it's not gassy.  It tastes beery yet slightly citrussy with a crisp and dry aftertaste.  It leaves fabulous lacing down the sides of the glass.  I would say this is a good old Yorkshire beer!

Brewed by Wold Top Brewery, Yorkshire

4% ABV

Find out more at Wold Top Brewery