Pedigree - Marston, Thompson & Evershed, Plc.

CrazyMike

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Amber brown appearance with a small amount of bubbly head that disappears quickly but leaves decent retention. Has a brown sugar smell with a hint of malt and bread and nuts.

Taste is sweet is similar to the smell, brown sugar, barley and bread; picked up some bitter hops, caramel, roasted malt and grass as well. Light bodied with light carbonation. Has a bitter, caramel aftertaste.

Overall; very tasteful Pale Ale, but at the same time balanced and easy to drink. While there’s the problem that there’s no strong features to it, I think it’s almost a staple for English Ales. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 04:36:27 | More by CrazyMike

camil1mj

Michigan

3/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

A: Transparent amber with one finger, foamy white head.

S: similar to other English ales. Bitter hops.

T: Very simple flavor going on. Bitter like Grolsch or Heineken.

M: Light body and medium carbonation.

O: Nothing special. Run of the mill English Ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 23:25:35 | More by camil1mj

2.88/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - clear amber with a thin white head.

Smell - earthy English hops with a hint of lemon, ripe fruit, and faint caramel.

Taste - not much going on here at all. A bit of wood, faint and subdued citrus, and a mineral finish. Not much malt character to speak of. Very dry and quite refreshing.

Serving type: can

06-11-2011 02:16:16 | More by

bearish

Singapore

3.75/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was something I wanted to add to my conquest, so tried it at a pub near my school - Mr Punch.

Beer poured a dark amber, reminded me of the colour of a Palm. Quite a nice head forming which went down nice and slow. Plenty of lacing on the sides of my glass. Another good sign.

Smells of flowers, I expect this to be fairly hoppy. A little touch of honey, a little malty. Smells were not too much on my bottle. Possibly because the beer is only a month away from expiry. Must have been a little dead on its long journey to Singapore.

Carbonation was a tad too little when I had the first mouthful. Maybe it was the way I poured, I'm not too sure. Sweet malts and a tinge of honey on the first bit, which the hops came to balance it out nicely. Mouthfeel was quite creamy.

Well done for an ale so far! Aftertaste and dry hoppy finish lingered on the back of my throat for a while.

Overall, this was a good drink, easy and refreshing. One more to my plus list.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 14:24:00 | More by bearish

Cresant

Kentucky

3.03/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served this 1 pint .09 oz. brown bottle in a Sierra Nevada Hops glass. No date but coded: OAHK 04.21. The body was a rich honey color with a light haze. The large creamy head was light tan. A solid cap remained but left only specks of lace on the glass.

The smell was of cooked apples and a light breadiness.

The taste was of tart apples and a caramel sweetness. There was a gentle bitterness to balance the beer. Very drinkable. A solid English Pale Ale.

The mouthfeel seemed typical for the style, a bit undercarbonated. Medium to light bodied.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 12:00:39 | More by Cresant

Kartoffeln

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear, deep copper with a foamy tan head which settles to a frothy cap and leaves generous lacing.

S: Slightly bready malts, toffee, grassy hops, and a pronounced mineral scent. Faint hints of roasted malts.

T: Toffee and particularly biscuity malts, with just a hint of honey and overall sweetness. The Fuggles hops are much more pronounced in the taste - grassy, fruity, and slightly spicy - and work with some roasted malt undertones to provide balancing bitterness.

M: The mouthfeel is nothing short of silken: smooth carbonation, light body, and a clean finish.

D: A solid, downright archetypal example of the English Pale Ale, but only really distinguished by its exceptional mouthfeel. It may be the most sessionable EPA I've had yet.

Serving type: can

05-19-2011 02:25:29 | More by Kartoffeln

Everydayoff

Thailand

3.58/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

500ml can poured into a pint glass by freshness date.

A:
Attractive showcase with clear mahogany/copper hue with massive creamy and silky head, it slightly dissipates then everlastingly stands to the last sip. Good lacing stick, low carbonation.

S:
The smell contains barley malt with hint of somewhat roasted, slight caramel, mild fruity, tea and hop.

T:
Kick off by malt and caramel, bitterness from hop gradually reveals with a moderate kick from the middle until finish, roasted trait which is slight astringent also lay subdued.

M:
The body is light with light carbonated mouthfeel and dry finish.

O:
Very easy to go beer, a good start for getting in this style as well as no offensive to revisit.

Serving type: can

04-15-2011 14:18:57 | More by Everydayoff

avalon07

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a golden brown color and a slightly hazy consistency. There was an inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A somewhat grainy, hoppy aroma. very much in keeping with the style.

T: Tasted of hops, a certain grassy/grainy quality, malt, and a breadiness. A solid, but not overly ambitious flavor. Clean and straightforward.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a very dry finish. Medium-bodied.

D: A generally well made and drinkable English Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 13:36:58 | More by avalon07

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer isn't too bad but it's still just a standard English Bitter. It's a good beer to wet your whistle with. It's light in flavor and mouthfeel. Not overly watered down but not thick either. The average drinker would probably enjoy this quite a bit. It's an easy beer to drink a lot of. I would get bored drinking too many of these though. The color is a minimal hazy yellow with not much head. Would have liked to try this one on tap because it sounds much better than way.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2011 23:36:01 | More by Knapp85

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +13%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was one of two English cask ales I was very much looking forward to at the Yards Real Ale Invitational this past weekend. And it didn't disappoint. Actually, I think it was the only offering to which I went back for seconds.

It didn't pour with much of a head at all, if any. What do you expect from casks (sans engine)? But it had a lovely pale marigold color - vibrant and only lightly hazy. A moderately rich biscuity and decidedly butterscotch aroma left me to wonder if this was done maturing yet. Earthy hops floated softly atop the malts.

Even though it has but simple ingredients - Maris Otter barley, Fuggles and Goldings hops - it had a very distinct, quite defined (what I think of as) honey-kissed graham cracker flavor with only a tiny fleck of fruitiness and a wonderfully mellow hop bitterness in the immediate background. A fairly full flavor all-around, highlighted with some faint toasty and nutty notes, that I would have some difficulty comparing it to another ale perhaps due to inexperience and/or familiarity with a wide range of, in the US, lesser-known English pales. Haven't had an American pale ale quite the same as well.

Must have had this at a pivotal moment. A lot of things were clicking. Not only did the flavor wow me a good bit, it rolled through the palate velvety smooth, reminding me of the first time I had a cask ale - the carbonation had yet (or failed) to take hold, but it was alien and lovely. I see on their website that they distribute this to the US. Where? (Oh, State Line, of course)

Serving type: cask

03-24-2011 00:48:31 | More by Bouleboubier

eric5bellies

Australia

3.08/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a clear copper colour with a bubbly white head that dies quick.

S - A few malts and barley

T - Usual malts and flavours, quite nice on the finish

M - Very smooth and lovely carbonation.

O - A very sessionable drop that is quite balanced

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 15:50:29 | More by eric5bellies

kojevergas

California

3.63/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes during a trip to Glasgow in January 2011. Served from a cask into a pint glass in the Bon Accord pub.

A: Bubble show is rare in a pale ale, but this one has one. The show resolves to a cloudy hazy lingering white-tan in the middle, with a clear gold copper colour in the bottom. The head is thick and has cream. Appealing.

Sm: Fresh barley, malt. Light scent. Hard to detect individual notes with my broken nose.

T: Holy cream, batman! The cream on the finish is absolutely wonderful, almost comparable to the cream of Belhaven. The body, however, is lacking: it's a standard mashup of the usual suspects - which is a bit bland. Let me reiterate that the finish is postively lovely-like.

Mf: So light, so delightfuckingly smooth. Rolls down the tongue; you bask in its creamy goodness.

Dr: A wonderful example of cream done right, kind of a kilkenny meets belhaven, but sadly lacking in the body. I'd recommend it to fellow brewers just to see how creamy it is, but I wouldn't order it again at Glasgow prices. Lacks the usual bitterness of pale ales, which is actually quite nice in this case.

Serving type: cask

03-08-2011 00:36:51 | More by kojevergas

Halcyondays

California

4.28/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

500 mL bottle, good to see this back in the States, I don't think I've had this since 2006, into an Imperial Pint glass, glad to know it'll be real fresh,

A: Pours a clear burnt amber with a medium white head. Good retention, solid spotty lace.

S: Bread, minerality, sea air, light but very much to style.

T: Solid English malt flavour with some spicy grassy hop notes. Great secondary sulfur and green apple flavours, hard water, hallmark Burton.

M: Crisp, smooth, vibrant carbonation. Sparkling.

D: A classic of English brewing, I'm delighted to see it back. Good now, but begs to be on cask.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 03:35:36 | More by Halcyondays

Patrick999

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not a style I drink all that often, but I'm up for it. I might even have to consult the BJCP Style Guidelines to make sure I'm rating according to style correctly here.

Shows a very clear off-orange when poured into my imperial pint. Head retention "good" with one solid ring of lacing showing up. Check.

In the aroma, mostly just a hint of caramel, minor earthy English hops. Ever so slightly sulfurous.

Little more crisp in both taste and feel than I probably expected. Crisp feel, nippy hop and clean caramel malt bill. I could mistake for an American Amber. No diacetyl noted.

Almost seems to drink bigger than 4.5%. I need to knock this category a couple points, as the beer seems filling and burpy. I have no doubt this would be easier-drinking off a cask, and would appreciate the opportunity to do so.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 22:39:04 | More by Patrick999

ktrillionaire

Florida

3.35/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

@ Mr. Dunderbak's

A - It pours a honey-golden hue, capped with a short-lived white head, and giving no lace.

S - The nose is very subdued, and all honey for what it is, nothing else. Seriously. It smells somewhere between tupelo and orange blossom honey. I guess there is a bit of vague grain, but it is way low-key.

T - The taste is explosively flavorful, in comparison to the nose. I get some earthy hop, a lot of honey sweetness, a lot of minerality, and also a few off-flavors of metal and sweat-cabbage, in that order. The good outweighs the notsogood.

M - Big creaminess in the body, perhaps the best characteristic of this brew.

D - Its okay, not any better than any other widely available EPA (Boddington's, Abbot, etc.)

Serving type: cask

02-25-2011 07:03:51 | More by ktrillionaire

DaveHS

California

3.63/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Clear amber with 1 inch of foamy, pillowy head. Leaves sheets of intricate lacing.

S-Maris otter, fuggles, mildly bright citrus.

T/M-Light, with that unmistakable bready maris otter malt character, and dry, earthy English hops.

D- Compared to other similar beers, this one translates well in the bottle. Nothing amazing. Good for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 05:51:43 | More by DaveHS

SmokinSmyth

Belgium

3.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Drank this in front of the fire while reading the paper.

The color is amber, on the light side.

Aroma is pleasant, but not very noteworthy, smells mildly of hops and malts.

Taste is easy, mostly malt with a shade of hops.

Very easy to drink, so high on the drinkability scale. Feels fine in the mouth, not thick but you know it's there.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2011 19:15:24 | More by SmokinSmyth

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.05/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Nov 2011 and an ABV of 5%.

Poured into a Sam Smith's pint glass - a nice deep amber colour with good carbonation. Thick creamy head that remains for several minutes before subsiding. Malty aroma and something like alcohol (diacetyl?); not much by way of hops. Notes of caramel and toffee.

Taste is somewhat malty with mild bitterness. No real hop flavours to be noted. Mouthfeel is smooth and a bit oily - feels like the tongue is coated with something slippery. Vaguely unpleasant aftertaste.

An OK ale, but rather bland. I won't be drinking this on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 22:18:02 | More by jazzyjeff13

bryehn

Ontario (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

First time trying this one, freshly poured bottle, 5.0% ABV, BB date of September 2011.

Pours a nice, fiery, amber-copper tone with a rich and frothy white head that leaves some generous lacing.

Remarkably fresh aroma for a months-old import. Nothing surprising here given the use of Fuggles and Golding hops, but the aroma is deep and rich, well-balanced between malt and hops with wood, fresh river water and grains. Very nice.

The taste is also rich and malty, punctuated by a very creamy mouthfeel. The bitterness may be a bit lopsided, not overpowering, but appearing more in the finish than throughout the taste.

I get a resin-syrup type aftertaste, meaning I'd probably never have more than one or two in a session. It does feel a bit heavy overall, but I'll definitely try it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 21:57:45 | More by bryehn

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.15/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

My bottle listed 5% abv & not the 4.5% listed here.

Reddish amber with a very small, bubbly white head & lots of bubbles through the pint.

Malts & caramel on the nose with a fruity kind of smell blended in as well. Rather pleasant, especially the fruit like aroma.

Has a sort of sweet taste with a spicy hop flavour mixed in. Hints of the fruit as well.

Medium bodied and smooth with mild carbonation & a dry aftertaste.

Quite a pleasant ale although nothing to write home about, just a solid pale ale with no real negative aspects.

http://abarwithnoname.wordpress.com

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 23:11:01 | More by flyingpig

Wattsox

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

3.65/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle, consumed Jan 2011, BBE 31 Dec 2011.

A - Amber coloured beer with a decent head that dissipates fairly quickly, leaving a moderate amount of lacing.

S - Gentle pleasant smell of malts with a little hops.

T - A sweet taste with some gentle hop bitterness.

M - Mild carbonation, smooth feel with a dry finish.

D - Very smooth and drinkable, definitely a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 03:35:00 | More by Wattsox

jhtipton

Spain

3.63/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 500 ML into a pint glass. Nice tawny golden colour with mild head and som lacing. Smell is mild hops and malts but not too much else. Taste is slightly bitter, malty, some peppery taste. Mouth feel is somewhat fizzy and light to medium bodied.
Drinakabilty is above average; I could have some more but possibly would levitate more to Marston's IPA. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 16:57:46 | More by jhtipton

Brad007

Vermont

4.47/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a mild amber color with a two-finger head into my glass. Good presentation.

Aroma is clean with fresh baked bread and just a pinch of hops on the nose. Certainly seems like it's to the style.

Taste? Sweet and grainy with just a tad bit of hops. Crisp, refreshing and easy to drink.

Mouthfeel is full of lingering sweet, grainy bread. Very pleasant.

Wow. This is certainly an excellent example of the english pale ale style. I like it more so than a few other examples I've had. I would highly recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2010 00:48:25 | More by Brad007

Mjoepp

Sweden

2.75/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Deep copper redish colour, one finger high white head after a violent pour.

S: Euro lagerish, malty and fresh.

T: Malty and some light hops. Some bitterness, probably because of the spicy food . Light carbonation.

O: Easy to drink, but boring after a while

Serving type: can

10-21-2010 21:36:06 | More by Mjoepp

Sunnanek

Sweden

3.45/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours amber, with a medium large kind of thick head that dissipates into decent lacings.

S: Some sweet caramell malt and some fruityness, mainly citric. Some butter.

T: Sweet carmell malt together with English floral hops as well as bitter ones. Fruity.

M: Aftertaste is long and surprisingly bitter - nice. Body is medium and carbonation is mild.

D: Overall a decent EPA, not bad at all.

Serving type: can

10-21-2010 18:15:55 | More by Sunnanek