Admiral's Ale - St. Austell Brewery

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle conditioned 500ml's, poured carefully into an Abbot Ale glass tankard on 2 Nov 2012 @ home some 5 months before it's best before date of 30 Mar 2013.

Toffee apple/copper body with a thin white head.

Mixed bag of flavours in the nose and taste: malts foremost but with floral and citrus hop notes behind the biscuity light maltiness that just wins the battle for dominance.

Nice blend, semi-sweet overal but with enough hop presence to keep the beer in check and give it a mini-bitterness towards the end of each gulp.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 13:19:38 | More by BlackHaddock

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - slightly hazy copper, thumb of off white head retained well leaving consistent lacing as it receded
S - citrus and pine with a caramel background, light perfume late along with a mineral quality
T - pine, herbal, and light perfume hops, caramel and grainy malt
M - lightish body, a little prickly with a mild bitter finish
O - this is definitely an English brew, haven't had much of this particular style but it is definitely tasty, wouldn't be my regular cup of tea but a nice change and definitely worth a try

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 05:48:29 | More by joemcgrath27

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a clear copper hue with a 1/2 finger width of foamy head.

Smell - Grains and malts, floral hoppy notes, hint of citrus.

Taste - Slightly bitter flavour with the taste of grains and barley malts. Tiny hint of lemony citrus.

Mouthfeel - Light-to-medium bodied with light carbonation. A tad on the thin side.

Overall - A respectable ale by St. Austell. I liked the hint of citrus flavours (nice lingering in the aftertaste), as well as the floral notes in both aroma and taste. Could use some improvement in the mouthfeel. Perhaps it is because the bottle says "Best Before February 2012".

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 23:40:56 | More by leaddog

EmperorBevis

United Kingdom (England)

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a darker shade of ruby rich mahogany brown with red edges decent enough white head.

Quite sweet on the nose with a bit of a dark theme running through plums and brown sugar.

Rich and sweet the tastes starts with molasses and before the sugar sweet hit the hops warm up and take over the bottle conditioning has worked perfectly any yeast tastes compliment rather than dictate.

Slightly thin on the mouthfeel but only just good carbonation makes a tasty little treat

This is the port you want to pull into.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 22:22:56 | More by EmperorBevis

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle. Best before Feb 2012. "I see no ships" - ok, Col. Klink...uh, I mean 'Admiral'...

This beer pours a clear dark golden amber hue, with one finger of creamy/foamy ecru head, which leaves some streaky, wave crest lace around the glass as it recedes. It smells of toasted bready, crackery, biscuity (Britishy!) malt, a bit of citrus, and bitter leafy, earthy hops. The taste is more toasted biscuit malt, a bit of fleshy drupe fruitiness, and leafy, somewhat herbal, (Bri)tannic hops. The carbonation is quite sedate, but simmering under there somewhere, the body a laid-back medium weight, and rather smooth. It finishes malty, to be sure, but with a nice lingering fruity, herbal hoppiness.

A well-rendered EPA, flavourful without resorting to the gimmicky, overbearing padding of already substantial inherent qualities. An ale that I would be happy to re-up with at a local pub, if given the option.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 23:26:17 | More by biboergosum

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle poured into tulip 18/9/11

A clear dark copper with thousands of tiny particles being moved around by plenty of bubbles, thumbs width of foam fell quickly and left no lace

S some apple juice, caramel, and a little earthy hops

T not far from the smell but with a little herbal tea and some plum perhaps

M medium bodied with a silky entry and then the bubbles cream it up a bit, a mellow but long lasting herbal aftertaste helps its cause

O pretty solid with lots of flavor in a beer that wont knock you on your ass

worth a try for sure, would make a good session beer but at 7$ a bottle it could be an expensive session

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 03:54:37 | More by wordemupg

StJamesGate

New York

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Honeyed amber with fresh cream-coloured lumpy white head. Nose is surprisingly Creamsicle orange with honey granola underneath.
Big juicy citrus jam with wholemeal biscuits underneath and more orange in the hops with some underlying cardamon spiciness.
Candied orange peel finish and gingerbread linger. Soft, round, medium, some sticky chew.

Late Cascade explains the tasty nose, Styrian Goldings the spice. Citrus bomb from end to end, orange all over the place, with just enough biscuit and spice to mark it as English. The perfect US-UK hyrbrid and an insanely tasty, compulsively drinkable beer.

Deservingly multiple Champion beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 18:15:36 | More by StJamesGate

CwrwAmByth

United Kingdom (Wales)

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a Samuel Smiths pint glass.

Appears a rich copper colour with a lively brownish head that quickly eases and settles down.

Smells of hops mostly, with some alcohol too.

Tastes of hops and malts, quite good, very complex, alcohol too.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 12:03:24 | More by CwrwAmByth

fullsweep

United Kingdom (England)

4.6/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

500 mL brown bottle poured into a pint glass.

St. Austell brews another hit!

A: Great copper/mahogany colour (brown with red and orange hues)

S: Very complex here: rustic, old, fruity, floral, malty all in one!

T: I haven't had a better tasting pale ale in a long time (if ever!)--very palatable! The fruity sweetness is dominant, though I have a tough time placing the specificity--maybe cherries (but not at all like a kriek). There is a mild bitterness on the finish that balances out the flavours. This is by no means an overpoweringly sweet beer, but very nice in every way!

M: like St. Austell's Proper Job, this one is also surprisingly carbonated in the mouth, but with the flavor combinations in the Admiral's Ale, it's brilliant!

O: Very excellent beer! I've found a new go-to beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2011 22:32:50 | More by fullsweep

thepeter

United Kingdom (England)

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark amber maybe copper color with a small head that had little retention. Smells of mild floural hops and caramel malt with a bit of fruitiness in the backround. The taste is very well balanced and really complex mix of flavors between the fresh floural hops the caramel bready malt, citrus and bitter crisp refreshing end. Medium bodied with crisp ample carbonation and goes down very nicely. Overall this beer is better than the sum of it's parts and just a great all around beer. Goes with food, on its own, with friends or alone.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2011 21:39:56 | More by thepeter

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 500mL bottle into a pint glass.

A: The wacky label and odd pinkish tint of the brew through the bottle put me off a bit, but I was assured this was a "great beer." It pours well -- crisp, clear medium-brown with light head and significant bubbles. No complaints so far.

S: Floral hops give a nice topnote to fruiter undertones. Something about this smell rings a bell, but I can't quite put my finger on it -- is it the biscuit? I don't think so. I'm lost until I read the ingredients: Cascade hops (in addition to Styrian Golding). The pine, once recognised, is unmistakeable in the nose.

T: This is way better than I expected it to be! Flavours are all mixed together -- bready, spicy, piney, hoppy, sweet. Very complex, very delicious. The hop character has a tendency to dominate overall, but perhaps that's because I'm now attuned to the Cascade hops. The aftertaste is dry, pleasant, but not overly long. After a long while there is the slightest hint of butterscotch.

M: Mmm, hoppy, dry, carbonated, delicious.

D: I wasn't lied to -- this is a great beer. One of the best I'd had in the country. Will drink again; absolutely recommended.

Notes: An interesting bit of history, this beer was brewed in 2005 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the British victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. Allegedly, the King's messenger first stopped in a St. Austell tavern on his way to London to spread the news. Regardless of the veracity, this beer is worthy of such a glorific history.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 17:30:35 | More by AgentMunky

cyanidesid

United Kingdom (England)

4.18/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I expected by the smell this beer to be hoppier than it is but its the malt that comes through. Rich, ruby ale that is well worth trying a bottle or two. I like the St Austell beers and this one is a belter.
Its gone down a little too easily really so I`ll slow down on the next one.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2009 19:26:49 | More by cyanidesid

kmacphail

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

One of my variety of beers from the CAMRA beer club winter case 2008.

A ruby brown ale with a thin off white head with a nice amount of transparency, not hazy.

The nose is of fresh smelling bitter hops along with a slightly tangy and zesty note of lemons and oranges, very refreshing scent.

A slightly sweetish initial taste followed by a bitter hoppy taste along with a hint of citrus fruit. This gave the beer a really well balanced flavour.

A medium bodied beer that proved to be extremely drinkable. An ideal drink for a hot summers day when some of your other favourites may feel a bit too heavy, very refreshing, but tasty beer, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2009 07:26:28 | More by kmacphail

GreenCard

Oregon

3.78/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the CAMRA Beer Club "Refreshing Spring Ales 2008" shipment...

Appearance: deep copper, great clarity, thick layer of bubble off-white foam, good head retention

Aroma: hints of grapefruit and Belgian-y hops; rich caramelly malt

Flavor: dryish malt backbone with a toasty/biscuity note; hints of strong teat and an apricot pit bitterness; finishes dry with a lingering nutty, bitter aftertaste

Mouthfeel: medium body, pert carbonation, slight minerally texture

Other comments: A very flavorful pale ale in the "American" style of hopping though in keeping with a nice, malty fullness. Quite scrumptious!

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2008 16:32:52 | More by GreenCard

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A bottle-conditioned ale brewed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar Battle. The BB date is 12/05/2006.

A: pours a copperish colour, with a nice frothy and rocky beige-hued head with good retention, slowly settling to a thin carpet of tiny foams; subtly-bubbly body.
S: lots and lots of citrus fruits mixed well with caramel maltiness; Cascade and Goldings hops are mixed very successfully in this beer, resulting in a profound combination of citrus-zesty as well as flowery aroma, which in turn reaches a harmony with slightly toffeeish, marmalade, and candyish note of maltiness. So soft yet very aromatic. as well.
T: lots of nuttiness, caramel and raisiny maltiness prevail on the palate upfront, backed by good amount of sweetened citrus-zests and slightly herbal hoppyness; turning just slightly bitter at the back, with a lingering flow of nutty malts as well as orange marmalade in the aftertaste. Pretty clean finish, though, on top of a mild but lingering bitter zesty-fruity flavour on the sides of the tongue.
M: the mouthfeel is very very smooth, with a faintly oily touch matching the overlal fruit-hoppy theme quite well. A clear structure sustains throughout the drink, with a firm dark malty platform allowing the aromatic and fruity hoppyness dancing freely. Very delicious premium bitter, and I wish they would make this a regular brew!!

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2005 19:12:25 | More by wl0307

BenConnery

Australia

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The blurb on the bottle says this is "brewed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar in 1805. It is brewed using Cornish Gold malt - locally grown barley is traditionally malted using a special kilning process which develops a deeper intensity of colour and flavour than ordinary barley malt. Blended with both Styrian Golding and Cascade hops, the result is a deep bronze ale with a delicious rich biscuit flavour and a wonderful spicy aroma."
I've included this because, unlike many marketing blurbs, this is pretty much right on the money.
It poured a lovely deep golden red (bronze even?...) WIth a decent frothy head, probably due to a little shaking on the long trip in my father in law's bag from England to Australia... It had a little more carbonation than might have been expected but it didn't detract from the mouthfeel and character of the ale.
The aromas weren't that strong I found, but the taste was a wonderful malted one. I felt this was not a hop heavy beer. The levels seemed only to complement the malts and let their flavours come through rather than dominate the beer.
Overall I found this to be a very drinkable ale with a fantastic flavour.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2005 22:41:41 | More by BenConnery