Adnams Broadside - Adnams plc, Sole Bay Brewery

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4.53/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my wife's favourite beer!

This is serious drinking beer, full of colour, full of powerful flavours and aromas. A dark ruby-red strong English Ale which demands respect.

My wife and myself drink it in 'The Nelson', Southwold. The pub is full of naval stuff, as you would expect, it is also only 400 yards from the brewery. The horse-drawn dray delivers to all the pubs in Southwold even to this day, a great sight.

Adnams are pushing their beers into the 'Free Trade' more and more at the moment and are expanding. Their beers are now available all over the UK. I have not detected any lowering of standards or tastes of any of their beers. I try them whenever I come across them, Broadside at its best, is a very very good beer.

Serving type: cask

08-06-2006 21:39:27 | More by BlackHaddock

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Cloudy; copper colored, medium head, long lasting

Aroma: Malty; tangy fruit; whiff of sea salt; hops

Taste: Malty; orange fruit; spicy hops; very complex and well balanced; creamy

Remarks: Seaside salt is a trademark aroma of this beer

Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 01:15:10 | More by IchLiebeBier

KStark

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

06-14-2013 15:21:07 | More by KStark

Mattco

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -10%

06-03-2013 13:17:55 | More by Mattco

Fatehunter

Oregon

4.01/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a half finger of head on a hazy, brown colored body.
The aroma is a complex blend of fruit and bread. Apple, plum, wheat bread and fruitcake.
The taste is bready and fully loaded on malt, but avoids becoming too sweet. A little lemon bitter in the background.
The texture is thick with moderate carbonation.
A hefty beer with great flavor.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 18:48:26 | More by Fatehunter

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

05-21-2013 00:40:21 | More by Kmat10

pathman

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.8%

05-19-2013 23:49:24 | More by pathman

TomRB

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

05-11-2013 19:00:14 | More by TomRB

BrazilianAussie

Brazil

4/5  rDev +2.8%

05-03-2013 22:34:29 | More by BrazilianAussie

smbslt

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

04-24-2013 02:05:09 | More by smbslt

Gtotango

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

04-09-2013 22:14:09 | More by Gtotango

Radome

Spain

4.08/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from a 500 ml bottle into a goblet. The beer was bought off the shelf in England.

A - The color is a rich, deep garnet brown, the deepest copper you could have before being called pure brown. It is crystal clear. The head is tan, thick and sticky; made up of large, oil-sheened bubbles that leave lots of lacing.

S - The aroma was surprisingly hop oriented after the initial pour. I was surprised because I expected more malt balance. As the beer warmed and breathed, more malt came out and the earthy, woody hops faded a bit. Warm bready malt and raisins balanced the hops eventually, making it very inviting.

T - The taste is balanced as well, but leans slightly toward malt. The malt is Warm and bready, with some raisin, brown sugar and even molasses notes. The hops are there, but at a lower level, with earthy and woody being the best way I could describe them. The finish is slightly sweet, but not too cloying.

M - Medium to heavy body, which is appropriate for this flavorful beer. The carbonation is smooth but noticeable. Some low to moderate hops bitterness. Alcohol is detectable, but not at a hot level.

O - This is a nice ESB with plenty of aromas and flavors running around in it. It is a bit too thick and chewy for me to want to drink more than one, but it's a nice sipper.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 21:12:33 | More by Radome

Pelicanrocks

United Kingdom (England)

3.25/5  rDev -16.5%

03-23-2013 17:00:44 | More by Pelicanrocks

Ceriii

New York

4/5  rDev +2.8%

03-10-2013 23:07:57 | More by Ceriii

mizx

United Kingdom (England)

3.99/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle (Best Before dated: 30/11/13)

Very nice clear dark ruby colour with an off-white one finger head, quickly subsiding to a thin cap with just a little spotty lacing. Aromas of sweet malt, some dark fruit and breadiness. Sweet malt taste with some spice and fruitiness, balanced hop bitterness comes through in the slightly dry finish, nice lasting aftertaste. Medium mouthfeel and carbonation.

I've not had Fullers ESB for a while, and that might just be better; this is a moreish beer I'd definately buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 20:52:00 | More by mizx

wertschy

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10%

02-08-2013 02:46:53 | More by wertschy

matjack85

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

01-31-2013 21:32:10 | More by matjack85

Idris

4.05/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am self-confessed big fan of the ESB style. I find it to be a highly underrated style, with balanced and, I dare say, often nuanced flavor profile. This beer presents as a clear ruby-tinged brown brew with an off-white head that quickly retreats, leaving a billowy island in the center of my tulip glass I utilize for evaluation. Sweet malts, very subtle dark fruit, and a hint of breadiness commands me to take a sip. Malt sweetness, a hint of hop spice, and candied fruits abound in the palate, with a finish a touch dryer than anticipated. Medium mouthfeel, no obvious flaws, and the desire to have another (which really is the hallmark of a good beer). Well done.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 10:24:59 | More by Idris

sommersb

Tennessee

4.21/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Tasted On: 01-20-2013
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 500ml. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Tulip pint
Purchased: Single from Brawley's Beverage, Charlotte

A: Clear beer, with a bright ruby color. The head is a good size and off-white in color. Retention is good and the lacing is very attractive.

S: Sweet malts, with caramel, nut, and bready aspects. Aromas are clean and very pleasant - makes me want to take a sip!

T: Taste is firstly malty sweet, with the caramel and nut flavors as noted in the aroma. I also get some bitterness of earthy hops and a slight orange/fruity component.

M: Body is medium, with an average amount of carbonation. The finish is more dry than you get in the initial tasting, but still is big on the caramel malts. The English hops keep everything in check for a nice balance.

O: Overall I really enjoyed this beer and would recommend it as a solid session ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 00:54:47 | More by sommersb

ChrisCBeets

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +15.7%

01-09-2013 04:43:51 | More by ChrisCBeets

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Was told by many that this particular cask was things like "incredible". It's incredible that this beer still tasted well and had some dynamic malt and hop flavors for a beer with a "best by" date of 16 APR 2012. It was kept cold in a walk-in refrigerator this whole time...

For an old, chilled cask, this poured with a surprising amount of head. Looked great atop the amber-copper liquid. Minimal lace. Small touch of haze.

Fresh pale ale and crystal malt on the nose. Mildly estery and vinous. A tad earthy as in "dirt". Not terribly bold on the nose.

Quite toasty/bread-crusty malt flavor, apple-like esters, and actually still packs a somewhat spicy, herbal hop flavor in the background, with some smooth bitterness providing some great contrast and depth long into the finish. The body has some substance to it - a little grainy-gritty yet washes away fairly dry and clean.

I wouldn't call this sample of this ale "incredible" or "awesome". But I can't deny that it certainly had a bolder, more vibrant bready, grainy, and earthy overall flavor than most British pales that make it over here (and I guess that counts for something), but nothing particularly unique. I do wish this was more findable in the American market though. Would like to have it again for sure.

Serving type: cask

01-06-2013 02:48:27 | More by Bouleboubier

profondo

Sweden

4.5/5  rDev +15.7%

01-03-2013 18:39:51 | More by profondo

Dracook

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -10%

12-29-2012 18:48:06 | More by Dracook

Welshbloke

4/5  rDev +2.8%

12-23-2012 16:44:15 | More by Welshbloke

FLima

Brazil

3.55/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a nice two finger head that quickly left a thin constant lacy.
Dark brown ruby color.
Mild malty aroma with a hint of piney hops.
Medium body and low carbonation with tiny bubbles.
Sweet malty taste with some refreshing hops and hints of caramel. Hints of dried fruits.
Sweet and bitter aftertaste, a bit dry.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 23:30:00 | More by FLima