Adnams Lighthouse - Adnams plc, Sole Bay Brewery

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle. Nice to see more of the venerable British stalwarts make it to we, the faded Commonwealth.

This beer pours a glassy medium golden amber colour, with two fingers of creamy, densely foamy pale beige head, which leave a thin wall of pocked lace around the glass as it evenly subsides.

It smells of softly biscuity pale malt, a subtle bar-top nuttiness, moderate apple and ripe pear fruitiness, some stoney mineral essence, and a decent leafy, earthy hoppiness. The taste is soft, sweet biscuity malt, a mild, mangled drupe fruit essence, and perkily bitter leafy, floral, almost perfumed, hops.

The bubbles are well restrained, though hardly absent, the body medium light in weight, and generally quite smooth. It finishes off-dry, the bready, slightly biscuit-tinged malt still seeing a strong offset contender in the lingering, and bitter leafy, earthy, floral noble hops.

An agreeable old-world pale ale, with more ESB tendencies than a fair lot of those who claim that particular moniker. Worthy of a few rounds, were that an option, especially given the forgiving ABV.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 02:26:16 | More by biboergosum

beerdrifter

Germany

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up in the biggest beer store in the UK, Beers of Europe Ltd. Clear copper-yellow pour with a two finger head with nice retention and great lacing. The earthy nose is pretty subdued and grainy initially with subtle hints of hops, but it did open up as it warmed. The taste is much fuller and more complex than the nose indicated. Very floral and fruity with a great fresh hop bitter finish and a touch of perfume. Slightly thick and chewy and totally drinkable, especially considering the low ABV. This beer starts off slow, but finishes with a bang. Very surprising and refreshing. Should have bought more. My first Adnams but definitely not my last.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 17:29:13 | More by beerdrifter

StJamesGate

New York

3.65/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On cask at The Cricketers, Clavering, Essex, UK.

Pours dark yellow with a bit of cloud and a sticky loose white head that laces. Nose is flowers and sweet corn. Grain up front with lemon and a bit of spice in the hops. Tight end and a branch hops linger. Light to medium body with some stick.

Hops stand tall at the end, though this one would probably do better in summer.

Serving type: cask

01-25-2010 11:37:51 | More by StJamesGate

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The normal (fairly new) brown bottle Adnams use, 500ml and only 3.4%ABV, best before 6 Feb 2010, drank July 2009.

Poured into an 'Old Speckled Hen' vase shaped pint glass.

Looked fine, a bright chestnut brown body with an off-white head that tried to hang around but failed. Lacing stayed at the top of the glass otherwise I just had a collar around the beer as it sank down the glass with each sip.

Aroma was initially weak, some nuts and earthy esters, a little maltiness was also present as the beer warmed in the glass.

I was pleasantly surprised by the extent of the flavours and their strenght considering the ABV. Malty at first, then a mellow hoppy aftertaste. Refreshing and mature, impressed.

I don't normally like weaker beers, but this is one I'd have again and again, ideal for a long session or if working early the next day.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 19:58:48 | More by BlackHaddock

fullsweep

United Kingdom (England)

3.2/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

500 mL bottle poured into a pint glass.

Although the bottle states it's a pale ale, it seems to have more in common with a bitter, in my tastes.

Appearance is typical of English bitters, and some pale ales. It's a orangeish-brown color, with a 1-finger head, and very minimal lacing. Head dissipates quickly.

Smells great. This is the best thing going for this beer. Smells hoppy and grainy malts.

Taste offers very little that's new to the English bitter or pale ale department. Similar to a Courage Best or Director's but with slightly more flavor.

Mouthfeel and drinkability are average. It comes in at a low 3.4 for ABV making it nice for those who prefer a little moderation in their beer drinking.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2009 17:18:07 | More by fullsweep