Chocolatey Beer – Old Tom With Chocolate

Beer and chocolate. They are just a delight individually so they must be even better together. Well, let’s hope this is true.

This Chocolate Tom is produced by the Robinsons family brewery which has been established in 1838 in Stockport, England. Its products are best known in North West England, but they must be doing something right, because they can be found all around the world. Recently the brewery have been in focus thanks to the joining with the British legends of heavy metal, Iron Maiden, and production of their beer  Trooper.

This beer is also featured in my Beer Bottles Collection on FB.

DETAILS

• Name: Robinsons Old Tom With Chocolate

• Brewery: Robinsons
• City: Stockport
• Country: England

• Style: Old Ale
• ABV: 6%

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 4,25 / 5
• Taste: 4,25 / 5
• Feel: 4 / 5
• Overall: 4,25 / 5

DESCRIPTION

This traditional English ale poured out with a dark brown color, although the exact color is called dark mahogany according to the label. The glass was topped with a small but foamy off-white head. I had great expectations about the aroma. But initially I was disappointed, thanks to a strong alcohol smell. After letting it breath for a couple of moments, my nose picked up an amazing chocolate smell, which actually brought back memories of B-52 shots from my student years. The taste was great as well: sweet, chocolatey and pleasantly roasted. The finish was quite neutral (slightly hoppy), but after a few seconds the bitter finish kicked in, completing the taste of this fine beer.

Iron Maiden Beer: Robinsons Trooper

When I saw this one in my favourite beer store, I just knew I have to make it a part of my collection (the entire collection can be seen on the FB page Beer Bottles Collection). I’m not really a fan of Iron Maiden, although they are pretty OK, but I’m a fan of beer, so I wanted to see if the bands singer is really capable of producing a decent ale. Plus, it’s got an awesome label, so that+s also cool.

• Name: Robinsons Trooper
• Brewery: Robinsons
• City: Stockport
• Country: England

First things first, the appearance. The glass was filled with copper colored liquid, topped with a fairly small (avergae) white head, that settled down relatively quick. The aroma was very nice – malty and very sweet. At first I expected the taste to follow this sweetness, but luckily it didn’t. The taste was just awesome. If this wasn’t one of the best ales I have tried, I don’t know what then. It started with a mild hoppy kick, followed by a generously bitter, and slightly yeasty body. The finish was bitter and hoppy, but still light enough to really fit my sytle.

It was extremelly easy to drink and I felt like I could have another one right then. The only bad side was that it hadn’t given me that refreshing feel. But this doesn’t really matter if you drink it just for pleasure next to some good food, and keep some other beers for refreshment. For a persons who didn’t really care much about ales sometime ago, this next sentence is a big thing. Trooper is one hell of a good ale. Would definitely give it another try.

• Style: Premium Bitter / ESB
• ABV: 4,7%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 4 / 5
• Taste: 4 / 5
• Overall: 4 / 5

• Bottle: 4,5 / 5

The Battle: Adnams Broadside

Although English ales are not (were not) my favourite beer style so far, I am getting more and more attracted to them. This was also the reason I picked up this one (and some others) recently, and gave it a try.

• Name: Adnams Broadside
• Brewery: Adnams
• City: Southwold
• Country: England

This ale was produced in order to commemorate the Battle of Sole Bay in 1672. The story claims that the English fleet was moored in Southwold during the battle against the Dutch Republic. When called to action, most of the sailors were drinking in local ale houses.

It pours out with a clear and dark ruby color (maybe copper). It is topped wit a very decent white head that lasts long enough to get it on your nose. The aroma is typical of an ale – some hops and malts along with a completely obvious yeast smell. The content is very drinkable, although quite yeasty and bready (not really the best thing in the world) and quite bitter in the end. I’m guessing you couldn’t take down more than a couple of these, since it’s quite filling, but if you’re up for the challenge, let me know. But, it definitely deserves another chance.

• Style: English Strong Ale
• ABV: 6,3%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops, yeast

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 3,5 / 5
• Taste: 3,5 / 5
• Overall: 3,5 / 5

• Bottle: 4 / 5

Bombs Away: Wells Bombardier

From the heart of England to my favourite supermarket, here is an English beer with a nice name, but sadly I can’t say the same for its content.

• Name: Wells Bombardier
• Brewery: Wells & Youngs
• City: Bedford
• Country: England

The content of this attractive bottle pours out with a nice copped color and a medium tan head. The sweet smell is not too strong nor too weak. There are aromas of roasted malts, caramel, and also some others which I couldn’t really point out. The taste starts with a hoppy bitterness, with some roasted addition, and perhaps some caramel (if you use your imagination). It finishes with a medium bitterness.

A typical English bitter, although perhaps slightly less on the bitter side (as some other claim). I am not really a fan of this style of beer, so Bombardier didn’t really leave a good impression. If you’re a lager lover (like myself) maybe you should keep away, or save it for some special occasions when you’re feeling more “English”. A fans of bitters will definitely love it, so give it a chance.

• Style: Premium Bitter / ESB
• ABV: 5,2%
• Ingredients: water, malted barley, sugar, hops, yeast

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 4 / 5
• Taste: 2 / 5
• Overall: 2,5 / 5

A Wild Animal: Badger Original Ale

I remember getting this beer during my stay in London, just before continuing my way to the scenic Scotland. Nothing special about it, but hey, it’s a badger.

• Name: Badger Original Ale
• Brewery: Hall & Woodhouse Ltd.
• City: Blandford St. Mary
• Country: England

According to the back of the label, Badger is a classic English country ale, which is an ideal complement to traditional English stews and pies. Hmm, maybe I should try it in this combination the next time. But otherwise, it pours with a dark amber color and a very decent foamy head, slowly settling down. The smell is mild, fruity and malty. The taste is initially sweet (fruity) and malty, slowly changing to bitter finish. The aftertaste is equally bitter, but still in reasonable measures.

Although a decent ale, still not really something I would prefer, at least not too often.

• Style: English Pale Ale
• ABV: 3,8%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 4 / 5
• Taste: 2,5 / 5
• Overall: 3 / 5

A Brit: Bass Pale Ale

Today I’m bringing you one of England’s traditional ales. Bass was actually the first English beer I have ever had, if  I remember correctly (we don’t get many of them here in Slovenia btw).

• Name: Bass Pale Ale
• Brewery: Bass Brewery (InBev)
• City: Luton
• Country: England

In the past I didn’t really care for ales, but this has changed in the recent years, since I find more and more ales very pleasant to my taste. So, Bass pours out with a clear copper color. The glass is topped with a small creamy head which dissipates quite quickly. It has a sweet and malty aroma with the slightest addition of caramel somewhere in there. The taste is light and slightly sweet, followed by a medium bitterness.

Bass can be a very pleasant and smooth. It’s easy to drink because the taste that it does offer is quite neutral. It makes it very drinkable, but not too much going on in there. A decent ale nonetheless.

• Style: English Pale Ale
• ABV: 5,1%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 3,5 / 5
• Taste: 3 / 5
• Overall: 3 / 5

The Dog: Newcastle Brown Ale

Today’s beer, Newcastle Brown Ale, is probably the most recognizable beer from the UK. Originating from Newcastle, it is often nicknamed the Dog, because the pub goers in Newcastle often used an excuse to walk the dog, when in reality they went for a pint.

• Name: Newcastle Brown Ale
• Brewery: John Smith’s (Heineken UK)
• City: Tadcaster
• Country: England

The appearance of Newcastle Brown Ale is no surprise, considering its name and the transparent bottle – it pours out with a nice dark brown color, which turns slightly coppery when held up to the sun. The head is very smell and doesn’t last long. I expected this one to have a stronger smell, but in truth the aroma is quite light, mostly malty with a slight addition of caramel. The taste follows the aroma – a sweet and malty taste with the addition of caramel, finishing with a slight hoppiness.

As a person who doesn’t really love ales, I must admit Newcastle is very likeable and easy to drink. More than just a decent ale, and no surprise why it is so popular. A definite must try.

• Style: Brown Ale
• ABV: 4,7%
• Ingredients: water, barley, wheat, maize, glucose syrup, caramel, hops, yeast

• Slogan: “No Bollocks!”

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 3,5 / 5
• Taste: 4 / 5
• Overall: 4 / 5

The Pride of London: Fuller’s London Pride

• Name: Fuller’s London Pride
• Brewery: Fuller’s
• City: London
• Country: England

London Pride, produced by Fuller’s, one of the traditional English breweries, pours out with a nice color somewhere between gold and amber. It is covered with a decent, slowly settling white foam. It has a pleasant malty smell with the addition of caramel, which only makes this ale more inviting. The taste is malty and sweet, although also slightly watery – meaning that the taste is not as strong as it is with some other ales, which is actually even better. The aftertaste is characterized by a mild bitterness, courtesy of the hops. It is clear that London Pride is a beer of high quality, and you might enjoy it even if you do not prefer ales (like I don’t).

• Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
• ABV: 4,4%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, yeast, hops

• Slogan: “Whatever You Do, Take Pride!”

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 4 / 5
• Taste: 3,5 / 5
• Overall: 3,5 / 5