A few nice ales sampled in Sheffield yesterday ...
Bankers Draft - Bradfield Farmers Belgian Blue 4.9% and Little Critters Plump Penguin 5.0%, a plum porter with chocolate and coffee also evident.
Sheffield Tap - Framework Sinker Stout 4.0%, an excellent brew with roasted malts, caramel, coffee and dark fruit flavours plus Thornbridge Lord Marples 4.0%
Midnight Magic 4.9% from the Bristol Beer Company, recently sampled in the Sheffield Tap was a delicious lactose, fudge, roasted barley and chocolate flavoured stout.
Another couple of excellent brew, this time in the Lower Angel, Warrington were ... Davenports Original 4.2%, a Best Bitter with biscuit, toffee and marmalade flavours, quite quaffable. Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger 5.0%, not one I see too often on cask. Malty with caramel and toffee flavours.
Best of a recent evening in Altrincham was Severn Brewing Chocolate Stout 4.3% in the Old Market Tavern, which ticked plenty of boxes.
Valhalla - Valhalla Odins Judgement 6.0%, badged as Valhalla but brewed by Yorkshire Heart, this is a surprisingly easy drinking amber winter ale considering it's strength. Malty and fruity.
The Punch Bowl (Nicholsons) - Black Sheep Special Ale 4.4%, nice and malty and preferred to the bitter.
The Maltings - Settle Brewery Nine Standards Porter 4.7%, an excellent caramel and coffee porter from a brewery which is new to me.
York Tap - Five Points Brewing Co Railway Porter 4.8%, roasted malts, coffee and just a hint of liquorice.
Peerless Oatmeal Stout 5.0% in the Looking Glass, Warrington at the weekend was very nice. A slightly roasted dark mahogany stout with oatmeal, coffee and molasses.
Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby 6.0%, enjoyed again, this time in the Lower Angel. Flavours include caramel, toffee and dried fruits. Although sweet, this dark ruby ale has a slightly nutty taste.
A few 'winners' in Doncaster on Sunday & Monday ...
Corner Pin - Doncaster Brewery Cheswold Bitter 4.2%, chestnut in colour and malty with caramel and toffee flavours. Easy drinking and very nice.
Red Lion - Jolly Sailor Winter Mild 5.2%, a dark brown winter warmer with a few flavours evident, roasted malts, chocolate, molasses, winter fruits and spices all at play here. Very enjoyable.
Tut n Shive - Bradfield Yorkshire Farmer 4.0%, a dark golden bitter. Some sweetness, probably caramel and toffee. Malty with s bready mouthfeel. Easy drinking.