h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Oive ad a Bishop's Finger once. By crikey it were orrid. Good luck to ya man

Bishops finger was great! not as good as bishops farewell mind

Agreed help fill the gaps do a review for the entry

I got bought four bottled ales by a colleague for my birthday - Bishop's Finger was one, and I'd never had it before. It was a great time to discover it, as I think it's one of those best enjoyed through the summer.

ah, see, I ad it warm - which is probably not the best way...

But then I enjoy a pint of Hobgoblin at times...

So perhaps my taste is in me

arsk ya local to stock Spitfire...mmmm

Oh bishops finger a wonderful ale a deep full spetrum taste and a warm rewarding glow Mmmmmmmm.

Cleary I need edumacatin' on the finer points of Ales, as I'm more a bitter bloke anyway. Perhaps I need to pop down my Local Lizard King's and see what I can find.

I havewe found that Asda has a good selection Hobgoblin and I think Spitfire as well, go check it out.

The Oyster Stout is a real joy, although it doesn't contain any oysters. I always had difficulty drinking bottled stout, because the first I came into contact with were Mackieson's and Guinness Original; both made me twitch involuntarily at the taste when I was younger. My nervous system still, oddly, sees a stout coming and flinches, and it cheers up no end when it turns out be nowhere near as dangerous as it looks.

Marston's Oyster Stout isn't really what I'd call a stout at all, it's a very dark porter and is very, very smooth. I know a porter is a stout, but in terms of labelling there is a difference these days. It demands time to be savoured and enjoyed, and I feel a bit rude by drinking it and moving on; by rights, I should be having a slow evening by the fire with a case of it, a few friends and some witty conversation.

It covers all the bases; a gently tempting aroma - if I was Jilly Goldman I'd suggest chocolate - and it hits your palate gently before warming around your mouth. I've experimented with swigs and sips, and both are just as satisfying. Definitely one for the Christmas fridge.

Skanky rating:

I've just been called a 'filthy pig', as the first of the gassy ales makes its way southwards. I'm blaming the Doom, as it's very easy to blame the Cornish for just about anything.

Looking at the bottle, Marston's also describe the aroma as '...with a hint of chocolate'. Maybe you don't have to be St Jilly after all.

I've spent a long time on this one, partly because it's a lovely beer and partly because it's 6.3% and I don't want to fall over on my way to the fridge.

I always buy at least one 'standard' when experimenting, and Adnam's Broadside fills the role for me tonight. On the surface, it's a simple beer, but it does all the basics incredibly well. The mid-flavours and aftertaste are almost perfect, very full and with a lingering palate. The only downside is that the initial taste is a little flowery, which is fine in some ales but here stands out - it doesn't quite fit with the general flavour. Still, it's almost perfect.

Skanky rating: 1/2

Try this!

http://www.guinness.com/gb_en/tipping

And see how the is going...

Just don't let Roymondo know, and

MMF

That link doesn't seem to work, MMF, as you have to log in to the site first

My final beer of the evening is another Wychwood, 'Circlemaster'. I'm flying in the face of 'save the best for last' here, as it's a pale ale - I'm not usually a fan of these.

E had Slade check out of her hotel this morning. Apparently, they look a bit too much like aging 70s rock stars...

Try this one!

http://www.guinness.com/gb_en/

MMF

I've tried to retune my tastebuds to accept pale ale more readily, and as a result I'm rather enjoying the Circlemaster more than I expected. Compared to usual tastes, it's fairly bland, but if you focus on the intricacies it's rather nice. I think most ale drinkers have had the sensation before, where you feel you've wasted your money a little bit but force yourself to learn to enjoy it. There's nothing unpleasant about it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again. The most average beer of the night.

It's a shame, really, because Wychwood are the beers I most want to like - earthy, Westcountry-sounding names and an interesting mix of ingredients. Like the Maplewood, though, for me Circlemaster just doesn't cut it.

Skanky rating:

So, the final table:

Marston's Oyster Stout:
Adnam's Broadside: 1/2
Wychwood's Wychcraft:
Sharpe's Doom Bar: 1/2
Wychwood Circlemaster:
Joseph Holt's Maplemoon:

once I've got my new laptop thinggy up and working, I'll ahve to take it to one of our local real ale pubs, who've a wireless network, and have a real-time tasting session from in the pub live onto my HooToo journal I do hope th ekeyboard is water... beer proof Broadside actually for most of them I think

Only 3 1/2 for Doom Bar?!

Outrageous!

B

Whats the rating for the hangover?