I was not expecting this.
Not expecting this at all.
There are no tasting notes on the bottle, no description of its contents save for what hops have been used.
And so there was no way of knowing what was inside.
A Pale Ale?
A (dreaded) Golden Ale?
Actually no.
Inside is a really big round and rich fruit filled Best Bitter that pours a dark copper colour and smells of prunes and plums and damsons.
The malting is thick with biscuits and wholemeal toast, and packed with the stewed red fruit.
And the hops – Fuggles and Bobek now you ask – give a good nettle sting and willow whip that leaves a lightly spicy bitter sweet finish.
I do love a well made Best Bitter.
What a nice surprise.

Source: Best Of British Beer