Tasting Notes: Richmond Brewery: Stump Cross Ale

Richmond Brewery: Stump Cross Ale (England: ESB: 4.7% ABV)

Visual: Varnished brown with a decent frothy brown head.

Nose: Cinnamon, brown sugar and cream. Light almost coffee notes at the far end. Raisins and fresh cooked doughnuts then port. Smells delicious.

Body: Oak and fruit cake, digestives. Just slightly too carbonated. Chalk, touch of cherry at the front. Sherry.

Finish: Biscuits. Bitter hops and a slick feel. Good malt dose then cherries again. Dry chocolate.

Conclusion: Probably the best of the Richmond Brewery set, mixing the trademark chalkiness with a fruit and biscuit body.

This beer would be spot on if not for the slightly excessive carbonation which muffles the flavour slightly and gives a less pleasant texture. For the second half of the tasting note I had given it time to settle and get rid of some of the gas and it made for a much better beer.

It’s still a nice beer even so, and would be good as what Dylan calls a “table Pint”, eminently drinkable, especially after the fizz fades.

A decent sturdy pint and one that fits a good old traditional style without being dull. If only it had a bit less fizz.

(Note: The ever grateful thanks to my parents for providing this beer)