Tasting Notes: Stonehenge: Old Smokey

Stonehenge: Old Smokey : (England: Old Ale: 5%)

Visual: Sheer opaque black: No noticeable head, merely a ring around the edge of the glass.

Nose: Whisky fudge, treacle sponge. A Smokey air. Slightly cloying but not unpleasant – condensed cream.

Body: Bitter wood, chocolate roll. Treacle again. Burnt sugar and black forest gateaux. Sausages? A bitter punch at the back.

Finish: Rich expensive chocolate, slightly milky. Not overwhelming bud wanders through a sweet bitter mix.

Conclusion: This one wins the Chris’ Beer of the Pavilion Beer Festival 2009 award (A prestigious and coveted award if ever there was one).

It has a fantastic nose, solid body and a lasting finish – this punches out full flavour without going over the top on the alcohol. Old Smokey takes all the elements of a good beer and brings them together.

A great beer that needs to be used throughout long winter months to keep up flagging spirits – would go fantastic with fruit cake.

Try it, Buy it, Enjoy it.