Category Archives: 3.5 to 3.9

Rebellion – Red Card

Golden & Vibrant 4.2%

Red Card is a golden pale ale with a vibrant hop character. A smidgen of crystal T50 creates the golden colour and adds a bit of depth to the malt character. A trio of citrusy hops in Motueka, Nelson Sauvin and Amarillo add notes of orange, grapefruit and gooseberry.  A crisp, fresh, zesty and refreshing beer.

Malt: Maris Otter Pale Ale, Crystal T50

Hops: Progress, Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, Amarillo

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling: (3.8 / 5)

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UPDATE: Timothy Taylor’s Landlord

The Regulars celebrated the reopening of the pubs by a visit to the nearby Six Bells.

It seemed fitting to sample an old favorite Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. It is a classic pale ale with a complex citrus and hoppy aroma.

it has won more awards than any other beer, winning both CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain and the Brewing Industry Awards Gold Medal four times.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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West Berkshire Brewery – Detour Pale Ale

Pale Ale 4.5%

Take a detour with this super easy drinking pale. Crammed full of tropical fruit and citrus flavours with a crisp, balanced bitterness.

The Regulars had the opportunity to sample this n bottles and cans. On balance, the bottled version was marginally preferred as it seemed to hold the head longer. Further scientific analysis is required to determine whether this was related to temperature effects.

Can:  Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.3 / 5)

Bottle: Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Rebellion – Slipstream

Red & Malty 4.2%

Slipstream is red and full of malt character. Double roasted crystal, dehusked roasted malt and black malt all add a well-balanced and relatively subtle roasted flavour. WGV, a traditional British hop, adds floral notes and well-rounded bitterness.

Malt: Maris Otter Pale Ale, Double Roasted Crystal, De-husked Roasted, Black

Hops: WGV (Whitbread Goldings Variety)

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling: (3.5 / 5)

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Delphic Brewing – Level Crossing & World’s End

In a forced change to The Harper Arms’ constitution standard protocol, the regulars have been set homework and this week sees a virtual double header tasting session!

One of our diligent members found a young garage-based local brewery in Thatcham. He got a little over-excited and ordered the regulars 2.5 Litres of both beers they currently produce (8-9 pints total). At an emergency committee meeting, it was determined that 9 pints on a week night was probably not a smart decision and so a vote was taken, ballots were correctly counted the first time, a result was declared, no legal battle ensued and the first piece of Harper Arms homework was thus set – to taste the weaker of the two ahead of Wednesday’s formal tasting session.

A traditional English Best Bitter with fruity, grassy and blackcurrant notes from UK grown Cascade hops. With a full-bodied malty backbone. Made from all English ingredients!

We’re not expecting the regulars to complain about being set homework with this delightful tipple, which currently has an average score on Untappd of 3.90.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (4 / 5)

Currently with an average score on Untappd of a very respectable 3.86 but with only 14 check-ins, World’s End is a Pale Ale brewed using a variety of different hops. UK grown Chinook teams up with US grown Amarillo and Citra for a cocktail of citrus fruit and resinous pine flavours. This mid-strength beer has a moderate bitterness and a soft orange hue from a little bit of Vienna malt in the mash.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.8 / 5)

Since the regulars made it known they were tasting Delphic, there has been a lot of local interest in the brewery, with them selling out of both beers last week! Have the Harper Arms regulars uncovered a new local gem of a brewery? Check the scores to find out!

 

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Binghams – Mabon


Hazy Autumnal Ale 5% ABV

Brewed over the Autumn Equinox, Mabon is a hazy pale with a full-bodied, spiced hop character. The celestial sister beer of our popular Summer Solstice brewed Litha, Mabon is the old English word for the Autumn Equinox and a Welsh earth-god. This loving crafted seasonal special is vegan friendly and has been perfectly cask conditioned for the best possible flavour.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):  (3.8 / 5)

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Brew Dog – Instamatic


White India Pale Ale

Instamatic is a Spring loaded, zesty IPA. As fresh as a Bel-Air morning. Tropical fruit aromas are rapidly pursued by pineapple, mango and lemon with floral undertones on the palate. Built from the ground up on a solid caramel malt superstructure. Wheat allows for a super smooth delivery. And a pronounced bitterness lingers to the end. Refreshing, fresh and fruity.

Instamatic – Rejuvinate your senses.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.8 / 5)

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Rebellion – Virtuoso

Virtuoso is a deep amber ale with a pleasant hoppy aroma. Chocolate and Double Roasted Crystal malts give a subtle roast malt character which is beautifully balanced against the tropical and citrus fruit notes from the Simcoe and Motueka hops. Complex, subtle and expertly crafted; a symphony in a glass created by Rebellion’s virtuoso brewers.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):  (3.8 / 5)

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Marstons – 61 Deep

61 metres is the depth of the well at the Marston’s Brewery that gives this refreshing pale ale it’s name. The five American and Australian hops give it it’s fresh, zesty aroma, whilst the tropical fruit and citrus notes make it extremely drinkable.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):  (3.8 / 5)

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Rebellion – Unifier

Unifier is a tawny pale ale with a distinctly hoppy character. We’ve added a prodigious quantity of American aroma hops to this beer to give it a very bold hoppy hit. The aroma is full of tropical fruit and citrus notes as well as pine, spice and herbal elements. It has relatively high bitterness but the extra sweetness from the addition of crystal and Munich malts help to balance this out.

Malt: Munich, Double Roasted Crystal

Hop: Progress, Simcoe, Mosaic

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):  (3.8 / 5)

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Windsor & Eaton – Guardsman

The first beer brewed in Windsor for more than 80 years was launched on St George’s Day 2010 – it remains a best sellers to this day.

A lovely copper coloured session strength ale with a tangy taste, yet a really smooth fresh hop finish, ensuring that it is very ‘quaffable’

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):  (3.5 / 5)

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Rebellion – 25

Brewed to celebrate Rebellion Brewery ‘s 25-year anniversary of brewing in Marlow.

25 is an extra pale ale brewed with Sterling hops, citrus peel and Belgian ale yeast. Sterling hops, not only have an entirely appropriate name for silver anniversary beer but also have a beautiful lemon and spicy character which work in harmony with the other elements of the ale. The inclusion of lemon and orange peel adds a subtle citrus aroma and the Belgian ale yeast contributes a spicy note and gives this beer a real Belgian ale character.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):   (3.8 / 5)

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Purity Brewing Company – Pure UBU

Pure UBU (pronounced ‘OO-BOO’) is named after our faithful canine friend ‘UBU’, a maverick, brim full of character and the unofficial protector of our secrets. God love him, the dog is mad, but an inspiration to all who enjoy doing what they do and who want to be loved for being what they are.

Pure UBU (4.5% ABV, IBU36) is a distinctive, full flavoured beer with a sweeter finish. Brewed with English Maris Otter, Crystal, and Wheat malts, with Pilgrim and Cascade hops.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Andwell’s – King John

This Pale Ale takes its name from the castle built by King John in 1207, which is located less than a mile from the original Brewery, and from where he rode out to Runnymede to sign the Magna Carta. The beer itself is deep amber in colour with a blend of pale ale and crystal malt. The bitterness and fruity aroma are developed from a combination of hops.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Rebellion – Gold

A rich golden ale with an intensely hoppy aroma. American Mosaic hops  gives this beer a huge aroma of tropical fruits, citrus fruits and red berry. The bitterness relatively low despite the huge dose of late hops, so Gold retains its drinkability and balance.

A truly contemporary golden ale. Who said seasonal winter beers had to be dark?

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.9 / 5)

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Shepherd Neame – Master Brew

Master Brew is brewed using only the finest Kentish barley and hops and is Shepherd Neame’s flagship beer in the brewery’s Kentish heartland.

The “Local Hero” is a distinctive, mid-brown bitter ale, with all the hoppy aroma you would expect of a beer brewed in the heart of the hop country.

Hand-crafted by the Faversham brewery’s talented team of experienced brewers, it is a well-balanced traditional ale.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

 

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UPDATE: Meantime Brewery – London Pale Ale

Meantime London Pale Ale combines lots of American Cascade and Centennial hops to give it a complex citrus aroma and buckets full of local Kentish Goldings to provide the bitterness that makes the style so refreshing. Together they conspire to assail the nose with a complex, heady mix of  spearmint, grass and ‘hop sack’ aromas, fruity citrus flavours and a bitter finish that makes pale ale drinking a truly rewarding experience

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Stone Brewing – Stone IPA

One of the most well-respected and best-selling IPAs in the America, this golden beauty explodes with tropical, citrusy, piney hop flavors and aromas, all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character. This crisp, extra hoppy brew is hugely refreshing on a hot day, but will always deliver no matter when you choose to drink it.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):  (3.8 / 5)

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Theakston – Old Peculier

The Legend!

Old Peculier is a beautiful, yet very simple beer, brewed using a very generous blend of finest pale, crystal and roasted barley with two bitter hops combined with the majestic and noble ‘Fuggle’ hop to produce a beer of awesome full-bodied flavour with subtle cherry and rich fruit overtones.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling):  (3.8 / 5)

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Sharps Brewery – Atlantic Pale Ale

Sharps AtlanticAtlantic is a deep golden colour. The aroma of Pale Ale is a blend of stunning citrus notes, juicy tropical fruits and fresh-picked hops with a touch of candy floss. The flavour has a delicate sweetness with fruity succulence and citrus spice to the fore. The finish is sweet at first becoming dry and lingering with hop zest.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Morland – Old Speckled Hen

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A high proportion of crystal malt in Old Speckled Hen provides the key toffee/caramel flavour. The yeast used to ferment the beer provides the other key character – estery or banana/pear drop. This estery note provides the fruity and refreshing balance. The hops used add a palate cleansing herbal note and very slight orange citrus. A very malty, full bodied and warming ale.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Binghams – Twyford Tipple

Twyford Tipple
Easy drinking 3.7% ABV tawny coloured bitter which has a satisfying malty flavour with a citrus hop finish. Deliciously satisfying despite its lower alcoholic strength. The citrus hops give a refreshing, thirst quenching finish.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Adnams Ghost Ship

GHOSTSHIP-web1-e1445253051531
At 4.5% abv, this Pale Ale has a good assertive pithy bitterness and a malty backbone. It is brewed with a selection of malts – Pale Ale, Rye and Cara – plus Citra, and a blend of other American hop varieties to create some great citrus flavours.

Ghost Ship was adapted from a recipe for Deathly Pale Ale which was withdrawn from sales because the skull and cross-bones lablel was too similar to the poison symbol.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

 

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Meantime Brewery – London Pale Ale

london-pale-aleOne hundred and fifty years ago the new bitter beer style, Pale Ale, was so popular that brewers had to import Californian hops to meet demand. Meantime London Pale Ale continues that tradition by combining lots of American Cascade and Centennial hops to give it a complex citrus aroma and buckets full of local Kentish Goldings to provide the bitterness that makes the style so refreshing. Together they conspire to assail the nose with a complex, heady mix of  spearmint, grass and ‘hop sack’ aromas, fruity citrus flavours and a bitter finish that makes pale ale drinking a truly rewarding experience

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Hogs Back – TEA

tea-323x400A Classic Best Bitter

An enticing amber colour with a hoppy and slightly fruity aroma. Using the finest English malt carefully balanced with local Fuggles hops, it is gently fermented to leave some of the natural malt sugars, to give a full and satisfying flavour with a long, dry finish.

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.5 / 5)

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Windsor & Eton – Eton Boatman

Eaton Boatman

Eton Boatman (4.3% ABV) is a golden ale and was released as the perfect beer for cheering on the Olympic rowing at Eton Dorney, less than a mile away from the Windosr & Eaton brewery.

Eton Boatman has a fresh, clean and full flavoured taste. It is made with a combination of American Citra hops producing citrus flavours and Australian Galaxy hops giving hints of exotic fruit. A perfect beer for those summer months

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.8 / 5)

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Wild Weather Ales – Choppy Waters

Wild Weather Ales - Choppy WatersNo marketing babble has yet been published by Wild Weather Ales – or as far as I can find.  So I’ll make some up.

Citrus hops, fairy dust and water from the moon make Choppy Waters a truly out of this world beer.  Made from an ancient recipe that can be traced back to the Cavemen this beer will make you more attractive to women, make you stronger and faster than you’ve ever experienced and give a rapier wit to rival Comedy Club headliners the world over.

 

Harper Arms Rating (5=Tribute, 1=Carling): (3.8 / 5)

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