Liquid gold : Marks & Spencer Sussex Golden Ale

This is a wonderful, low ABV(3.8%) golden ale marketed as a traditional Sussex bitter. The beer pours a light-golden color with a 90 second lasting quarter-inch head. Plenty of yeast sediments can be seen on the bottom( a good thing in my opinion), and the aroma is quite "grassy", with hints of floral, lime, and malt. The taste is a nice mix of grapefruit, light orange , and minimally sweet leaving a perfect "bitter" aftertaste in the mouth.  This is one of my favorite beers from M&S's, though it is a bit on the expensive side.

Price: £2.29 per bottle(about €3,49)

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Downing The Black : Guinness West Indies Porter review

I love Guinness , and I was happy to see a couple new offerings from St. James’s Gate, in particularly  this one. Off the bat, the abv is a bit higher than the average Guinness, but not at all off putting at 6.00%.  It pours the typical black that one would expect with a small lasting tan head. Upon tasting, you are greeted with roasted malt, caramel, and even a bit of coffee. The aroma is a bit "chocolatey", if I may say, and there is little to no carbonation present. You are left with a bit of a watery, bitter taste after each drink, and overall, one was enough for me.   Not bad at all, but I think I will stick with the Draught  from now on.

Fun fact: Looking to drink beer while on a diet? A pint of the good stuff contains only 198 calories. That’s less than most light beers, wine, orange juice or even low fat

                               

                              

Price: £2 or €2.59(note: I got mine on sale from the local market for about 1.69)

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Black Isle Organic Red Kite - The Scottish brew that won't get you "guttered "

When I think of Scotland, I usually think of kilts, Nessie, scotch and bagpipes. I was surprised to find they have a really great selection of ale as well. Though not my first Scottish beer, this one is my first to be reviewed.  A quick thanks to my buddy Cedric for introducing me to it.


The label says it all,, and I was curious to see what an "organic" beer tastes like. The first thing I noticed after opening this one was the smell of spices, herbs, butterscotch, and caramel. The beer poured a reddish-brown colour and had a creamy head.  The taste was very "malty", and it was somewhat medium- bitter with a nutty after-taste.  I really enjoyed this beer and wish it was easier to come by here in France. I'd suggest trying it at least once. Overall, not too shabby for a red ale.



Fun fact: In Scotland, there is evidence that some sort of fermented beverages were being "brewed" possibly as early as the mid- to late-4th millennium BC as is evidenced in archaeological findings from sites such as at Balfarg/Balbirnie complex in Fife and at Kinloch on the Isle of Rhum. These "beers" were likely little more than a cereal-based porridge with the addition of flavorings such as meadowsweet.

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Price: £2.39/ €3.03

American IPA from my home state of California: Anchor Liberty Ale(aka the first modern American single-hop and dry-hopped ale)

One thing I do miss about my home state are all the good APAs/IPAs . I was happy to see a local store out here in France had this one in stock, as I had never  tried it before. Upon opening, the bottle let out a flurry of various aromas  that included grapefruit, vanilla, orange-peels, and even a bit of a floral smell.  The carbonation was akin to that of champagne,-small bubbles that continued fizzing until the end,  and the taste was delicious.

It had that typical bitterness that usually accompanies traditional IPAs without being too much.  The abv was perfect at around 6 percent, so you aren't overwhelmed by the alcohol content, and you can enjoy a few and still be able to play table tennis on a nice day like we have been having out here. All said and done, this beer really set the standard for me for any future APA  I might try, and yes, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves pale ales.




Fun fact:
"Liberty Ale® was first brewed to celebrate the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride. As the first modern American IPA brewed after prohibition and the first modern American single-hop ale and dry-hopped ale, Anchor’s Liberty Ale® is the original craft brewed ale and the historic beer that started a revolution."

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Price: € 2,47

Pelforth Radler: La bière parfait pendant l’Été

When it comes to  Radler/Shandy type drinks, I'm usually not a big fan. However, this offering from Pelforth, a subsidiary of Heineken, hits the spot. The spring is bringing with it plenty of sun, and so darker beers just won't do for now. Upon opening this can and pouring, I was immediately hit with a light and very spritzy carbonation, hints of lemon and malty citrus. The beer is very "fruity" in taste, has a light head and pours a very clouded yellow. It is very refreshing and one or two should hit the spot. This is a must try, especially with the days becoming hotter and hotter, and this beer should please anyone who likes beer.



Fun fact: Pelforth is a French brewery founded in 1914 in Mons-en-Barœul by three Lillois brewers. It was originally called Pelican, after a dance popular at the time. Production was stopped during World War II, restarting in 1950. The brewery name was changed in 1972 to Pelforth. It was bought by Français de Brasserie in 1986, which was acquired by Heineken International in 1988.

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Price: 1,68 €