Old Session Hen
This is a variation on the Old Speckled Hen and Old Golden Hen beers that I already know that I like somewhat. I presume that the lower ABV of this one is so you can drink more of it in one session and still find the floor afterwards.
Details
- Pale ale, 3.4% ABV
- 500ml bottle
From the website:
A light and refreshing ale crafted with an aromatic hop blend for hint of tropical fruit on the nose, and the perfect balance of bitterness. All rounded off with a crisp, clean finish.
At 3.4% ABV this is a truly sessionable beer that still packs plenty of flavour.
Expectations
I like and regularly drink Old Speckled Hen, so this sounds like it should be a decent beer for quenching my thirst. The lower alcohol content doesn't bother me, as long as it has an enjoyable taste.
Experience
It's quite pale, a straw yellow colour, with a stable 5mm head and lots of fairly large bubbles rising through it. Its appearance is somewhere between lager and cider.
The aroma is slightly hoppy, but probably more yeasty to me. It's not a strong smell though.
The taste is actually stronger than I expected - bitter, slightly nutty, with quite a lingering but pleasant aftertaste. I didn't detect any tropical fruit in its taste or smell though, but I'm not disappointed by this.
I enjoyed this one. It's not strong in the ABV sense, but it has a decent taste, went down smoothly and left me feeling quite satisfied.
Verdict
4/5 : A smooth, tasty beer, something I would be very happy to drink again.
