Cracking copper ale from the guys at Skinner’s named after the Cornish folklore legend herself. A Champion beer on more than one occasion, its inviting pine-needle hop aromas lead to a palate where citrussy hops balance the fruity bitterness well. 4%
Produced just like Champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle, this off-dry gentle sparkling cider has been made more celebratory with a hint of pink from a splash of raspberries. Winner of a Great Taste of the West Gold medal, it is created from dessert apples – Aval is the Cornish for apple. As […]
Great presence with hints of strawberries on the hazelnutty nose, Palmers’ Tally Ho! is dark and rich on the palate with sweet malty notes and bitterness in balance. Brewed since 1949, it is definitely more-ish in a contemplative sort of fashion. 5.5% RRP: £2.22/50cl, Palmers Wine Store, Bridport; available online in cases of 12 and mixed cases; […]
A cider with dinstinct pinkish hue, this Cornish Organic has a yeasty, biscuity nose and slight flavours of bruised/brown apples. It certainly feels like food matching potential has been considered during the making of this cider, thanks to it’s restrained fruit, high acidity and dry finish. 5%/50cl/RRP £2.30 or £24.84 for a box of 12.Available from […]
Poacher’s Choice would indeed go with whatever a poacher might put in the pot for his or her dinner. And the ‘extras’ thrown in the beer add a little je ne sais quoi as well. There’s liquorice, which adds an intriguing aniseed hint to the lightly malty nose, appearing again on a sweetly malty, palate. And then […]
Delightfully hoppy – as the name suggests – this is an uplifting golden ale that both refreshes and acts as a versatile food matcher. But then head brewer Toby Heasman was like a conductor in charge of directing a talented trio of hops. First Gold provides the bitter platform upon which Goldings’ floral notes and […]
Another winner from David and Louisa Sheppy, this oak-matured Somerset cider has perfect balance, a delicate sparkle and a pithy poised finish. Off-dry, but with good apple sweetness – think Braeburn – this has the depth to be far more than just a quaffing cider. Try it with fish and white meat, and the inherent […]
Copper in colour with appealing ripe orchard fruit on the nose, Otter Head is initially fruity with a vibrant hop hit and medium maltiness, finishing clean and satisfying. Available in bottled form from regional Waitrose & Tesco stores and local farm shops. 5.8%
Developed specially for Wetherspoons by Denbies as the English contender in its World Cup Wine Festival for the summer of 2010 – it was all World Cup countries – this fruity yet crisp wine is slightly off-dry and swathed with the characteristic red cross on white of the English Flag. Following a visit from Wetherspoons, winemaker Marcus Sharpe created […]
Organic salmon pink in colour, this is a versatile, refreshing rosé. Crunchy redcurrants and raspberries on the palate plus a lovely sparkle that makes it equally at home as an aperitif or with fish and chips, chicken fricassée and other lightly-flavoured creamy dishes. No wonder Dragon Bannatyne left his lair to join forces with Geoff.
