Yet another new beer for me, in the form of Estrella (4.6%), from Barcelona. One of only a couple of lager style beers in the list, it is a beer that is becoming increasingly easier to find as SA Damm infiltrate foreign markets. The brewer says,"Since 1876, Estrella Damm has been brewed as a premium quality beer in Barcelona. Estrella means Star in Spanish and as its name suggeststhe brand has become a star to the people of Barcelona. It has evolved with the city reflecting its character - sophisticated and passionate yet at the same time relaxed and welcoming."

The Independent says,"In its native Spanish, Estrella means 'star'. This flagship beer of the enormouse Barcelona brewer SA Damm lives up to its name. Lucid gold in its colour, this lager is stylish yet simple. Its taste is sweet and malty, with a part lemon, part lime citrus edge. A perfect session lager you can lap up on Catalan beaches - or in the English summer sun."

I say; Definitely quaffable, very much an easy drinking lager. Not overboard on flavour, to be honest, and considering some of the big hitting flavoursome beers in the list, I am surprised this is there. Not a bad beer, but also not a beer I would rush out to buy. More citrus tones needed!

Dorset brewery Hall & Woodhouse produce numerous beers under their Badger name, this 5%-er fitting in nicely within their range. The brewery says,"The light, refreshing character of our award winning golden ale is distinguished by its subtle elderflower aroma, reminiscent of a summer's evening."

The Independent says, "The booze expert Oz Clark told Jilly Goulden on the BBC Food & Drink programme that drinking this beer was 'like sitting by an open window and in streams the garden'. We're not sure about that, but it's a belting summer drink, all the same. The 'champion' bit in its name refers to this light, refreshing ale's victory in the Tesco Beer Challenge in 1998."

I say; Like having flowers dance on your tongue. At times the floral tones can be a bit too much, but when it's good, it's very good. Delicately fused with flavour, it fits well with the Badger name.

This Golden Brew (4.5%) is one of the beers I was desperate to try, everything I read about it tells me I will enjoy it. Golden brews are my kind of ales, to me usually light and florally. The brewery says,"A golden ale with fresh fruit and malt fragrance. Full drinking with a subtle hoppy finish. Refreshing for a beer of this strength."

The Independent says,"The Hampshire Brewery is a leading member of the new wave of independent craft producers founded in the last 20 years. This cracking bottle conditioned beer is one of the best: almost lager like in appearance, orange in colour, producing a lively head. It has a fruity nose, with hints of cherry followed by a bittersweet finish with hints of butterscotch. The sort of beer you could drink by the gallon on a summers evening."

I say; Wow, top beer, everything about it is fresh and hoppy. Looks amazing, tastes better. Very florally, malty overtones, so refreshing. Thanks to the guys at the brewery for sending me this, and well done, you've created a gem! 


 

One of 2 Fuller's beers in the list, my experience of this brewery is mainly with London Pride, and to a lesser extent Discovery, 2 beers I enjoy when the mood takes me. This Organic Honey Dew (5%) is a new experience to me and to be honest not a beer I was excited about, as honey beers aren't my thing. The brewery says,"This award winning premium beer is delightfully sweet, golden and refreshing - the UKs leading organically produced ale. Brewed using only organically produced ingredients: English malts and the finest honey give a mellow, rounded character which is deliciously balanced with zesty hops."

The Independent says,"There's something heart warming about honey beers. This one, from Fuller's, uses the finest organic malt and hops, blended with organic honey. Its attractive golden shimmer leads to a caramel aroma, rounded off with the subtle honey treatment."

I say; Always found honey beers to be over-rated, that's based on my experiences in Australia. This is a revelation, softly sweet, not sickly but light and hoppy. Served from the fridge, it's very refreshing, the aroma is subtle but changeable, and this would be another perfect summer drink. Fantastic!

Another beer made for a supermarket chain, this ale (5%) is made in Blackburn by Thwaites and is yet another beer that is new to me. The brewery say,"The ale's rich, malty, full body and lightly hopped finish makes it the perfect accompaniment to game and strong cheeses.

The Independent says,"Strong Ale is a bit of a misnomer for this darkish beer, brewed for Co-op by TYhwaites of Blackburn, which weighs in at a relatively modest 5% ABV. Like an old-fashioned mild, it tastes of caramel and treacle, and feels warm and homely. Though not bottle conditioned, it was described approvingly by one of our judges as 'a full fat malt assault'".

I say; Very dark, very rich, very malty, not really my cup of tea to be honest, it's the lighter, more subtle ales I tend to enjoy. Gets more enjoyable the more I drink, but I can't see myself drinking too much of this in the future, too intense!