Monday, December 31, 2007

Marstons Don’t Compromise…

And neither does Stonch it seems. Back in October Stonch ran the Sophie’s Choice Poll asking the question if you were in a pub where the beer selection ran to GK IPA, standard draft Guinness, Wife Beater, Carling, John Smith Smooth, and Marston’s Pedigree which would you choose? Not surprisingly Pedigree romped in. Mr Stonch then promised to seek out a pint of the famous Burton pale ale and review it. But so far it hasn’t happened.

Pedigree was a common visitor to these shore a few years back as was the Old Empire IPA, however in recent years Owd Roger is all that has graced our shelves. The other day I noticed a shipment of Pedigree, I decided to do what Stonch seems reticent to do and pour myself a pint…

Marston’s Pedigree 4.5%abv

Pours a light copper with a fluffy white head. Aroma features the expected perceptible sulphur character, but also a complex range of fruit esters , apple and pineapple, with the tropical notes becoming more prominent as you work down the pint, also a crisp malt note. On the palate the apple and pineapple is continued with a firm minerally mouth feel, a touch of caramel before a flinty dry and moderately bitter finish.

Overall a pretty subtle but moderately interesting pint, not for those who cant stand sulphur as the “Burton Snatch” is certainly there adding to the experience. I certainly would take this to a pint of Wife Beater…

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never had an exciting pint of pedigree, but I am definitely partial to sulphurous beer.

Mark Edwards said...

Pedigree was the first beer that floated my boat. Mind you that was over 20 years ago.

Now it's an overproduced mess, on cask, and I actually enjoyed the pasteurized bottled version last time I had it.

Chela said...

Hi there?
I Like that ale in both pasteurized and bottled versions.
After living in the UK and falling in love with the different ale styles, for me it's an honour to have become the amateur advisor of my local pub -in Asturias, Spain-about the range of British ales it should offer. From the little portfolio the local importer can offer us, I've made a selection that includes Pedigree and Single Malt both from Marston, Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale, Ruddles County,London Pride,Charles Well's Bombardier and what I call our special jewel: St. Peter's Old Style Porter. This month, as a Bottled Ale Guest we have Whiteshield IPA. Superb!!!
All the ales I've mentioned are in their bottled version. On Keg we have tried to avoid, partially, the mainstream- Newcastle and John Smith's smooth-,just to offer Charles Well's John Bull as a bitter and Bass as a Pale Ale instead. Not bad for living and boozing (in English hehehe) in our small northerner part of Spain, isn't it?
Congrats for your nice blog. Cheers and Sursum Corda

Chela said...

Sorry
when I wrote "I like that ale in both pausterised and bottled version" I wanted to say Cask Version, which in fact I tried in the UK. Sorry for the mistake. Cheers and Sursum Corda

Kieran Haslett-Moore said...

Cheers for dropping by Chela, Worthington Whiteshield is an outstanding beer.