Boddingtons Pub Ale

Date:	9/17/2007
Brewery:	Interbrew UK Ltd.
Beer:	Boddingtons Pub Ale
Origin:	Magor, Caldicot, UK (Whales)
Style:	English Pale Ale
Container:	1-pint aluminum can w/ pressurized widget
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$0 per 4-pack
Alcohol:	4.7% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Since 1778 when it was first brewed at the Strangeways Brewery in Manchester, Boddingtons has been renowned as a unique, pale-gold ale. In English pubs, Boddingtons is served using the traditional hand pulled method which mixes air with the ale as it pours, producing a distinctive creamy head and smooth body, with little gassiness. Ordinary packaged ale cannot match this quality, but the new Draughtflow system does. By releasing millions of tiny bubbles when opened, Draughtflow cans give the creamy head and authentic fresh taste of Boddington’s Pub Ale. The Draughtflow system employs a small recyclable device which floats in the ale.
Appearance:	Very fine bubbles in creamy white head. Color is light amber. Bubbles were down in glass before head settled. Small bubbles lead to good head retention.
Aroma:	Typical beer smell. Somewhat mild in smell. Nothing, in particular, sticks out.
Taste:	Tastes OK. Nothing special.
Mouth Feel:	Very smooth. No detectable carbonation, much like Wexford's. I want more bubbles!
Drinkability:	Not very good because of lack of carbonation. Taste is ok, but poor feel means I won't get it again. Taste alone is better than Wexford's, so I will rate it +1 over the Irish Cream Ale.
Score:	2 / 10

Other links:

• Boddingtons Pub Ale scored a B- on
• Boddingtons Pub Ale scored 2.82 on

Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale

Date:	10/16/2007
Brewery:	Black Sheep Brewery
Beer:	Monty Python's Holy Grail
Origin:	Marsham, Yorkshire HG4 4EN
Style:	ESB (per RateBeer) / English Pale Ale (per BeerAdvocate)
Container:	500 mL Brown Glass Bottle
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$3.49 per Single bottle
Alcohol:	4.7% ABV ABV
Brewer's Description:	Another fine addition to the Black Sheep Brewery range of premium bottled ales, our Holy Grail was specially commissioned to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pythons. It has a distinctive taste with plenty of fruity hops, and is full flavoured with a dry and refreshing bitterness. "Tempered over burning witches."
Appearance:	Cloudy. Light amber in color. Very small bubbles. Poured a nice head and retained it pretty well.
Aroma:	Smeel some hoppiness. Smells a little bitter. Otherwise it smells like a run of the mill ale.
Taste:	Not a very strong flavor. Not bad, but maybe a bit bland.
Mouth Feel:	Fine feel. Carbonation is pretty good. Small bubbles make it pretty smooth.
Drinkability:	It's alright. Should be pretty good with a meal.
Score:	4 / 10

Other links:

• Monty Python's Holy Grail scored B- on
• Monty Python's Holy Grail scored 38 on

Abbot Ale

Date:	9/11/2007
Brewery:	Greene King
Beer:	Abbot Ale
Origin:	Suffolk, England
Style:	English Pale Ale
Container:	1-Pint Can
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$8.49 per 4-Pack
Alcohol:	5% ABV
Brewer's Description:	English Pub Ale - Brewed longer for a distinctive full flavor. From website: Greene King's flagship brand Abbot Ale is a favourite with the nation's discerning beer drinker. An iconic beer, Abbot is brewed for longer in a traditional way in order to achieve its world famous distinctive taste. The secret of Abbot Ale lies not only in its ingredients but the way it is treated along every step of its production, from the arrival of the raw ingredients at the brewery to the cask and beyond. The result (a pint of perfect beer) is due to the care, dedication and craftsmanship of everyone who works on Abbot Ale. Quality is the benchmark. Abbot Ale is brewed with pale crystal and amber malts to give an attractive colour and rich malty taste. Challenger hops give it bitterness with a spicy overtone and to really boost the taste and aroma to the maximum it is late-hopped with Fuggles to provide the floral tones and fruity esters. Full flavoured, smooth and mature, Abbot Ale is an exceptional, quality drink. No wonder this beer is the first choice for so many discerning real ale lovers.
Appearance:	Dark amber in color. Didn’t pour much head. Small bubbles randomly rise.
Aroma:	Has a somewhat rich aroma. Smelled a bit nutty.
Taste:	Not too far off from Wexford’s Irish Cream in taste. A bit bitter.
Mouth Feel:	At least it has more carbonation (a little) than Wexford’s. Still not enough.
Drinkability:	Overall, very much like Wexford’s. I don’t like it very much. I won’t get it again. I'll give it a 2, only because it had a tiny bit more carbonation than Wexford's.
Score:	2 / 10

Other links:

• Abbot Ale scored 83 on
• Abbot Ale scored 3.12 on