MagicPhil's Tasting Notes 2005
London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival 2005
Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London WC1, close to Kings Cross/St. Pancras)
Wednesday 16th. - Friday 18th March 2005 Open Wed + Thurs 12-3pm + 5-10.30pm; Fri 12-10.30pm. Last admission 10pm CAMRA members admitted free Wed + Thurs lunchtime £1.50 at all other times (non-members £2.50)
A wide range of beers, ciders, perries and imported beers (draught and bottled). Details as they become available at:
Excellent hot and cold food.
Entertainments: Breweriana Auction wed eve. Thurs quiet night. Live music on Fri eve.
This and previous years of MagicPhil's Tasting Notes at:-
Magicphils Disclaimer: No warranty is implied for any beer mentioned. It should not be implied that any beer not mentioned is disparaged. Magicphil drinks ordinary bitters and does not drink milds; and does not, therefore, review them. If other persons wish to have Milds reviewed, it is open to them to do so. Any person who chooses to read the reviews below, or indeed to base their actions on them in any way is to be cautioned that Magicphil will not hold himself liable for the actions of such persons. This disclaimer is forced on Magicphil by comments he has received at previous beer festivals.
N.B. There are no Festival Programme Summaries(FPS) in the programme this year but the type of beer (as defined in the programme) is given.
MagicPhil's Tasting Notes -Volume 1
Wednesday 2.25pm. 16/03/2005
1st Pint. Tower Brewery, Thomas Salt's Bitter, 3.8%abv MagicPhil(MP) says: Hoppy, a lot of bite, very peppery, mid to dark brown, pleasant with a strong hop presence, not perhaps to my liking, but in prime condition and a well made beer. It has a long, lasting, not quite licquorice flavour on the palate that is not what I would choose, but it is good. Recommended
2nd Pint. Springhead Brewery, Bitter, 4.0%abv MP says: The first thing to notice about this light to mid brown bitter is the gorgeous nose that it has. Floral, citrus, fresh and lively, it promises a great deal. Does it deliver? Yes and No. The Yes. The initial promise is confirmed with a very fine mouthfeel showing a lot of rich citrus, grapefruit, suggests that it might be a little sharp to drink all night. An underlying hop flavour, but this is sharp and light, rather than cloying. The No. It hardly develops after the first flavours, but perhaps I expected it to develop more given the initial promise. Slightly hazed, but this in no way detracted from this fine bitter. Highly Recommended
3rd Pint. Charles Wells Brewery, Eagle IPA, 3.6%abv MP says: A mid brown beer, almost no nose after the last beer, good mouth flavour, lemon, pineapple? grapefruit perhaps rather than pineapple. In prime condition, lively, a beer that punches above its alcoholic content. A well crafted beer, a real session ale and then some. Highly Recommended
MagicPhil's Session Picks: Springhead Brewery, Bitter, 4.0%abv Charles Wells Brewery, Eagle IPA, 3.6%abv I cannot choose between these since I could happily drink both for extended periods.
More tasting notes as I complete them