MagicPhil's Tasting Notes 2005 - Complete
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 co 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 stated in the programme, if defined) 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, but I would like to have it in prime condition, it might get better! 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.
MagicPhil's Tasting Notes - Volume 2
Wednesday 5.50pm. 16/03/2005
1st Pint. Bullmastiff Brewery, Welsh Gold, 3.8%abv MagicPhil(MP) says: Coppery golden colour, first nose says there is almost nothing there, but as one goes on, that increases, and seems as though this was an ageing beer that had been filtered, because it was getting too old and slightly sour! Lacking. Avoid.
2nd Pint. Copper Dragon Brewery, Golden Pippin, 3.9%abv MP says: A light straw colour beer, light and floral! Immediate good flavours with some sharp citrus but not overwhelming, Lively in the mouth, it really is a bitter that could be drinkable for long periods. No vast body but at this strength that is unsurprising. Almost no development in flavours.
3rd Pint. Loddon Brewery, Hoppit, 3.5%abv MP says:Pleasant enough, a little sweet for its strength, some pepper, some body, A perfectly drinkable bitter, if of no great distinction. A session bitter, perhaps?
4th Pint. Maldon Brewery, Puck's Folly, 4.2%abv MP says: Medium to light straw colour beer, at first flavours, there is some citrus, although limited, and one hopes for development, but it never comes. In the end, this is a too sweet beer that goes nowhere. Disappointing.
MagicPhil's Session Pick: None.
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MagicPhil's Tasting Notes - Volume 3
Thursday 2.25pm. 17/03/2003
1st Pint. W.J.King Brewery, Broadshield Bitter, 4.0%abv MagicPhil(MP) says: A quite dark brown beer, first impression is a little sweet, a little banana flavour perhaps? At about half way, I found some citrus, and then it seemed not so sweet. It does get better as it goes on. Reasonable.
2nd Pint. Sharp's Brewery, Doom Bar Bitter, 4.0%abv MP says: At first tasting, this seems a bit thin, but almost immediately on come the citrus and licquorice flavours and this beer starts to develop. A pleasant drinkable beer, that develops to some extent with good citrus, but no other deep character. Good.
3rd Pint. Holden's Brewery, Black Country Bitter, 3.9%abv MP says: A lively, straw coloured bitter with nice immediate citrus, not heavy. A good chewy citrus develops, reminiscent of orange marmalade! Plenty of flavours to be had, no bananas, some honey maybe. This goes on, and I could probably drink it all night. Highly Recommended
MagicPhil's Session Pick: Holden's Brewery, Black Country Bitter,
3.9%abv
MagicPhil's Tasting Notes - Volume 4
Thursday 5.30pm. 17/03/2005
1st Pint. Green Tye Brewery, Uncle John's Ferret, 3.8%abv MagicPhil(MP) says: Quite dark brown, pleasant in the mouth, nothing remarkable. A little pepper, but not exceptional, pleasant, drinkable.
2nd Pint. Westerham Brewery, Black Eagle Bitter, 3.8%abv MP says: A very nice light straw colour, immediate citrus, immediate sharpness,
FIRE ALARM GOES OFF AND EVERYONE HAS TO LEAVE HALL! LATER ON, WE RETURN AND.....
6.35pm. I have managed to drink all the black eagle and resettle myself. The Black eagle was pleasant, but unremarkable, I could probably drink it for an evening.
3rd Pint. Phoenix Brewery, Navvy, 3.8%abv MP says: Quite dark, a little sweet, pleasant if undemanding. OK.
4th Pint. Acorn Brewery, Barnsley Gold, 4.3%abv MP says: It is a lively golden brown bitter, that is very pleasant on the palate, some citrus in the back of the mouth, maybe a little sweet for its strength, but a good beer to put away now and then.
MagicPhil's Session Pick: Westerham Brewery, Black Eagle Bitter,
3.8%abv
MagicPhil's Tasting Notes - Volume 5 Friday 3.30pm. 18/03/2005
1st Pint. Grand Union Brewery, Gold, 4.2%abv MagicPhil(MP) says: A light straw colour, pleasant in the mouth, a little sweetness, a little citrus, in good condition. No vast flavours, but a very good drinking bitter. Recommended
2nd Pint.Triple FFF Brewery, Alton's Pride, 3.8%abv MP says: Pleasant, light to mid brown, slight citrus, a bit of licquorice, a slight cloying aftertaste, but this gets better, lacks a little life perhaps.
3rd Pint. Breconshire Brewery, Golden Valley, 4.2%abv MP says: A light brown beer, marginally hazed, a little honey there, not great development. A little sticky for me, but perfectly adequate.
4th Pint. Green Tye Brewery, Uncle John's Ferret, 3.8%abv MP says: I had this last night, and it has not changed. This time I have it by mistake, but am perfectly satisfied. Quite dark brown, pleasant in the mouth, nothing remarkable. A little pepper, but not exceptional, pleasant, drinkable
5th Pint. Mordue Brewery, IPA, 5.1%abv MP says: A beautiful light straw coloured beer, good citrus, life, a little sweetness there. Everything available here. Lovely. Highly Recommended
5 1/2th Pint. Pitfield Brewery, 1837 IPA, 7.0%abv MP says: Rich, Strong, beautiful flavours here. I would have been happy with a quarter pint of this beer, it is so good, that everyone should have some of it. Highly recommended
MagicPhil's Session Picks: Mordue Brewery, IPA, 5.1%abv Pitfield Brewery, 1837 IPA, 7.0abv%
MagicPhil's Beer of the Festival: Mordue Brewery, IPA, 5.1%abv
MagicPhil's Reserve Beers of the Festival: Pitfield Brewery, 1837 IPA, 7.0%abv Holden's Brewery, Black Country Bitter, 3.9%abv Charles Wells Brewery, Eagle IPA, 3.6%abv