Very pale for a best, with a decent stickyish-looking head and a slight haze…but it was served rather cold, so might have been a touch of chill haze? The nose was pleasant and grainy and didn’t contain much in the way of hop character – but why should it? It’s a best bitter…
The body was generous, and had a light maltiness about it with an almost nutty quality.
There was a good strong bitterness in the after taste, and a nice long lingering maltiness about it, too…
Not my idea of a best bitter, seemed more like a summer beer to me. In any case it was tasty, thirst-quenching, refreshing and just what I was after on a lunchtime in Stratford-upon-Avon.
http://www.northcotswoldbrewery.co.uk/our-beers/
We ate at No.9 Church Street (http://www.no9churchst.com/) which we always make a beeline for whenever we’re in Stratford. They do a nice fixed price lunchtime or pre-theatre menu, which is always excellent – especially the Steak Bavette. Mmmm. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are an additional bonus, too.