Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale | Black Sheep Brewery PLC
Brewed by:
Black Sheep Brewery PLC
England, United Kingdom
blacksheepbrewery.com
Style: English Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.70%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by stcules on 05-24-2002
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View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,256 | Reviews: 610
Reviews by stagger:
3.62/5 rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Well, obviously the name & label is the selling point. As for the beer itself, it's a slightly darker-than-expected (for pale ale) golden-brown amber with a good head that dissipates quickly leaving moderate lacing.
S - Floral, fruity, citrusy
T - Bright and tonic. There's something slightly surprising in the mix - something not 100% pleasant - that I'm having trouble quantifying. There's a lot of flavour up front then it thins out to low-lying hops in the back of the mouth and a long lingering aftertaste. A decent flavour - a little too sweet to start and a little too bitter to finish - but it's not very complex. More a Fawlty Towers episode than a Flying Circus.
M - On the thin side of medium-bodied, but the carbonation keeps it lively.
D - You know, I don't think I'd ever buy this if something a little more interesting were available, but if someone brought a huge case over and forced me to drink it, I wouldn't object in the slightest. I'm probably drinking this in the wrong season - it'd be a perfect summer ale, and it's perfectly sessionable.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Well, obviously the name & label is the selling point. As for the beer itself, it's a slightly darker-than-expected (for pale ale) golden-brown amber with a good head that dissipates quickly leaving moderate lacing.
S - Floral, fruity, citrusy
T - Bright and tonic. There's something slightly surprising in the mix - something not 100% pleasant - that I'm having trouble quantifying. There's a lot of flavour up front then it thins out to low-lying hops in the back of the mouth and a long lingering aftertaste. A decent flavour - a little too sweet to start and a little too bitter to finish - but it's not very complex. More a Fawlty Towers episode than a Flying Circus.
M - On the thin side of medium-bodied, but the carbonation keeps it lively.
D - You know, I don't think I'd ever buy this if something a little more interesting were available, but if someone brought a huge case over and forced me to drink it, I wouldn't object in the slightest. I'm probably drinking this in the wrong season - it'd be a perfect summer ale, and it's perfectly sessionable.
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More User Reviews:
3.5/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bready, Buttery, Smooth, Pedestrian
More gimmick than beer? Maybe, but it does have all of the trademark flavors: leafy tobacco-like hops, faint buttery, yeasty tones, bready malt, ripe fruit, etc. A well put together beer, but there doesn’t really seem to be any “wow” factor here—nothing pops or jumps out at us. Worth a go even for novelty’s sake though.
STYLE: English Pale Ale | ABV: 4.7% | AVAILABILITY: Year-round
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine issue #99 (APR 2015)
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bready, Buttery, Smooth, Pedestrian
More gimmick than beer? Maybe, but it does have all of the trademark flavors: leafy tobacco-like hops, faint buttery, yeasty tones, bready malt, ripe fruit, etc. A well put together beer, but there doesn’t really seem to be any “wow” factor here—nothing pops or jumps out at us. Worth a go even for novelty’s sake though.
STYLE: English Pale Ale | ABV: 4.7% | AVAILABILITY: Year-round
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine issue #99 (APR 2015)
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3.73/5 rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Drinking an English ale on inpedendance day how ironic,anways pours a golden color with a little orange tint with a pretty nice frothy head that settles pretty well into a soapy-like consistancy.Aroma is a little herbal with some toffee notes,taste is pretty mild and restrained but good with some light brown sugar and mint intertwining nicely.A respectable ale very easy to drink and pretty good even in the heat,I passed this beer up alot thinking it was just a gimmick but I actually liked it.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Drinking an English ale on inpedendance day how ironic,anways pours a golden color with a little orange tint with a pretty nice frothy head that settles pretty well into a soapy-like consistancy.Aroma is a little herbal with some toffee notes,taste is pretty mild and restrained but good with some light brown sugar and mint intertwining nicely.A respectable ale very easy to drink and pretty good even in the heat,I passed this beer up alot thinking it was just a gimmick but I actually liked it.
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4.08/5 rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance This one poured a clear orange in color with some very light brownish tints around the edges. The big, fluffy head looked like a thick cloud and showed good retention.
Smell The big, deep grain comes out nicely. The hops are very bitter and strong, kind of like an Earl Gray tea or something. The distinctive notes play well together.
Taste The toasty, biscuity malts are terrific. They mate very well with the English-style bittering hops. The sweetness is very laid back and hardly noticeable. I can pick up something that tastes like unsweetened orange juice.
Mouthfeel This one is a solid medium-bodied with some big bitterness that ramps up at the finish.
Drinkability The label is kind of cheesy, but its whats inside that counts. This is a terrific session ale.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance This one poured a clear orange in color with some very light brownish tints around the edges. The big, fluffy head looked like a thick cloud and showed good retention.
Smell The big, deep grain comes out nicely. The hops are very bitter and strong, kind of like an Earl Gray tea or something. The distinctive notes play well together.
Taste The toasty, biscuity malts are terrific. They mate very well with the English-style bittering hops. The sweetness is very laid back and hardly noticeable. I can pick up something that tastes like unsweetened orange juice.
Mouthfeel This one is a solid medium-bodied with some big bitterness that ramps up at the finish.
Drinkability The label is kind of cheesy, but its whats inside that counts. This is a terrific session ale.
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3.42/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.18/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served in a mug at a local pizza joint, this beer was a golden color with a small white head. Both the aroma and taste were subtle, to say the least. Very faint caramel, sweet fruit, biscuit. Nothing really stood out. Still, it was easy to drink, and one could probably down a few of these in a sitting.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served in a mug at a local pizza joint, this beer was a golden color with a small white head. Both the aroma and taste were subtle, to say the least. Very faint caramel, sweet fruit, biscuit. Nothing really stood out. Still, it was easy to drink, and one could probably down a few of these in a sitting.
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3.38/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Presentation: 1pt 9fl oz custom brown bottle. Yellow label with some Monty Python graphics. "Tempered over burning witches" says the label.
Appearance: Hazy medium amber with a massive, thick, white, rocky, sticky foam head. Nice head retention on this one.
Smell: Slightly apple-like in the nose. Fruity, floral hop character with faint notes of citrus rind, background must and strong herbal characters.
Taste: Sharp bite on the palate, with raw apple-like flavours -- more like a Granny Smith apple, complete with apple skin, apple must and slight sour/tart character. Medium-bodied, with just enough smoothness. Herbal flavours quell, then mix in with a very light sugary sweetness and flavours of flowers. The faintest touch of diacetyl is present. Oily hop residue is left on the palate, along with a leafy hop feel that blends in with the apple skin. Tannins and more apple skin flavours and feel on the palate follow and fade gently into the dry finish.
Notes: An interesting ale, however, remove the "Monty Python" branding and you're left with simply a typical ale from the UK. Apple flavours and tannins might be a bit too much for some.
Regardless, a nice little treat from our beer brothers in the UK, and well worth seeking out for at least one try -- especially if you are a fan of traditional UK ales and/or Monty Python.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Presentation: 1pt 9fl oz custom brown bottle. Yellow label with some Monty Python graphics. "Tempered over burning witches" says the label.
Appearance: Hazy medium amber with a massive, thick, white, rocky, sticky foam head. Nice head retention on this one.
Smell: Slightly apple-like in the nose. Fruity, floral hop character with faint notes of citrus rind, background must and strong herbal characters.
Taste: Sharp bite on the palate, with raw apple-like flavours -- more like a Granny Smith apple, complete with apple skin, apple must and slight sour/tart character. Medium-bodied, with just enough smoothness. Herbal flavours quell, then mix in with a very light sugary sweetness and flavours of flowers. The faintest touch of diacetyl is present. Oily hop residue is left on the palate, along with a leafy hop feel that blends in with the apple skin. Tannins and more apple skin flavours and feel on the palate follow and fade gently into the dry finish.
Notes: An interesting ale, however, remove the "Monty Python" branding and you're left with simply a typical ale from the UK. Apple flavours and tannins might be a bit too much for some.
Regardless, a nice little treat from our beer brothers in the UK, and well worth seeking out for at least one try -- especially if you are a fan of traditional UK ales and/or Monty Python.
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3.25/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I got this beer in a Cleveland hotel bar, it was this first time I had ever seen it on draft, so I decided to get it. The beer is as one would expect, golden in color with a head that easily dissipates. The smell is all malt with no hint of hops. The first sip is sweet with slight carbonation that never dominates. Overall this beer is average, for malt lovers theirs plenty of malt but nothing for the hop lover in me. This is a traditional English pale good but not great
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I got this beer in a Cleveland hotel bar, it was this first time I had ever seen it on draft, so I decided to get it. The beer is as one would expect, golden in color with a head that easily dissipates. The smell is all malt with no hint of hops. The first sip is sweet with slight carbonation that never dominates. Overall this beer is average, for malt lovers theirs plenty of malt but nothing for the hop lover in me. This is a traditional English pale good but not great
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3.36/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A-Poured into a glass it is a golden amber with a foamy head.
S-Fruity citrus smell with a slight hoppy scent
T-Smooth but not fruity and no bite in the after taste.
M-Light almost airy. Smooth and tastey.
D-Drinks well, not heavy. Could drink several at one sitting.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A-Poured into a glass it is a golden amber with a foamy head.
S-Fruity citrus smell with a slight hoppy scent
T-Smooth but not fruity and no bite in the after taste.
M-Light almost airy. Smooth and tastey.
D-Drinks well, not heavy. Could drink several at one sitting.
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4.06/5 rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
16.9 oz brown bottle with some humor on the label. No freshness date. Awesome head, looks like the top of a meringue pie and sticks all over the place. Mildly hazed pale copper colour.
Grassy herbal hop aroma with some malt sweetness in the back that is breadier than anything else. Faint diacetyl and fruitiness in the nose also.
Impeccably smooth with a slick and flowing mouth feel. Big tea-like hop character is herbal and lemony with a ghost like tobacco flavour. Bitterness is modest but stern. Touch of musty diacetyl and some vague fruitiness also. Grain with a bread crust like flavour, malt sweetness provides a good base yet is seldom seen. Finishes slightly with lingering aleish flavours.
Ohh yeah, this is a beauty. I love English ales like this, pack with flavour and complexities yet very quaffable at the same time. This was worth every penny of the $3.50 I spent.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
16.9 oz brown bottle with some humor on the label. No freshness date. Awesome head, looks like the top of a meringue pie and sticks all over the place. Mildly hazed pale copper colour.
Grassy herbal hop aroma with some malt sweetness in the back that is breadier than anything else. Faint diacetyl and fruitiness in the nose also.
Impeccably smooth with a slick and flowing mouth feel. Big tea-like hop character is herbal and lemony with a ghost like tobacco flavour. Bitterness is modest but stern. Touch of musty diacetyl and some vague fruitiness also. Grain with a bread crust like flavour, malt sweetness provides a good base yet is seldom seen. Finishes slightly with lingering aleish flavours.
Ohh yeah, this is a beauty. I love English ales like this, pack with flavour and complexities yet very quaffable at the same time. This was worth every penny of the $3.50 I spent.
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3.29/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4
Pours a clear, amber orange body with an attractive, twofinger, ivory head. Considerable lace effect, as sheets fade into patches down the glass.
Aroma fails to impress. Herbal and floral hops are up front, but end up a bit astringent.
Mouthfeel is dry, light bodied, and has a mild white pepper bite.
Herbal hops lead the flavor profile. What seems to be a vague, pale malt note is underwhelming. At room temperature, the taste is somewhat redeemed by the appearance of a McIntosh apple note. This ale is crisp and refreshing, for all its faults. The finish is clean, with a dry, apple cider aftertaste.
Nice drinkability if it weren't so expensive. I can't help but enjoy an English ale that evokes the Monty Python Show theme song running through my brain.
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look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4
Pours a clear, amber orange body with an attractive, twofinger, ivory head. Considerable lace effect, as sheets fade into patches down the glass.
Aroma fails to impress. Herbal and floral hops are up front, but end up a bit astringent.
Mouthfeel is dry, light bodied, and has a mild white pepper bite.
Herbal hops lead the flavor profile. What seems to be a vague, pale malt note is underwhelming. At room temperature, the taste is somewhat redeemed by the appearance of a McIntosh apple note. This ale is crisp and refreshing, for all its faults. The finish is clean, with a dry, apple cider aftertaste.
Nice drinkability if it weren't so expensive. I can't help but enjoy an English ale that evokes the Monty Python Show theme song running through my brain.
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3.7/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
16.9 ouncer, without freshness dating. Pours typical darkish honey amber, off white head, and moderate lacing. Minor nose of some fruity hops and malt. This is a middle of the road Brit ale, decent balance, malt/hops, nothing special IMHO, but still a pleasant, drinkable sessioner. Worth a try.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
16.9 ouncer, without freshness dating. Pours typical darkish honey amber, off white head, and moderate lacing. Minor nose of some fruity hops and malt. This is a middle of the road Brit ale, decent balance, malt/hops, nothing special IMHO, but still a pleasant, drinkable sessioner. Worth a try.
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3.48/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4
Not quite the Holy Grail of Ales, but fun and very Yorkshire, by gum.
App: Bottle looks great, ale is nice and bronze with a playful, fluffy cappuccino head. Constant effervescence but small bubbles mean more flavour in your nostrils but less fizziness. A typical bottle-conditioned English Bitter, perhaps, but not your fruity, sweet, delicious Landlordesque Pale Ale.
Smell: Tea, whisky, pineapple, coffee, and maybe a touch of lizard. Robust, bitter and well-rounded.
Taste: Well, it's got a few things in common with a Scotch Ale - I'm not too fond of the style, but I'm a big fan of this brewery. Did you know this ale is a blend of Black Sheep Ale and Yorkshire Square Ale, a darker ale of theirs? So they've gone cheapo to make this concoction, but it's still not too bad. You can kind of tell that it's a blend though, because of the mishmash of flavours. Anyway, this is a solid, drinkable ale, which smells good, like it's made with all sorts of things beer is not supposed to be made with (like tea) and it's more than the bland crap you usually get in a smoky Yorkshire pub (think John Smith, Bass). Taste is OK but not as good as Black Sheep Ale. Awesome brewery though, and a great story behind it. Definitely worth visiting the brewery!
Mouthfeel: Bit rough and watery. Not this style's strong point.
Drinkability: What's that proverb about some coloured sky at night, shepherd's delight? Well you and all other drinkers of this beer can talk about such things as the weather, your flock of sheep, the young ladies in the village and the details of the local cattle market, over a pint of this fine local ale in your smoky pub. Enjoy your pipe and overgrown sideburns/chops. Remember, this is a LOCAL ale for LOCAL people, there's nothing for you here!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4
Not quite the Holy Grail of Ales, but fun and very Yorkshire, by gum.
App: Bottle looks great, ale is nice and bronze with a playful, fluffy cappuccino head. Constant effervescence but small bubbles mean more flavour in your nostrils but less fizziness. A typical bottle-conditioned English Bitter, perhaps, but not your fruity, sweet, delicious Landlordesque Pale Ale.
Smell: Tea, whisky, pineapple, coffee, and maybe a touch of lizard. Robust, bitter and well-rounded.
Taste: Well, it's got a few things in common with a Scotch Ale - I'm not too fond of the style, but I'm a big fan of this brewery. Did you know this ale is a blend of Black Sheep Ale and Yorkshire Square Ale, a darker ale of theirs? So they've gone cheapo to make this concoction, but it's still not too bad. You can kind of tell that it's a blend though, because of the mishmash of flavours. Anyway, this is a solid, drinkable ale, which smells good, like it's made with all sorts of things beer is not supposed to be made with (like tea) and it's more than the bland crap you usually get in a smoky Yorkshire pub (think John Smith, Bass). Taste is OK but not as good as Black Sheep Ale. Awesome brewery though, and a great story behind it. Definitely worth visiting the brewery!
Mouthfeel: Bit rough and watery. Not this style's strong point.
Drinkability: What's that proverb about some coloured sky at night, shepherd's delight? Well you and all other drinkers of this beer can talk about such things as the weather, your flock of sheep, the young ladies in the village and the details of the local cattle market, over a pint of this fine local ale in your smoky pub. Enjoy your pipe and overgrown sideburns/chops. Remember, this is a LOCAL ale for LOCAL people, there's nothing for you here!
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3.5/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: orange-brown in color, minimal head, moderate carbonation, clear
Smell: toasted malt and grass
Taste: toasted malt, tea, honey, and biscuit
Mouthfeel: smooth, medium carbonation, light bodied
Drinkability: Good for the style but not great overall. This has a very smooth and nice biscuit taste. I could have two max.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: orange-brown in color, minimal head, moderate carbonation, clear
Smell: toasted malt and grass
Taste: toasted malt, tea, honey, and biscuit
Mouthfeel: smooth, medium carbonation, light bodied
Drinkability: Good for the style but not great overall. This has a very smooth and nice biscuit taste. I could have two max.
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3.6/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours golden orange with a small white head. The aroma is very malty with some earthy hops. The flavor is traditional English malt and hops, with some fruitiness. Thin-medium carbonation and a thinner mouthfeel.
I had tried this beer once before and not liked it, but I found it pretty good the second time. Certainly not a great beer, but not a bad beer either.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours golden orange with a small white head. The aroma is very malty with some earthy hops. The flavor is traditional English malt and hops, with some fruitiness. Thin-medium carbonation and a thinner mouthfeel.
I had tried this beer once before and not liked it, but I found it pretty good the second time. Certainly not a great beer, but not a bad beer either.
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Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale from Black Sheep Brewery PLC
Beer rating:
3.32 out of
5 with
1,256 ratings
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