-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Ale
Black Sheep Brewery PLC


- From:
- Black Sheep Brewery PLC
- England, United Kingdom
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #74 - ABV:
- 4.4%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #23,960 - Avg:
- 3.7 | pDev: 13.24%
- Reviews:
- 369
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 31, 2023
- Added:
- Jul 13, 2002
- Wants:
- 25
- Gots:
- 68
Black Sheep Ale is a full flavoured premium bitter with a rich, fruity aroma. Brewed using generous handfuls of choice Golding hops, it has a perfectly balanced bittersweet, malty taste with a long, dry and bitter finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by Ushouldbeworkinh from England
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
20210611
Jun 11, 2021Reviewed by MarkCairns99 from Northern Ireland
4.4/5 rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.4/5 rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A wonderful deep golden colour, treacle and liquorice taste though not overly sweet. This beer also has a slight malt taste though not overpowering. A very good beer which I certainly would buy again.
Apr 30, 2020Reviewed by James94 from England
4.04/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
L: Clear dark orange golden in its colour, initial two fingers of head, lasting lacing
S: Spices, dough, orange, toffee, ripe banana
T: Biscuit, bread, grapes, pear, butteriness
F: Decent, but a little sharp at the end
O: 4
Feb 03, 2020S: Spices, dough, orange, toffee, ripe banana
T: Biscuit, bread, grapes, pear, butteriness
F: Decent, but a little sharp at the end
O: 4
Rated by Mclusal from Colombia
3.59/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.59/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
N37
Jun 15, 2019Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England
3.42/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.42/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
L- Mid chestnut, pours with 3mm white head reducing very slowly and leaving lacing.
S- Quite woody/leathery.
T- They lable it as a 'premium ale' but to me it's more a typical trad bitter profile, that goes into quite a dry/hoppy finish.
F- Zingy, slightly bitter, refreshing.
O- Very nice, quite trad to me, whilst leaning towards to dry/hoppy side favoured by younger folk.
A surprise find (a new beer to me!) in Waitrose, London this afternoon. BB: printed on neck 18/Mar/2020.
ps. The lable has been redesigned in matt cream/black/copper etc., centred on a large rams head, and is now waaay more striking...
Apr 23, 2019S- Quite woody/leathery.
T- They lable it as a 'premium ale' but to me it's more a typical trad bitter profile, that goes into quite a dry/hoppy finish.
F- Zingy, slightly bitter, refreshing.
O- Very nice, quite trad to me, whilst leaning towards to dry/hoppy side favoured by younger folk.
A surprise find (a new beer to me!) in Waitrose, London this afternoon. BB: printed on neck 18/Mar/2020.
ps. The lable has been redesigned in matt cream/black/copper etc., centred on a large rams head, and is now waaay more striking...
Reviewed by Snowcrash000 from Germany
3.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep amber, coppery coloration with a small, fizzy head. Smells of biscuity, slightly grainy malt and grassy, slighty floral hops. Taste follows the nose, with a good balance of biscuity, slightly grainy and toasted malt and grassy/floral hops, with just a hint of toffee and peppery spice coming through as well. Finishes quite crisp, with a medium bitterness and some grainy malts and grassy hops lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.
Nothing spectacular, but a rather pleasant and very nicely balanced Pale Ale that is quaffable and satisfying.
Mar 14, 2019Nothing spectacular, but a rather pleasant and very nicely balanced Pale Ale that is quaffable and satisfying.
Reviewed by digboy from New Hampshire
3.75/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dark copper color, clear with a thin film of a head.
The aroma has strong caramel malt notes, a nice mellow sweetness.
The taste follows the smell with a mellow, sweet caramel malt base. It finishes with a solid tart bitterness ans a lingering sweetness.
The feel is crisp and clean. Very nice.
A classic British pale ale done very well.
Jan 27, 2018The aroma has strong caramel malt notes, a nice mellow sweetness.
The taste follows the smell with a mellow, sweet caramel malt base. It finishes with a solid tart bitterness ans a lingering sweetness.
The feel is crisp and clean. Very nice.
A classic British pale ale done very well.
Ale from Black Sheep Brewery PLC
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
590 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!