Beehive Honey Ale
Brew Wharf

Handpump halfpint at the Beehive on Crawford St.

A: Hazy orange body with a finger of coarse, persistent ecru foam. Nice lace. Attractive.

S: Aromatic, but not in a good way. Stemmy, leafy, wet-dog hops, followed by some honey and malt sweetness. Weird mix of sweetness and hoppiness, without either aspect possessing much in the way of finesse.

T: Smoother than the nose, but also sweeter: nutty, toffee malt plus pure honey (apparently this is actually a beer/mead blend). It's cloying, as the herbal hops just can't stand up to the sweetness.

M: Smooth, sticky, low carbonation. Ok, but not good.

O: Interesting beer, but not a good one. I don't think I'll be searching out any more Brew Wharf beers, and I'm rather disappointed with my first real ale in London. Oh, well. I'm sure things will improve.

Cheers!