Usher's Autumn Frenzy
Wychwood Brewery Company Ltd

Sampled cask conditioned at Mannings, a nice little pub in Ipswich, Suffolk, England.
The beer is deep amber coloured, low head. Pleasant aroma of red fruits.
Flavour is malty and fruity with pronounced blackcurrants and blackberries. Dusty finish.
Interesting beer!

This is one of Usher's seasonal beers now brewed by Wychwood following a lo...ng sa...d story. Anyway, after the Usher's brewery was closed down in 2000 when taken over by "asset-strippers", the brands were bought by Refresh UK, for whom the beers were brewed by Thomas Hardy, until 2003 when TH was closed down itself following the 1998 merger with Burtonwood and all its production transferred to the latter brewery. Now two original Usher's brands are brewed by Wadworth (Best Bitter and Bishop's Tipple) and four seasonal brews brewed under license by Wychwood. Is it not a long history to lament about? Well no, as long as the brands are preserved, I think... I only wish all these beers taste as delicious as they used to be.

I sample this beer at a freehouse "Birkbeck Tavern" in NE London, nr. Leyton. The condition is, sadly, not at its best when tasted, not like all other beers on offer that night...

A: it pours a copperish hue, with a decent off-white head fast dissipating, leaving very fine lace; low carbonation.
S: dry hops mixed with a grape-like, slightly sour maltiness, as well as a bit floral/hayish, and faintly sulphurus note.
T: slightly tartly-sweet, even vinous flavour of dark malts upfront, gradually giving way to a mild floral and spicy hoppyness and a mildly warmish touch afterwards; medium-length aftertaste with lingering, oily hoppyness, while a dryish leafy bitterness is also left on the sides of the tongue. It's said to be brewed with "English Crystal Rye", but don't know what Rye should taste like, thus I could only attribute maybe the slightly sour maltiness to this ingredient?
M: incredibly smooth, almost too smooth on the palate... plus its slightly high serving temp., making the ending touch of this beer a bit flat.
D: a medium-bodied hop-accentuated beer, I think it has good potential of being more lively and tasty, maybe with more performance of rye, only IF the serving condition is put right.