St. Honoré Pils
Huisbrouwerij Old Bailey

Presentation: Once again the uniform lines of the brown brick building that houses the Huisbrouwerij Old Bailey played host to Wakefield CAMRA during our annual Belgium Trip on Sunday 27th April, 2005. Our last visit here was Easter 1999, some 6 years ago. The neat & massive interior remains, as does the beer range, plus one new addition. However, the exceptionally shiny and clean “Home Brewery” looks hardly used these days…sparking continued rumors of contract brewed beers, something we could not confirm - nor deny - despite several discussions with the wait staff.

Working my way up the 6 brews, the first brew I tried was a St. Honoré Pils.

Appearance: I pretty much got what I expected. A flute glass with a very thin looking pale straw colored offering, which had a light milk haze. Fizzing white head filled the flute glass from the upper surface of the fluid to the rim of the glass. Head stayed around for a decent time. Lots of streamers and typical high carbonation levels. Archetypal.

Nose: Musty hop odor with some light citric bitterness. Bland nose that still somehow projects that this is a standard Belgium “Pils”, without the “ener”.

Taste: Starts watery, grainy Pilsner like malts. Finished bitter and dry with some light lemon feel. Simple and short lived. Onto the next mouthful.

Mouthfeel: Fizzy and a burden at times. Has a cardboard dimension to it. Thin.

Drinkability: Hey I had to try the one for old time’s sake. I remember this being better and maybe even a little stronger…..but I guess time plays trick on you. Clean and fairly drinkable nevertheless. Average

Overall: Described in the Beer part of the HOB Menu as a ‘Premium Lager’. This is so obviously designed as a “pounder” for the visitors that are used to Maes/Jupiler/Amstel, etc, etc…. Not as bad as those for sure, but not that much better. Very gassy and so reminiscent of many of the ubiquitous Belgium “Pils” out there! You know what this is going to be like long before you even taste it.