169
Hook Norton Brewery Co. Ltd.

Cask/Gravity at Banbury Beer Festival 2018. Celebrating Hook Norton's 169 years of brewing.
Reddish amber. Clear with a flattish head.
Ripe summer fruits and Hobnob biscuit aroma. A touch of spice. Distant hops.
Sweetness is provided by the fruit and treacle flavour similar to rich Dundee cake. A bitterness is just about discerned.
Alcohol is more prevalent than 167 or 168.

A 330ml bottle with a BB of March 2019. Acquired recently from the Hook Norton brewery shop. A strong ale brewed to celebrate 169 years of brewing at the Hook Norton brewery; hopped with three English varieties: Goldings, Challenger and Fuggles.

A: Poured into a tulip. A deep reddish-brown hue with good clarity and plentiful carbonation. Produces a smallish head of creamy off-white foam that lasts for a minute or two before subsiding and eventually dissipating.

S: Aroma of rich, fruity malt with hints of dried fruit, raisins, fruitcake, mild brown sugar, barley, biscuits, ale yeast, esters, faint leafiness and a whisper of spiciness in the background. The booze is well hidden. Good stuff.

T: Tastes of sweet, fruity malt with notes of dried fruit, raisins, fruitcake, subtle brown sugar, barley sugar, biscuity hints, ale yeast, esters, faint leafiness and a touch of spice. Pretty sweet, followed by a delicate leafy bitterness upon swallowing.

M: Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, with lively carbonation and lovely body. Thick and creamy. Aftertaste of sweet fruity malt, dried fruit, barley sugar, ale yeast and faint leafiness.

O: Rather nice - a solid strong ale with a rich, fruity character. Looks good, while the aroma and flavour are replete with dried fruit, sweet malt, ale yeast and faint leafy hops. Great body. Very drinkable; goes down a treat. A bit like a barleywine-lite. The only thing I'd change is to bottle condition it with live yeast for additional depth of character. Worth sampling if you come across it.