Ecaussinnes Belgian Amber Ale
Brasserie Scassenes

This is apparently another contract brew the JDW pub chain secures with a Belgian brewery to be served in the cask-conditioned form during the chain’s occasional beer festival. Tasted by a half pint at a JDW pub in London, hand-pulled w/o a sparkler.

A: pours an amber colour with low carbonation, topped with a thin off-white beer head leaving tight lacing behind - all looking well for a cask-conditioned ale.
S: grassy hops and exotic fruit esters come before malts, showing a very fresh and lively hoppy edge dancing in the air.
T: grassy Saaz sits behind juicy and sour-sweet malts, leading fast on to a long and dryish hoppy finish, sprinkled w/ tannic touches, dried herbs & spices, and a thin-ish aroma of apples… the level of bitterness remains light yet befits the overall moderate flavour.
M&D: the mildly tannic and spicy mouthfeel gives an edge, but the body thins out a bit in the end. With nicely controlled fizziness, this Belgian Amber Ale is quite enjoyable, and the lively performance of hops is felt throughout the drink. Decent, but not outstanding.