Pedigree Six
Marston's Plc.

Englands cricket team beat India today to win the series of one day internationals. To celebrate I drank this beer, which was brewed in support of the afore mentioned cricket team. The bottle was given to me after a party. I had commented on its finer points to the host and as there were a couple left over at the end, he palmed me this one.

Best before 31st October 2007, drank 8th Sept 2007. Poured into a Corsendonk tulip. A good healthy colour, light brick red. The head which was off white soon left the glass leaving a collar and a central wispy covering.

The aroma was of hops, yeast and barley, there was a splattering of ripe 'fruits of the forest' too.

The taste was half way between a good quality English Bitter and a fine Pale Ale. Bitter, but without any nastiness, full bodied without being overpowering, a well balanced beer. Very drinkable, this one was taken with a soft French cheese from Burgundy (Pie d' Angloys) and salted biscuits, which is why the head legged it so quickly.

Appearance: light copper, good clarity, medium layer of light tan foam that slowly falttens out, OK head retention

Aroma: amaretto cake, malt, hint of hop greenery, raisins

Flavor: medium malt punch without being cloying; orange marmalade, hint of black tea, and some passion-fruity hop flavor; finishes semisweet with a lingering malty aftertaste and peppery alcohol

Mouthfeel: medium body, pert carbonation, alcohol warmth

Other comments: A good malty, punchy ale. 6% abv is not too strong in the age of "extreme beers", but this one really seems to hit you full bore!

Based on the original recipe of Pedigree, this beer is tuned up to 6%abv. to commenmorate the brewery's "support England Cricket Team". Coming in a usual Marston's 500ml bottle, but painted in white (support of England). BB 31/10/2007, served cool in a straight imperial pint glass.

A: dark orangey amber in colour, coming with a medium-thick layer of tight, creamy off-white froth, with superb retention; carbonation remains lively throughout.
S: fresh hop resins come with an assertive flow of sweet orangey-citrus fruits, crataegus (Golding hops?), and caramely malts; firmly behind is Pedigree's trademark: lightly creamy+buttery note and a faint trace of stinky sulphur. Quite different from the ordinary Pedigree, as it lacks the strong woody and stinky note of yeastiness.
T: refreshingly-textured but quite neutrally-flavoured upfront (with a wee bit of creamy malts~~), followed by a mixed palate of biscuity malts and citrus-fruits; gradually a mild flow of floral as well as chewy leafy Golding hops develops, on top of a lightly powdery, woody bitterness and lingering bitter-sweet biscuity undertone.
M&D: pretty spritzy initially, but gradually turning softer on the palate; the alc. strength is tuned up at the expense of the original taste of Pedigree, as the richer maltiness suppresses the more delicate yeastiness at the back. All in all, this is not a bad beer at all, and the coloured bottle helps prevent the beer from being light-struck. Maybe Marstons could consider offering this ale on cask, which just as well might be a popular choice in the cricket season?!