Norman's Conquest
Cottage Brewing Co. Ltd

500 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 7.0%. Bottle conditioned. Mahogany coloured beer, large and lasting tan head which leaves a nice lacing. Excellent aroma with vinous notes, there’s oak, malts, rhum-raisins, treacle, some perfume too. The mouthfeel is (relatively) thinner than what the aroma makes you expect. The flavour is oaky and spicy with notes of dark fruits and caramel, but not exceedingly sweet. Dry finish. Good beer - recommended!

It is dark brown with little head or carbonation, and the aroma is spicy and smells of apples. The smooth body starts malty and leaves you with a peppery dryness. It is definitley not much to look at, but it fairly complex and delicious. I picked up a bottle of this when I was in London and it is doubtful I will be able to find it again until I return.

Norman Conquest was a chance discovery on a guest ale pump. Neither my drinking partner nor myself had heard of Cottage, let alone Norman Conquest, so we decided it was worth a try. This beer is divine. Dark and ominous-looking (there are hints of a burgundy red in the colour), the flavour is superbly rich and treacle-like. If you see this on tap, I would urge you to make a beeline for it.