Charge
Banks's Park Brewery

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Jan 2015, so it's just out of date. Purchased a while back from a B&M store. Created in collaboration with the band Elbow and described as an easy-drinking pale ale with a nod to American steam beer.

A: Poured into a straight pint glass. A clear orange-amber colour with plentiful carbonation. Forms a large head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before reducing to a thick surface layer. Some lacing.

S: Aroma of vague grainy malt with hints of fruity ale yeast, subtle barley sugar and stewed leaves. Pretty boring.

T: Tastes of mildly grainy malt with a dry finish. Notes of husky grain, fruity ale yeast, light barley sugar, a twinge of caramel and stewed leaves. Slightly sweet, followed by a delicate leafy bitterness upon swallowing.

M: Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with spritzy carbonation and decent body. Mildly astringent, accompanied by an aftertaste of stewed leaves/husks, grainy malt and ale yeast.

O: Meh - another tired offering from Marstons. I'm not sure that the involvement of a band helps it along either. Looks OK, while the aroma and flavour are a dull mix of grainy malt, fruity yeast and weak stewed leaves. Lacklustre mouthfeel. It's just boring - nothing holds your attention or makes you desire another. Give it a miss.

500ml Bottle from Home Bargains in Glasgow (£1.50):
Not a bad effort from Marston's and one that was a lot better than I was expecting if I'm honest, it was a lot better than the last beer Elbow put their name to as well. This one was relatively easy to drink and certainly had a little more to it than most other run-of-the-mill lagers I've sampled without being a true classic.

 

 

Bottle from B&M. Amber beer with medium head that disappeared. Aroma of faint malt. Taste is digestive biscuit and some mild hop bitterness. Drinkable and dull.