Andys Beer Reviews

FULLERS BLACK CAB (500ml) 4.5% ABV   I found this stout elusive when searching the supermarkets for new beers to review, then suddenly I found it in a Morrisons in Scotland! Happy days. Oh, I tell you what, I nearly did a little jig right there in the supermarket aisle when I clocked that bottle of Fuller's 4.5% ABV Black Cab staring back at me from the shelf, it was like a gift from the beer gods.  I cradled it like a newborn and marched it straight to the till with the pride of a man who's just unearthed buried treasure, I made it mine and I was ready to review it!  The Beers Packaging These Fuller brown bottles look a little sleeker than the standard 500ml design we are used to seeing, I like it. The bottle has some nice embossing on it stating that it’s brewed at the Griffin Brewery which is a nice touch.  The label oozes sophistication, with the icon London Cab on the front and a gold “Fullers” logo, it looks sophisticated.  The overall impression is one of...

Living in Yorkshire I tend to find only Fullers London Pride ready available in supermarkets; the reasons why could be due to a number of factors, probably the main is the prominence of local Yorkshire breweries that the shops want stock, plus distribution network tends to be stronger in the south of the country. Anyway, that said, if you keep your eye open, you can find Fullers ESB (Extra Strong Bitter) 5.9% ABV in larger stores of Tesco and Sainsbury's; I picked this one up from a large Tescos in Scotland of all places! The Beers Packaging  A nice standard shaped 500ml brown bottle with GRIFFIN (the brewery name) embossed in the neck.  It has a very straightforward label, "ESB" emblazoned on the front of it, slightly oversized "S" for emphasise of the 'Special' element of the beer.  Does the word "LEGENDARY" give me a clue as to what I should expect I wonder! Overall with the colours and fonts, Fullers beer heritage shines through...

Westmalle is an old brewery, the 7% ABV Dubbel is a proper Belgian classic beer, the brewing of which dates back to 1856 and was originally brewed by the Trappist monks at the Abbey in Westmalle, and the production is still supervised by the monks, and the monks don’t mess about either; they brew their beers with care, contemplation, and a hefty dose of divine patience. I had the pleasure of reviewing the Westmalle Tripel a little while back, and while it was a very nice Belgian Ale, I was always under the impression that the Dubbel is a better beer! The Packaging So, the Westmalle Dubbel bottle and label might not shout for attention on the shelf, but they have got a quiet dignity to them. It got an almost classic and timeless shape to the brown bottle with the word “Trappist” embossed around the shoulder; I should be impressed by this simple marketing trick … but I am! They have gone for a lovely diamond shaped label, in a deep burgundy with gold and cream text; a rich, restrained co...

Disclaimer: I really do like Greene King beers, I love the rich, malty nature of them! Greene King recently launched their 6% ABV Imperial IPA as part of a strategy to celebrate their rich brewing heritage while also appealing to modern drinkers. The Imperial IPA is inspired by 19th-century English IPA recipes found in their archives, reflecting the style of IPAs originally brewed with a higher strength for expatriates in India. This allows them to connect with their past and showcase their brewing expertise. The Imperial IPA, along with their Double Header, signifies this move towards more contemporary and higher-strength styles that appeal to craft beer enthusiasts. There's does appear to be a growing interest in more robust and flavourful beers like Imperial IPAs. By introducing this style, Greene King can tap into this segment of the market and cater to drinkers looking for something beyond their core range.   So what is this so called Imperial IPA like? (I only say that becau...

After a recent review that I have put together for a fruity and hoppy pale ale, I was shocked to discover that there isn’t a Pale Ale Appreciation Society, and I think there should be. Before some clever brewer realised that there were some lovely flavours to be got from an India Pale Ale (IPA), pale ales were bees knees; drinkers admired their drinkability, there balance of mild sweetness against the mild hoppy bitterness, but it just seems that today, as they don’t have the alcohol punch or the intense hop bitterness that characterises some modern day IPAs, pale ales seem to have proper fallen out of favour amongst drinkers. For one like think that there is still a place in the glass for a pale ale, and that they have much to offer, especially for those who enjoy a subtler, more refined beer experience (like I do sometimes). A Very Quick History Lesson Pale ales were first brewed in the early 1700’s as an alternative to the darker, richer and more robust ales that were around at the ...

These guys really are a hidden gem in British Brewing. For the past couple of years, I like to shine a spotlight on a brewery that I think has truly stood out; one that consistently produces exceptional beers, never cuts corners, and reminds me why I fell in love with beer in the first place. For 2024, there was only one choice: Green Jack Brewery in Lowestoft. Nestled on the Suffolk coast, Green Jack might not have the hype of some trendy city breweries, but what it does have is cracking beers that have been brewed with excellence in mind. I have to say that I came across these guys while on a stay in Norfolk and only found them after a recommendation by The Urban Viking (thanks Dave) and as I was staying so close to them, I couldn’t resist going to see them. I turned up unannounced, but I have to say that they were very welcoming, their owner, Tim Dunford, was in at the time and took a little time out to show me around and recommended some beers of theirs to try. The brewery is act...

Every year, I taste my way through an impressive lineup of beers; some great, some forgettable, and a few that leave a lasting impression. But every so often, a beer comes along that makes me stop, sit up, and say, "This is the one." Imperial Jakehead from Wylam Brewery in Newcastle that that beer in 2024. This is a beer than I fell in love with from the very first sip on New Years Day in 2024. Such a delicious beer, well I call it a beer it’s an Imperial IPA, and coming in at 10% ABV, it’s a bit of a beast. The can design alone suggests that something special is waiting for you, all gold and shiny with a dangerous looking snakeskin design. Now, Wylam is no stranger to excellence. The Newcastle based brewery has been turning out world class beers for years, and their original Jakehead IPA is already a legend in its own right, a bold, punchy, hoppy beast that never disappoints. But with Imperial Jakehead , Wylam has taken things to a whole new level. It’s bigger, bolder, and...