Revisiting Familiar Beers. What Still Holds Up, and Why.
Every now and then, I find myself going back to beers I thought I already understood. Not new releases, not hype-driven cans, but familiar names. Beers I’ve drunk for years, sometimes decades.
Revisiting them now, with a bit more experience and a lot more perspective, is always interesting. Some don’t quite live up to the memory. Others quietly impress all over again.
Here’s a small selection of well-known beers I’ve reviewed recently, and why they’re still worth talking about.
Grolsch Premium Pilsner. Nostalgia meets reality.
Grolsch is one of those beers that arrives carrying a lot of baggage. For me, that iconic green swing-top bottle is pure nostalgia, straight back to the 80s. Bros on the radio, bottle tops in laces, and the feeling that lager somehow tasted better back then.
Revisiting it now, it doesn’t quite recreate those early drinking memories, but that’s not really the point. What it does deliver is a clean, crisp, well-made European pilsner that knows exactly what it is.
It’s uncomplicated, refreshing, and dependable. In a market full of overthinking and extremes, that still counts for a lot.
Read the full Grolsch Premium Pilsner review
Old Peculier. A beer that wears its history proudly.
Old Peculier is a beer that hasn’t chased trends, and that’s exactly why it still works. Rich, malty, and unapologetically traditional, it’s a beer that rewards slow drinking.
Going back to it reminded me just how much depth there is in a well-made English strong ale. Dark fruit, toffee, roasted malt, and just enough bitterness to keep everything in check.
It’s not trying to convert anyone, and it’s certainly not trying to be fashionable. It doesn’t need to.
Read the full Old Peculier review
Fuller’s ESB. Why British bitter still matters.
There’s a reason ESB became a benchmark. Fuller’s version still delivers warmth, balance, and flavour without excess.
Revisiting it was a reminder of how satisfying a properly made bitter can be. Toffee and caramel sweetness, gentle fruit, and a comforting depth that feels timeless rather than dated.
It doesn’t shout for attention, but it absolutely holds its ground.
Read the full Fuller’s ESB review
Greene King Imperial IPA. Heritage over hype.
This one genuinely surprised me. Marketed as an Imperial IPA, but rooted firmly in English brewing tradition, it leans far more into malt, balance, and drinkability than modern hop extremes.
It might not fit everyone’s definition of “imperial”, but judged on its own terms, it’s rich, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink.
It’s a reminder that stronger beer doesn’t have to be aggressive to be enjoyable.
Read the full Greene King Imperial IPA review
Bravehop Dark. When expectations are quietly exceeded.
Picked up in Lidl for under two pounds, Bravehop Dark had no right to be as good as it is. Balanced, smooth, and genuinely thoughtful, it’s a Black IPA that understands restraint.
Roast and hops work together rather than fighting for attention, creating a beer that’s easy to enjoy without feeling simplistic.
It’s proof that value and quality don’t always sit at opposite ends of the shelf.
Read the full Bravehop Dark review
What revisiting these beers really shows
Going back to familiar beers is a useful exercise. It strips away hype, resets expectations, and forces you to judge what’s actually in the glass.
Some beers lean heavily on memory. Others quietly prove they’ve earned their place. The best ones manage both.
Not every beer needs to be new, loud, or limited edition. Sometimes, the most interesting stories are told by the bottles that have been there all along.
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