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When was the last time I had an honest-to-goodness ale with 4.8% ABV? Seems like I've had a series of very delicious beers that brought hefty 10+ ABV every time. Eventually, that might get to a person, so an easy to drink, relaxed beer that you might drink in a pub seems like the perfect antidote. The only other pub ale I recall having at any time was the Boddington's pub ale, and that was pretty hum-drum. Maybe Tennessee is where the British beer will finally get its feet under it.
The beer looks like it would be pretty sitting on a bar. It is darker than most ales, and it's probably darker than most lagers. It has a bit of a red sheen to it that has the unfortunate side effect of making the hazy beer look a little bit like dirty dishwater. The head simmers down to barely a ring around the sides, so I'll get no lacing. The aroma is a very unsettling bread malt that is really heavy on grains - like a seven grain bread that you power through so you can have a bowel movement.
First sip is a lesson on why people don't like British styles of beer (other than an IPA, thank you). The yeast is tangy, and it's slapping into the grainy malt with a discordance that can only be described as "epic." This is not good. I am thinking about just pouring this down the drain now, but that wouldn't be fair to the beer or you, dear reader.
Tip-in is pretzel dust, aggressive yeast, bread crust, grains, and minimal carbonation (the carbonation gives the impression of a beer that's been sitting on the bar waiting for the waitress to come and pick it up too long). The middle is almost without flavor, apart from the grains and tanginess from the yeast. The finish is spices lumped into a wet 7-grain hunk of bread that is just not appetizing.
Bottom Line: Maybe my last pub ale.
0.75/5
