I tick off number seven on the list this week, and my second
Marston’s beer – Old Empire. This is my second IPA, and as you may recall,
stands for India Pale Ale. Typically, IPAs are stronger than your average beer
and usually quite bitter. Marston’s version is no different.
I wrote at some length last time about how I felt many IPAs
weren’t actually that pale. But, I admitted, this is probably more about what I
think of as pale rather than the beer hue itself. This beer is, however, fairly
pale and crystal clear as you might expect.
Marston’s is a pretty big brewery, and as well as Pedigree
and Old Empire IPA, produce a broad range of beers which you can get hold of.
When I quickly skimmed their website earlier today, they list a number of other
breweries such as Jennings and Bank’s, and I wonder if they just kindly
advertise these other ale-makers or have a hand in them also. Many of the
larger breweries have bought up the smaller ones, which is often a shame as the
little guy just can’t compete with the big business breweries.
About the beer
The 300 list classes this as an IPA.
I really like Old Empire, and irrespective of how you feel
about big breweries, this is not a bad bottle of beer. It’s strong, at 5.7% as
you’d expect from an IPA and has that good level of bitterness also. It doesn’t
whack you in the taste buds with hops, but a slower bitter tang that hands on
the tongue. It is a mass produced beer, which I know many don’t like, and
perhaps has some of those characteristics. It’s a better alternative than some
other so called IPAs I could name, and I don’t think you would be disappointed
if you tried it.
Alcohol: 5.7%
My rating: 7/10
Whether you love the big name breweries, or prefer a
smaller, local brew, you have to give credit where it’s due here.
The great thing about Old Empire, and Marston’s beers in
general, is that you can find them without much trouble. Most large
supermarkets supply them, and in fact, I picked up my bottle from our local
Home Bargains at a basement price of only £1.59. That’s not bad for a good
pint.
How does it compare to other IPAs? Well, looking back at my
notes, the only other IPA I’ve tried so far was the Burton Bridge Empire – the name
is simply a coincidence! I notice I’ve scored them both a 7, which seems
somewhat unfair to the Burton-on-Trent beast. That was a great beer, and had
real character and strength. Perhaps the truth is though, that while the beers
are both IPAs, they really are quite different animals. Even side by side in
the “IPA” box, you see a big difference in them, and that’s what I love about
ale! Every single beer is different, and you never quite know which you are
going to love the most – this one, or the next! Keep tasting, that’s what I say!
