Another Empire

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!

Burns Night Beer

I don’t need much of an excuse for a celebration, and like St Patrick’s Day in Ireland, Burn’s Night is being marked beyond the borders of Scotland. Truth be told, I wasn’t entirely sure what Burn’s Night is all about, but since discovered it’s the birthday of Robert Burns – a noteworthy Scottish poet.

Our local Aldi, and I suppose Aldi’s across the nation, mark such days with special offers and themed beers. This Burns Night was no exception. They had a selection of Scottish beers, including the one I’m sampling tonight – the Rabbie Burns Blonde beer.

I know it’s yet another departure from the 300 beers list, but I hope you still appreciate my random thoughts on the subject! I did have a good look to see if I could find a Scottish beer that was also on the list, but alas I could not. Actually, I should say another Scottish beer… I have got one in my stash, ready for a certain upcoming event which I’ll tell you about later.

About the beer

Rabbie Burns – Blonde Beer seeming brewed by “Traditional Scottish Ales Ltd” – imaginative name by the way!

Described as a blonde beer, it’s the colour of some lagers and is very pale. It has a smooth and almost creamy taste, with very little bitterness. It’s well rounded and quite enjoyable all in all. My only complaint is that it’s a little forgettable. It’s perfectly fine, but not outstanding.

Alcohol: 4.2%

My rating: 5/10

I feel a little bad rating this as a 5. It’s not awful by any means, and it slips down rather easily. The issue is, I probably won’t remember it in a week’s time and unless I read back over my blog, I won’t even recall its name!

Well, if you celebrate Burns’ Night, I wish you a very happy one – if that’s the right phrase! My little beer this evening is by no means the end of my celebrations, as a few of us are gathering in a week or so to do a “proper” Burns’ night with haggis and the full works!

The Burns’ Night event will be a beer fest also. Each will bring a chosen beer for the rest to rate and guess the alcohol content. I’d tell you more about the beer I’ve chosen, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy so as not to ruin the game. Leave it said that it is both Scottish and on the 300 list, so a blog will follow… bet you can’t wait?!

Pedigree Yum

Sincere apologies to Marston’s for in any way associating their beer with a popular dog food… but it was literally the best I could do!

We return to our 300 beer challenge and hit the third beer so far – Marston’s Pedigree – in case you hadn’t figured that out. Pedigree is a pale ale, and like some IPAs, really isn’t all that pale. Looking again at the definition of a pale ale, I realise I need to reassess what I think of as “pale”. This is a beer you can see through, but it’s not light or golden, which is what I associate with a “pale” ale. In all honesty, this is my own misapprehension, and pale doesn’t mean golden or straw coloured as I imagine inside my skull.

Perhaps I should have said up front, but I like dark beers. I don’t mean that I like them to the exclusion of paler beers, but I guess I do prefer a dark brown or black hue to my beverage. While the market for craft and real ale continues to grow, there does seem to be a lot more golden ales around than dark. Perhaps that’s just my impression, but the major supermarkets seem to stock a lot of the golden beers in all shapes and sizes.

Pedigree is a pale ale – as I’ve mentioned. And this is not to be confused with a bitter. Had you asked me beforehand, I might have made the mistake of thinking that it was a bitter – as I’m not well versed in Marston’s beer (yet). The label on the bottle however is very clear, and if that wasn’t enough, one taste should tell you it’s not a bitter.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not criticising at all, it’s not meant to be a bitter and therefore shouldn’t taste like one. It is, very proudly, a good example of a pale ale.

About the beer

Marston’s Pedigree is a pale ale and is not bitter – I emphasise. You don’t get a huge wallop of hops when you drink this, and I know there are many who don’t favour these “hop bomb” beers that seem to be around nowadays. Instead, Pedigree is subtle and malty, and therefore almost sweet on the palette. It’s not flavourless by any means, but won’t hit you round the face like some beers might.

Alcohol: 4.5%

My rating: 6/10

I rate this beer a six, not because it’s somehow lacking, but rather because it’s not the sort of beer I would drink regularly. It’s a great example of its class, and does taste really good. If you find bitters too, well, bitter, then you might prefer this sort of brew. The good thing about a challenge like this is that you can try lots of different types of beer and see which you like, and which you don’t.

A friend of mine often says “I don’t like red wine…” To me, that a bit like saying “I don’t like music.” You may not like some, or even most, types of music, but there’s bound to be something out there you do like. The same is true for wine, and indeed, beer. So get out there and see what you can find!