This is another offering from one of our local micros Great Western Brewery based at Hambrook. This pale ale comes with a light golden colour and an aroma of green English Hops, green wood and fruit? The taste is of English hops but without the overpowering bitterness of an India Pale Ale; with a good malty balance and a bitter aftertaste.
This beer is named after the village in which the Brewery is located, just north of Bristol.
Following the Ilfracombe Beer Festival and the beers we tried, which were a very limited selection of those on offer, Peter (Mine Host for the festival) and I commented that more flavoured beers could be found in the darker beers and porters, rather than the more common lighter ales at the Fest. I came across this porter in JDW’s and had to give it a try, as it is now the time of Winter and Festive Ales.
Edwins Ruby Porter from one of the Westcountry’s Microbreweries – The Great Western Brewing Company run by the Stone Family since 2007, proved to be an excellent offering. A dark ruby coloured ale, with a toffee and hop aroma it promised a good ale, making a pleasant change from what is becoming the widespread use of American hops giving citrus/elderflower flavours to varying degrees. The smooth sweet toffee taste is balanced with a short-lived bitterness making this an excellent ale. This is a really good winter ale but could be drunk anytime.
I decided that I needed to give this beer a further try and as we were travelling the M32 from Bristol, took the opportunity to call in at the Brewery shop in Hambrook and bought 3 bottles to try over the festive period. I look forward to trying more of the Stone family’s offerings and perhaps calling in at the Brewery Tap – The Rising Sun Pub in nearby Frampton Cottrell.