Ashgrove Farm – Old Jollop Premium Cider 6%

This is a pale cider with a good aroma of apple. It is lightly sparking, dry edging with slight sweetness, with crisp apple notes.

This is an artisan, small batch cider produced at Ashgrove Farm in Wedmore, Somerset, about 4 miles from Cheddar Gorge.

St Austell Brewery has announced the death of Roger Ryman – Brewing Director and the brewer of Tribute.

St Austell Brewery’s head brewer Roger Ryman has died aged 52

St Austell Brewery said it was with sadness that it announced the passing of its brewing director, Roger Ryman, who died peacefully this week following a brave battle with cancer.

Roger, who led St Austell’s brewing team for more than two decades, played a leading role in the company’s growth and success.

Since joining the brewery, he has been responsible for transforming the family brewery’s portfolio of brands – including its three flagship beers, Tribute Pale Ale, Proper Job IPA and Korev Cornish Lager

Roger’s first original brew when starting at the brewery in 1999 was Daylight Robbery – a short-term seasonal beer to celebrate the upcoming total eclipse of the sun. Due to its phenomenal popularity, it went on to be relaunched as Tribute – the brewer’s first truly national beer and longstanding flagship brand.

Beartown Brewery – Bear Skinful Premium Bitter 4.2%

This is a darker golden ale with malt and toffee aroma notes. It has a sweeter malty start with a balance of hop bitterness and citrus background carrying through.

This is the premium ale produced by the Beartown Brewery Based in Congleton in Cheshire

Cotswold Lion Brewery – Drover’s Return 5.0%

This is a very dark chestnut red coloured ale, with a strong plum aroma. It has a pleasant sweet and plum fruit taste, with a slightly sharp lemony note. This is a good porter style ale, without the strong smokey or toasted notes from dark malts.

This is an excellent ale produced by Cotswold Lion Brewery based in a disused grain store in Coberley in the Cotswolds near Cheltenham.

Wincle Beer Co – Rambler Amber Ale 4.0%

A dark golden Amber ale, with a malty fruit aroma. This ale has an initial sweetness of malt carried through, with background light hop bitterness and slight fruit sharpness.

Rambler is a good summer ale if you like a more traditional English style ale. It is brewed with Brambling Cross hops.

Wincle Brewery is located in Wincle in the Derbyshire Peak District, by the River Dane and is about 6 miles from Macclesfield.

North Cotswold Brewery – Hung, Drawn ‘n’ Portered 5%

This is a very dark red ale with a smokey plum aroma. It has a smokey bitter toasted malt and hop taste with a hop bitter finish and aftertaste.

This ale is brewed with Brambling Cross hops.

This is not as sweet as a London porter but a good smokey porter from the North Cotswold Brewery, based in Stratton-on-Fosse.