View Full Version : Whitbread Pale Ale
fretlessman71
12-19-2003, 03:46 PM
I decided to try this because I had seen it so many times in various stores. Not really being a fan of english bottled ales, I've shied away from them as a rule, but I was brave this time.
(Please don't expect a normal tasting note-style post here...)
Deep amber color, light head. There's something about the yeast that gives it a very sharp taste to my tongue - does this sound familiar? This is what I never really liked about English beers. Maybe Richard or someone from that side of the pond can help me out...?
chazwicke
12-19-2003, 07:20 PM
Fret, after the holidays I will send you some bottled conditioned English beers. I think you may enjoy them a bit more. PM me with your address. I may be able to pry my fingers off a Conniston.
fretlessman71
12-19-2003, 07:22 PM
Sounds good! I'll do just that.
Have you had the Whitbread? I'm very curious what others on this board think of it...
steveh
12-20-2003, 08:36 AM
I haven't had a Whitbread in quite a while, but their yeast is available (and poular with) to homebrewers - and it has a distinctive flavor. Sort of a filmy feel on the back of the tongue and a soft tannin bite - which could definitely be described as sort of sharp. I also recall a pleasing, light maltiness and esters in the aftertaste - accentuated by the yeast and warm fermentation, no doubt.
I seem to remember the ale being pretty highly carbonated too, but I could be crossing memories with Boddington's.
S.
chazwicke
12-20-2003, 05:23 PM
There are so many better English beers available here (Conniston.) It has been a long while since I had Whitbread.
i'd drink a conniston over a whitbread any day of the week and twice on sunday.
just my $2*E-02, YMMV.
chazwicke
12-20-2003, 06:30 PM
Originally posted by b3s
i'd drink a conniston over a whitbread any day of the week and twice on sunday.
just my $2*E-02, YMMV.
You are a gentleman and a scholar B3s. :)
that's funny, chaz...so what do i tell the person the other day who said i was an a**hole and full of shite?
actually, i think coniston bluebird is one of the finest examples of a true bitter that i've had in a really long time.
hops99
12-20-2003, 08:00 PM
I'm always amused by the dolts who think Killian's is brewed in Ireland, and are *shocked* to find out it's a Coors product.
I'm not amused, but rather interested, by the fact that Whitbread is NOT an *English* beer per se, rather it's brewed in the Queen City of Cincinnati, Ohio. Not a bad beer, quite malty for a Pale IMO, but it doesn't come from "across the pond". Whitbread sixers are only $5 here in Ohio, and are referred to as the "British Hudy", as many people think that Hudepohl brews the stuff. Pretty funny.
chazwicke
12-20-2003, 08:10 PM
As I have stated, I have not had Whitbread in a while. It used to come from across the pond. I had no idea it was now brewed here in the States. I guess thats how that brewery continues to servive. No more Hudy Delight or Little Kings?
chazwicke
12-20-2003, 08:10 PM
Survive that is.
hops99
12-20-2003, 08:29 PM
Actually, last I heard, Hudepohl-Schoenling beers were being contract brewed at the Frederick Brewing Co. in Maryland - a division of Snyder International. The Hudy connection is purely geographical, as the Hudy beers were Cincinnati's own, and now, of course, Whitbread is brewed, bottled, and distributed from Cinci as well.
chazwicke
12-20-2003, 08:40 PM
Frederick is not too far from me. they brew the Snowgoose. Snow Goose was once an awesome beer too before Wild Goose was sold to Frederick. It used to be brewed in Cambridge MD on the Eastern Shore. I still have a couple of Snow Goose from a past season in my fridge. I have not had any from this year. When did Whitbread start brewing in Cinci? I used to know a marketing guy from HS. His name was Connie Wagner. Wonder if he is still there. I think HS was also contract brewing Banks beer for the Islands.
fretlessman71
12-21-2003, 10:32 AM
I'm glad there are finer examples of British STYLE beer... to be honest, I was a little disappointed. Chaz, that trade is definitely going to happen... I just HAVE to find some british beer that I like!
chazwicke
12-21-2003, 11:09 AM
One word: CONNISTON
steveh
12-21-2003, 12:58 PM
Originally posted by chazwicke
There are so many better English beers available here (Conniston.) It has been a long while since I had Whitbread.
Chaz - I had a Blue Bird last night...and I'm afraiid the bottle may have been a bit old, it wasn't as tasty as the first time I tried it - a bit sharp, even a tad phenolic. Glad I didn't buy more than one bottle!
S.
steveh
12-21-2003, 01:01 PM
Originally posted by hops99
I'm always amused by the dolts who think Killian's is brewed in Ireland, and are *shocked* to find out it's a Coors product.
Brewed right alongside that famous Belgian beer, Blue Moon. :P
S.
chazwicke
12-21-2003, 03:27 PM
Originally posted by steveh
Chaz - I had a Blue Bird last night...and I'm afraiid the bottle may have been a bit old, it wasn't as tasty as the first time I tried it - a bit sharp, even a tad phenolic. Glad I didn't buy more than one bottle!
S.
All of mine have been great. However, both of my usual sources have been unable to get any recently. I only have about four bottles left:( I hope this is not a bad sign that we will only have old bottles and no new stock arriving.
got lots of the ol' blue bird locally :D i have one that i'm cellaring, but i'm getting more and more tempted to plop it in the fridge...well, that or buy some more, but i've got all those great ales folks have been sending me.
BluesHarp
12-21-2003, 04:59 PM
Originally posted by fretlessman71
I'm glad there are finer examples of British STYLE beer... to be honest, I was a little disappointed. Chaz, that trade is definitely going to happen... I just HAVE to find some british beer that I like!
Theakston's Old Peculier is one that I like; I've found the only problem with English beers is making sure they have been treated properly by the distributer and retailer and have not "turned".
A lot of the dislike for British ales comes from having drank old, spoiled ones.
Originally posted by BluesHarp
Theakston's Old Peculier is one that I like; I've found the only problem with English beers is making sure they have been treated properly by the distributer and retailer and have not "turned".
A lot of the dislike for British ales comes from having drank old, spoiled ones.
i concur...older, spoiled beers are the reason most people don't like european ales in general, and british ones in particular for some reason (YMMV). although for some reason, belgian beers seem to come across the pond just fine.
chazwicke
12-21-2003, 09:36 PM
I also concur. I had some Hopback Summer lightning that I thought had gone beyond its time. The Entire Stout is still good though.
I would not recommend cellaring the Conniston either.
chazwicke
12-22-2003, 02:02 PM
So with Whitbread being made in Cinci, does that also mean Mackeson is made there too?
steveh
12-23-2003, 06:28 AM
Originally posted by chazwicke
I also concur. I had some Hopback Summer lightning that I thought had gone beyond its time.
Mmm, the Summer Lightning was one of the ales available at the RAF in Chicago last year and it had survived the trip nicely!
S.
chazwicke
12-23-2003, 09:56 AM
The one I had was a bit off. I have shied away from purchasing any more. I have had it on cask in the UK and it was scrumptious.
threecb
12-23-2003, 12:57 PM
Originally posted by chazwicke
One word: CONNISTON
That's a word i've come to love this year!
I just picked up 2 more bottles last weekend.
This time I might even share with my wife!
The Bluebird is a fine example of a BCA.
I too would hesitate to cellar it, though...
Richard English
12-23-2003, 01:44 PM
The Whitbread company is the A-B of British brewers. In its long history the Whitbread company has made it its business to buy shares of other brewers until it acquires a majority. It then takes the brewery over - and closes it down. They have been very successful in this and the compnay is one of the most profitable in the UK.
Their beer is mediocre and I won't drink it on principle since they are a horrible, evil organisation whose cynical exploitation of our small brewers and their customers deserves every condemnation. Don't buy their beer; it's poor. Don't support the company; they are an evil, disgusting, moneygrubbing shower.
There are plenty of better beers, many brewed by just the kinds of family brewery that Whitbread have tried to close down.
Coniston has been mentioned already - try also Youngs, Fullers, Harveys, Sam (not John) Smiths, Timothy Taylors, Hog's Back, Hop Back, Black Sheep. Generally speaking bottle-conditioned beers are best but not all brewers produce them
Check out the Oxford Bottled Beer database for honest reviews of bottled beers - http://www.bottledbeer.co.uk/
Richard English
12-23-2003, 01:53 PM
Remember, the beers we are speaking of here, like Coniston, are made without any preservatives and rely solely on their alcohol to stops deterioration. Most British beers are not all that strong since we prefer to drink more quantity than do some other nations.
Coniston Bluedird is one of the weaker BCAs and will not hold up was well as a stronger brew such as Fullers 1845 or Young's SLA. Remember, all British beers will have a "best before" date on their bottles - that's the law - and you should be safe enough if you don't buy or keep a beer past that date. Strong beers such as 1845 (which has a year's "best before" lead in) will last longer, but beware of the weaker ones.
Heavily hopped beers will also last longer than less hopped - indeed, this was the reason why hops were added in the first place - to help preserve the beer.
chazwicke
12-23-2003, 03:38 PM
I just got an email from one of my local paint stores. They now have the Anchor 1.3 litre bottles and they have several decent beers in now as well. I guess I'll be heading over to the paint store after work.
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Deus (5 bottles left!)
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