T.E.A. (Hogs Back)

Pours with very little fizzy, the foamy head comes with a bit of a push at the end. A very malty nose, big hints off toffee.

The tongue is subject to an initial tingling blast of carbonation, sharp and fizzy like lemonade. Hidden after this is a deep malty taste, not sweet but rather dry. The middle is rather fruity, leading to tangy sharp lingering end. The finish is rather thin, a bit watery and lacking in hop notes, a slight hint of toffee.

3/10 Far too fizzy, thin and bland, tastes like malty commercial lager. I imagine this tastes better on cask with less fizz.

Ginger Ale (Marks & Spencer) 6%Abv

Strong aromas of freshly grated wet Ginger. Pours lighter than expected a very dark mahogany.

The first taste is fresh and sweet, and well, very gingery. This progresses into a more recognisable maltiness and beery taste, with nice hints of biscuit, Ginger nuts obviously. The finish is lacking somewhat, apart from the obvious powerful Ginger flavours. Beyond that it lingers on the palate like, dare I say it, a can of coke. Yep, this beer actually tastes rather too similar to Ginger Coke.

Maybe it's unfair to review this as a "beer" it is after all labelled as a "Ginger ale" ? The ingredients list "Glucose syrup" as a main ingredient, the taste of which is all to prevalent, making this taste more like a soft drink than a beer.

3/10 This really could be sold in cans as Coke Ginger