#88 - Off the Wall Brewery - The Taste of Purple - 4.2%

'But Beardy,' I can hear you say, 'Surely Purple tastes like fake grape a la 1990's American Donuts???'  And you would be right.  Which would naturally lead on to your next question, 'Why on Earth would you drink, let alone review, a beer flavored with lavender?'  Normally I would agree with you and as a fair warning of my prejudices, I detest lavender in all of its various forms.  Imagine how surprised I was, therefore, when I actually enjoyed this pint.  First things first, this pint is light.  Extremely light.  Very subtle flavors.  So much so, in fact, that at times it seems almost unlike beer.  This is balanced well by the whiff of lavender and just a hint of honey on the tongue.  The fact that this combination is refreshing is something of a marvel to me, but credit where credit is due, it is.  Still, this is not a great beer.  It is too light.  There is not enough flavor, and the overall effect is the sort of drink you'd expect a 12 year old to sip from a goblet.  Not my cup of tea.  Allowing for my inherent bias, 6/10.

#85 - 87 - One Mile End Brewery - Docker's Delight, Rye IPA, and Docker's Delight

One Mile End is a microbrewery based below The White Heart Brewpub in Whitechapel, London.  When I visited, they had three of their own on tap, so I thought I would give you a bit of a combined review.

Docker's Delight - 4.2%

This is a very flat southern style bitter.  If you like a thick head on your pint, stay well away!  The closest comparison I can draw is an ESB, with Fuller's ESB being the closest mainstream comparison.  Now, I am a great fan of the classic bitter style and particularly ones that don't shy away from a powerfully bitter aftertaste, but I am well aware that this beer won't be for everyone.  It lacks a touch of smoothness, but is certainly above average.  A well deserved 6.5/10.

Rye IPA - 5.2%

This is easily the best Rye IPA I have tried recently.  Extremely smooth.  Excellent citrus hoppy notes.  The rye flavor is not nearly as overpowering as it can be in other examples of this type.  Had I had more time, I would have drunk this all night and possibly returned the next day for more of the same. If you only have time to try one, this is definitely the one to go for. 7.5/10

Hospital Porter - 5.2%

Just when I thought I had found a real gem of a microbrewery, I tried the weakest of the three.  This is just a touch watery, a touch sweet, and has a bit too much of a milky flavor for my taste.  It's still perfectly drinkable however and my distaste has more to do with my preference for beers that are less sweet.  6/10

All in all, the brewpub is well worth a visit.  A nice atmosphere, helpful staff, and two above average beers and a real gem.  Head that way if you get the chance.

#84 - Angelo Poretti - Luppoli Originale Chiara - 4.8%

Now I'm not a chap who normally drinks lager.  I am even less likely to be found drinking pale lager.  It is generally, it has been said, the sort of day when Satan and his princes of destruction bring forth their woolly hats and mittens before I would drink a pale Italian lager.  But needs must when staying in a second rate hotel and I found myself faced with this little number.  Having seen a number of other reviews, I can confidently say that it is not well liked.  It is criticized for being both too fizzy and not fizzy enough (why blame the beer for the pubs equipment?) and many reviewers just think it is rather flavorless.  Now, even knowing the torrent of abuse I am likely to receive for saying so, I have had any number of Italian lagers that I had wished were flavorless, so it certainly won't be losing points for that. It caries hints of grain and a touch of yeast.  Mostly though it is simply inoffensive and refreshing, two distinct points in its favor.  A solid 5/10 and a fervent wish that this hotel had a better stocked bar...

#83 - London Fields Brewery - Shoreditch Triangle IPA - 6.0%

It had never occurred to me, prior to trying this monstrosity, that I had personal rules governing the taste and manufacture of high ABV IPAs.  Evidently I do, and perhaps in a future post I shall elucidate them, but for now suffice to say, I have found a beer that breaks them all.  Where to begin...  It's malty!  It's too sweet!  It tastes alcoholic!  The hops seem added as some sort of afterthought in a desperate attempt to mitigate the former and it just doesn't work.  Apart from anything else, if you are going to use hops that way, use citrus varieties that cut through the alcohol and add a clean pleasant aftertaste.  Shoreditch Triangle is more floral than the Chelsea Flower Show!  And almost as expensive.  I would like to give this an extremely low mark, I really would, but I can't.  After all, I did finish the whole pint and that has to be worth something.  Perhaps my anger and frustration can be put down to just how good a high ABV IPA, done well, can be.  After all, an idiot in the pub imitating Benny Hill is still funny, but Shakespeare performed poorly is dire.  A 4/10 as it whet my whistle, but even that feels generous.

*NOTE:  I am quite prepared to believe that if this beer were served chilled in the American style it would taste rather better.  If I find it in a bottle, I will investigate...

#82 - Caledonian Brewery - Old Contemptible

This malty brew was special released to mark the centenary of the First World War and was designed specifically to mimic popular styles at the war's outbreak.  Whether it appeals to modern palates is debatable.  The name itself is of great significance and if anyone is interested they can read more here.  It has strong caramel flavors and perhaps a hint of molasses to go along with the mild vanilla aftertaste.  The head is very reasonable when poured, strong and white.  To my mind this outperforms the vast majority of Caledonian's other beers and how it was a temporary brew is beyond me.  These days you can find bottles at discount stores for as little as a pound.  My advice, stock up!  A strong 7/10 and a commitment to purchase more as soon as I can find it.

#81 - Sainsbury's Taste the Difference - 'Tap Room' IPA - 6.3%

For starters, this is a better beer than the American Pale Ale.  It has a better range of flavor and does, somewhat, what it says on the bottle.  It tastes and performs like a high ABV American IPA.  On the other hand, it certainly doesn't have the big, West Coast, hoppy flavors that can make them so desirable.  In addition, it carries more malt than I would normally associate with the style.  As a result, it will probably appeal to a bigger audience, but is a bit of a non-event.  Perfectly drinkable, but with no distinguishing flavors or uniqueness.  Drink it cold, it is perfectly fine, but I wouldn't bother buying it for a high-end tasting.

#80 - Wentworth Brewery - Imperial Ale - 3.8%

I have a fondness for session ales.  After all, they are my normal tipple of choice when I head to the pub.  More than that, however, they are very difficult to get right. The comparatively low alcohol puts a primacy on flavor and texture that higher ABV pints can somewhat avoid.  Wentworth Imperial is on the malty/fruity end of the spectrum and is just a little too sweet.  It is a touch watery in the bottle, which is disappointing in an otherwise quite pleasant beer.  The head leaves something to be desired, and I get the impression that this is a beer designed for cost and not for excellence.  Having said that, it is very drinkable and I would be glad of a pint in the majority of chain pubs/restaurants.  6/10.

#79 - La Zaragozana - Ambar Especial - 5.2%

For the type, this is rather good; though, as I'm sure you'll all understand, Spanish Lager is hardly my tipple of choice.  It has several important factors in its favor, namely, price and versatility.  This was an Aldi find, and, at 99p per bottle, it is difficult to argue with other factors.  The versatility is also important however.  It is close enough to a Pacifico or Corona style that a wedge of lime could be used to taste, but it also has enough body to survive well on its own.  Compared to other 'beach sipping' lagers, I would score this quite well, probably up in the 7's, but when it is compared to some of the better classical ales, it pales in comparison.  5.5/10.

#78 - Sainsbury's Taste the Difference - American Pale Ale - 5.3%

I would say I was disappointed with this beer, but that implies I had expected it to be better.  There is nothing particularly poor about it, indeed, if I found this at a regional airport, I could happily consume a couple.  Equally though, there is little to be said in its favor.  It tastes of citrus and malt, an uneasy combination in many ways, with too little of the former and too much of the latter. It is produced by the Tap Room Brewing Company, based in Rochester, New York, so it is hard to argue its authenticity. That having been said, most American beers have stronger flavors, for better or for worse... A firm 5.5/10 with the understanding that I am in something of a generous mood.

#77 - Batemans - English B Bock - 6.0%

Now, this is excellent stuff!  Imagine, if you will, a version of Theakston's Old Peculier, that, while lacking some of the unique flavor, sits more lightly on the tongue, and is quite definitely easier on the stomach!  The bottle promises a 'Bavarian Style Strong Ale' and this it does indeed supply.  For those of us who visit Germany and curse their obsession with fizz, this is a wonderful hybrid - a genius blend of an English strong ale and a Bavarian Dark Lager.  Having read a number of reviews, I seem to like this beer far more than virtually anyone else on the internet.  And some of the criticisms are legitimate - it could have a thicker body and it could have a broader range of flavor.  I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions, but suffice it to say I will buy another bottle as soon as I find one.  7.5/10

#76 - Greene King - Noble English Craft Lager - 5.0%

I must confess to not being Greene King's biggest fan.  A number of their beers taste subtly off, and this is no exception.  It has a slightly fruity air when one desires a crisp finish.  It is almost as though they took a failed pale ale recipe and brewed it lager fashion, which, on second thought, may well be the case.  That is not to say that it wasn't drinkable, It was, and my burger was sped down my throat by its presence.  To add to its not terribly lagerish taste, it also lacks fizz for a traditional lager.  For me, this is not a problem, rather, a point in its favor, but others will no doubt disagree.  Were I served this instead of a mass produced canned lager, I would be ecstatic, but put up against the best the world can offer, it simply doesn't measure up.  6/10

#76 - Mordue Brewery - Radgie Gadgie - 4.8%

Radgie Gadgie is a fine beer that fulfills all of the requirements of a local pub stalwart.  It is superbly smooth, drinks well chilled, or at room temperature, and as a northern (ish) man myself, I don't find it too fizzy.  Now, for those of you who prefer fizzy, dry, high-hopped beers, this will not be for you.  However, if you prefer a smooth pint in front of a coal fire on a cold night in a village pub, this will be right up your alley.  Were I to be critical, it is a touch sweet and fruity for my taste.  Were it to tend slightly more towards the bitter it would be a better pint and a regular tipple for yours truly.  As it stands, I am never disappointed to see this on tap and it is very drinkable from the bottle as well.  7/10

#75 Station Works Brewery - Finn Irish Craft Pilsner Lager - 4.5%

Normally the phrase 'pilsner' is not one I associate with 'refreshing' or 'golden barley flavors', but this one has me really rather impressed.  I can easily imagine sipping this on a hot summer's day, using it to wash down a delightfully spicy curry, or even an extra large order of Bohemian sausage.  What it lacks in the smoothness of the finest Czech lagers it makes up for in robustness and flavor.  Interestingly it gets mixed reviews from dyed in the wool lager drinkers.  From my perspective, it's nice to see evidence of Ireland's increasingly robust craft beer scene making it across the Irish Sea. Even if only due to the influence of their larger corporate masters, in this case Cumberland Breweries.  If you come across a bottle, it is well worth a try.  An easily above average 6.5/10.

#74 The Celt Experience Brewery - Bleddyn 1075 - 5.6%

Now, generally speaking I have a soft spot for Welsh beer, but in this instance, it just isn't up to snuff.  While there is plenty of grapefruit on the nose (indeed, based on smell alone it is delightful), when you come to taste, there is little or no citrus to be found.  What remains is an immensely dry, over hopped West Coast style IPA.  Once again, I tend to be very fond of high alcohol, high hops IPAs, but this just doesn't have the flavor to match.   Bleddyn was renowned as a powerful and benevolent ruler - unfortunately the same cannot be said for his eponymous ale.  I would be happy to try this on tap to see if it had greater balance, and I don't doubt that the brewery is capable of reasonable production, but this beer was not for me.     5.5/10