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Guildford Beer Festival
Tasting Notes 2015
Andwell Brewing Company
Based in Hook, Hampshire, est. in 2008 by husband and wife team Adam & Helen. (www.andwells.com)
Resolute
3.8% abv (AMBER, SESSION)
Taking its name from a town within the high Arctic, despite its cool name this is the sort of bitter that we’re sure
you’ll easily warm to. Andwell’s Best Bitter combines the finest malt and hops to produce a well-balanced malty and
hoppy flavour with a light amber colour.
Gold Muddler
3.9% abv (PALE GOLDEN)
Initially a sweet, fruity impression; soft and moreish with the quirky Hersbrucker late hop giving a hint of a floral,
herby mid palate which leads to a dry finish.
King John
4.2% abv (COOPER)
Initially malty with a developing crisp bitterness. Finish is bittersweet with the three aroma hops bringing a fruity
flavour. A well centred beer with an understated character with satisfying depth.
Ruddy Darter
4.6% abv (DEEP RUBY)
Initial intense malt sweetness leads to a refreshing fruity palate from the Bramling Cross late hop. The German North
Brewer hops give off a spicy pepperiness which makes for a satisfyingly luscious yet moreishly thirst quenching.
King John Magna Carta
5.2% abv (AMBER)
King John Magna Carta is a dark amber strong ale brewed to a royal 5.2% abv. Hopped with the cornerstone of so
many historic English beers, Goldings and Fuggle, in a tandem with Sovereign and Celeia for a depth of flavour that
leans towards barely wine whilst being dangerously drinkable.
Ascot Ales
Based in Camberely, Surrey, est 2007. Former sponsor and owned by Chris Gill (www.ascot-ales.co.uk)
Alley Cat Ale
3.8% abv (GOLDEN, SESSION)
Refreshing and hoppy with Brewers Gold hops giving gorgeous aromas of tropical and lemony fruits. A terrific
session ale.
On the Rails
3.8% abv (GOLDEN)
Our hoppy mild. It’s a smooth drinking dark session beer to savour with a distinctive hop character.
Monster Raving Loony Party
5.0% abv (PORTER)
Smooth chestnut ale with an initial subtle hoppiness giving way to coffee malt flavour then rich chocolate at the
finish.
Red IPA
5.5% abv (RED IPA)
Heavily hopped Red IPA, 3 times as many hops as our regular bitters. Cascade, Centennial, Summit & Nelson Sauvin
hops give a citrusy grapefruit aroma & flavour.
Binghams Brewery
Based in Twyford, Berkshire and est. in 2010 (www.binghams.co.uk)
Brickworks Bitter
4.2% abv (COPPER)
A malty bitter which is chestnut in colour with a slightly nutty hint. Hops balance the maltiness to provide a well
rounded best bitter.
Doodle Stout
5.0% abv (STOUT)
A dark stout with a blend of dark malts providing complexity which draws you in for another sip. Named after the
brewer's dog, who's also very dark and complex!
Space Hoppy IPA
5.0% abv (GOLDEN)
A pale golden ale brewed with Willamette hops which impart a citrus flavour to make this beer hugely refreshing
Twyford Tipple
3.7% abv (COOPER)
Easy drinking tawny coloured bitter which has a satisfying malty flavour with a citrus hop finish.
Brightwater Brewery
Based in Esher and est in 2013 (www.brightbrew.co.uk)
Daisy Gold
4.0% abv (GOLDEN)
Our flagship golden ale, with a bitter sweet aftertaste.
Lip Smacker
4.3% abv (SESSION)
Tasting notes not available at time of printing. Please check out the GBF website / app for details.
Top Notch
Clean tasting amber ale with a floral note.
3.6% abv (AMBER)
Wild Orchid
4.0% abv (PORTER)
Our first dark ale, an oatmeal porter which is further enhanced with a plump Madagascan vanilla pod in each cask.
Crafty Brewing Company
Based near Godalming, Surrey and est. in 2014 (www.craftybrewing.co.uk)
Dark Sessions
4.0% abv (AMBER)
Hints of dark chocolate and orange suspended over a malty base.
Heady Steady Go
4.5% abv (AMERICAN PALE ALE)
A complex flavour with hints of herbal fruitiness finished with a hoppy punch.
IPA
4.7% abv (IPA)
Refreshing combination of flavours giving a modern twist to an old favourite.
Loxhill Biscuit
3.8% abv (GOLDEN)
Balance of sweet floral and mild citrus notes with a toasty finish.
Dorking Brewery
Based in Dorking(!) and est in2009 (www.dorkingbrewery.com)
Buffalo Buffalo
5.7% abv (GOLDEN)
Tasting notes not available at time of printing. Please check out the GBF website / app for details.
Gold
3.8% abv (GOLDEN)
A light golden bitter full of hoppy flavour and aroma. Generously hopped for extra bouquet.
Red india Ale
5.0% abv (RED)
Former winner of best ale at our festival! Similar to an IPA, strong, hoppy beer, red in colour.
Smokestack
4.0% abv (RED)
A robust subtly hopped red ale infused with smokey notes produced from beech smoked malt.
Firebirds Brewery
Based in Rudgewick and est. 2013 (www.firebirdbrewing.co.uk)
Heritage XX
4.0% abv (BEST)
Fresh, Hoppy, Full. A traditional Best Bitter brewed from Bill’s Great Great Grandfather’s original ‘Double X’ recipe.
Paleface
5.2% abv (AMERICAN PALE ALE)
Zesty, Aromatic, Bold. Brewed in the style of the strong IPA type beers from the US craft beer movement and using
American hops.
Bohemia BREWERY FRESH Pilsner lager
4.8% abv (LAGER)
A another first for Guildford beer festival, with this unfilted brewery fresh, Czech Pilsner lager
Fireweisse Weissbier
5.0% abv (CRAFT LAGER)
A true Hefeweisse, combining German Hersbrucker hops, malt and yeast to produce a complex beer with aromas of
fruit and spices, a sharp taste and a wonderful, creamy mouthfeel.
Frensham Brewery
Forager
4.5% abv (COOPER)
A rich and delightfully refreshing golden/copper coloured ale, with an earthy spring in its step. A complex floral
aroma, with hints of a forest glade leads to subtle oak/vanilla notes, offset with a caramel/spicy hop balance.
Rambler
3.9% abv (GOLDEN)
A golden refreshing session ale, fruity hops with an oak edge give rise to a satisfying bitterness. A well rounded and
interesting combination of floral and hop aromas make for an easy light beer.
Hedgedog Brewery
Based in Cobham, Surrey and est. 2013 (www.hedgedog.co.uk)
Amber Ale
3.9% abv (AMBER)
This rich, malty beer is delectably brewed with a silver-tongued fruity proposal, delivering a superb fresh excellence
from first sip, to last. Amber Ale is the first beer we have decided to liberate and upon tasting it is instantaneously
obvious as to why.
Brown Ale
4.8% abv
Tasting notes not available at time of printing. Please check out the GBF website / app for details.
Hogsback Brewery
Based in Tongham, Surrey, est. 1992, now brewing over 60,000 pints a week (www.hogsback.co.uk)
T E A (Traditional English Ale)
4.2% abv (BEST BITTER)
Hogback’s top selling, award winning, best bitter. A deep golden colour, TEA is refreshing, hoppy and well balanced.
Bedsar Bitter
3.7% abv (AMBER, SESSION)
A light amber session bitter, biscuity flavour with fragrant hops leading to subtle malty citrus fruits with a long
aromatic, hoppy finish with a light malty after-taste along with a citrus/grapefruit edge.
Surrey Nirvana
4.0% abv (PALE)
A Strong peach and pineapple aroma coupled with a slightly sweet finish and a long smooth taste of light malt on the
tongue
RED IPA (Hopping Hog)
Very new, details on tasting to follow
5.4% abv (RED IPA)
Hop Garden Gold
4.4% abv (GOLDEN)
A Premium Golden Ale, brewed from the fi nest pale malts and fresh whole English Hops to give a stunning fruity
golden ale with a characteristic hoppy lingering after taste. Brewed on draught as one off for us!
Hogs Back Hogstar
4.5% abv (LAGER)
Our new English craft lager. Old style lager but with greater depth of fl avour and aroma. Matured for over a month
for a deeper fl avour
Hogs Back Hazy Hog
5.0% abv (CLOUDY CIDER)
Cloudy, gently sparkling and wonderfully appley, this is a cider that combines all that is good in English cider making
Hop Art Brewery
Based in Bently, Hants and est. in 2014 (www.hopartbrewery.com)
Hoppy Blonde
4.3% abv
Our take on a Belgian blonde was our first beer and we have always been proud of the result. Blending Ahtanum,
Simcoe, Admiral and Citra hops to produce a refreshingly spicy, citrus tasting beer with a satisfying dry, bitter finish.
Golden IPA
5.2% abv
This traditional English style of strong, powerfully hopped ale was an essential addition to the Hop Art collection.
Pale and Crystal malts provide a golden biscuity canvas for the hops.
Rood
4.4% abv
Rood, pronounced ‘ROWT’ is Belgian for red and is a tribute to our master brewer’s heritage. A skilful blend of
Admiral, Bramling Cross and Simcoe produce a hoppy red with a malty balance that is a real pleasure for any
occasion.
Weisshop
4.5% abv
Our unique style wheat beer illustrates well the Hop Art approach. Retaining Belgian hints of orange and coriander
as well as subtle German phenolic notes. We have added our own artful hoppines and crisp balance.
Hoptimist Brewery
Based in Godalming, Surrey, est. 2013 by Dave and Andy (www.hoptimists.co.uk)
Golden Dawn
3.8% abv (GOLDEN)
Golden Dawn is a rich golden coloured ale using an infusion of several hops to produce a fruity and aromatic ale.
Glass Half Full
4.0% abv (BEST)
Glass Half Full is a copper coloured Best Bitter using a blend of British and American hops to produce a good session
beer with a nice bitter aftertaste but with a pleasant floral hop aroma.
Stress Buster
4.5% abv (RUBY)
Stress Buster is a dark ruby red full bodied ale with a fruity aroma.
Itchen Valley Brewery
Based in Alresford, Hants and est. in 1997. (www.itchenvalley.com)
Citra
4.4% abv
A singular hopped aromatic and fruity blonde ale with hints of caramel
Hampshire Rose
4.2% abv
Golden hoppy ale, brewed with Hercules, Nugget, Galena. Sweet tangy finish.
Pure Gold
Clean, strong bitter - liquid gold in a glass.
4.8% abv
QED
4.1% abv
Smooth, copper-brown bitter containing three of the finest of noble English hops: Fuggles, Goldings and First Gold
Watercress
4.2% abv
Brewed with fresh local watercress. Dry and deliciously peppery. One of your five a day.
King Beers
Based in Horsham and est. in 2001 (www.kingbeer.co.uk)
Brighton Blonde
A crisp kiss from a hoppy citrus blonde
3.9% abv
Green Bullet
4.3% abv
Our Single Hop Super Hero. Bursting with a single shot of New Zealand hops comes this citrusy brew.
Northern Lights
4.2% abv
Radiant blend of coriander and herbs – a true fusion brew… Perfectly pitched to enjoy with Curry, Thai or anything
with a chilli zing
Poachers Moon
4.1% abv
Brightly hopped, leafy aroma. Our flagship session beer
Working Class Hero
3.6% abv
Is what it says on the tin. Refreshing twisted Mild with Chamomile, perfect after a Hard days Night
Kissingate Brewery
Based in Horsham, West Sussex and est. 2010. (www.kissingate.co.uk)
Black Cherry Mild
4.2% abv (DARK MILD)
A full fruit and flavoursome dark mild. Subtle additions of real black cherries in muscovado with light Amarillo
hopping provide a truly wonderful taste experience.
Mandarina Red
4.8% abv (RED IPA)
A red IPA with multiple flavour layers of malt and prominent citrus fruits. Riotous citrus bitter sweet finish.
Pernickety Pale
4.5% abv
Gentle malt and biscuit backbone balanced with a fruity and bitter sweet citrus finish.
Storyteller
3.5% abv (SESSION)
A pale simple session beer. Crisp, sherbet bitterness. Lemon and sweet pine finish.
Langham’s Brewery
Based in Lodsworth, West Sussex and est. in 2006. (www.langhambrewery.co.uk)
Easy Ryder
4.1% abv
Tasting notes not available at time of printing. Please check out the GBF website / app for details.
Halfway to Heaven
3.5% abv
full flavoured chestnut coloured with biscuit maltiness. Citrus and fruit hop character with a hint of spice. Great
session bitter! SIBA SE Silver medal.
Hip Hop
4.0% abv
Our best-selling blonde, clean and crisp, loaded with floral hop aroma. The pale malt aroma is overtaken by a
pleasing dry finish. 4 x award winner. SE SIBA, Western Sussex and Haslemere.
LSD
5.2% abv
Auburn beer with rich complex flavours and a deep red glow. Sweet maltiness is balanced by a spicy hoppy aromas
and a gently dry finish.
Little Beer Corporation
Based in Guildford, Surrey, est. 2012, our nearest brewery owned by Jim Taylor (www.littlebeer.co.uk)
Little Haka
3.5% abv (SESSION ALE)
Light-bodied balanced thirst-quenching Bitter, that sits a rich amber in the glass, has a bit of malt profile and is
complemented by Nelson Sauvin, Motueka & Galaxy hops from ‘down under’ to give a lovely passion fruit &
gooseberry aroma. Will have you doing the Haka in no time. Uses the following malts: Maris Otter Pale Ale, Pilsner,
CaraAroma, Oat, Melanoidin
Little Slow
5.0% abv (PILSNER LAGER)
Flavourful deep honey coloured Pilsner lager that is slow fermented and conditioned to bring out the best in the
beer. Study in purity, simplicity and cleanliness of flavour. A beer with a sharply snappy well-focused hop bitterness,
a soft bready centre, and a very clean dry finish
Little Snug
5.4% abv (CRAFT LAGER)
Traditional warm, mellow Pale Ale, with a slight tinge of nuts, from the sweet chestnuts added in the Mash
Little Touch of Tenderness
4.0% abv (AMBER)
Tasting notes not available at time of printing. Please check out the GBF website / app for details.
Little Vienna
5.0% abv (CRAFT LAGER)
A Vienna lager, that breaks the rulebook, by using Nelson Sauvin hops.
Little Wild
5.9% abv (AMERCIAN PALE ALE)
A lively red IPA with pale, Munich and Carapils malts. Plus a generous helping of Chinook, Sorachi Ace, Columbus,
Cascade and Amirillo hops.
Longdog Brewery
Based in Basingstoke, Hants and est. in 2011 (www.longdogbrewery.co.uk)
Brindle Bitter
4.2% abv (DARK COPPER)
This has proved extremely popular as a no-nonsense, traditional bitter. Made with all-British ingredients. Dark
copper coloured with a good whack of bitterness from Challenger and Golding hops.
Bunny Chaser
3.6% abv (SESSION)
This ‘session bitter’ is a mid-copper coloured, traditional quaffing ale. Light in alcohol but strong on flavour; goes
very well with food.
Golden Poacher
3.9% abv (GOLDEN)
A light coloured beer, Golden Poacher is a magnificent, hoppy, Golden Ale. Green Bullet and Galena hops give a
lovely citrus aroma and flavour
Lamplight Porter
5.0% abv (PORTER)
Multi-award winning Porter made in the style of a true 19th century London Porter. Coffee and chocolate flavours,
from black and brown malt are backed up by a robust bitterness.
Pilgrim Brewery
Based in Reigate and the oldest brewery we have featured this year, started back in 1982. (www.pilgrim.co.uk)
Crusader
Light on the palate with an aromatic hop character
4.9% abv
Quench
3.6% abv
Although close in strength to Surrey, Quench is lighter on the palate with a restrained hop structure. A mix of hops
from both the Continent, America and New Zealand give the beer a floral, lime note
Surrey bitter
3.7% abv
An easy drinking but full bodied bitter amber in colour hopped with Whitbread Goldings, Pioneer and Bobek
Styrians.
Vest alia
Amber in colour with a gentle soft spicing on the gulp
4.3% abv
Tillingbourne Brewery
Based in Shere and est. in 2011 (www.tillybeer.co.uk)
A.O.N.B
4.0% abv (GOLDEN)
GBF 2012 - Winner of Best Overall Ale at Festival. A gorgeous floral and fruity ale which is brewed and dry hopped
using copious amounts of cascade hops. This is a dry hopped version of Falls Gold which has been fermented over a
longer period of time and at a lower temperature to reduce the ABV slightly whilst retaining body.
Falls Gold
4.2% abv (GOLDEN)
A superb golden ale with a soft fruity nose. A bitter apricot front is followed by more soft fruits and a charming light
hoppiness.
Summit IPA
6.0% abv (COPPER)
A sweet malt body is fused with a powerful hoppiness thanks to the use of copious amounts of Galaxy Hops.
The Source
3.3% abv (GOLDEN)
An extremely refreshing light golden ale that tastes well above its ABV thanks to being dry hopped with plenty of
Citra hops. The second generation of this beer has been dry hopped with even more Citra.
Windsor & Eton Brewery
Based in Windsor, W. Berkshire, est in 2010, reopening the brewery that closed in 1931 (www.webrew.co.uk)
Conqueror Black
5.0% abv (IPA)
Conqueror is a rich, complex and very distinctive ale. It is brewed with a careful blend of 5 speciality malts along with
Summit and Cascade hops to produce an intense combination of flavours.
Eton Boatman
4.3% abv (GOLDEN ALE)
Eton Boatman has a fresh, clean and full flavoured taste. It is made with a combination of American Citra hops
producing citrus flavours and Australian Galaxy hops giving hints of exotic fruit.
Magna Carta
4.0% abv (RED)
Brewed collaboratively with the London Amateur Brewers who held a competition for the best recipe for an old
English Ale the winning recipe was developed by Manmohan Birdi who brewed it with us. Brewed by the people for
the people, it's rich in warming malt flavours but these are further enhanced by the use of traditional ancient
ingredients including local herbs, Yarrow and Ground Ivy, as well as some Liquorice. The result is a wonderful,
complex beer with rich deep red with dark fruit notes and herbal overtones
Parklife
3.2% abv (LIGHT ALE)
Parklife is a refreshing light ale with a great taste. We use a selection of fine New World hops including Ella (we’re
using whole leaves) to give PARKLIFE a full, clean flavour, beautiful colour and a wonderful aroma.
CIDER
Mr Whitehead’s Cider
Based in Alton, Hampshire, est. 2003 by Angus, whose been brewing since age of 15 (www.mr-whiteheadscider.co.uk)
Apples & Pears
5.0% abv (MEDIUM SWEET CIDER)
Overall Medium Sweet. Natural Sweetness of Pears married to the dryness of West country traditional cider apples.
Refreshing combination with slight elderflower notes
Blackberry Cider
4.0% abv (FRUIT CIDER)
Made in the same way as our strawberry cider, by adding fresh blackberries to the fermented drink The colour from
the added fruits gives it a nice maroon colour, tastes exactly as it should, (only without the crumble or custard).
Boxing Dog
7.5% abv (MEDIUM CIDER)
Our renowned strong cider made from COX, RUSSET, WORCESTER PEARMAIN. Customers who like “Westons Old
Rosie” tend to be keen on this, as do fans of “traditional scrumpy”. Not too heavy for it’s strength, especially if
compared to similar strength beers.
Cirrus Minor
5.0% abv (MEDIUM SWEET CIDER)
A blend of 3 varieties: SPARTAN (eating apple), BRAMLEY (cooking apple) and YARLINGTON MILL (cider apple). This
blend has a deeper colour and quite complex flavours. Good to recommend to “Magners” fans, as it is similar
strength and sweetness.
Devil’s Device
8.4% abv (STRONG CIDER)
Quite Clear and Golden in colour with a full bodied smell, the first taste quickly reveals the nutty, earthy flavours so
well associated with the russet apple, which is dominant in this cider. This unique cider is rich and has good deep
body, is medium to the taste and yet has a dry finish.
Equinox
4.5% abv (MEDIUM CIDER)
Light and easy drinking, Equinox is a thirst quenching summer tipple. Sitting comfortably in our range as a Medium
cider, it has both dry and sweet qualities, coupled with a strength that makes it an excellent session cider.
Heart of Hampshire
6.0% abv (DRY CIDER)
The first cider we launched, this is made from the following varieties: KATY, IDA RED, ROYAL GALA,. Can be
favourably compared to a light, dry white wine. Easy drinking. This has won many awards including Best Dry Cider @
the Bath Cider Festival,
Midnight Special
5.0% abv (MEDIUM PERRY)
A natural perry made with a blend of dessert and perry pears including Thorn, Blakeney Red, Conference and
Concorde, this “pear cider” has a pleasant pear aroma and subtle but full bodied taste, with a deep straw colour.
This is not too sweet, (as many perries are), due to the blend of varieties used.
Newton’s Discovery
3.8% abv (DRY CIDER)
Made in a traditional method, it is a mixture of a 1st and 2nd pressing. The 2nd pressing has water added to rehydrate the apple, to assist pressing out the remaining colour, juice and flavours, Often a cloudy cider, it has good
flavours despite being lower strength (in the “real cider” bracket).
Novo Pyrus
7.0% abv (DRY PERRY)
This is our new stronger perry, which is a nice change in the world of perries stronger but quite dry… As with many of
our drinks, the taste is refreshing and the strength creeps up on you).
Pear Light
3.8% abv (MEDIUM SWEET)
This is the only perry that has any water in, as it is a mixture of a first and 2nd pressing. The 2nd pressing has water
added to re-hydrate the fruit, to assist pressing out the remaining colour, juice and flavours, so the water content is
no more than 20%. Often a cloudy perry, it has good flavours despite being lower strength. Varieties include
Doyenne du comice, Thorn, Blakeney Red, Conference.
Plum cider
4.0% abv (FRUIT CIDER)
This starts life as a light cider of about 3% alcohol. We add plums to the fermented drink, allowing them to infuse for
a couple of weeks, before lightly pressing the rest of their juice out. The colour is light purple.
Rum Cask
7.0% abv (FAVOURED MEDIUM SWEET CIDER)
A Strong medium cider with a kick. Made with a mixture of apples including Cox & Russet
Strawberry Cider
4.0% abv (FRUIT CIDER)
This starts life as a light cider of about 3% alcohol. We add fresh strawberries to the fermented drink, allowing them
to infuse for a couple of weeks, before lightly pressing the rest of their juice out. The colour from the strawberries
gives this special (unique) cider a light pink hue, with a medium to sweet taste.
Toffee Apple
4.0% abv (FAVOURED CIDER)
A light apple cider gently infused with toffee. A toffee apple without the crunch
Tutts Clump Cider
Blackberry Cider
4.0% abv
Meduim Sweet cider with a blend of apples and real blackberry juice
Single Varity Jazz
Medium Dry made with the finest Jazz apples.
5.5% abv
Scrumpy
5.5% abv
Medium Dry made from apples collected from Somerset orchids
Royal Berkshire
7.0% abv
The former Wedding cider produced for Will & Kates wedding. Medium sweet cider.
Traditional Farmhouse
6.0% abv
Medium dry cider, made with a variety of cooking, eating and crab apples.
Vachery Cider
Based in Cranleigh, Surrey and est. 2014 (no website yet, based on the Vachery Estate)
Vachery Dry Cider
Vachery Med Cider
Vachery Sweet Cider
Vachery Med / Dry Cider
Tasting notes not available at time of printing. Please check out the GBF website / app for details.