Beer of the Month…………November

"Black Sheep Ale" is brewed at Paul Theakston's brewery in Yorkshire. You may find his name familiar because he is a member of the famous Theakston family of brewers. He's set up on his own now and if this beer is anything to go by, he's made a very wise decision indeed. This is quite simply the best British bottled beer I've drunk in a long, long time.

It's a golden brown brew with a nice fluffy but cohesive head. The balance of hops and malt is spot on. Although it tastes full-bodied, it isn't too strong at 4.4% to preclude repeated drinking. Whilst I was tasting it, I found an indefineable quality that I couldn't express at the time. Now I think I've found it. It tastes like a very good British beer used to taste and it takes me right back to when I was about 18 or so and discovering the joys of some of our native beers. My only regret is that I don't live near a pub where I can sample the original draught version of this truly wonderful example of the best of British brewing.

Quite simply, the beer is a perfect 10 - no doubt about that. "Beer of the Year" then? Quite possibly…….

stoo