Banks's UCB
UCB stands for "Ultimate Curry Beer"!
Banks's Brewery is situated in Wolverhampton, where some of the best Indian restaurants
are situated, which might explain the thinking behind brewing this beer. They also produce
an excellent draught mild, although it's not called a mild anymore. It's no longer a
fashionable term for some reason.
This is most definitely a beer that's designed to be
drunk with curry, or other "hot" food. When I saw it in a local off-licence the
guy there warned me not to drink it on its own because it wouldn't taste too good. I have
to agree with him! Just before I served up the meal I was going to have - a particularly
potent homemade Chicken Balti - I had a sip which I almost spat out! It was very strong
tasting with a very hoppy flavour - apparently, four different varieties of hops are used
in the brewing - and an overpowering maltiness. However, when I came to drink it with my
Balti I found that the taste of the beer carried well over the food. It's quite a strong
brew - 5.3% ABV - and has a rich, dark golden brown hue with a thick, creamy head not
unlike a stout or cream ale. It's recommended to be served chilled which might help subdue
some of the very dominant flavours. It was voted the best beer to accompany a curry at the
1998 Beauty Of Hop Awards, whatever they are.
I can't say that I'm too enamoured of this brew.
Quite honestly, I prefer a very cold and fairly weak lager to accompany spicy food and I
found that at about £1.50 a bottle this was quite an expensive way of taming a curry.
Worth a try though and a real curiosity. I got it from Victoria Wine but I haven't
seen it anywhere else.