Hello and welcome back to the Eternal Hoptimists,
Today The Eternal Hoptimists will be taking a look at something a little different, a cask beer. Not just any cask beer but the multiple award winning and current Supreme Champion Beer of Britain, Elland 1872 Porter.
This beer has always been a favourite of mine and is one of those that if available, more often than not finds it’s way into my glass. With this in mind, I think you know what to expect in this review, but let’s carry on and break the beer down in more depth.
1. Name : 1872 Porter
2. Brewery: Elland Brewery (Elland, West Yorkshire)
3. Hops : Not specified although does state English hops
4. Grain : Barley, Oats & Yeast
5. Aroma : Rich aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, hints of liquorice with a malty edge. Nose suggests that this is a beer of quality.
6. Appearance : Pours deep ruby in colour with a fluffy one finger lingering white head.
7. Body : Rich full body with a creamy mouthfeel
8. Taste : Rich powerful flavour profile with notes of malt, coffee, a tinge of liquorice with a lingering dark chocolate bitterness. This is a beer that has lots going on in terms of flavour yet proves a superbly well balanced example of a traditional English porter.
It would be fair to say that the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain judging panel do not always get their decisions right and quite often their results cause, shall we say, a little controversy. In 2023 I personally feel that the panel have got their decision spot on awarding the title of Supreme Champion Beer of Britain to Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter (for the second time).
The beer just oozes quality from the appearance and aroma to the rich yet superbly well-balanced flavour profile. As a cask beer this is simply terrific! At 6.5% abv this is a beer not to be taken lightly and is one that should be treated with the respect it deserves and savoured as to enjoy every mouthful. The only problem with this is that it is such a great beer that one is sometimes not enough.
Definitely deserving of its awards and is a beer that comes highly recommended.
Marks overall rating: 4.4/ 5.0
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