Top Tastings 2010
An extended review of a beer featured as a new real ale in a bottle on the bottled beer review page in the February 2011 issue of BEER magazine, sent free every quarter to CAMRA members, who can also view it online. The magazine is additionally available in selected newsagents.
ABV: 4.3%
Origin: Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire
Website: www.blythebrewery.co.uk
Blythe Ridware Pale
Relatively new to bottle conditioning is the Blythe brewery at Hamstall Ridware in rural Staffordshire, which very successfully produces packaged versions of its cask beers by hand bottling. The standout beer from the range is Ridware Pale, a very pale, hoppy bitter that started as a summer seasonal but is now available year round.
A delicate yellow with fine white foam, the beer gives off a delightful fruity and flowery lemon and honey aroma with perhaps a slight sulphury note. A crisp, dry, lightly bitter palate is superbly balanced, with decent pale malt and poised hop bitterness enlivened by floral and mineral hints.
A refreshing swallow leads to a fresh, tasty finish with the very British resiny burr of quite assertive but not overstated hops. Earthy pepper flavours slowly emerge over plenty of firm and fruity malt. One of the best I’ve tried of the new breed of bitterish golden ales.
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Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/blythe-ridware-pale/88027/
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