Old Speckled Hen

Another fine UK Beer has made its way to Australia, Old Speckled Hen is labelled as a ‘fine English ale’.

Made with a variety of quality ingredients its aroma and taste have been taken into great consideration to churn out a fine product.

Aroma: Malty, toffee, lightly roasted

Taste: Abundance of malts and distinctive toffee character

This beer came in 1979 about to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the MG Car Factory in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. An MG run-around car that the staff used that got covered in specks of paint over the years was the inspiration of the name behind the beer. According to my source though there could be another story behind the naming of it though.

The ownership of the beer has changed hands since, but it is still being brewed and distributed around the world.

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In January 1993, Old Speckled Hen was considered the beer of the month by Michael Jackson, an important name in beer drinking (not the moon walking Michael).

At 5% it has some strength along with good flavour, made with a variety of interesting malts (crystal and pale) and hops (Challenger, Pilgrim, First Gold and Goldings) the label recommends drinking it with English roasts, sausages and pies.

If you are looking for a traditional English brew then get your lips around this, I found it at Dan Murphy’s.

Cheers,

Dave

A real Speckled Hen

James Squire New Special Releases

I’m back from my Melbourne trip and have some beer news to share.

James Squire have their own bar, I’ve been there once before, and it wasn’t on purpose.

Coming from a bar after drowning my sorrows from my football team losing a couple of years ago I was heading to another place to meet up with some people.

I was really needing to get rid of some of the beer that was now in my bladder and walked (raced) into a hotel, in too much of a hurry to take much notice as I went in I went straight to the men’s room.

Once I was relieved I was level headed again and feeling bad for using the facilities I thought it would be rude not to have a drink there before moving on.

Going to one of the bars in the hotel I looked at the selection of tap beers and realise there are a lot of James Squire beers available.

Every JS beer on tap!

Usually bars have one or two on tap, but this was crazy, every beer there was James Squire.

Then I realise the name of the Hotel as I look at a menu.

The Crafty Squire.

After having one beer before moving on I made a pact that I would return.

They have a bottle shop too!

On this occasion I got a couple of trips in and was lucky to sample two beers that aren’t going to make it for regular sale around the country.

Pound of Pepper Imperial Pilsner:

Luckily this beer isn’t made with pepper, its how James Squire name their beers, to tell a story of its creator, a convict. James once stole a pound of pepper to make his signature beer. I believe this beer is made at the pub which is special and at 7.1% it had a nice non-peppery bite to it.

Lo Phi Pina Colada Sour:

I’m not sure about the James Squire story behind the name of this beer but it was made for the GABS Beer Festival – I’ll have to do a post on it one day – and some remained to sell at the Crafty Squire. Only at 4% this colourful and tropical beer is inspired by a Pina colada with added coconut and pineapple flavours. I think I’ve said it before but I’m starting to enjoy sour beers now, this is a good one.

I doubt these beers will be seen out of the Crafty Squire so if you are lucky enough to get to Melbourne in the near future go and check the place out and immerse yourself in the world of James Squire.

Cheers,

Dave