Marston’s Plc 61 Deep Pale Ale English Pale Ale at 4.1% ABV (C$3.58 at NLC Stavanger, 500 ml, best before 30-Apr-2019, acquired 13-Jul-2018, reviewed 30-Jul-2018)
Appearance: brilliantly clear straw with two fingers of rocky white head, good retention and moderate stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grass, citrus, earth, mild diacetyl, biscuity pale malt. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter finish. (3/5)
Tricky to do a by-the-numbers analysis when this style doesn’t really exist any more, at least according to the current BJCP classifications. As a British Golden Ale it’s actually fairly solid, despite being a pretty typical Marston’s, with all that implies. Both the aroma and flavour are slightly underwhelming, and though the guidelines allow for little diacetyl, I still find it slightly off-putting. The bitterness doesn’t end all that clean, either, tending slightly to the astringent. An OK thirst quencher, but that’s about it. (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
