Beer Review: Old Crafty Hen

Name: Old Crafty Hen

ABV: 6.5%

Brewery: Greene King (Morland)

Style: Strong Ale

Location: Bury St. Edmunds

Aroma: Plums, cherries, toffee, malt, oak and even a distinct of whisky is detectable with a hint of tartness that suggests it was aged in oak barrrels.

Colour: Deep ruby red with a fluffly one finger ivory coloured head. 

Flavour: An assaulting bitterness, leads off to a fruity background with hints of fruitiness swirling away in the tastebuds. The maltiness is evidently present along with a whisp of grassu jops yet it leads off to a tart underlay of oak and aged spirits that give its depth of character that leads off to a pleasing warmth that enlivens the senses. 

Verdict: The ultimate blended beer, it borrow the distinct toffee malty features that makes Old Speckled Hen with the distict sour stock ale notes that makes 5X so legendary in beer circles. It is reminicicent of Belgian sour ales like Rodenbach, and feels almost out of place as a British ale. It is a facinatingly unique strong ale that is not one to miss in a hurry.

Rating: 9/10