Beer Review: Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger

Name: Bishops Finger

Brewery: Shepherd Neame

ABV: 5.2%

Style: ESB

Location: Faversham, Kent

Aroma: Hints of banana, apples, toffee, malt and a whisp of sherry.

 

Colour: Deep reddish brown with a thin white head that dissipates quickly.

 

Taste: Profoundly bitter, with a distinct hoppy backbone. The malt is moderately noticeable in the background with perhaps a hint of caramel sweetness and a note of banana. An afterburn of strength is noticeable, given its ABV that’s not too surprising. The mouthfeel is disappointing, cloying and watery, the intense carbonation offers it no favours.

 

Verdict: The balance of flavours is off, it’s bitter and dry, yet leaves no room for the other flavours to come forward clearly. I expected more character for a beer of this strength, yet I was left with a flat, uninspiring taste with a bitter back-taste, poor mouthfeel and a profound level of carbonation that was uncomfortable to drink. Although it would certainly be better in cask, the bottle version doesn’t offer any favours.

 

Rating: 5/10

Beer Review: Exmoor Stag

Name: Stag

Brewery: Exmoor

ABV: 5.2%

Style: Premium Bitter (ESB)

Location: Taunton, Devon

Colour: Deep chestnut brown with a one finger off-white head.

Aroma: Fruity, malty, slight tartness, winey strength coming through. Good hint of caramel.

Taste: Evidently bitter, some caramel sweetness, malty, biscuity with some fruity notes in the background. The strength is noticeable, without it being too overbearing, an evenly mixed drink. Heavy, cloying mouthfeel, with a residual dryness. 

Rating: Although a core beer in the brewery's range, the bottle version doesn't impress as much as it's cask counterpart. There's a good balance in flavours and array of flavours going on, without it making too much of an impact which lets it down. For an ESB, I think its on the weak side and lacks character, the overall experience doesn't give off much of an impression, as one would expect 

Verdict: 7/10