Detour (4.5% ABV, can)
Hazy straw, this has a white head that doesn’t last long. It’s an easy-drinking pale ale , with citrus and tropical notes. Seems to me to have a slightly thin body. Well balanced, it has a candy sweetness and a gentle bitterness of the finish. Resinous and a little grassy on the nose.
Buy it: I was sent mine by the brewer. It’s available on the brewery website.
(6th April, 2021)
Hopper Valley (4.1% ABV, bottle)
Hazy straw with a white head, this offers a really big, piney, grassy aroma — I can even get a little mint in there. On the palate, that grassy character continues, but mixed with big tropical fruit notes — pineapple, papaya, some lemon citrus. All done with a soft mouthfeel (there’s wheat in the malt bill), so very easy drinking. Session NEIPA is fairly new to me, but I enjoyed this.
Buy it: I was sent mine by the brewer. It’s available on the brewery website.
Good Old Boy (4.1% ABV, bottle)
A really good traditional bitter, this pours a polished amber/chestnut colour with an off-white head that dies down quite quickly and a floral, grassy aroma. The mouthfeel is so smooth, and there’s an excellent body. Bready malt with some caramel sweetness, with blackberry fruitiness bursting through. Decent bitterness on the finish.
Buy it: I was sent mine by the brewer. It’s available on the brewery website.
Renegade beers
Lager (4.1% ABV)
There are good flavours in this tasty, refreshing lager from West Berkshire Brewery’s craft brand. Crystal clear straw colour, it has a thick white head and decent carbonation. Biscuity malt and spicy, slightly erthy hops come through on the aroma. On the palate, it’s really crisp and fresh, quite herbal. Towards the finish a spritz of lemon kicks in.
Buy it: It’s available in bottle and can on the brewery website.
(3rd May, 2021)
West Berkshire Brewery | Yattendon, Berkshire
