Baa baa black sheep (Black Sheep Ale)

Member Name: cswann

Product:	Black Sheep Ale
Date:	21/03/03 (978 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Yummy taste, Traditional brewer

Disadvantages: Not the strongest or fullest beer in their range

The name black sheep conjures up images of a rural heritage, possibly with a windswept moor in the background, and an individual, distinctive kind of product - one that's perhaps broken the mould.

The Black Sheep brewery was set up by Paul Theakston, from the very famous Theakston brewing family (it's been in his blood for 5 generations). The fact that Theakstons still exists as a brewery, as well as Black Sheep, points to some kind of acrimonious parting of the ways; the fact that both breweries are to this day based in the small village of Masham in North Yorkshire (right on with the rural and the moors, then) points to a desire for both of them to co-exist - which they do, highly successfully.
Actually, Paul Theakston left the family firm following a takeover from Scottish and Newcastle Breweries in 1988.

But in no way should we regard Black Sheep as a 'new' brew.

The equipment and more importantly, the methods used, are certainly based on old tried and tested ways. It's very much a traditional brew.

For more on the history of the firm, the methods of production, and the range of beers produced, take a look at the website -

http://www.pub-explorer.com/realale/blacksheep brewery.htm

Dales water from a well is used in Black Sheep beers, and the other ingredients are malted barley, crystal malt, a little wheat and English hops. Fermenting takes place in large Welsh slate fermenting vessels), an old-fashioned system that pays excellent dividends, as you'll realize when you taste the beer itself.

It's volume, 3.8%, to be expected for a light, bitter - so if ou go for the stronger stuff, this may not be the brew for you.

Black Sheep best bitter is a light golden colour and has a fairly dry taste, with a rich, creamy head. The flavour is subtle, not too strong. Perhaps a little woody, with a distinct sweetish maltiness, and a hoppy bitter taste that takes over. At
times I'd say there's a fruity (apples, maybe) and nutty taste there too.
A very pleasant aroma rounds things off (or, more likely, starts
things off, as it's what you usually experience first with a beer) nicely.

Best tasted in the brewery itself, in Masham, where tours are available, or you can just get a drink from the bar.

Cost - £1.44 per litre bottle (Asda)
(It really should be sold in pint bottles, but there you go that's just the traditionalist in me!) This price puts it in the mid-range of speciality bottled beers

For stronger bitter, there's Ruggwelter - probably my favourite of the Black Sheep range.

Nevertheless, all in all, Black sheep bitter, is a great English ale.

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