IT'S A BIT OF AN ANIMAL! (Exmoor Beast)

Member Name: tange

Product:	Exmoor Beast
Date:	02/04/03 (147 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty and looks great, Easy to drink

Disadvantages: Strong, Limited availability, Seasonal brew

Here is the latest instalment in the "Drink along with tange" series. It's about a really good strong beer that I always look out for in my local pubs: It takes some seeking out because it's a seasonal beer, but I really LOVE my research and keep searching!

Exmoor Beast is named after the famous wild cat that has been seen roaming the South West of England. People have taken many photos and there have been lots of sightings recorded. It is described as a large cat-like animal that is either black or grey, resembling a large puma or black leopard. It has become something of a legend in the area; a bit like the beer that takes its name!

Another great offering from the Exmoor Ales Limited, Exmoor Beast is exactly what I would expect from a robust Real Ale. It's a seasonal brew, so expect to see it during the winter and early spring (it's usually in Wetherspoons up until May). It's a real warming winter beer that is a credit to its manufacturers.

Exmoor Ales Limited, housed at the Golden Hill Brewery, Wiveliscombe in Somerset, produce a number of good beers. These include the permanent names; such as Exmoor Gold (4.5% ABV ? see previous op) and Exmoor Hart (4.8% ABV), and the Seasonal offerings; such as Exmoor Exmas (5% ABV ~ available November to December) and Exmoor Hound Dog (4% ABV ~ available March to May). These beers are supplied to a couple of hundred pubs in the South West of England and nationwide through wholesalers and some pub chains.

Exmoor Beast weighs in at 6.6 % ABV and is, as far as I know, the strongest beer produced at the Golden Hill Brewery. It?s not as strong as the barley wines (e.g., the infamous Orkney Skullsplitter at 8.5%) but it is certainly a powerful brew. Exercise caution and just don't forget how alcoholic it is! Its strength means that it isn't a beer I drink in (too) great a quantity; have a couple, rather than sticking to it all night (not one of my "sessio
n beers" then).

Looks wise, Exmoor Beast is a dark ale, almost like a porter or stout in colour, with a pale head. It isn't fizzy, but instead is very full bodied, with a consistency which advertises its powerfulness. It doesn't have too much of an aroma ~ its true strength is in the taste!

Taste wise, the beer is fruity with the flavour of roasted malt. This malty flavour comes through nicely mixing with a rich chocolate element and a frutiness not unlike a slice of fruit cake. The aftertaste is bitter and you are left with the faint taste of dark chocolate. The lovely dark colour is very pleasing to the eye and it is nice to know that it tastes as good as it looks!

Some beers with a high alcohol content have a tendency to loose out in the flavour department. Exmoor Beast doesn't fall into this category! It's tasty and extremely pleasant; a recommended choice! It's only the after effects (hangover, some sickness and an inability to walk) that could be seen as a drawback...but I do recommend that you go steady and DON'T drink 10 pints in one go!

It's a real shame that I don't get enough chances to sample Exmoor Beast. It only appears in my area as a guest beer and at Beer Festivals. As I have already mentioned, it is a seasonal beer, so that also cuts down my drinking opportunities too. I wish that it was produced for a longer period of time because it really is a real treat. It's fruity, warming and VERY welcoming!

Expect to pay anywhere from £1.49 (standard Wetherspoon's guest beer price a the mo, but it does change) through to over £2.00 for a pint. The bottled version was brewed as part of the Tescos Bottled beer challenge, but i haven't seen it at my local Tesco to try. Keep an eye out for it in your local pub though, and have a pint when you can.

So, look out for it because time is running out this year (you'll have to wait 'til next winter if you
aren't careful)...but, watch out ~ It's a bit of an animal!!

Brewery details:

Exmoor ales Ltd
Golden Hill Brewery
Wiveliscombe
Somerset TA4 2MY

01984 623798

http://www.exmoorales.co.uk/index2.htm

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