Good session ale if you can find a pub that knows how to look after it. (Greene King abbot ale)

Member Name: chucklingMonkey

Product:	Greene King abbot ale
Date:	16/08/09 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great introductory ale

Disadvantages: Not as exciting flavour wise as some

Abbot ale was responsible for my switch, as a young man, from drinking lager to drinking real ale. I don't drink a great deal of the stuff any more, because unfortunately it can be hard to find a decent pint of it in pubs. The beer is a dark ale, not particularly strongly flavoured or hoppy, but very drinkable when you have a decent pint of it.

The big problem is that as it is brewed by a large brewer, a lot of pubs will sell this - this in itself is not a problem, however the majority of pubs that sell this are unable to keep a decent real ale. It takes cellarmanship that your typical sky sports & free pool on thursdays establishment cannot attain. One thing you could look out for is either a Green King Master Cellarman plaque, a Cask Marque symbol, or more convincingly a CAMRA good beer guide symbol - and then - and only then - try the ale.

If you've tried it before and been put off by a vinegary flavour or worse (sadly there are countless pubs that serve it like this) then try again in a pub that knows how to look after it.

You can get it in cans and bottles from your local supermarket but i find the cans slightly blander than the draft option.

Summary: Good ale when consumed in a good pub