A Beer That Makes Tange Smile! (Smile's Heritage)

Member Name: tange

Product:	Smile's Heritage
Date:	19/03/03 (71 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smooth and rich, Nice flavour

Disadvantages: Not avaialble everywhere.

I couldn't keep from writing about the beer for long. So here is the latest offering from Tange's beer repertoire. This is a tasty little number from Smiles Brewery ~ Smile's Heritage!

Smiles Brewing Company Ltd was founded in 1977 and is based in Bristol. They brew a regular set of beer complemented by a varied selection of monthly specials. The regular ales include Golden (3.8 % ABV), Best (4.1% ABV) and Bristol IPA (4.5 % ABV). The monthly Specials include the disappointing Maiden Leg Over (3.5 % ABV), Holly Hops (5% ABV) and Old Tosser (4.3% ABV).

Smiles Best and Smiles Heritage are also available in bottles ~ you can also get some of their beers in boxes (a bit like big wine boxes) - COOL! Their web-site (details at the end) provides details of all these beers and also has an excellent e-store where you can buy souvenirs and chutneys, etc. Smiles Brewery supply their own 17 tied houses along with around 250 other outlets nationwide. The bottles are to found in many supermarkets (Safeway, Tesco, etc) and a number of off-licenses.

Smiles Heritage weighs in at 5.2 % ABV and is a rather full-bodied ale. I haven't tried it in bottles, so this opinion is based on the draught version. Looks wise it is a lovely ruby red/brown colour with a contrasting cream coloured head. The head wasn't particularly long lasting ~ it didn't stay until the end of the pint (but then again...the beer didn't last a long time either!)! The beer settled quite quickly, leaving a nice clear rich pint. The aroma was really fruity with elements of chocolate and malt coming through ~ this isn't surprising when you realise that it is made using a mixture of Crystal and Chocolate malts.

Taste wise Heritage is predominantly malty, but this is balanced out nicely by the flavour of the hops (provided by the Styrian, Goldings and Fuggles hops used in the brewing process). I also liked the rich fruity taste that lingered rather well i
n my mouth. This can also be said of the pleasant roasted malt taste that came through in the background. Heritage also has a surprisingly sweet finish that is complemented by a sharp bitterness. It's a complex mix of flavours that works well ~ a thoroughly pleasant and altogether well produced beer that has a great depth of flavour and a good consistency.

We have tried Smile's Heritage at two of our local pubs. The first experience was at The Portland Hotel (one of our Wetherspoons houses) where we paid £1.49 for a pint. The second time our paths crossed was at The Market Hotel, where it was slightly more expensive at £2.00 a pint ~ this seems to be their standard price. On each occasion it was a guest ale ? we aren't fortunate enough to live near one of their regular outlets! Expect to pay anything between (or around) these two figures because prices seem to vary considerably.

Smile's Heritage comes with a high recommendation from my...and also from my husband! We were impressed by the quality, by the lovely taste combination and by the smooth rich texture. Give it a try...I hope it makes you smile too!

~~~BREWERY DETAILS:

Smiles Brewery, Colston Yard,
Bristol, England, BS1 5BD
and
Unit 14 Garanor Way,
Portbury, Bristol, BS20 9XE

General Enquiries 01275 375894
Sales 01275 375878

http://www.smiles.co.uk/

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