Latest addition - earliest recipe? (St Peter's Brewery Co Ltd - in general)

Member Name: cpipe

Product:	St Peter's Brewery Co Ltd - in general
Date:	17/08/02 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Flavour, Not too fizzy

Disadvantages: A bit treacly for some palates

I always like the distinctive bottles in which the St Peter's Brewery supply their beers - a flattish design based on a type that was common in the 18th century, though rather larger than the original. But the stuff that was inside those bottles has failed to excite me - until now.

The golden type of beer coming from this brewery is much the same as any other - bottles of fizz. The fruit flavoured varieties do not appeal to me, though I can imagine some people liking them for a change.

But now St Peter's have introduced one that is totally different. King Cnut Ale is a true ale, not a beer; that is, it is made as all English beers were until the middle ages, without hops.

Imagine an "old ale", a "winter warmer" - with a head like a stout, a colour that is very dark though not as black as Guinness, and a taste that is treacly. Not to everyone's taste, especially with the sweeter brews; but King Cnut is not so very sweet. Plenty of body, and despite the lack of hops there is also plenty of flavour - it is made with the addition of nettles and juniper.

I find it a satisfying drink even in the very hot weather we are having as I write this opinion, and I am pleased that it is not too fizzy (again, think of a stout rather than an artificially gassy beer).

St. Peter's brews are widely available in my area at least (I usually get mine from Safeway), and it is unusual to find this kind of brew (rather than a proper stout) available in bottles. Full marks to the brewers for producing something distinctive, pleasing and satisfying. I tried it out of historical curiosity, but am going back for more because I like the stuff.

Summary: