Krusty's Favourite Tipple! (Tanglefoot)

Member Name: tange

Product:	Tanglefoot
Date:	02/08/02 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty and strong!

Disadvantages: Not much...just don't drink too many!

I can identify with the person who named this beer! The story goes that the Head Brewer (John Woodhouse), of the Badger Brewery, invited his staff to try his new beer. He also asked them to come up with a name for it. After the tasting session the Head Brewer got up and, illustrating how much they had consumed, he couldn't control his legs. Consequently, his feet got all tangled up in each other, rather like he was wearing big clown's shoes (hence the title of this opinion). He fell over, and a legend was born!

Tanglefoot Ale is produced at the Badger Brewery in Blandford St Mary, Dorset by Hall & Woodhouse Limited. It is so called, because the badger is a very prominent local animal. The brewery was founded in 1777 by Charles Hall in the village of Ansty, Dorset. The present Badger Brewery moved to Blandford at the end of the 1890s. For many years they have produced a number of good bottled and cask beers; including Badger Best (4% ABV), I.P.A (3% ABV), Champion (4.6% ABV) and Tanglefoot. They also brew some excellent Seasonal beers, such as Old Ale (4.5% ABV) and New Timer (4.6% ABV). Even the Post Office produced a Badger Stamp to celebrate their bi-centenary!

In 1987, it was voted Best Cask Ale and Best Overall Beer at the Brewing Industry International Awards. This is a big honour for the brewing industry. It is available in 500ml bottles and cans, as well as on draught, so there really is no excuse for not trying it, one way or another! You can get hold of it from selected pubs, often as a guest beer, from most supermarkets and some off-licenses nationwide. You can also get it on the web, from the Badger Brewery on-line store (www.badgerdirect.com).

Tanglefoot Ale is brewed from Challenger and Styrian Goldings hops. The bottles and cans weigh in at 5% ABV, and the draught version at a slightly stronger 5.1% ABV. It's quite strong and lives up to its name; it's very easy to drink, but a little strong for a "sessio
n" ale! I prefer it slightly chilled. It is a perfect drink on a warm summer's night, but it's also strong enough to be warming in the winter!

Looks wise, it is quite pale, almost golden, in colour, with a thin head. It is very different from the dark, thicker, strong ales. Its paleness belies its strength and it is quite easy to forget how powerful it is (ask that legendary Head Brewer!).

Taste wise, it is a fruity brew with a slight apple flavour. It also has citrus elements, with a syrupy, biscuity undertone. The aftertaste is slightly spicy, with a refreshing bitterness. The hops come through nicely too, balancing out the flavour well. So, there are a lot of complex flavours coming through in this beer; quite difficult to describe, but very easy to drink and enjoy!

I have tried Tanglefoot both on draught and in a bottle, but I have never tried it in a can. From what friends have told me, the canned version is not as good as the other formats. I still think that the draught option is far superior; if I was given the choice I would choose the pint over the bottle without question. It's nice in a bottle, but nothing compares to a nice pint in your local, served by a smiling Landlord (smile is optional, but it does make for a more pleasant night out!).

Price wise, 24 cans are currently selling for £23.99, and 12 bottles for £19.99, the Badger on-line website. A pint of Tanglefoot cost me £2.00 a pint at the Rutland Arms in Chesterfield the other week. Prices vary considerably, as with other beers, so I can only offer that as a rough estimate. It also appears as a Weatherspoon?s Guest Ale at the customary £1.49 a pint.

So, I am definitely recommending this beer. If you see it for sale down at your local, or on your Supermarket shelves, give it a try. Badger (get it?!?) your Landlord and make yours a pint of Tanglefoot!

Brewery Details:

The Badger Brewery
Blandford St Mary
Dorset <
br>DT11 9LS
David.french@hall-woodhouse.co.uk

www.tanglefoot.co.uk

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