Not Quite Brain Theft But Quite Possibly One Day (Theakstons Old Peculier)

Member Name: marandina

Product:	Theakstons Old Peculier
Date:	03/04/06 (942 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fab taste, strong

Disadvantages: Don't drink too many

It had been a loooong weekend and I needed a drink. Having spent the last forty-eight hours looking at an ancient pile of rocks, sleeping in a bed that was too small and getting a parking ticket in Southampton (review to follow upon request!), I desperately needed a drink. Having sampled some of the local beer delights of Wiltshire (Wadworth's 6X, no less), I decided I was in the mood for a nice, tasty ale and so I opted for a rather attractive brown-bottle of Theakston’s Old Peculier. Incidentally, this is a beer that always brings to mind those teenage years of going out every night and discovering the vagaries of different versions of alcoholic brews. The two most revered drinks of those halcyon days of teenagedom were Brody’s cider and Old Peculier. The former because it was renowned for waking in the morning with a complete lack of memory as to what had gone on the night before (“brain theft” we called it) and the latter for it’s sledgehammer effect if you had had too many! I digress....

....Theakston’s is a brewery steeped in history. It was Robert Theakston who took the lease on the Black Bull Inn and Brewhouse in 1827 launching the Theakston dynasty. Based in Masham, Yorkshire, Theakston’s has developed a range of classic and seasonal ales, amongst which, Old Peculiar is probably the most famous. It is possible to go and visit the brewery and taste the ales almost straight from the casks if you happen to be Masham way some time in the future. The brewery even has its own Visitor Centre although I can’t testify as to the quality and/or experience as it’s not somewhere I’ve ever visited. The Theakston family have had some turbulent times over the years with take-over bids a plenty. Today, the brand remains in the Theakston name with an eye on quality that still serves the range well.

The bottle itself alludes to a curious tale upon which the identity of the beer is based. Carrying the Seal of the Official of the Peculier of Masham, it is told that during the reign of William the Conqueror the lands and estates of Mashamshire were given to Nigel de Albini, one of William's captains. Those lands subsequently passed to Nigel's son, Roger de Mowbray, who proved his worth as a knight at the Battle of Standard in 1138 with a victory over an invading Scottish army (weren’t the Scots always invading in those days?). Having defeated the kilt-wearing hordes, de Mowbray went to the Holy Lands to fight in the Crusades. However, he was captured by Saladin and held to ransom for seven years until redeemed by the Knights Templar. By way of thanks for his redemption, he generously donated the living of the church at Masham to the Church of St Peter in York. In those days, the journey from York to Masham was particularly fraught with danger and so the Archbishop of York established the Peculier Court of Masham to avoid having to make regular visits ("peculier" is a Norman word meaning "particular" but then you knew that already). The chairman of this court is known as the Official and he has a special seal to mark his approval or decision. With a range of powers at its disposal, the Court can rule against a battery of offences but the strangest must be either keeping a hat on at communion or carrying a dead man's skull out of the churchyard and laying it under the head of a person to charm them to sleep (as mentioned on the bottle). Swearing and drunkenness must have been seen as passé!

Anyway, enough of all this history malarkey and on with the details of the beer itself. Old Peculier is considered to be a classic ale and available all year round (as opposed to the seasonal ales which aren’t if you see what I mean). OP is a strong, dark beer with a marked, copper colour. It has a rich, complex flavour and had a gorgeous, smooth taste to it. Brewed using the traditional Fuggle hop, OP pours with a moderate, white foamy head that lasts and I didn’t find that there was much of an after-taste to OP albeit the gentlest of sweetish malt did figure. This was a bit of a surprise given the look and strength of the beer. There is a distinctly hoppy aroma but with a certain underlying taste of doughy bread. Unquestionably bitter on the palate, the taste of malt and hops blend nicely to create that illusion of doughy bread in the drinker’s mind.

OP has won awards over the years including a Bronze medal in CAMRA’s 9th National Winter Ales Festival. This ale weights in with a hefty 5.6% ABV (and not 4.4% as per the Dooyoo descriptor) so it’s at the top end of most pub’s strength range when choosing a beer on draught. A favourite among real ale drinkers, Old Peculier is an adult drink that should be treated with respect. The Theakston’s brand is famous the world over and this particular drink seems to be as popular over in the US as it is here. Should you get carried away during a session drinking this then be prepared for a shock the following day (not something I’ve done myself, I hasten to add - honest). A 500ml bottle of Theakston’s Old Peculier cost me £1.60 from my local supermarket. Available from the pump at your local pub (if stocked), a benchmark price for a pint will be around the £2.80 mark.

I have to say that I really enjoyed my bottle of Old Peculier. Brimming with taste and quality, this is a drink to be savoured. For the more discerning beer drinker, Theakston’s OP sits at the top table of ales with the very best of them. If you haven’t tried it before then I can’t recommend this beer highly enough. If you prefer the taste of "Blue WKD" then I’d steer clear (he he). It certainly brought a smile to my face; especially when writing my appeal letter to send to Southampton Council to get my parking fine rescinded.

Thanks for reading

Mara

More info at: www.theakstons.co.uk

T & R Theakston Ltd
Masham
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 4YD

0845 840 0054

Other Theakston's beers include Theakston's Best Bitter (a standard English Bitter at 3.6% ABV), Theakston's Black Bull Bitter (a dry and bitter beer at 3.9% ABV) and Theakston's Dark Mild (a classic dark beer at 3.6% ABV).

Summary: Write up of OP