Circle Master - A very rounded ale (Wychwood in general)

Name: grahamt

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Product:	Wychwood in general
Date:	12/07/01 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Balanced, Good hop flavour

Disadvantages: Bit weak in malt flavour

Circle Master is Wychwood Brewery’s new organic ale. The beer is “…produced …in accordance with the Soil Association Certification UK5”.

As with other organic ales I have tasted and reviewed in the past, there really isn’t anything about it that stands out and says “organic”. So, if you choose this beer because it is organic then it will be purely as an act of faith rather than any actual taste merit it delivers.

Having said that, this isn’t a bad beer, nothing extraordinary mind you but a perfectly acceptable drink and, if organic is your thing then this beer should please.

The label states that the name is “…attributed to the character who skilfully creates the circular designs in luscious cornfields.” I’m not sure that your average farmer would consider these vandals to be requiring any such honour.

It weighs in at 4.7% abv so is not a lightweight drink.

As with most organic ales, the components are limited. Not much organic farming of ingredients for brewing is taking place yet and so beggars can’t be choosers.

Plumage Archer Barley is used, from Gloucestershire, and indeed, maltiness is not a major characteristic of this beer though, whether this is a result of the grain used rather than the brewing process, I can’t tell.

It’s a pity that organic Maris Otter couldn’t be found. The result might have been quite different. Clearly, with a strength of 4.7%, they didn’t hold back on the malt so maybe malt flavour is not one of Plumage Archer’s strong points.

The hops are Target, from Kent, a more common ingredient and the beer has a good hop aroma and taste.

So, an enjoyable drink, reasonably well balanced and, at an introductory offer price of £1.39 at Sainsburys, good value for money.

Summary: