Beer blogger Adam Shugan's virtual world tour (of beer) lands in England today.

My Tour De Beer is coming to an end with a limited number of countries to go.  Today, I am
mock-visiting Suffolk, England at Greene King/Morland Brewery for some “Owld Speckl’d ‘Un” AKA Old Speckled Hen.  

This beer got its name from an old MG Featherweight Fabric Saloon, which was used to taxi factory workers around the MC car plant.  Throughout its lifespan, the car got paint splattered all over it getting the nickname owld speckl’d ‘un.  To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the factory, the beer was brewed and the vernacular was changed to something a little easier to read. This is an English Pale Ale, which originated from a city in England called Burton-upon-Trent. 

The city is notorious for rich hard water, which gives the beer bright clarity and accentuates the hop bitterness.


Appearance: I am partaking of this one in my Kronenbourg 1664 pokal.  It pours a fiery rouge with the tell-tale clarity. There is only a one-finger head but it floats on top like a halo.

Smell: bread crust, herbal hops, melted caramel, nice and aromatic.

Taste: strong wheat bread overtones followed by smooth and creamy malts fading into a spicy hop finish. It is like a liquid loaf of bread! 

This is a very nice, easy drinking English Pale.  Look for it in bottle or nitro-filled can at your local ABC.  Other English Pale Ales ABC offers are Bass, Boddingtons Pub Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery Pale Ale, Brooklyn Pennant Ale ’55, and Sam Adams Pale Ale.

Adam is an ABC Fine Wine and Spirits store manager in Gainesville.