This beer is brewed by Greene King under the “Morland” brand. It is deep red in colour and has a strong hoppy smell. It is brewed using Goldings hops, which I am beginning to associate with a particular sort of bitter hoppiness. It is 4.5% ABV.
The label claims that this beer is malty and it does have a stronger malt flavour than a light ale, but that flavour is cut through by the astringent bitterness of the hops. Unlike Spitfire, in which the rich malt blends with and complements the hops, in this beer the hops dominate the other flavours. I don’t know if this is caused by the Goldings hops or not. Osprey, which also uses Goldings, had a similarly problematic taste. But I don’t know which hops they use for Spitfire, they just say “Kentish” and I think Goldings hops do come from Kent.
However, after smoking a bowl of tobacco, the harshness of the hops was lessened and the other flavours were clearer. I could taste the fruity esters and the malt was more apparent. Perhaps I am overly sensitive to very bitter hops, or perhaps this beer was intended to be drunk while smoking, either way it was much nicer after a smoke.
It is a good beer, around the upper echelons of the middling beers, but definitely not a great beer.
Having re-read my previous notes, it looks like Master Brew had a similar bitterness that cut through the malt flavour. I wish Shepherd Neame would say which “Kentish” hops they used. Are they the same in Spitfire and Master Brew?
