Country of Origin: Great Britain
Price comparison: About $2 more per 24 ounces than the average national domestic.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 4.7%
Cute bottle/label? Black and yellow nitro can depicting a barrel with two bees (representing the two B's of Boddingtons Breweries) sitting on it.
Appearance: Pale gold with the trademark tight head and downward-flowing carbonation of the nitro can. Thin strips of lace left behind as the glass is emptied; diagonal smears of near-microscopic bubbles cluster on the glass below the surface of the ale.
Scent: Maybe a little bit of malt and yeast, but really nothing specifically discernable in the aroma.
Flavor: Very smooth and subtle; slight hops and a vaguely metallic finish.
Impressions: Take the can out of the fridge ten minutes before cracking it open and it tastes a lot better than if you pour it cold.
Will I buy this beer again? It's pretty good, but the best thing about it by far is the mouthfeel; the creamy nitro texture combined with the low ABV make for a very comfortable brew altogether. It doesn't have a lot of distinction, flavorwise, and it's a bit pricey, but I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this again, especially if I was going to be serving it to someone unused to higher alcohol ales. Also, while its lack of assertiveness works against it as a session brew, in my opinion, it works in its favor in terms of versatility; this ale would taste right with just about any food.
Rating:
3½ out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: February 4, 2004
