Craig’s tasting

I am going to hate myself for saying this but I believe this beer gets better as it gets warmer.

The brewers describe it as a bittersweet, malty taste but I do believe it is closer to a Werther’s Original butterscotch toffee. Now this can only mean one of two things. Either I am getting closer to becoming a toothless Werther’s sucking old grand parent or my palate is continuing to mature.

Wether or not the brewer has dropped a Werther’s Original in each bottle to give it that butterscotch taste is a mute point in the end. Wether or not I enjoyed the beer is the most important thing.

In the end I will have to say that I need to try a few more of these if I am going to give it a top shelf rating. Given an appropriate amount of time and effort I do see myself being able to regularly enjoy a few of these.

Ultimately this beer is up against some stiff competition. It is a UK import, meaning you are going to find it difficult to get the beer for anything less than $8.00 or $9.00 a bottle. And at this stage I would be very surprised if you could get it on tap outside of the UK.

At this stage Black Sheep Ale looks destined to remain a leading part of the boutique beer section at your local bottle shop, to be enjoyed only on fathers days, birthdays and Christmas.

Danny’s tasting

The art of fine brewing in the UK was thought lost when it was deported to the colonies in 1783 for crimes against warm flat ales and bitters in what has since been considered by many to be very much our gain and the United Kingdom’s loss. Thanks for that, thanks very much.

It appears that the descendants of fine brewing have in fact held a grudge for a very long time and have refused to return home to the UK and impart their knowledge of good brewing. Black Sheep Ale has suffered because of this.

I so wanted to enjoy this beer, the colour was right, the aroma was fine, the initial taste was somewhat dryish with a hint of butterscotch but with each mouthful its appeal just went in the wrong direction for me. I can only say that if someone had offered me another Black Sheep Ale at the end of the first I would have had to say no (OK if there was absolutely nothing else to drink I’d have had one but it’s that sort of desperation you need before going again)

Consequently I’d have to rate it 6.5.

Not guaranteed good drinking anytime, but may appeal on certain occasions.

Black Sheep Ale

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Described by the brewery itself as a full flavoured premium ale with a bittersweet malty taste. Black Sheep Ale is one of a handful of beers brewed by the Black Sheep Brewery. The brewery was established in 1992 by brewer Paul Theakston whose family have brewed in the area for six generations.

Origin: Masham, England

Alcohol/vol: 4.4%

Style: Bitter ale

Average Rating: 6.50 

May appeal on random occasions. Not all the time.