BeerCast #20 – White Rose Beers
The BeerCast reaches the 20th podcast landmark today, and to celebrate we sample four beers from the county of the White Rose. Very different tipples from the last episode, as we move North away from the flowery golden ales and enter the realm of darker stuff. Firstly we begin with a classic session bitter from the region – the York Brewery’s Yorkshire Terrier. We follow that up with one of their maltier offerings, Centurion Ghost Ale, complete with suitably scary label. We then move a few dozen miles up the road to Harrogate and the Daleside Brewery. Their excellent IPA made it to our Beer of the Year show last January, so we had high hopes for their Daleside Porter and then Daleside Chocolate Stout, which we end the show with. On the panel this week with Richard and Shovels are welcome returns from MrB and John (neither of whom had ever tried a chocolate beer). Thanks again to Faye at the Daleside Brewery for their beers.
1. Yorkshire Terrier (4.2%abv)
The York Brewery, York.
500ml glass bottle
Both a working brewery and a guided tour attraction for visitors, the York Brewery was founded in 1996. It’s the only one within the city’s famous walls, and when opened in a converted motorbike showroom it became the first beer producer in York for more than forty years. They have a 20 barrel brewplant and an onsite bar for eighty people, giving guided tours for £6 a time, which includes a free half of one of their finest at the beginning and one at the end. They also own three pubs in the city – the Three Legged Mare, the Last Drop and the Yorkshire Terrier, named after their flagship beer.
What They Say – “A premium bitter with a rich, creamy malt and full hop palate finish.” [Official Website]
What We Say…
MrB – Damn it’s good 8
Richard – It’s a very nice, drinkable, Northern bitter 7½
Shovels – A tasty session beer, although nicer on cask 7½
John – Refreshing without being too strong, very moreish 7
2. Centurion Ghost Ale (5.4%abv)
The York Brewery, York.
500ml glass bottle
What They Say – “A warming, dark bitter ale, with a roasted malt taste. Very easy to drink for it’s strength.” [Official Website]
What We Say…
Richard – Dark roasty taste yet it’s easy to drink 6½
MrB – Could be a session ale – but you’d hurt in the morning 6
John – Smells great but tastes a bit iffy, not that impressed 5
Shovels – Burnt malty taste that lingers at the top of the mouth 5
3. Daleside Porter (4.4%abv)
Daleside Brewery, Harrogate.
500ml glass bottle
The Daleside Brewery were founded in the mid-1980’s in the genteel North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate. They moved to their current location in 1992, and produce three cask and seven bottled beers, using over 18 different types of hops in their varying brews. Their IPA featured in BeerCast #3, waaaay back in August 2007, and did rather well.
What They Say – “Brewed exclusively for export, Daleside Porter is distinctively dark in colour, full of body with a smooth velvet finish.” [Official Website]
What We Say…
Shovels – It brings a little sparkle to the eyes 7
MrB – A bit less smoky than the Centurion maybe 6½
Richard – Carbonation spoils the smooth velvet finish 6½
John – Slightly better than the last one, but not remarkable 6
4. Daleside Chocolate Stout (4.0%abv)
Daleside Brewery, Harrogate.
500ml glass bottle
What They Say – “Aroma of cocoa and coffee, hints of tar, wood and leather. Creamy mouthfeel. The flavour is dominated by cocoa/chocolate, also notes of coffee, brown bread and burnt caramel, a little fruit too.” [Oxford Bottled Beer Database]
What We Say…
John – Would be a good after dinner beer, it’s nice and warming 7
Shovels – Tastes more coffee than chocolate but I quite like it 7
MrB – It’s particularly good, the nicest dark beer tonight 7
Richard – The three malts mix detract from the chocolate taste 5
BeerCast panel verdict
Yorkshire Terrier – 30/40
Daleside Porter – 26/40
Daleside Chocolate Stout – 26/40
Centurion Ghost Ale – 22½/40
Panellists – (from top left) MrB, John, Richard, Shovels
- Listen to the episode here: BeerCast #20 – White Rose Beers
- Subscribe to the podcasts in iTunes or our site feed
We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with episode 21, the BeerCast’s first foray into the world of American beer! Stay tuned for details on our USA craft beer special…and please leave us comments on the blog or iTunes, or emails. Cheers!
