BeerCast #24 – Arran Beers
After the success of our first brewery showcase spectacular a few weeks ago, we decided to return to the same format once again for our 24th podcast. At the moment there can be fewer more deserving candidates than the Arran Brewery, given that until recently it looked like they might slip into the murky waters of brewing history. As we wrote back in May, after an increasingly successful eight year production span the financial climate conspired against them and they went into administration. Thankfully however, after a nervous couple of months a buyer came forward (the rather shadowy-sounding ‘Marketing Management Services International Limited’), and the beer started flowing again.
So as you can now once again find Arran’s beers in UK stockists, we thought it was high time to feature their wares on the BeerCast. Panellist Grooben made a recent visit to what is Great Britain’s ninth-largest island, and stocked up at the brewery shop. First on the menu for our special showcase is Arran Ale, followed by their seasonal beer for Spring – Sunset (as you’d expect from the BeerCast, we try this one rather than their more timely Autumnal seasonal Fireside). The third of their beers is the very popular Arran Blonde, which had previously been described by MrB as one of his favourite beers. Will it be as well received this time? Finally, the beer to close out the episode is their malty offering – Arran Dark. On the panel this week are Shovels, Grooben, Richard and MrB.
1. Arran Ale (3.8%abv)
The Arran Brewery, Cladach, Isle of Arran.
500ml glass bottle
What They Say – “Previously known as Arran Light – Arran Ale is pale coloured and a refreshing session bitter. Best served slightly chilled it’s great with a Ploughman’s Platter or just with a fresh baguette and a good mature Cheddar” [Official Website]; “An amber ale where the predominance of the hop produces a bitter beer with a subtle balancing sweetness of malt and an occasional hint of roast” [Good Beer Guide]
What We Say…
MrB – You can quaff this constantly for 24hrs – don’t sip it 8
Shovels – Gets better the more you drink it 7½
Richard – Light in colour and taste, it’s your classic ‘7’ beer 7
Grooben – Something of a companion piece to Deuchars 7
2. Arran Sunset (4.4%abv)
The Arran Brewery, Cladach, Isle of Arran.
500ml glass bottle
What They Say – “A golden ale – a delicate balance of malt and fruit, with a dry hop finish. This is a light mid amber summer beer. It is great if drunk with the good old British sausage, Ploughman’s Lunch or any good Mature cheese” [Official Website]
What We Say…
Richard – I love the slight golden ale bitteryness to this 7½
MrB – More of a bitter, with a taste I don’t like so much 6
Grooben – A notch below the Ale but nice all the same 6
Shovels – I’m not keen on the bitter flavour compared to the Ale 5
3. Arran Blonde (5.0%abv)
The Arran Brewery, Cladach, Isle of Arran.
500ml glass bottle
What They Say – “A floral hop and new mown grass aroma, the taste is well balanced with citric fruit. A clear tasting pale golden beer in a continental style” [Official Website]; “A hoppy beer with substantial fruit balance. The taste is balanced and the finish increasingly bitter. An aromatic strong bitter that drinks below its weight” [Good Beer Guide]
What We Say…
Richard – There’s a great hoppy tartness to this 8
MrB – I still prefer the Ale, but would choose this often 7
Shovels – Sweeter and more lagery compared to their others 7
Grooben – A bit underwhelming compared to the cask variety 6
4. Arran Dark (4.3%abv)
The Arran Brewery, Cladach, Isle of Arran.
500ml glass bottle
What They Say – “Rich aroma of malt and hops with ripe fruit, the palate is velvety, and the taste is of full malt with a deep bittersweet finish. A traditional smooth drinking Scottish heavy beer.” [Official Website]; “A well-balanced malty beer with plenty of roast and hop in the taste, and a dry bitter finish.” [Good Beer Guide]
What We Say…
MrB – I’m a bit disappointed with the creamy 80 shilling thing 5
Richard – One of those beers that should just be a porter 5
Grooben – Too much sweetness to it, almost cloying 5
Shovels – Combines the smokeyness of a porter with the rubbishness of an 80/- 4
BeerCast panel verdict
Arran Ale (29½/40)
Arran Blonde (28/40)
Arran Sunset (24½/40)
Arran Dark (19/40)
Panellists – (from top left) Shovels, MrB, Grooben, Richard
- Listen to the episode here: BeerCast #24 – Arran Beers
- Subscribe to the podcasts in iTunes or our site feed
We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with our final ‘normal’ podcast of the year, before we break out the Christmas beers and build up to our Beer of the Year show. Stay tuned for details…and please leave us comments on the blog or iTunes, or emails. Cheers!
