New from Camerons – 6th Sense

Hartlepool brewer Camerons have a new beer on the market this week, as yesterday they launched 6th Sense in selected Tesco branches in the north of England. Their brand new strong ale had originally been called ‘trial project 3’ when entered into the supermarket chain’s Drink Awards competition, but was given a more suitable name when it won the Northern Section prize for newly-brewed ale. A member of staff suggested 6th Sense to reflect paranormal goings-on at the Camerons Lion Brewery – ale production has been documented on the site since 1573, and the ghosts and spirits of former workers are said to haunt the buildings to this day.

We’ve sampled beer from Camerons before – a couple of months ago in our Stout Special we tried their sweet and roasty Monkey Stout. Thanks to Marketing Manager Yousef Doubooni we were given a sneak preview of their newest addition, before it was released to the shoppers at Tesco this week. 6th Sense is a malty 6%abv chestnut brown ale according to the tasting notes, and is brewed with Magnum, Fuggles and Goldings hops and 100% Ale malt.

It pours with a thin carbonated head and is a deep, dark ruby-brown colour, almost the colour of Coca Cola. The nose is sweet and malty, meaning the floral hops take a back seat, but they come through on the palate – there’s that distinctive Fuggles tang from the start, alongside the expected healthy malt taste. Surprisingly it’s not strong for a 6% beer – only right at the end of the aftertaste do you get the alcohol warmth, along with more malt and some sweetness. In fact, this finish is the best thing about it, as the complex aftertaste combines with a slight alcohol kick. 6th Sense is a malty sipper that would be ideal for drinking slowly while the autumnal winds howl outside. Just don’t let the noises put ghostly ideas in your head.

Camerons are currently offering the chance to brew your very own beer with them. Until the end of August every pint of Camerons beer purchased in 60 pubs across their estate gives the chance of entry into the competition. The winner will meet the team and produce their beer, choose a name and pump clip design, then see the result in the Camerons range throughout 2010 – as well as receiving 20 cases of it to take home. For further details of the ‘Brew Your Own’ competition, visit their website.