12:12pm Saturday 21st July 2012
AT the time of its foundation in 1990, the Springhead Brewery of Sutton-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire was the smallest in Britain with a brewing capacity of one barrel (36 gallons), and occupied just 12 square yards of floor space!
In 1993 the brewery relocated and expanded to a ten-barrel plant, and then, about a year ago, there was a further move to an old mill building near Tuxford. The capacity increased again, to 50 barrels, enough to supply more than 400 outlets.
The beer range has, until recently, concentrated on an English Civil War theme, but that has now been enlarged to include a focus on iconic Nottinghamshire hero, Robin Hood.
This week’s beer, brewed with the addition of fresh oranges, is named after his almost-as-famous better half, Maid Marian.
Lager-gold in colour, it pours with a thin head, and has a light, sweet aroma with notes of butterscotch, corn and vanilla.
The flavour is soft and fruity and, unsurprisingly, orangey, though rather ironically much less so than many other beers which achieve a powerful orange flavour through the liberal use of Goldings hops rather than the actual fruit.
The aftertaste is gently bitter with a light hoppiness, a touch of caramel, and just a twist of white pepper at the finish.
All in all, a very balanced, easy drinking, golden ale.
© Copyright 2001-2013 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/trade_directory/