Suthwyk Ales Land of Hop and Glory (500ml bottle4.5% ABV)

One hundred. The temperature of boiling water. A century in cricket. The age at which you get a telegram from the Queen.

Yes, in case you hadn’t guessed, this is my 100th blog post for the Southwick Brewhouse. Blimey. Where has all the time gone? Where has all the beer gone? Well, at least I know the answer to that one.

Land of Hop and Glory
Land of Hop and Glory

Who would have thought, in those halcyon days of April 2016, that I would reach a hundred? Back then, Matt wasn’t yet a father. He was only 4’8” and not even old enough to grow a beard. Peering over the edge of the counter of the Brewhouse he said to me, in his falsetto, not-yet-broken voice, ‘I hate English. I hate writing things. Will you write some things for me?’ I said that writing was very important, and if he hated writing then what did he expect to do when he grew up? He said, ‘I’m going to be a rock star.’

What better beer to review for the 100th post than Suthwyk’s own Land of Hop and Glory?

A marmalade orange with a modest froth, LoHaG is the epitome of an English bitter. You’d expect nothing less from a beer named after Elgar’s most famous patriotic song.

The malt is, of course, their own barley, grown up on the hill overlooking Southwick, and it imparts a touch of sweetness and a biscuity character on which the hops can sit.

Many traditional English bitters go for the classic one-two punch of Fuggles and Goldings for their hops. Fuggles gives an earthy, grassy character, while Goldings provides honey and spice. LoHaG adds Brewer’s Gold to the equation, contributing some blackcurrant and lemon flavours.

The carbonation is restrained – none of your Coca-Cola fizz here – and the aftertaste is that complex, satisfying blend of hops.

Glorious!

Written by Richard Salsbury

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