George Gale & Co.LTD.

While watching the NFC playoff with the Giants and the Packers, I had a beer by George Gale&Co. LTD.. The beer is "Festival" English mild ale. The Beer is brewed and bottled in Horndean Hampshire in the United Kingdom and imported by B.United International,Elmsford, New York 10523. The beer is available at the Liquor Barn in Louisville,Ky, for $3.49 plus Ky. sales tax.

The web link for this beer is:

http://www.gales.co.uk/

Festival Mild 4.8% AVB
Festival Mild is a full bodied premium mild with a far more complex palate than normally found in this beer style. The beer is brewed using floor malted Maris Otter pale ale malt, black malt and crystal malt. The moreish bitterness is provided by a careful blend of Fuggles, Goldings and Challenger hops. History: Festival Mild was created in 1990 to support the CAMRA campaign to revive the fortunes of cask mild. First produced for a beer festival, (hence the name), it soon became established and has proved a great favourite with the customers. This is reflected in the many awards won at beer festivals. Palate: Pronounced fruity flavours of blackcurrant, raisins and raspberry with a lingering citric character in the finish. Aroma: Hoppy with blackcurrant character.




I found the beer to be good tasting with no bitter aftertaste, good mouth feel, and enjoyed at approx. 58 degrees F. The aroma and taste was reminiscent of "The Grand Cru" by Rodenbach."



From the book "BEER by Eve Adamson" on page 60, I quote her on English Mild Ales:



Available in pale and dark versions, malty mild ale is one of the more common styles of beer in England, but virtually unheard as as an import in the United States. just a few breweries import their mild ales here, but visit England and you can get a mild ale on tap in just about any pub. On the other hand, some American microberwers produce their own versions of mild ale such as Pizza Port Dawn Patrol,available in California. Compare the two if you have a chance, and you'll notice the difference: English mild ales tend to be more subtle,whereas American versions make much more defined flavor statements, but authentic English milds should have virtually no signs of hops.



Locally, New Albany Brewery version of English mild ales called "Community Dark" is available at "Richo's" in New Albany,Indiana, and English beers are sold at "The Pub" on 4Th Street Live in Downtown Louisville,Kentucky. I hope you enjoy this beer.

Maury