Cracked open the first of my collection of 1981 Royal Weding ales today, Adnam's Prince's Ale described as a strong ale brewed to celebrate the royal wedding 29 July 1981.Served in a 275ml brown bottle with foil top. The beer poured completely flat but perfectly clear. It was a beautiful red colour reminiscent of Broadside or Tally Ho. The aroma was encouraging for such an old beer and gave off good fruity esters of fig and raisins with a sherry-like character. The taste was let down a bit by being completely lacking in condition but it was identifiable as a strong beer and was definitely still drinkable. There was of course some stale cardboard oxidisation but on balance this was an enjoyable beer and I finished the whole bottle.
Although they would probably say otherwise due to their modern brewery and green credentials, but Adnams has not changed much in the last thirty years.
The 1981 Good Beer Guide says "all 75 tied houses serve real ale, also widely available in the free trade".
Adnams were and have remained one of the country's best family brewers and I raise a glass to them, their beers, longevity and consistency.
2 comments:
Nice post. I have a Royal Wedding ale brewed by Gibbs Mews, for the Penruddocke Arms at Dinton, Wiltshire. Maybe I should crack that one.
Good stuff, Steve. Sounds like it's lasted pretty well considering it's almost 30 years old and it's good to see a beer lasting well over such a long period of time. You never quite know how a beer of this age will be...
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