Review: Roasted Nuts, Marlow Brewery.

Name: Roasted Nuts
Brewery: Marlow Brewery Rebellion Beer Co, Marlow.
ABV: 4.6%
Style: Amber Ale
Season: Autumn/Winter.

Availability: Local availability.

I no longer live in Bath and so am a far cry from my favourite brewery. However, I am very handsomely consoled by the fact that Marlow is a local brewery and its output, especially its exceptional IPA and the utterly stunning Rebellion Red, are easily available to me. Upon visiting a local pub (The Greene Oak at the top of Dedworth Road), imagine my excitement that I saw, on pump, a Winter Ale from one of the best breweries in the whole bloody country! It was a dark, roasted nut colour and promised oh so much with the pedigree of those I have already sipped seducing me easily into requesting a sample. The colour is a true delight, like maple syrup and it has a similar butterscotch flavour with a biscuity maltiness at the forefront of the mouth. However, to my disappointment, an overbearing hop bitterness marched up from behind and ruined my Roasted Nuts! The comforting, rich flavour, so adored at this time of year, was utterly subdued by the hopping. I persevered and tried the whole sample, hoping upon hope that things would improve as the flavour developed. Develop it did but into something too flawed, too sour to enjoy the sweeter edge of. The IPA from Rebellion is superbly balanced and delivers the citrus freshness of an IPA but without the herbal washout you may get with some. In this, the brewery balances bitterness with poise and grace on the edge of refreshment and fruitiness. This one just falls flat on its nuts.