Monty Python's Holy Grail Golden Ale!

Brewer: Black Sheep Brewery

ABV: 4.7%

Awards: None

Aroma: Zest, Malty

Style: Golden Ale

I'm often sceptical when it comes to novelty ale's or 'name droppers' as I like to call them, which look to capitalise on a well known cultural reference. These are often pushed by Breweries (and many other industries for that matter) on the premise that their adoring public will buy a particular product because there happens to be an association with a film or other such product to lure them in.

Most of the time, the pull of these beers is short lived since the consumer, ultimately, will only become a repeat consumer if the beer in question is actually any good. It must be said a lot of these beers are pretty mediocre. Nevertheless, despite this incongruous opening statement for a beer review, I must say the label is at least authentic to 'Monty Python', which is more than can be said for the beer itself.

The ale pours a dark Amber colour with a small head. This head pretty much dissipates before you can blink; the fizz certainly went out of this one pretty quick! The minimal carbonation leaves much to be desired with the flat, watery abyss swishing about in the glass.

I don't mean to sound facetious but this beer is somewhat flat in appearance and you can't help but stare into that abyss in front of you and wonder if that lesser known quirky craft you saw on the shelf would have served you better.

Black Sheep, so famed for their English Brown Ale 'Riggwelter' which being the solid ale it is, I would quite happily drink all night; were it not for my daily rat race through commuter traffic tomorrow. Unfortunately, despite the breweries obvious credentials with its other products, I cannot speak in such endearing terms for this lacklustre showing.

Black Sheep say this is a fresh and zesty fruity ale with a malty foundation. The use of Maris Otter Malts is fitting with the Ale's British cultural connection. The ale is of medium bitterness, light bodied and watery; there is an ever slight biscuity taste. The WGV hops do add a fruity underpinning to the ale, although it must be stressed that the zest is weak somewhat. Black Sheep also say they add a touch of wheat to the ale to provide a 'lovely creamy head'. Now unless I had somehow cracked open the wrong beer, I can categorically confirm this wasn't the case. I feel this ale is unbalanced with the malts not really adding much to the mix.

All in all, I'm disappointed but as I alluded to earlier, the beer is a successful marketing ploy to lure in the punters. This is certainly not a brew for the connoisseur but it will continue to have its market regardless.

1.75/5