A Knights Ale, 8 Sail Brewery.

Brewery: 8 Sail Brewery

Brew: A Knights Ale

ABV: 4.2%

Aroma: Yeasty, Earthy, Hoppy

Style: Amber Ale

After a few weeks away from the reviewing table, Hops is back with a rather niche amber ale from 8 Sail Brewery in Lincolnshire. This small brewery was established in 2010 and produces several varieties of beer, porters and milds.

Fairly local in their scope, 8 Sail mostly attends local farmers markets in Sleaford, Boston and Lincoln to showcase their beers. The beer I am trying comes from a local wholesaler, based in the Bailgate area of Lincoln, who sells craft beers and locally sourced gins.

A Knights Ale is one of 8 Sails seasonal beers which when poured gives off a strong pungent smell of yeast, which at first can be somewhat overpowering. The beer is cloudy and orange in colour and upon the first sip, you get a real sense of the earthiness and rich flavourings which make this beer an alluring proposition.

A Knights Ale makes use of the floral, earthy Fuggles hop, which gives the beer a grassy and minty undertone, whilst the Golding hop, considered a British classic gives the beer a citrus balance. This combined with the malty base give the beer a distinctive earthy taste.

For a niche independent beer, this is highly versatile and can be drunk with most cuisines, although from a personal standpoint I would suggest drinking it with gamey rich food. What I like about niche independent beers is you just don't really know what to expect and with A Knights Ale you are certainly left surprised by the rich full complex flavourings on offer. All in all, I would give this beer a 4/5.