Holdens - Black Country Special

Golden Ale

Colour - B
Strength - 5.1%
Bitterness - 1/5
Hoppiness - 3/5
Sweetness 2.5/5

Bought at The Wellington, Birmingham
Price - £3.30

Brewed by Holdens

Tonight is the first time that all 3 of the 'a year of beer' contributors have been in the same place at the same time, simultaneously reviewing beer. Sat here all typing furiously on our phones we look rather pathetic, thankfully we have a dark little corner where we can give our beers the attention they deserve.

Black country special is my kind of beer, it's a great colour, the kind of colour which you are proud to hold, makes you feel like a man (or woman). It's got wheaty flavours, not as strong as a wheat beer but definitely identifiable. It's got a good balance of hops that don't overpower but adds depth and bitterness.

I'm surprised it's 5.1%, it's masked by the hops. This is massively drinkable,, with my only niggle being a persistent aftertaste.

Makes me proud to be from the black country!

My rating 9/10