Brewery: Dent
Location: Dent, Cumbria, England
ABV: 6.0%
Version: Bottled
Source: Yorkshire Real Ale Shop, Watershed Mill, Settle

Another one from the notebook archive sweep here. I picked up a bottle of Dent T’owd Tup as part of a batch that I ended up with when Jo and I nipped in to Watershed Mill to kill half an hour on the way through Settle a while back and I drank it back in the Spring.

T’Owd Tup (Champion Winter Beer of Britain back in 1999 and clearly still going strong) is named for an old ram or an ancient sheep or something, hence the woolly beast on the label. It poured a very dark black-brown with chestnut highlights and gave off a lovely, chocolatey aroma. The chocolate was prevalent in the flavour as well, along with some coffee notes and just a hint of vanilla and ginger, or nutmeg? Something spicy, anyhow. Even thought it’s quite strong for a stout the alcohol wasn’t too up-front and in-yer-face either. Nicely balanced. Smooth.

A very nice drop indeed and an excellent choice for a winter warmer, I’d say. Do try some if you see it, especially on draught. I’d imagine that would be a beer experience worth seeking out.