Brewery: Badger Ales (Hall and Woodhouse)
Location: Blandford St Mary, Dorset, England
ABV: 2.5%
Version: Bottled
Source: Tesco

With Harvester’s Ale, Hall & Woodhouse are having a go at re-creating the sort of lower-abv ale that used to be provided for the workers in the fields at harvest time, to help the long days in the fields go by without everyone either falling into an alcoholic stupor or kicking off the sort of scythes vs pitchforks contest that nobody was likely to emerge from as a winner. Thus, it weighs in at a mere 2.5% ABV, although Badger promises that it will still prove to be “a full-flavoured, fruity, refreshing ale” and it was deemed good enough to win a Tesco Drinks award last year, in the lower and no alcohol category.

I have to admit that I’d spotted – and passed over – this one on the shelves of the World Beer section (not the real ale section, oddly) in Tesco a couple of times, but finally decided to give it a go. In fact, I’m giving it a go as I type…

Harvester’s Ale pours a very pale, golden amber with a thick, frothy head, although the latter soon dissipates. Flavour-wise, it’s got a definite maltiness that gives way to a hoppy bitterness, particularly in the after-taste. Quite lager-like, really; especially with its initial burst of effervescence that settles down to a familiarly lager-like background fizziness. Having said that though, I should point out that it’s definitely got more flavour to it that a fair few of the factory-produced lagers I’ve had to resort to in restaurants when nothing else was on offer.

But still, I’m not sure I’d personally describe it as “full-flavoured” so much as “surprisingly tasty, considering…” and it’s not particularly fruity either, unless you count those hop notes. But it is quite refreshing, could probably stand a bit of a light chill before drinking, and with its lower alcohol content, it might make a decent Friday lunchtime starter to ease you into an evening session.

All in all: not too bad. Not too bad at all.

Brewery: Hall & Woodhouse (Badger)
Location: Blandford St Mary, Dorset, England
ABV: 4.5%
Version: Bottled
Source: Sainsbury’s

Badger Golden Glory has to be the most insanely cheerful and downright pleasant summer ale I sampled last year.

The effect begins with a fresh, zesty aroma that floods out of the bottle and continues as the beer pours a quite wonderful orange-gold colour with a thick, frothy head. The first mouthful delivers a big hit of honey, orange and spices with a rich, satisfying mouth-feel and there’s a lingering fruitiness that brings to mind all sorts of citrus flavours – particularly nectarine and grapefruit – as well as the promised melon and peach from the label.

All in all, this one really is summer in a bottle; drinking it in December made me hugely nostalgic for the long, balmy days of August (not necessarily August 2008 mind you…) and I’ll definitely be stocking up when the weather starts to warm up a bit. Can’t wait for a long weekend with some decent sunshine: a chance to fire up the barbecue and enjoy a few bottles of this one with friends. Lovely stuff.

Brewery: Badger (Hall & Woodhouse)
Location: Blandford-St-Mary, England
ABV: 4.0%
Version: Bottled
Source: Sainsbury’s

Badger First Gold has a very dry, hoppy nose and pours a deep, rich chestnut brown. Flavour was nutty and warm, with a good balance between malt and hops; mouth-feel was smooth with a lingering dryness. All in all, it reminded me of a more cultured version of Newcastle Brown.

A very pleasant drop indeed, much more fully-flavoured than the majority of the similar-strength beers I’ve tried this year. It would make a very good session beer on draught, I’m sure. Plenty of character without being too over-powering, you really could keep going on this one all night, with perhaps the occasional Poacher’s Choice to spice things up a little.