Red Willow Brewery, Ageless

My tasting notes say that this Ageless from Red Willow is similar to a West Coast IPA. I certainly remember that whilst it's similar in abv to the Remorseless, it's a very different style of IPA altogether. Part of the Red Willow core range, this IPA poured orange, there was a lovely creamy texture to this beer (perhaps due to a slightly languorous carbonation?) and good lacing down the inside of the glass. A very bitter drink, the tropics were there mildly - the accompanying oily and resiny hop character in ascendancy. No notes for what my food was that evening. There is absolutely no doubt I'll get this again - a damn good IPA from one of the UK's premier breweries.

Red Willow Brewery, Headless Pale Ale

Mild citrus nose for this 3.8% Headless from Red Willow. Gentle citrus flavour plays second fiddle to a great sense of freshness. High carbonation and then a minor grapefruit bitterness rounds it off. A very gentle modern twist on a traditional UK pale ale. Should really go without saying that this is a fantastic session beer - this really ought to be in every river pub up and down the country this summer.

Red Willow, Smokeless

Bit of a disappointment this. After the promising BBQ nose, my Smokeless from Red Willow was utterly flat - no carbonation whatsoever. I wanted a bit of fizz to this porter and not getting it kind of dampened my enjoyment of this drink. Was it meant to be flat? If so, I guess I prefer my porters a bit fizzy. I'm not experienced with porters, having only really tried a Beavertown and the Kernel Cacao. I had the Teleporter from Summer Wines on keg at Westow House which had a slight carbonated edge to it. I guess if I drank this on cask the flatness wouldn't have thrown me so much, but coming like this from a bottle, I just got upset. I'll get another one to double check though as that BBQ essence was great.

Ps - I love the Red Willow branding - very distinctive and elegant.

Remorseless, Red Willow Brewery

I'm not sure, but I think I found a hop leaf on my first sip of this Red Willow Remorseless - is that possible? Not a sherbet/citrus hit on the nose, more grassy and foresty ("UK IPA"?). Decent, thick head and very hoppy. Crisp, refreshing and I couldn't taste the abv. Palette = beetroot + goat's cheese salad (!) with a strong vinaigrette. I want to try their Ageless next.