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Marstons
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Marstons, Double Drop (England) 
From a pack of 4 assorted beers described as "Head Brewer's Choice", this beer is made by "dropping" the beer from one vessel into another after around 24-hours of the fermentation, which allows only the most vigorous yeasts to survive. It has a deep golden colour with a hint of red, and a thick, persistent head. On the nose there's a distinctly smoky, burnt-toast malty note, and quite a lot of grassy hops. Served not too cold, it has quite a soft palate, with low-key fruit and more emphasis on bitter hops and a buttery, doughy character. The finish is very clean in this enjoyable, toasty beer. 5.0% ABV, 50cl, 12 X �13.44, Booth's, Majestic.  |  |
Marstons, Late-hopped (England)
Late-hopping involves adding bunches of hops late in the brewing process, which is meant to increase the hoppy aromatics, and bitter hop oiliness of the beer as these components are not "boiled out". This medium gold, amber-tinged beer has a persistent head, and a quite subdued nose, with creamy notes and a floral-edged hoppiness. On the palate it is very dry, with quite a full body and smooth texture, and a raft of bitter flavours. The finish is a little short, and a touch metallic. 5.0% ABV, 50cl, 12 X �13.44, Majestic. |  |
Marstons, Pedigree (England)
This is quite a dark, golden/amber beer with a cream coloured head that is quite thick. Pedigree is brewed in wood, spending time in oak casks. There's nothing obviously oaky about the nose, which has some soft malty notes, just a hint of marzipan and a touch of rice pudding. On the palate it is creamy and quite full-textured, with a luxurious mouthfeel and very silky flavour profile with no real hop bitterness or particularly distinguishing fruit character. There's a malty, buttered brown bread sweetness, in an unremarkable but very pleasant beer. 4.5% ABV, 50cl, 12 X �13.44, Asda, Booth's, Majestic, quite widely available. |  |
Marstons, Single Malt (England)
Another from the "Head Brewer's Choice" mixed pack from Majestic, this beer has a very attractive glowing gold colour and a full, but quickly dissipating head. Made from 100% Golden Promise barley, apparently a popular grain for Scotch whisky, the nose is very nettly and summery, with quite a soft, malted brown bread and toast character. On the palate it is quite smooth and creamy-textured, with a soft, easy-drinking style. No great complexity, but decent quaffing. 4.2% ABV, 50cl, 12 X �13.44, Booth's, Majestic. |  |
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