Real ale is made from four natural ingredients: Malted barley, hops, yeast and water. Although these ingredients are very simple, in the hands of a skilled brewers
they come together to produce a symphony of colours, aromas and tastes that make quality real ale a joy to drink. It is a living, breathing product that undergoes a natural secondary fermentation and maturation in the cask from which it is served from in The Cricketer's Arms.
It is said when you are in a country you should drink the wine of the country. However, when in Britain, people should drink the beer of the country. Beer is Britain's national drink;
it is our Beaujolais, Chardonnay, Chablis and Champagne all rolled into one.
All of the real ales listed below have appeared as part of our
"SixSixes" ale portfolio. We have included tasting notes as well as the strength of the beer (we limit the strength of the beer to 4.2% ABV at The Cricketer's) and when we first had it available.
HOOK NORTON HOOKY BITTER
Hooky bitter is our permanent session ale. A subtly balanced, golden bitter, hoppy to the nose, malty on the palate, eminently drinkable
ABV: 3.6%
Number of appearances: 100's
First appearance: December 2007
B2P: 27.3
WEST BERKSHIRE GOOD OLD BOY
A "Good Ordinary Bitter" strongly hopped and full flavoured
ABV: 4.0%
Number of appearances: 6
First appearance: March 2008
B2P: 24.6
REBELLION IPA
A copper coloured, easy drinking beer, with considerable depth and complexity
ABV: 3.7%
Number of appearances: 6
First appearance: April 2008
B2P: 22.7
VALE WYCHERT ALE
A traditional Thames Valley beer, excellent flavours are notable in this strikingly malty beer. With a finish of fruit and nut on the palate.
ABV: 3.9%
Number of appearances: 3
First appearance: August 2008
B2P: 9.9
LODDON HOPPIT
Moderate in strength, but packed with flavour. Smooth malty body, quite bitter with the aroma and taste of east Kent Golding hops
ABV: 3.5%
Number of appearances: 2
First appearance: July 2008
B2P: 24.2
APPLEFORD BRIGHTWELL GOLD
ABV: 4.0%
Number of appearances: 2
First appearance: August 2008
B2P: 12.4
VALE HADDA'S SUMMER GLORY
A straw coloured beer produced with Perle and Cascade hops offering an easy drinking bitter with a fresh citrus hop aroma
ABV: 4.0%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: July 2008
B2P: 9.9
HOOK NORTON COTSWOLD LION
The beer is a pale fruity ale, with a citrus lime aroma, and hopped only with Fuggles. It is the first single hop varietal beer to be brewed by Hook Norton Brewery
ABV: 4.2%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: May 2008
B2P: 27.3
WEST BERKSHIRE BRICK KILN BITTER
This beer is specially brewed and only normally available in the
Pot Kiln at Frilsham, close to the West Berkshire brewery
ABV: 4.0%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: June 2008
B2P: 24.6
REBELLION SMUGGLER
An amber coloured best bitter, offering an initial smoothness followed by a dry aftertaste along with a fruity hop aroma
ABV: 4.1%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: July 2008
B2P: 22.7
VALE BEST BITTER
Heavily hopped with traditional varieties producing a thirst quenching beer with pronounced and pleasant hop aroma
ABV: 3.7%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: June 2008
B2P: 9.9
HOOK NORTON 303AD
English Malt and English Hops combine to make a very English beer. Dry and crisp with a hint of citrus, 303AD being the year of St George is the Beer of St George, we had this beer on for our
St. George's day festival
ABV: 4.0%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: April 2008
B2P: 27.3
LODDON RIN TIN TIN
A soft easy drinking ale with a distinctive malt flavour. Brewed with Fuggle and Progress hops.
ABV: 4.1%
Number of appearances: 2
First appearance: October 2008
B2P: 24.2
HOOK NORTON HOOKY DARK
A dark chestnut coloured ale, full of roast malt flavours, and complemented with superb dry-hop aromas from East Kent Goldings.
ABV: 3.2%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: October 2008
B2P: 27.3
APPLEFORD POWER STATION
ABV: 4.2%
Number of appearances: 1
First appearance: November 2008
B2P: 12.4
