Brunswick Black Sabbath

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		09 Apr 2026	Stronger ale holding on after some days
Hogan Sampling		09 Apr 2026	2nd beer of this visit: Good head on being poured but its lacing not lasting on this Derby-brewed dark brown to black ale but for a decant as now its 4th day on. A malty bitterness on the first bite. A dry bitterness rising from its mix of UK hops. A maltiness winning over aided by its blend of dark-roasted malts, and Crystal malt imparting its characteristic toffee and caramel notes. Hints of liquorice, chocolate and spices sliding down. Strangely still quaffable.
Philip Pirrip		07 Apr 2026	Holding up well since yesterday
Hogan Sampling		07 Apr 2026	2nd beer of this visit: This Derby-brewed dark brown to black ale presented good head and lacing to start with but not holding onto it on its second day on. A very dry malty first hit. A hoppiness rising from its UK hops with dark-fruited flavours coming to the fore. Its blend of dark-roasted malts lending it a pronounced maltiness. Toffee and caramel flavours alongside hints of liquorice, chocolate and spices emanating from its Crystal malt. A dry hoppiness sticking in the aftertaste before paddling out. Still quaffable but a slight loss of conditioning since the day before.
Philip Pirrip		06 Apr 2026	Full bodied dark, possibly Old Ale style
Hogan Sampling		06 Apr 2026	2nd beer of this visit: Fresh on and presenting very good head and lacing on this Derby-brewed dark brown to black ale. A very malty fruit-infused first hit. A dark-fruited hoppiness rising from its UK hops. A maltiness winning over from its blend of dark-roasted malts. Its Crystal malt imparting toffee and caramel notes with hints of liquorice, chocolate and spices. Not holding its head to the end. Very pleasantly quaffable.

The Brunswick Inn, Derby, Derbyshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	10 Oct 2022
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	25 Mar 2022
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	08 Jan 2018
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	24 Nov 2016
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	07 Dec 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Mar 2014
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	10 Dec 2012
HSB		29 Nov 2012
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Oct 2012
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	21 Jun 2012
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Jun 2012
Martin the Mildman		13 Nov 2010	Black strong mild with full bodied malt flavour and chocolate and toffee notes. Low hop rate and a little fruit in the finish. My score 16/20.
Ian		14 Jul 2009	Black, ruby with dark brown edges. That's not bad, bit of charcoal, roastiness, it's got some liquorice, it's fine.

Mind the Gap, Broadstairs, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		22 Jul 2018	Top quality
Dosser		20 Jul 2018	Superb

The Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Dosser		10 Aug 2017	Old ale with lots of chocolate and liquorice

The Crown Hotel, Uppingham, Rutland

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stu		12 Apr 2014

Sir Robert Peel, Leicester, Leicestershire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stu		30 Jan 2014

Peacock, Derby, Derbyshire

Hand & Heart, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Mick		11 Mar 2013	Liquorice, toast, no hops. Nice enough.

White Cliffs Beer Festival 2013, Dover, Kent

Great British Beer Festival 2007, Earl's Court, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		09 Aug 2007	Very dark ruby/black. No head. A rather nice aroma of dark fruit and liquorice. Very decent beer, that has some different flavours. Bit oily, some vegetable flavour, but in a good way. Interesting.