Colchester Jack Spitty's Smuggler's Ale

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 Swan Inn, Chappel, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		12 Sep 2026	Very good head and lacing and lasting on this blonde ale from local Colchester Brewery, formed in late 2011, with its very first commercial brew taking place on 1st February 2012 in the semi-rural village of Wakes Colne, Essex, within the borough of Colchester. A very citrusy first hit. A slightly tropical fruitiness rising from its Bullion and Brewers Gold hops which were both bred at Wye College in England from the same wild Canadian hop parentage and are traditionally used as bittering hops, but bring a distinctively fruited series of flavours here. Dark berries and jammy blackcurrant presented their flavours alongside a sharp herbal spice with notes of wood, resin and earthiness. A bitter grapefruit flavouring winning over for me and balanced by its malted barley and wheat. A dry hoppiness prevailing and a sharp zesty citrusy fruitiness of lemon and orange-peel shunting downwards. Served in good order. Slightly overly fruited for me and so a mere half sufficed before the thirds at the beer festival up the road to follow.

The Bricklayers, Colchester, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		23 Jul 2026	Smooth flavoursome hoppy golden ale with citrus and floral notes.

The Hop Beer Shop, Chelmsford, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		15 Feb 2022	Crisp golden peppery nectar.

Rochford Beer & Cider Festival 2017, Rochford, Essex

The Brewery Tap, Ipswich, Suffolk

The Dog & Bell, Deptford, Greater London

The Fox & Crown, Newark, Nottinghamshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		29 Dec 2015	A good mix of hoppy and bitter.

Rochford Beer & Cider Festival 2015, Rochford, Essex

The Cambridge Brew House, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Red Lion, Leytonstone, Greater London

White Horse, Thelnetham, Suffolk

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		10 Jan 2015	Light and hoppy.

Blakes of Dover, Dover, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		08 Aug 2014	really good condition - fresh and hoppy - I could have stayed all night ...

The Cambridge Blue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire