3 Brewers of St. Albans Classic English 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 Verulam, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		16 May 2026	Presented with very good head and lacing. A very hoppy first bite on this Hertfordshire deep amber to light copper coloured bitter brewed at Symondshyde Farm, 4 to 5 miles east of St Albans city centre. A very dry hoppiness rising from its 100% traditional British hops lending it earthy bitter notes with bready malt flavours coming to the fore derived from its British Pale malt and Cara malt. A fruited bitterness winning over with hints of caramel and fresh bread. A dry bitter hoppiness paddling out. Served in first-class condition.

Lower Red Lion, St Albans, Hertfordshire

The Farmers Boy, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		18 Apr 2026	Very good head and lacing and sticking resolutely throughout on this Hertfordshire-brewed deep amber coloured session bitter from "The Old Potato Shed" at Symondshyde Farm near Hatfield, approximately 4.9 miles north-east of St Albans. A hoppy first hit. A gentle bitterness rising from its exclusively used British hops and likely to be from such varieties as Goldings and Fuggles, known for their earthy and hoppy aroma. A malty touch in for good measure and emanating from its rich malt base. A lightly fruited hoppiness prevailing. A dry-hop bitterness sliding downwards with a playful hoppiness lingering. Very quaffable and thirst-quenching and served in top form.
Hogan Sampling		01 Nov 2025	This local brew from just outside St Albans, going north-east, came with very good head and lacing and lasting superbly. A very dry bitter first bite on what was their first creation back in 2012 and a year before they formally launched their brewery. A good fragrant hoppiness running round the farmyard with a malty bitter note looming up on this amber session bitter. A moreishly dry hoppy note ploughing downwards. Made with fresh water from the brewery's very own Hertfordshire borehole.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	12 Oct 2024
Hogan Sampling		12 Oct 2024	2nd night on and with a good head and lacing. Bitter mouthfeel and little sweetness in it to spoil it for me.
Hogan Sampling		11 Oct 2024	Superb head and lacing. A good old-fashioned bitter, minus the often fruitiness in them. First sip and a wonderful malty hit. Good mouthfeel of a hint of caramel with a very dry, bitter, moreish aftertaste.

St Albans Beer Festival 2024, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		28 Sep 2024	Good head and lacing. A slightly sweet, biscuity mouthfeel.

The Lyric, Soho, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		22 Jan 2016	Amber in colour. An ordinary sort of Bitter.

Queen's Head, Pinner, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		01 Sep 2015	I did not order this but two chums did and I was asked for a second opinion. Pure vinegar. Changing it for another pint was not done with good grace. New cask etc. It was noticeable that the clip was not turned round afterwards.

The Old Barge, Hertford, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		17 Feb 2015

The Highlander, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		03 Jun 2014

The Bricklayers Arms, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Egham United Services Club, Egham, Surrey

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		11 Aug 2013	Chestnut in colour. A regular bitter – a bit flat from the stillage which compromised the flavour.