Fable (cuckooing somewhere in Essex) Old Leigh Ale (collaboration with Leigh on Sea)

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.

Dulwich Beer Festival 2026, East Dulwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		22 May 2026	7th and last beer of this visit: A very creamy top and lasting all the way on this Essex-brewed old ale from Leigh-on-Sea’s slightly out-of-town brewery set up in 2017 and about 2.8 miles north of historic Old Leigh. A dry bitterness rising on this winter seasonal special collaboration with Fable Brewery, located on Wallasea Island in Rochford, Essex, and set up also in 2017 as a "cuckoo brewer" using other companies' spare equipment. This old ale is named after the historic waterside area of Leigh-on-Sea. A malty sweetness rising from its molasses, treacle, toffee, chocolate and toasted nuts, paired with dark fruits like raisins, dried figs and dates. Chevalier (a premium 1800s heritage base malt), Munich, Carafa Special III, and Best Black malt all aiding its flavours of sweet toasted maltiness with dark vine fruits, brown sugar and black treacle lingering on its journey downwards for me. Its traditional selection of Goldings, Nugget, and Willamette hops aiding its balanced mix so as not to be too overly sweet. Served in top nick with a great satisfying mouthfeel! A superb finale for me!

Rochford Beer & Cider Festival 2019, Rochford, Essex