Marston's Young's London Special (was Special) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood then Banks's

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.

Old House, Ightham Common, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		09 May 2026	3rd beer of this visit: Came with very good head and lacing and staying the course on this amber ale now produced by the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company at the Marston’s Brewery in Burton-on-Trent*. A very dry bitter first hit. A malty bitterness rising from its Maris Otter and Crystal malt lending it biscuity and toffee-infused flavours with hints of a fruitcake sweetness. Its grassy and floral hoppiness winning over from its generous use of Fuggle and Goldings hops and likely to be joined after fermentation by the addition of Target hops. A very dry bitterness putting in an appearance and prevailing for the final performance for me before sliding downwards with touches of orange and lemon peel, mixed with cherries, ginger, pineapple, apricots and pears. A dry bitterness lingering in its aftertaste. Served in top condition and very moreish.

Spring Grove, Kingston upon Thames, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		21 Feb 2026	Head and lacing at first on this now Burton-on-Trent brewed copper-coloured cask bitter but not lasting. A full-bodied bitterness rising from its British Fuggles and Goldings. A malty note racing up care of its Maris Otter and Crystal malts lending it a caramel and toffee sweetness. A very dry malty bitterness sliding down with a hint of stewed fruit. Palatable but not at its best as without much conditioning remaining in it as evidenced by the loss of its head and lacing.

The Betjeman Arms, King's Cross / St Pancras, Central London

Spotted Horse, Putney, Greater London

Dial Arch, Woolwich, Greater London

Bunch of Grapes, London Bridge, Greater London

Station Tavern, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Marquess of Anglesey, Covent Garden, Central London

The Crown, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Jolly Gardeners, Mortlake, Greater London

The Elgin, Ladbroke Grove, Greater London