Vibrant Forest Canopy

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
Hogan Sampling		26 Sep 2025	Fourth night on for this New Forest bitter from Hardley, south of Southampton and based on the other side of the estuary known as Southampton Water. Still some head and lacing to it but not lasting. A very malty first bite to it. A dry bitterness rising and a maltiness aided by its Maris Otter malt, giving it a biscuity flavour. A dry hoppiness, emanating from its British-grown Goldings hops, drifting out with the odd fruity kick aided by its English ale yeast strain.
Philip Pirrip		25 Sep 2025	Basic bitter in a rather tired condition
Hogan Sampling		25 Sep 2025	Third evening on is this bitter from Hardley, south of Southampton and based on the other side of the estuary known as Southampton Water. Head and lacing, still good, and lasting, still good. A malty bitter first bite. Its Maris Otter malt giving it its malty bitterness with a biscuity note or two rising. Its British-grown Goldings hops aiding its dry hoppiness and its yeast strain lending it a healthy hint of dry fruitiness!
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Sep 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Sep 2025
Hogan Sampling		23 Sep 2025	Fresh on this evening is this bitter from Hardley, south of Southampton and based on the other side of the estuary known as Southampton Water. Head and lacing, good, and lasting, good. A very dry bitter first bite. A mildly malty bitterness rising aided by its Maris Otter malt, lending it a hint of biscuity flavouring. A dry hoppiness shining through from its British-grown Goldings hops. Its yeast strain giving it a slightly fruity kick on riding out and singing "Rawhide" no doubt!
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	03 Apr 2025
Hogan Sampling		03 Apr 2025	Third night on for this New Forest-based bitter and still holding its head and lacing. Taste-wise, still a bitter first hit. Greatly more drinkable than when fresh on a few evenings ago. A dryish malty mouthfeel and lingering.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	02 Apr 2025
Hogan Sampling		01 Apr 2025	This New Forest traditional bitter is perhaps a touch too fresh to my taste as just on this evening, but with very good head and lacing. A powerfully bitter first hit. A very fruity mouthfeel and a biscuity sweetness from its Maris Otter malts. Left with a sort of chewy aftertaste which was not very welcome! It certainly looked the part if not quite tasting it! One sufficed for me.