Mighty Oak Arcadian 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 River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Aug 2025	Ran out
Hogan Sampling		07 Aug 2025	Had the misfortune to have the last Essex amber bitter out of the barrel from this Maldon-based brew. Head and lacing, minimal, and lasting, no chance! Still a malty first bite and a citrus-infused fruitiness rising. A hint of hoppiness lingering from its UK First Gold, with hints of orange, marmalade and spices, and mixed with US Calypso and UK-based fruity Ernest hops. A mere shadow of its former self on Tuesday when last tasted and on good form.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	05 Aug 2025
Hogan Sampling		05 Aug 2025	Third night on for this Essex amber bitter from Maldon. I thought it had actually improved since first trying it on Sunday when a tad fresh as had only just come on less than an hour before sampling it then. Head and lacing, still good, and lasting, good. A very malty first hit. A moreish bitterness rising. Its peach and apricot did not for me overly infuse. Its citrusy hints had mellowed and for me it was the better for it. Not so toffee-infused with now the merest hint of burnt caramel remaining. A very bitter mouthfeel with just a touch of fruitiness getting in on the act, ably assisted by its UK First Gold, with hints of orange, marmalade and spices, and mixed with US Calypso and UK-based fruity Ernest hops. A very pleasant maltiness pervading throughout and not in the least overly sweet to my taste buds unlike on Sunday! This amber bitter for me had improved with age but not with too much age I hasten to add, and timely for a birthday gathering for those who love their bitters!
Hogan Sampling		03 Aug 2025	Fresh on just an hour before getting in and had replaced a very fine Goachers' Fine Light bitter which I had enjoyed since Friday evening. This Essex amber bitter from Maldon came with a lively punch packed with an entertaining fruitiness! But first to the basics: very good head and lacing and lasting as you would hope to expect. A very toffee-infused burnt caramel first bite for my taste buds. Only the tasting notes revealed it was in fact packed with peach and apricot aromas. I prefer to sup rather than sniff my real ales but somehow these fruits managed to seep into its flavouring. A fruity bitterness did indeed manage to rise up with the odd hoppy note playing out aided by its UK First Gold, which is new to me, its US Calypso and UK-based Ernest hops. The latter is said to be renowned by the British Hop Association for its fruity notes, especially apricot, citrus and spice. A pleasant maltiness rising but for me overly sweet to my taste buds! It may just have been that combination of some overly fruited hops leading to its sweetness.
Philip Pirrip		03 Aug 2025	Basic citrus bittering