Rudgate Battleaxe

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 Mermaid, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		26 Sep 2026	1st beer of this visit: Came with head and lacing on being served and almost lasting on this traditional Yorkshire best bitter from brewing which kicked off in 1992 in a former World War II ammunition building on the old RAF Marston Moor airfield before expanding to their modern, hands-on facility at Marston Business Park, Tockwith, York. The brewing operation takes its name from the old Roman road that runs right through the airfield, which famously guided the Vikings during their conquests. A dry bitter first hit on this chestnut amber-coloured beer. A hoppiness rising and a gentle fruited note climbing up from its classic British hops releasing an earthy, floral aroma laced with hints of buttery raisins and berries caressing my tongue. These flavours tease out a brilliant bitter-sweet contrast and a crisp, well-behaved bite. A herbal earthiness prevailing and offsetting the sticky malt sweetness reminiscent of toffee pudding. Its Pale Malt base lending a biscuity, bready bed that keeps the entire structure firm and upright, alongside the Crystal and Chocolate Malts infusing the liquid with a seductive chestnut-red complexion and tantalising my taste buds with a comforting embrace of sweet caramel, sticky toffee and toasted nuts with a subtle hint of dark chocolate to boot from its roasted grains. A dry lip-smacking crisp hoppy bitterness emanating from its leafy stewed hops paddling out with hints of dark fruits. Served in good form.

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent