Mighty Oak Captain Bob

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	20 Oct 2026	Ran out
Hogan Sampling		20 Oct 2026	1st beer of this visit: This was the last semi-drinkable pint out of the barrel and on its fourth day on and certainly flat tasting. Another was ordered by someone else and was then thrown away by the barmaid as by that time totally murky. It was dutifully drunk but not enjoyed by me. For my full tasting notes, see my entry for it on Saturday 17th October 2026 and when it was fresh on.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Oct 2026
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	18 Oct 2026
Hogan Sampling		18 Oct 2026	1st beer of this visit: Second day on and still presenting very good head and lacing and lasting all the way. Its fresh sharpness has mellowed since Saturday’s servings. A bitter fruity hoppiness in the first hit. Its maltiness gently rising and undulating before the sail out. Served in better nick for losing its initial sharp freshness. For my full tasting notes, see my entry for it on Saturday 17th October 2026.
Hogan Sampling		17 Oct 2026	1st beer of this visit: Fresh on with a very good frothy topper of a head that would look right proper at home inside a smoky Victorian tavern. Lasting lacing to boot on this East Anglia 2023 CAMRA Champion amber session bitter and named in honour of Captain Bob Roberts, the famous sea dog who skippered the Thames Sailing Barge, Cambria, along the coastal waters and into the bustling London docks. The brew is from an outfit of mash-tun gaffers who first got their boiling coppers firing back in 1996 in Brentwood, Essex, before migrating over to West Station Yard in Maldon in 2001. A hoppy fruited first hit on this amber ale. A bitter maltiness rising with a caramelised bready biscuity sweetness pervading from its malted barley. Also, for me exuding flavours of toasted biscuit and raisins. Its fruity hoppiness winning over from its New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and affording my taste buds hints of grape, elderflower and gooseberry from its hops’ oils bursting onto my taste buds in unleashing a fruity and hoppy punch. A grassy bitterness that cuts through the sugars of the grain lingering with a floral fruitiness as it slides down my hatch. Served in top form but a touch fresh with a sharpness about it noted.
Philip Pirrip		21 Sep 2025	Basic well balanced bitter
Hogan Sampling		21 Sep 2025	Second night on and the fizz on the tongue from being a tad too fresh the night before had completely gone on this Essex amber bitter from the Maldon-based brewery set up in 1996. Head and lacing, excellent. As for lasting, I have never seen such lasting lacing on the side of a glass and even when the ale on the inside was completely supped. But all importantly, how did it taste? A very well-rounded bitter malty note on the first bite. Without doubt for me, one of the best bitters sampled in living memory! Here this was achieved by its superb combination of New Zealand hops but many an ale with a UK hop pleases me, I hasten to add. You might almost say that perfect balance between the malty note and the hoppy note. An underlying fruity note was also there, too, but almost undetectable for its grape, elderflower and gooseberry infusions. It was totally singing in harmony with my taste buds' applause. It sufficed 100% without my need to try another from the other five on, and with three fresh on this day. It ticked all the right boxes for my taste buds and I have tried to bring them up right. Others in were also supping it among other ales they tried but nobody had a bad word about this one. The best for me!
Hogan Sampling		20 Sep 2025	Fresh on by just a few hours earlier into the evening was this Essex amber bitter from the Maldon-based brewery set up in 1996. Head and lacing, very good, and lasting, good. A very bitter first bite. A good dose of maltiness rising and a hoppy bitterness winning over, aided by its New Zealand hops. A slight fruitiness getting in on the act care of its grape, elderflower and gooseberry infusions. A dry moreish bitterness sailing downwards. A touch too fresh and so a slight fizz on the tongue but moreish enough to stick with it!
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	29 Apr 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	29 Apr 2025
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Apr 2025
Hogan Sampling		27 Apr 2025	Second night on for this Essex amber bitter from Maldon and still presenting very good head and lacing. A dry bitter first hit. A moreishly hoppy bitterness rising up from those New Zealand hops and lingering.
Hogan Sampling		26 Apr 2025	Fresh on today and very good head and lacing. A dry bitter first hit on this Essex bitter from Maldon. A moreish maltiness coming to the fore and a dry bitterness persisting.
Hogan Sampling		11 Apr 2025	Second night on and better than when first presented when very fresh on the evening before for this Essex-based bitter from Maldon. Still holding its head and lacing like a trooper and throughout. Even an empty glass once supped was covered around the sides with the lacing which is not the norm for many a beer served. A first hit of moreishly malty bitterness. The mouthfeel was an explosion of malts and the bitter hoppiness colliding. It had a very long-lasting dryness that made your lips smack open and shut. Predicted to run out by the evening after and I would not be surprised at all. One of the best bitters in months here!
Philip Pirrip		10 Apr 2025	Basic bitter, head and lacing held up well
Hogan Sampling		10 Apr 2025	Fresh on and so very good head and lacing and lasting throughout on this bitter from Maldon, Essex. A dry bitter first hit. Tasted like an old-fashioned bitter ought to taste without the fruitiness and caramel, biscuity flavourings. Just a bitter taste persisting in the mouthfeel and a very long-lasting dryness lingering on. The tasting notes mentioned it had the odd grape and berry aromas but did not note this. Much enjoyed it was.
Philip Pirrip		01 Dec 2024	Lacklustre - drank with hardly noticing
Hogan Sampling		01 Dec 2024	Good head and lacing to begin with but decanting needed towards the end. A very malty first hit with a lingeringly dry mouthfeel.
Hogan Sampling		30 Nov 2024	Very good head and lacing. Slightly fruity first hit with a sweet mouthfeel and a lingering dryness.

The Cellars Alehouse, Maidstone, Kent

The Rose, Bexleyheath, Greater London

The Cock Tavern, Ongar (or Chipping Ongar), Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		30 Aug 2026	Traditional bitter yet fruity and hoppy with hints of gooseberry, elderflower and grape in the finish.

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	28 Aug 2026
Andrew	Not Tried	11 Jul 2026
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	16 Jan 2026
Hogan Sampling		03 Aug 2024	In good condition was this amber bitter and nicely fruity and hoppy in flavours.
Andrew		13 Aug 2016	Brown bitter with some red fruit.

The Pub Herne Bay, Herne Bay, Kent

The Three Pillars, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		18 Oct 2025	Very good head and lacing and lasting on this Essex amber bitter from Maldon from Mighty Oak who have been brewing since 1996. A dry bitter first bite. A good maltiness rising with many a pleasant fruity, bitter note or two. Hints of grape, elderflower and gooseberry bobbing up and down and suitably aided by its New Zealand hops before its finale downwards.

Copper Pottle, Beltinge, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	09 Nov 2024
Andrew		19 Jul 2024	Really good traditional brown bitter
Jack William		30 Mar 2023

Mighty Oak Tap Room, Maldon, Essex

The Cotton Mill, Swanley, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		06 Aug 2024

King William IV, Braintree, Essex

The Door Hinge, Welling, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		02 Feb 2024	No fan of Mighty Oak but I liked this top notch condition basic English hopped mid brown bitter
Philip Pirrip		31 Oct 2020	New cask on
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	28 Jan 2020
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	04 Oct 2019
Philip Pirrip		23 Sep 2016

Leyton Orient Supporters Club, Leyton, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		14 Aug 2023	Traditional deep amber bitter brewed using only Nelson Sauvin hop for a fruity and hoppy palate with hints of gooseberry, elderflower and grape in the finish.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	22 Feb 2020
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	21 Jan 2020
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	17 Sep 2019
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	02 Feb 2019
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	27 Oct 2018
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	04 Sep 2018
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	03 Jul 2018	All drunk before I even arrived.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	24 Jun 2018
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	07 Apr 2018
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	01 Apr 2017
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	04 Feb 2017
Stephen Harris		31 Dec 2016	A celebratory pint, quickly downed.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	16 Aug 2016
Stephen Harris		31 May 2015	Good Citra hop flavours.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	03 Mar 2015
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	23 Sep 2014
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	06 Aug 2013
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	24 Jul 2013
Stephen Harris		27 Apr 2013
Stephen Harris		21 Aug 2012	Grapefuity Nelson Sauvin hops really showing through in the flavour today.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	24 Jun 2012
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	03 Apr 2012

Coach & Horses, Billericay, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		14 Apr 2023	Traditional deep amber bitter brewed using only Nelson Sauvin hop for a fruity and hoppy palate with hints of gooseberry, elderflower and grape in the finish.

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		30 Jan 2023	Not my favourite of breweries but no fault with this one
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	07 Nov 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	13 Dec 2016

The Coach & Horses, Leyton, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		07 Aug 2020	Tasting very bitter.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	31 Jul 2020
Stephen Harris		05 Jul 2020	Good but a little bit sharp. My first pint of cask beer since March 21st.
Stephen Harris		26 Jan 2020	A decent, Citra-hopped Pale.

The Admiral's Arm, Queenborough, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Archie14		29 Feb 2020	Loved this, such a refreshing change to have a beer with such a heavy malt character that’s balanced well with dry hop notes. In an age of over hoppy beers this was an excellent pint of proper bitter.

The Ale House, Chelmsford, Essex

Mind the Gap, Broadstairs, Kent

The Palm Tree, Bow, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		25 Jun 2019

Fez, Margate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	06 Mar 2019
ChrisE		26 Oct 2016	Superb bitter ale, we had the last few pints out of the cask, good to the end.

Upminster TapRoom, Upminster, Greater London

The Firkin Frog, Herne Bay, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Jan 2017
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	06 Oct 2015
Baymart		06 Jun 2014	I could taste a caramel, with a little fruitiness.

The Two Halves, Margate, Kent

Cap & Feathers, Tillingham, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		05 Feb 2016

Bar 96 (formerly Docker Bar; Inn Doors), Sandgate, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		22 Oct 2015

Traitors Gate, Grays, Essex

Ye Olde Cherry Tree, Little Oakley, Essex

The Theobald Arms, Grays, Essex

The New Welcome Sailor, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		05 Sep 2014
Philip Pirrip		05 Sep 2014

The Fox & Fiddler, Colchester, Essex

The New Inn, Canterbury, Kent

The Purple Dog, Colchester, Essex

The White Horse, Chelmsford, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		30 Sep 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Jul 2013
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Sep 2012

The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

The Rum Puncheon, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		06 Jun 2013	Dry with an unusual taste.
ChrisE	Not Tried	20 Nov 2012
Magnus Greel		20 Nov 2012	Slightly sweet maltiness that balances an easy going bitterness that is followed by hints of gooseberry, elderflower and grape in the finish

Birkbeck Tavern, Leytonstone, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	13 Apr 2013
Stephen Harris		01 Feb 2012	Mighty Oak’s standard bitter. Dark amber in colour. Sweetish and well-balanced, with a subtle touch of Nelson Sauvin hop in the finish.

Red Lion, Badlesmere, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		26 May 2012	Very flavoursome mid brown session bitter:great East Anglian malt,tempered by esoteric hops:seaweed and gooseberries.Grand stuff.

The Cricketers, Chelmsford, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		11 Feb 2012
HSB		11 Feb 2012

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

The Sheaf, Southwark, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Martin the Mildman		31 Aug 2010	Well balanced traditional bitter, fairly sweet with good balance of hop and malt flavours. My score 15/20.