type: Pale Ale
origin: England
ABV: 4.7%
location: house
served: 500ml bottle to glass
As I've covered before, water is a very important factor in brewing, and the local water can impart distinctive flavours and characters to a beer. With that in mind, let's see what England's 'Lake District' has to offer, shall we?
Jennings have been brewing for almost two hundred years, and are currently part of the Marstons group, although the beers are still brewed in Cockermouth, Cumbria.
Cumberland Ale is a pretty distinctive pale ale, with plenty of character. The aroma on opening the bottle is powerful, but not overpowering, and gives a good indication of the level of malt used in the brew. The golden honey colour, too, is inviting, and while opaque enough to ensure a 'real ale' character, it still looks clean and crisp.
Flavour-wise, it's got plenty of character, and while not overly bitter, it's hopped just enough to add a citrus overtone to the main malt flavour.
Smell: plenty of good malty character, with a bit of hops. 3/4
Colour: warm golden yellow. 3/4
Taste: a fairly complex array of flavours, with the malt at the forefront, but with hints of citrus and nuttiness. distinctive and different. 4/4
Overall: an easy-to-drink ale that may take you by surprise. 10/12
more info: jenningsbrewery.co.uk
