Charles Wells’ new Bombardier

The new Pale Ale is made using Golding, Chinook and Challenger hops and will appeal to mainstream drinkers who “want to experience some of the flavours of ‘new pale ales’, with the subtlety and familiarity of cask”, says Charles Wells.

Pale Ale is a golden brew with a hop, honey and grapefruit nose and a refreshing, hoppy dry taste. It has a medium bitter/sweet finish on the palette.

Bombardier’s master brewer describes Pale Ale as: “A light, refreshing pale gold beer with a hoppy aroma and notes of grapefruit and honey, which is balanced by a gentle, sweet maltiness and dry finish.”

Operator's view:

Martin Stacey, ​licensee of the Kings Arms in Billingshurst, West Sussex, and the Cricketers in Farnham, Surrey:

“It is a session beer that has a slightly different approach and would appeal to those who like a pale ale. It would go well in either of my pubs, but in the Cricketers especially because our best seller is a copper colour.
“The locals would like the low ABV because it’s a sessionable beer and appeals to the older drinker, which makes up our lunchtime demographic, love their ale and that accounts for about 70% of sales in the Kings Arms.
“With the three different hops – the Challenger hop gives it the bitter flavouring, the Golding for a bit of flavour and the Chinook for aroma – makes for an interesting pint for a combination of flavours.”

Or you could try…​ Sharp’s Atlantic Pale Ale​

This modern pale ale, brewed by Cornwall’s Sharp’s Brewery, is light and refreshing. It is brewed using two types of malt and new world hops, giving it tropical and citrus fruit flavours.

The liquid is a deep golden colour with a touch of sweetness and citrus spice, with a sweet and finish and a lingering hop zest.

BEST OF THE REST: ​

• Mad for mango​

The latest incarnation of Cîroc five-times distilled French vodka from Diageo has finally hit the pub.

Cîroc Mango tastes of creamy Carabao mango, with bright tropical flavours and tangy citrus notes and has been developed to meet increasing demand for interesting vodkas.

The 37.5% ABV vodka has a recommended retail price of £38 and is available through most distributors.

• Sugar and spice…​

Citadelle has launched a limited edition gin aimed at sweet-toothed drinkers, which takes inspiration from historic tastes for candied flavours.

Old Tom Gin is a near-forgotten classic recipe and features lightly caramelised Caribbean brown sugar, which is blended with Citadelle Reserve and aged in barrels.

Tasting notes include almond, liquorice, cinnamon and flowers.

• Rye take on vodka​

Silent Pool is releasing its Wry English Vodka, made from 100% rye and water from the company’s spring.

The 40% ABV vodka is available in 70cl bottles and is made using rye supplied by the UK’s oldest malthouse Warminster Maltings, which uses a 200-year-old malting process.

Hardwood charcoal, sourced from the Surrey Hills, which rids the liquid of any impurities.

As a result the finished product has a more pronounced flavour, according to Silent Pool, which is also the maker of Silent Pool Gin.