BREWER: Butcombe Brewing Co, Bristol, England
STYLE: Pale Ale
ABV: 4.2%
VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle
TWITTER: @ButcombeBrewery
INSTAGRAM: butcombe
DATE OF POST: 24th July 2020
SAMMY SAY’S…
Imagine a pub nestled in the rolling hills of the English countryside. More specifically, imagine that exact same place in the West Country, an area close to my heart. That’s where I see anything from Butcombe being enjoyed, including Rare Breed. Whether it be a hot summer’s day, supping on a rickety bench in the beer garden, or a cold winter’s day beside a roaring open fire, there should always be plentiful open space surrounding one during the consumption of this beverage.
Everything that I imagined Rare Breed to be is exactly how it is. But there’s more to it. It’s a cracking beer. There’s a great level of bitterness but not too much. The hops play a starring role too but they don’t over play anything else. It’s well balanced with all of the elements working in harmony together. And there’s something zesty about it too.
Butcombe has taken this English classic and modernised it in a way that will work for many folk. Yes my ideal situ to sup on this bad boy would be in the rolling hills of the countryside of England’s West Country. But let me level with you – I’d be reaching for Rare Breed anywhere in the world where I happened on it. It really is that good.
Butcombe – you smashed it with this one!
Sammy’s Rating: 88%
JYMI SAY’S…
Sometimes you just have to take your hat off to a beer for just being a darn good beer. No bells. No whistles. No singing. No dancing. No frills.
Just a darn good beer.
Rare Breed starts off with a nose that completely settles the drinker into knowing that what is to come is just going to be a classic brew of the highest order. The taste is hop forward without being over the top, which is what you want from a pale, and there is a touch of coriander buzzing about in the background too. RB is lovely and smooth which allows the drinker to settle firmly into their seat and let the world pass by without a care, before heading for another.
As mentioned, there is nothing stand out or show off about this beer but it is flippin’ excellent and there really is nothing more to be said.
Jymi’s Rating: 88%
MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 88%
MOB review next weekend: THEAKSTON PALE ALE by THEAKSTON
MUSE ON BOOZE 