A few years ago at my local Asda supermarket, Old Speckled Hen bottled beer (5% abv) was on special offer at £7 per case of 6 bottles. This was quite the bargain and over about 4 weeks I acquired about 12 cases.
Slowly they got consumed but out of curiosity I hung onto the last 6 cases just to see if it improved in any way over time. Well, I opened a case yesterday and pulled out a bottle.
On the neck of the bottle, in tiny etched print it states "Best Before June 2019" so I presume I bought them circa 2017-2018.
I could see there was sediment at the bottom of the bottle as I expected there to be, so when it came to pouring I was very careful not to disturb it too much. The pouring took about a minute and a half but my god was it worth it!
It was so different from how it used to be, being more fruity and slightly drier (obviously). The overall depth of flavours was much enhanced and it was a delight to sample.
What is more pleasing is that I have another 35 bottles left
.
Regards,
Jay.
PS: Interestingly, the brewers, Morlands, also do an Old Crafty Hen bottled ale which is 6.5% abv and is basically Old Speckled Hen that has been aged many months in oak barrels.
![1 hen.jpg 1 hen.jpg](https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/data/attachments/206/206222-f3222ec13bb9b44fd1dbc6138f4980ab.jpg)
![1 henn.jpg 1 henn.jpg](https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/data/attachments/206/206223-88804d9c447bdc23e0f2eb710e169e7e.jpg)
Slowly they got consumed but out of curiosity I hung onto the last 6 cases just to see if it improved in any way over time. Well, I opened a case yesterday and pulled out a bottle.
On the neck of the bottle, in tiny etched print it states "Best Before June 2019" so I presume I bought them circa 2017-2018.
I could see there was sediment at the bottom of the bottle as I expected there to be, so when it came to pouring I was very careful not to disturb it too much. The pouring took about a minute and a half but my god was it worth it!
It was so different from how it used to be, being more fruity and slightly drier (obviously). The overall depth of flavours was much enhanced and it was a delight to sample.
What is more pleasing is that I have another 35 bottles left
Regards,
Jay.
PS: Interestingly, the brewers, Morlands, also do an Old Crafty Hen bottled ale which is 6.5% abv and is basically Old Speckled Hen that has been aged many months in oak barrels.
![1 hen.jpg 1 hen.jpg](https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/data/attachments/206/206222-f3222ec13bb9b44fd1dbc6138f4980ab.jpg)
![1 henn.jpg 1 henn.jpg](https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/data/attachments/206/206223-88804d9c447bdc23e0f2eb710e169e7e.jpg)