[1vertical]

Dang since 1711,,,, long time to perfect the brew.
and I gotta say it is a Malty Good one at that.

Edit: Tall Boy 4pack Cans with nitro widget

What say you?

[euge]

I say for some reason the hole-in-the-wall liquor store by my house has/had it and I bought some. They don't carry much beer and what it is isn't good. But the Old Speckled Hen is a decent ale.

Reddish and malty. Not much in the way of hops though. More like Boddingtons in that respect and a nice head.

[alcaponejunior]

For a long time speckled hen was one of my occasional favorite beers.  After I got more seriously into beer, I realized it was probably more of a B/B- level beer than I had originally thought.  It is still quite tasty and isn't to be scoffed at.  Hopefully someday I'll get to taste it fresh and at the source and see how it compares to what we get in the states.

[firedog23]

It's also a long time to brew an average beer from a brewery (Greene King) who took over the original brewery (Moreland).  OSH is an ok, old fashioned malty beer, drunk by the last few old CAMRA drinkers here in the UK.  It will stick around as long as it is still delivered world wide.  I had it for the first time in Japan, back in 2002.

[corkybstewart]

I have a couple of the 4-packs of nitro cans i picked up in OK last month but forgot all about them.  It's OSH time folks.

[alcaponejunior]

I have a couple of the 4-packs of nitro cans i picked up in OK last month but forgot all about them.  It's OSH time folks.

honestly, I think I've only ever had it in bottles.  I used to buy the 16.9oz bottles (I think, smaller than a bomber for sure).  The six packs are available near my mom's house and both sizes come in clear bottles.  I can't help but think they might not be as fresh as they would be near the source.  I will have to get a sixer of the nitro cans next time I am in an area that has them so I can test the difference.  It's a fine brew, even if not A quality, so i can hardly go wrong either way.

[hopfenundmalz]

First had it in the bottle in the states.  Had a caramel candy sweetness that said pasturised/oxidized, but others I know like that.  Then had it in a pub in London on cask.  A much better beer that was good in a malty way.  Not what I seek out in the UK, but not a bad beer if that is the best on cask.

[jeffy]

First had it in the bottle in the states.  Had a caramel candy sweetness that said pasturised/oxidized, but others I know like that.  Then had it in a pub in London on cask.  A much better beer that was good in a malty way.  Not what I seek out in the UK, but not a bad beer if that is the best on cask.

I had it on cask at a pub in London in spite of the warning from the publican: "it's really strong - 4.8%!"  Turns out the cask had gone bad and was significantly sour.  Perhaps his warning should have been heeded. 
The pint I remember having just before this was one of the best ever, fresh, local Fullers London Pride.

[hopfenundmalz]

First had it in the bottle in the states.  Had a caramel candy sweetness that said pasturised/oxidized, but others I know like that.  Then had it in a pub in London on cask.  A much better beer that was good in a malty way.  Not what I seek out in the UK, but not a bad beer if that is the best on cask.

I had it on cask at a pub in London in spite of the warning from the publican: "it's really strong - 4.8%!"  Turns out the cask had gone bad and was significantly sour.  Perhaps his warning should have been heeded. 
The pint I remember having just before this was one of the best ever, fresh, local Fullers London Pride.

I have had a sourish Fullers ESB at the Mawsons Arms a few years back.  That is the bewery pub.  Last August they had the ESB on in the Hock Cellar (where you go after the tour), and it was a really great malty beer, none of the caramel/candy sweetness that we get in the US.   

[firedog23]

I live in the town that is the source, Greene King Brewery in Bury St Edmunds.  It is readily available at most pubs and quite honestly, the only people who drink it are old, bearded English guys and Americans (typically us Air Force types) as it is recognisable from the numerous other countries we have been stationed in that carry it both on draught, can and bottle.  I first saw it in Japan and soon found out that it is fairly run of the mill once I got here.  I am not saying it is bad, just not all that great.

[jeffy]

Especially when you can get Adnams on cask in the same neighborhood, eh?
I visited Bury St. Edmunds a few years ago.  Cute little town with a nice park and a big brewery as I recall.

[firedog23]

Especially when you can get Adnams on cask in the same neighborhood, eh?
I visited Bury St. Edmunds a few years ago.  Cute little town with a nice park and a big brewery as I recall.

Three breweries in town and yes to the Adnams.  We have Adnams Old Ale on at the pub and is a nice seasonal ale.

[roguejim]

I only had it once very recently from a can as pictured above.  Nothing going on in this beer to my taste.  Almost poured it out.  Oh well.

[anje]

It's been a while since I've had it, but I think it's decent.  Not something to get hugely excited over, but pleasant.  We have a local IRISH!!!11!!! pub (if you didn't know how to interpret that, they're very in-your-face with the fake-irish thing) that has it on draft. 

The clone of it seemed good to start with, when I was worrying about how long it would take to finish 5 gallons of beer and whether I would be able to recruit enough friends to help.  Broad appeal basic beer, compared to IPAs and the like which have a more selective, experienced audience.  However, I'm getting the feeling that going through beer won't be a problem, especially in a portable format.

[rjharper]

I was chowing down on its younger brother, "Old Golden Hen" this weekend at a pub in London.  From the cask, weighing in at 4%, I'd have pegged it as an English IPA but its apparently targeted as a blonde ale.  Lots of Galaxy hops in the finish, and really quite nice as a session beer.