The Caskaway

Gale’s Seafarers. Last weekend I went on a jolly. A very nice trip. There was lots of research taking place mainly in the form of visiting pubs. So, so you can expect some more reviews of some different beers and locations. On of those places at the top of my list was The Coach and Horses in Soho. An historic drinking den it has been the haunt of actors, artists and bohemians. I had already visited a few other places so when I saw this untried session beer, not too alcoholic, I went straight for it as my first choice.

Gale’s Seafarers Quality English Ale to give the beer its full name has quite a complex heritage. It was created in 2005 at the venerable George Gale & Co Ltd brewery in Horndean, Hampshire. Made in partnership with the Seafarers Charity. Sadly, Gales Brewery was bought in the same year by the London based Fuller, Smith & Turner. Fullers then went on to sell its brewing assets – the Griffin brewery, range of brands, trademarks and recipes to the Japanese brewing giant Asahi. You can however continue to find Seafarers in some of pubs the Fullers company continues to own.

Gales Brewery

I have a bit of a soft spot for Gales Brewery in particular the sweet nutty Gales HSB or Horndean Special Bitter. Gales was established when coal and grain merchant Richard Gale brought the brewpub the Ship and Bell in 1847. Legend has it he made the purchase after seeing how much money his employees spent in the pub. Perhaps more importantly it was sited on a major coaching route between London and Portsmouth. In the early eighteen sixties the wooden building burnt down, and Gale built the imposing Victorian brewery with the insurance money. The company continued to expand eventually owning over one hundred public houses across Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey.

As well as my personal favourite HSB, Gales was perhaps most for its aged Prize Old Ale. First made in the nineteen twenties and coming in at a whopping 9 per cent ABV it was matured for at least two yeas in oak casks. Aging takes the edge off a beers bitterness and can add spice and the sour characteristics similar lambic beers. Secondary fermentation can result in a very dry finish. Prize Old Ale was corked in special presentation bottles. In 2007 Fullers launched their own version with bottles prized for up to twenty years and costing up to one hundred pounds.

Tasting Gale’s Seafarers Quality English Ale

Gale’s Seafarers is a new beer made using the original Gale’s brewery recipe book. It is an English best bitter brewed to balance the flavours of the hops and malt. In a nice twist it contains the Admiral hop. Since the first pour sales of Seafarers have raised over £100,000 for The Seafarer’s Charity. This is the leading maritime charity helping support sailors in hardship in the UK and around the world.

My pint of Seafarers was an appealing Amber colour on the well-lit bar with a clean white foamy head. Not too tightly poured through a swan neck with no sparkler, there was a gentle amount of carbonation. It was served at a decent temperature on a warm, muggy London afternoon and looked very pleasant. Taking a sip at my corner table positioned to see the world go by I got some nice hoppy spice, a hint of apricot fruity sweetness and some biscuity malt flavours. There is a light bitter finish.

It works as a session beer, very easy drinking and if I had stayed longer, I might have had another. Well served in what is a tradition drinkers pub, Seafarers is a middle of the road bitter. Ideal if you are out not wanting something overpowering either flavour or alcohol wise, especially on a warm day. It would go well with fish and chips, or a Sunday roast but I am not sure it will be my first choice in every Fuller’s pub in future.

Gale’s Seafarers Quality English Ale