Baron's Black Wattle Superior

As we strolled along Hatton Garden towards Farringdon Station, I noticed the beer festival signs on the window of the local Wetherspoons place - The Sir John Oldcastle. For those who have never been to this pub, I will spare a comprehensive description. Just think tacky fruit machines, pensioners, tramps, sticky carpet, smell of sick and/or urine - You get the picture, its a dive. However, for one reason or another I was drawn to a beer from my Homeland, Baron's Black Wattle Superior (4.8% abv a bit weaker than the Aussie version which is 5.8%). Now initially when I heard (via my Uni Alumni letter, yes I went to uni with the Baron's), that it was going to be brewed by Marston's, I immediately thought that I would give it a miss. Nothing good comes out of that place. But curiosity got the better of me. I have had this beer before, back in late 2005 or early 2006 whilst in Sydney, and for those of you who don't know their Australian operations are brewed under licence by AIB. It's basically an Amber Ale with a nutty edge which is supplied by the roast wattle seeds. Surprisingly, this beer was actually ok, which is amazing due to where it was brewed. Still I did risk my own personal hygiene and moral standing by venturing into this establishment. I work around the corner, I was lucky a colleague didn't see me!

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