It’s probably too late to find this beer in the pubs –at least the cask version –though you might still find a few bottles somewhere. Early Bird Spring Hop Ale from Shepherd Neame is a seasonal ale which is available,as the name suggests,in the Spring –February to May. I sampled a bottle in May but have only just got round to writing about it! Anyway,it will serve as an early warning for next year!
The bottled version is 4.5% and the cask version is 4.3%. The bottle has a distinctive shape,with a picture of a swift or a house martin (I can never tell the difference). It is made using only Kentish Early Bird hops,hence the name. It’s a pale golden beer with a slightly malty,slightly floral aroma and a malty,hoppy taste –a light bitterness,but not too much,makes this a very drinkable beer. Very nice –I’ll be looking out for it next February. And I’ll try not to take so long to write about it!