With Adrian Tierney-Jones

AUTHOR of 1001 Beers To Try Before You Die and his latest book United Kingdom Of Beer gives us his verdict on the best pint he’s tried this week. Follow

@ATJbeer on Twitter.

THIS is a historic strong stock ale first made in the 1920s by Gale’s in Hampshire.

The beer was a regular release until Fuller’s bought and closed Gales in 2006.

However, some Prize Old Ale was left in tank, where it was moved to

Fuller’s and blended

with a new brew of the ale. After two brews, the remaining ageing beer was undisturbed until Dark Star got hold of it and this amazing beer is the result.

A blend of aged and fresh beer and matured for six months, it is amber with dried

fruit, ripe dark plums and hints of balsamic vinegar on the nose. On the palate it is almost port-like alongside notes of cherry, plum, a light Christmas cake fruitiness, combined with a full-bodied mouth feel and a delicately bitter finish. Sip slowly and enjoy.