Current tasting notes, June 2025:

'The fruity hop and ester notes are still holding up, and a wonderfully warming nutty character has come to the fore along with honey and caramel notes.
The bitterness remains robust yet beautifully smooth and integrated, providing a delicious experience on the palate and a fulfilling yet morish finish.
We all agree that Vintage Ale at its freshest is fantastic for its hop flavour, and the beers at 12 months old provide a gorgeous taste that can only be experienced in beers at this age.'- Dave Medlyn, Technical Brewer

IBU 65 | EBC 30 | ABV 7.5%

The 2023 Vintage Ale featured Talus, an American dual-purpose hop giving intense aromas of citrus, flowers & wood, with grapefruit, stone fruit, oak, coconut, and pine on the palate.

Current tasting notes, June 2025:
‘Vintage Ale 2023 was brewed with Talus hops and an experimental variety. This unique hop still doesn’t have a proper name – HBC638! These hops delivered aromas of pink grapefruit, citrus rinds, dried roses, pine resin, and tropical fruits. Two years on, the hop flavours on this Vintage have become more subdued, but the bitterness still stands tall. This beer will reward patience and, with another year or two of careful cellaring, will mature into a flavourful and malty beverage with port-like warming characters. We recommend drinking this from mid-2026 onwards'. - Dave Medlyn, Technical Brewer

IBU 65 | EBC 46 | ABV 7.5%

2022 was our 160th anniversary of brewing, bringing you a Vintage Ale that used El Dorado, an American dual-purpose hop with tropical, pear and stone fruit notes. Paired with Huell Melon, a German variety delivering fruit and berry flavours.

Current tasting notes, June 2025:
‘Our Vintage Ale from 2022 was brewed with Huell Melon and El Dorado hops, all of which combined to give tropical pear, stone fruit and strawberry characters. This Vintage has developed nicely, and its hop flavours have mellowed to the point where they are just perceptible and work well with the salted caramel, Christmas cake and dark fruit flavours imparted by the residual rich maltiness of the beer. The hop bitterness has given way to the malt sweetness, providing the drinker with an exceptional warming accompaniment for a winter dessert’. - Dave Medlyn, Technical Brewer

IBU 60 | EBC 40 | ABV 7.5%

2021 resulted in a truly experimental beer. This year we crafted a small batch of malt from Compass barley, combined with wheat malt for heat retention. The result was a smooth and warming ale reminiscent of a single malt whiskey.

IBU 60 | EBC 40 | ABV 7.5%

In 2020 we used an incredible six varieties of hops to brew one formula — the result of extensive testing and experimenting. This cacophony of ingredients resulted in a stunning burst of fruit-filled flavours, hints of peach, pineapple, fennel, spice and pine. A fine example of the spirit of Vintage Ale.

IBU 60 | EBC 40 | ABV 7.5%