new UK ales at LCBO

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:38 pm

In addition to the Morland Hen's Tooth mentioned by Jon in another thread, a couple of UK ales appeared at the LCBO this week - Wadworth 6X and Greene King Abbot Ale.

They're both in cans, and shelved alongside old standards like Newcastle and Old Speckled Hen, so I assume that they're on the general list, along with the John Bull Ale that showed up back in December.

Gedge · Post by **Gedge** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 5:03 pm

Are these "creamflow" beers with widgets in the can? I used to be quite fond of the creamy UK beers before I was introduced to Belgian beer, so I'd like to try them. There seems to be an ad for Abbot Ale in every issue of Mojo magazine.

The John Bull was not very impressive, IMO.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 5:09 pm

I don't believe these are widget beers.

BeerMonger · Post by **BeerMonger** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:06 pm

I had the Abbot Ale recently in the States and can confirm that ut us not a widget beer. I found it to be a tasty ale.

BeerMonger · Post by **BeerMonger** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:07 pm

Sorry. "it was not a widget".

Gee I haven't even had a drink...

old faithful · Post by **old faithful** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:47 pm

These should be good, I always liked them in England both real ale and in canned form.

Judging by the expiry codes, they seem (both brands mentioned) to be not more than 8 weeks old.

Personally, I like the absence of the widget, I find the widget and its gas get in the way of the flavor, or alters it somehow (although I recognise many people like the widget effect, probably because of the texture).

Anyway, these are solid English beers, very traditional on the handpump and the tinned versions should please those who like the English tastes.

Gary

MattB · Post by **MattB** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:22 am

Which LCBO outlet in downtown Toronto has the Wadworth 6X? I was told by one of the Vintages guys at Queen's Quay that the LCBO's on-line listings are crap, no accuracy at all, so I don't trust the info there.

I found the Abbot Ale at the Queen's Quay store, and it was good. Mind you, not as good as the cask version, which is quite lovely. (By the way, did you know that the novelist Graham Greene was from the Green family of Greene King Brewing which makes the Abbot Ale.)

runes · Post by **runes** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:35 am

how good are the lcbos at getting things that are carried by other stores? If i requested say, a Wellington brew i can't get here but is available in toronto or ottawa, what is their policy?

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:08 am

MattB wrote:I was told by one of the Vintages guys at Queen's Quay that the LCBO's on-line listings are crap, no accuracy at all, so I don't trust the info there.

As an aside,

I find in practice the LCBO listings okay, as long as you recognize they are not updated constantly, at best it is once a day.

In the case of Queen's Quay, it is a high-capacity / high-sales volume location - by the time you see there is new stock it may be already gone (stuff like Blue Cap tends to disappear by the hundreds.)

The LC website listings are not 'reliable' so much as a handy way to know which stores to call ahead before visiting (or to see where stock is not moving and so probably available.)

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:20 am

runes wrote:how good are the lcbos at getting things that are carried by other stores? If i requested say, a Wellington brew i can't get here but is available in toronto or ottawa, what is their policy?

I think that often depends on the store manager. They can do it for sure though.

old faithful · Post by **old faithful** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 1:17 pm

Both Abbot Ale and the 6X were available on Saturday at the Summerhill LCBO.

Gary

MattB · Post by **MattB** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:57 pm

Thanks for the info.

My comments about the LCBO on-line listings were inspired by my attempt at getting a wine a friend recommended at hte Queen's Quay store. The on-line listing said that there were some 24 bottles still at the store. The Vintages guy told me that it had sold out within days of listing, a month earlier, and I was one of many asking for the wine based on the website information. He said that this happens all the time and that one should not rely on any form of accuracy on the website. He also sounded quite exasperated.

I guess if you're a government monopoly, customer service is the furthest thing from your mind.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:11 am

I tried the 6X and Abbot Ale last night, and I enjoyed both of them. Neither of them blew me away, but they're both pleasant, flavourful session ales. As with the canned London Pride, the body and character of both of them was very cask-ale-ish, making them easy and enjoyable to drink. Say what you will about the LCBO's push to bring in more canned beers - when it comes to UK ales, it seems to be a positive development.

northyorksammy · Post by **northyorksammy** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:16 am

Say what you will about the LCBO's push to bring in more canned beers - when it comes to UK ales, it seems to be a positive development.[/quote]

Maybe now they will consider Dale's Pale and Chubbs..or even Furious and Coffee Bender in cans

lister · Post by **lister** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:39 am

I had the Abbot two nights ago and echo Greg's comments. The 6X is tonight.

I wish the LCBO would bring in Fuller's ESB and put it on the shelves. It's my favourite ESB of what I've been able to try so far. Durham's on nitro (at Smokeless) is really nice too.