If this Advent Calendar were a game of snap, playing against Beer Hawk, then I wouldn’t be winning very often! The good people commenting on the daily Beer Hawk YouTube Video are enjoying a glass of Camden IHL, whereas I’ve got a can of Roosters Yankee. Am I bothered?
There’s nothing wrong with Camden, Mrs C’s ‘go to’ beer in our local Stew & Oyster is a Camden Pale on draught, and once you get over the initial metallic hit, then it’s nice easy drinking. A regular visitor to the same establishment is Roosters Baby Faced Assassin, on cask, it’s always a big hit, even amongst the more traditional drinkers. Likewise, a few hundred yards up the road, The Pax at Thorp Arch, a smashing little traditional village pub, has a permanent hand pump with a Roosters cask ale. That isn’t unusual you say, after all this should be Roosters heart land, they only brew it just up the road in Knaresborough. Thing is, Roosters are quite a progressive brewer, who were in at the start of the trend towards more progressive styles in the British beer industry; 1993 in fact, and Yankee was one of the earlier brews that showcased American hops and a new style of beers.
What I like about Roosters is they aren’t overpowering ‘in your face’ beers. Good beers, undoubtedly, but nothing is extreme. I also like the fact they continue to evolve, they were among the first smaller, progressive British brewers to produce their beer in cans.
The 4.3%, pale golden, Yankee, is as clear as a bell in the glass. The aroma and taste is citrus, and there’s a very pale malt taste, the whole thing finishes moderately bitter, and the presence of Cascade hops is obvious. Like I said, although everything you want is in there, nothing is overstated and it all nicely balances together. The brewer rightly terms it a modern classic. Something that can be enjoyed by those with both progressive and traditional tastes alike.
Verdict: Would I have preferred the more expensive (£2.59) 6.2% Camden IHL or the can of 4.2% Roosters Yankee (2.29)? I don’t know, I’ve never tried the IHL. I enjoyed the can of Yankee, it’s excellent beer. If Santa could have granted me one wish, I would have asked for a can of Roosters 6.1% Baby Faced Assassin (£2.49), instead.
All prices obtained from Beer Hawk web site today (23-12-16)
Someone asked me the other day why I just keep writing about pubs? Simple, I love pubs (and bars). I think when I go into a really good pub that they should get some recognition. Some people do it on TripAdvisor, I choose to do it on here.
The very worse bit about the eighteenth century, Yorkshire stone building is that it sits at the side of the extremely busy A65 and you really need to cross at the nearby Pelican. Ilkley by-pass anyone? Once you’re ensconced behind the two feet thick walls, looking out through the stone mullioned windows while you’re sat in the window seat of the main bar you don’t even know the road is there. So gaze at the tap list, stand on the flagged floor in front of the roaring stove and concentrate on the main business in hand, the beer.
Most people would be quite happy just drinking the on site produced
On two visits I tried quite a few ales, because they do thirds. Everywhere with more than three decent beers on the bar should be obliged to do this. First time I had an excellent light coloured and very hoppy 
There’s a second room downstairs and another seating and bar area on the first floor which the staff explained is open at weekends and busy periods or can be hired for private parties. For the oenophile there is a good selection of proper wines available, not the usual pub crap that isn’t worth vinegaring (a lot doesn’t need it!). They also do pub food and have daily papers. You can read opposite ends of a left of centre view; The Guardian and The Mirror? Full marks in the toilet department. A check of the bogs, on two separate visits mind, revealed they were exceptional. Dogs are allowed in and drinking bowls provided. Dog owners, please be respectful. I don’t want to hear someone’s Labrador slobbering and crunching a glass full of ice cubes on a Yorkshire stone floor. Bar staff everywhere, let the dogs in, but please stop serving glasses of ice cubes to over anthropomorphising dog owners.
The only real puzzler for me was how quiet it was at lunch time. Expected mid week perhaps, but on a Saturday, I was quite surprised how few people were in. The really friendly staff thought the same and told me it had been heaving the previous Saturday lunch session. On cue at about half past one it magically started to fill up, and so it should.
