In the cooler for this week’s post-ride refreshments is Fiddler’s Elbow brewed by Wychwood Brewery out of Oxfordshire, UK. The Elbow is a wheat-brewed ale that is hopped with Styrian Goldings hops and comes in a dark brown bottle with an appealing label. In the glass, the brew is light copper colored with a small head that leaves little lacing. It has a subtle aroma of honey and citrus that becomes more pronounced the deeper into the bottle you go.
The Elbow is lightly carbonated with a moderate malt taste and a bitter, hoppy aftertaste. There are underlying hints of fruit, nuts and honey which give the beer an almost sweet character the more of it you drink. From my perspective, it is surprisingly drinkable and light-bodied for an ale of this hue.
Did I like Fiddler’s Elbow? Yes, I liked it but did not love it. I appreciated its coloring, its complex taste and its drinkability. It is a beer that can definitely be enjoyed after a ride. On the downside, I’m not a huge fan of wheat ales and this one is no exception. And although I enjoy hoppy beers as a general proposition, the aftertaste of Fiddler’s Elbow was a bit bitter even for me. Lastly, I didn’t find the taste of Fiddler’s Elbow to be bold enough for my likes. That’s not necessarily a negative, just a preference.
I would certainly drink Fiddler’s Elbow again, but if the money is coming out of my wallet, I’d probably reach for something else first (like Ballast Point Brewing Company’s Calico Amber Ale). Rating: 7 out of 10.
Here’s the vital statistics:
Beer: Fiddler’s Elbow
Brewery: Wychwood
Style: English Ale
Alcohol: 4.5%
Size: 1 Pt. 0.9 oz.
The Elbow is lightly carbonated with a moderate malt taste and a bitter, hoppy aftertaste. There are underlying hints of fruit, nuts and honey which give the beer an almost sweet character the more of it you drink. From my perspective, it is surprisingly drinkable and light-bodied for an ale of this hue.
Did I like Fiddler’s Elbow? Yes, I liked it but did not love it. I appreciated its coloring, its complex taste and its drinkability. It is a beer that can definitely be enjoyed after a ride. On the downside, I’m not a huge fan of wheat ales and this one is no exception. And although I enjoy hoppy beers as a general proposition, the aftertaste of Fiddler’s Elbow was a bit bitter even for me. Lastly, I didn’t find the taste of Fiddler’s Elbow to be bold enough for my likes. That’s not necessarily a negative, just a preference.
I would certainly drink Fiddler’s Elbow again, but if the money is coming out of my wallet, I’d probably reach for something else first (like Ballast Point Brewing Company’s Calico Amber Ale). Rating: 7 out of 10.
Here’s the vital statistics:
Beer: Fiddler’s Elbow
Brewery: Wychwood
Style: English Ale
Alcohol: 4.5%
Size: 1 Pt. 0.9 oz.
Price: $3.49 at BevMo!
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