Theakston
UK, 5.6% ABV
 
Old Peculier, or ‘The Legend’, is not for the faint hearted… This is a full-bodied, strong and very smooth beer – so smooth you can end up drinking more than you first intended. It’s Theakston’s most famous beer, and ‘the beer that made Masham famous’ – if you mention the town of Masham outside of Yorkshire, people will often say, ‘That’s where Old Peculier comes from,’ – or at least that’s what they often say to me. Why the odd spelling of peculier? There’s actually nothing peculiar about it. A peculier is a parish outside the jurisdiction of a diocese, and the beer is simply named after the peculier of Masham. It’s another beer brewed from the traditional fuggle hop by the family that has run the independent brewery for over five generations (excluding a short spell under S&N). The brewery has its own visitors centre, and the family’s wealth of experience means they have more than a few interesting tales to tell. Old Peculier has a dense and smooth head which tops a dark body and is best viewed (and drunk) close to a log fire which shows off its amber highlights. It has a complex, quite malty taste, and although as a local I would say that it is best drunk within touching distance of the brewery, I can say with sincerity that it does travel well. But it is deceptively strong. So, wherever you choose to drink the stuff, it’s best to make sure you’re not in a hurry and have something soft nearby – to roll into. HC

12 December 2009 | Reviews, T