Old Speckled Hen: A British Bitter

Beer of the Week: Old Speckled Hen

Old Speckled Hen

Leave it to the British to create a completely revolting sounding name for a beverage. Right up there with the Hobgoblin, Monkey Wrench, and Otter Head (that last one cracks me up). But in truth, OSH was a misappropriation of the name "Owld' Speckled 'Un," so all things considered, I suppose we got the "bitter" of two evils. Har har.

On to the history lesson. OSH is a relatively new bitter, only 30 years old. First brewed in '79 by Morland Brewery in Oxfordshire to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, this beer is now property of Greene King Brewery, which brags that they still employ yeast strained in 1986 for this drink. Delicious. It's now served in a handful of countries, like Sweden, Singapore, Britain, Australia, and of course, the good ol' U.S.A. Nowadays, the drink is popular and easy to find, but in my opinion, not as widely known as it could/should be.

The beer itself: A lovely-looking amber bitter, OSH has a sort of wooden-golden tone. This may not sound visibly appealing, but trust me, it's a nice looking bitter. And this is from an avid bitter-avoider. A good frothy head, but not so soapy that you're drowning in suds. It's a malt ale, and thus has that fruity, fully-flavorful aroma to it, perfect if you're in the mood for a sensory experience. Light? Oh no, my friends. This is bitter full-ness at its finest. The taste is a fine balance of strong and soothing, and it goes down easier than many other ales. While not perhaps a revolution in the beer department, Old Speckled Hen does a great job of mixing flavors and offering a satisfyingly full experience without being weighed down.

Stats -
Rating: 7.5/10
Brewer: Morland Brewery
Alcoholic Volume: 5.2% (drafts are 4.5%)
Type: Bitter Malt Ale
Available in: 500 ml bottles or cans (as well as on draft)
Other: The label on this beer is octagonal - a rare choice amid beers.


This has been my first installment of "Beer With Me." I'd love feedback from all you crazy kids out there in the Blogosphere, so please, share your feedback, criticism, suggestions, etc. Oh, before you go, check this: OSH. Don't you love it when old Brits talk beer?

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