I tested best supermarket ales to try at home… winner was amber beer, that’s rich, balanced and packed with toffee notes
BREWERY hops are finally getting hip.
Ale – usually associated with bushy-bearded blokes – is enjoying a trendy renaissance, with one in three women also enjoying a regular sup.
If you’re ale-curious but wary of the dark and sinister-looking “real” stuff, or simply don’t know where to start with this acquired taste tipple, you can give it a go with lighter – and cheaper – versions from the supermarkets before hitting the pub for the real deal.
Here, Helena Nicklin, offers her selection of top newbie at-home ales.
Harbour Session IPA, Lidl
£1.85, 440ml, 4% ABV
AN exclusive Lidl brew, a can of Harbour Session, which is decked out in Creme Egg colours, feels like an IPA “lite” so it’s perhaps not a bad one to begin with if you’re new to this category.
IPA purists might well say it’s a bit too thin rather than hoppy – but they can continue propping up the bar with their pint of cask while you enjoy this at home as it’s cheap and very easy to glug.
Looks fun with its bright colours so would make a great party ale. Worth a try even if it is not what you end up sipping in the pub.
2/5
Oakham Citra, Morrisons
£2, 500ml, 4.6% ABV
OAKHAM was the first UK brewery to produce a beer with 100% citra hops.
These are a fairly new type used for their fruity, citrus and floral aromatics and flavours, and known for adding vibrancy to ales.
If you can get past the quirky label then glugging this very light gold will offer you bright tropical fruit and candied lemon peel flavours.
It’s hip and hoppy with lots going on so worth giving it a go.
My top tip for anyone switching tipples from a glass of white vino is that if you’re into sauvignon blanc, you’ll love this.
3/5
Fuller’s Honey Dew, Sainsbury’s
£2,25, 500ml, 5% ABV
BLONDE ale is even lighter than amber and the clue is in the name as it generally has a gorgeous, light gold hue.
Such styles tend to be crisp and pretty easy-drinking with light, biscuity notes.
If you’ve never had ale before, something like this would be a great place to start.
This organic tipple is made with real honey, malt and hops.
It has a touch of baked apple fruitiness and a subtle nectar note without being sweet or too intense.
Delicious cracked open on its own any time, and lovely paired with salty crisps.
3/5
Black Sheep Ale, Tesco
£2, 500ml, 4.4% ABV
WHILE you currently can’t get real dark and savoury cask ale to glug at home – unless you have your own pub, that is – an amber ale like this, with its less hoppy, more caramel-toffee notes, is a great place to start to get a feel for the darker stuff.
Whether you are a newbie to this type of drink or just want to try some different options in the comfort of your own home then this classic Yorkshire tipple is rich, balanced and smooth, with a Malteser-like, malty sweetness.
It’s awesome with a meaty pie. Trendy bottle too.
5/5
Adnams Ghost Ship Ale, Asda
£2, 500ml, 4.5% ABV
IF it’s the vibrant, citrusy notes you love in a pale ale then spooky sipper Ghost Ship, with its powerful twist of lemon and lime, should be right up your street.
Made with a mix of British and American barley and rye, it’s a little hoppy and has elderflower hints along with biscuity notes.
Apparently inspired by smugglers and our haunted coastlines, it’s a great thirst-slayer – and with its spectral label it would definitely be a fabulous choice if you’re getting the beers in for Halloween.
4/5
BrewDog Punk IPA, Sainsbury’s £5.25 (Nectar),
330ml x 4, 5.4% ABV
IF you’ve tried pale ale before and enjoyed its light, bright hoppiness but want a bit more of that flavour, then India pale ale is the way to go.
Brewdog’s version is a go-to for many, and for a good reason – it gets the balance just right between citrus and hops, and has a moreish earthy note on the finish.
An easy-to-drink classic that would be a great intro to IPAs.
It is well-priced – more so at the moment as it is on offer – so if it isn’t for you then you won’t break the bank. Drink it chilled with snacks.
3/5
Saltaire Blonde Ale, Morrisons
£2.25, 500ml, 4% ABV
SOME ingredients really do have the best names and Saltaire Ale says it is made with Bohemian saaz hops, which feels fitting given its slightly quirky profile.
Light, refreshing and soft, there’s a gentle, spicy maltiness to this well-priced blonde, which hails from Yorkshire.
A lower ABV makes it an easy-drinking choice – there’s lots of flavour here without being heavy.
It’s definitely a top at-home brew to try if you are just starting out on your ale journey.
4/5
William Bros Birds & Bees, Aldi
£1.65, 500ml, 4.3% ABV
NOT yet sure about the bitter hops of pale ales and IPAs?
Then a golden ale might be the best go-to for you.
This affordable offering gives you a lot of bang for your buck – and its slightly lower ABV than some other options might be appealing for certain sippers, too.
More about ripe, tropical fruit flavours and delicate florals, golden ales like this one have a real summer party vibe.
This is a great one for spreading a little sunshine into a soggy autumn day. Or sipping outside in the summer.
3/5