Happy Father’s Day to people in the UK! Today’s beer was released by Lidl to mark this occasion and just cropped up in the beer isle last week. ‘Total Legend’ is a 6.6% ABV dark ale that, according to Untappd, is contract brewed by veterans Marston’s for Lidl’s own brand beer label ‘Hatherwood’. I’ve found that traditional ales seem to be better in the own brand department and if it is brewed by Marston’s there’s a solid chance it’s half decent brew!

The beer pours a clear dark brown, that reminds me of lacquered wood. Slightly off-white head to it. The nose is rather pleasant with a caramel sweetness and nuttiness to it. The body of the beer has a solid, roasted coffee bitterness throughout. There are touches of raisins and dried fruit flavours too. For a rather boozy ale, I think the ABV is hidden fairly well too.

A quick note on the bottle art: A more humorous bottle design with a big mustache and beard. While not my favourite it certainly caught my eye on the shelf and was why I picked it up.

It’s been a long while since I’ve had a Lidl own brand beer. They’ve been a mixed bag in all honesty but this is genuinely a very solid beer. The malt comes through well to give that little bit of sweetness. The touch of fruit compliments the coffee flavours that are present. It’s clean drinking and goes down rather easy. It’s the kind of beer you can picture yourself giving the old man if he likes his Marston’s Pedigree. And at under £2 for a boozy 500ml bottle I’d say it’s pretty good value. Happy Fathers Day everyone!

Score: 6.5/10

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Additional Information:

• Hops: Styrian
• Malt: Crystal
• IBU: Not Available
• ABV: 6.6%
• Gluten Free: No
• Vegan: No
• Purchase Location: Lidl
• Purchase Price: £1.79