When I saw this beer pop up on the shelves of Morrison’s booze aisle I couldn’t believe it. This Northern Monk collaboration with one of frozen food’s most iconic brands ‘Aunt Bessie’s’ was released around the time I first started this blog, as a one off special. It appears, however, that there has been a re-brew of the beer for the shelves of Morrison’s supermarkets. The collab is a jam and custard pale ale inspired by the iconic British pudding, Jam Roly Poly. It comes in at a sessionable 4.5% ABV and in my mind was either going to be a massive win or big flop.

The beer pours a fantastically unique, plum puree colour that I have never seen on a beer before. The nose on the on it is absolutely insane. Instant vanilla custard and gorgeous strawberry jam. Flavourwise I think the beer is pretty much spot on. You get a fantastic sweetness from the custard aspect without it being over bearing. The strawberry and plum provide a touch of tartness that helps give the beer a great sense of balance. The two aspects come together brilliantly to create a seriously drinkable beer.

A quick note on the can art: Brilliant! It’s simply a classic Aunt Bessie’s packaging in the from of a can wrap. Nostalgia in a beer design.

Wow! I am genuinely shocked by how good this beer is. I’ve tried quite a few gimmick beers now that try to emulate various things but none of them have nailed it quite like this one. It’s sweet, creamy and tart all at the same time and yet so easy to drink that I had to hold myself back from downing the tin in sixty seconds! It is a perfectly described beer. Additionally, if the allergens are correct which I’m sure they have to be, the beer contains no lactose. Yes it has adjuncts and flavourings, but to not have the lactose to provide the creaminess is rather impressive. I might get stick for giving this a ‘perfect’ score but in the categories of gimmick and supermarket beers, I don’t think I have had a better one!

Score: 8/10

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Additional Information:

Style: Fruit Pale Ale

Hops: Not Available

Malt: Not Available

IBU: Not Available

ABV: 4.5%

Gluten Free: No

Vegan: Unkown