The Blue Anchor Inn and Spingo Ales!

I've even lived in Cornwall, so I am ashamed to admit that I never visited The Blue Anchor Inn, 50 Coinagehall Street, Helston, Cornwall TR13 8EL, with it's own brewery and Spingo Ales (website). Beginning its life as a resting place for monks at the beginning of the 15th century, or earlier, this Grade II Listed granite building with a thatched roof, the photograph above is borrowed from their website, many thanks, gradually became a tavern during that century, brewing its own ales. The brewery now used was built just behind the pub in the 18th century, and the Spingo ales they brew are brewed with water drawn from their own well.

So how did I come upon these 3 bottles? With thanks to friends who drink in my local actually, cheers to Brian and Sheila! 👍 I shall start off, as I did when drinking them, with the weakest of the 3, the Spingo Middle Ale (5.0%), and I shall use their description as, for all 3 of them the descriptions are close to how I would describe them, then I shall add my tuppence worth. From them: "Smooth, Reddish Malty & Lightly Hopped." 

My notes, and the photograph above, suggest a deep red colour. You will notice that all 3 of these beers are darker beers and, although I'm a bit of a pale dry bitter hophead, I can enjoy a good beer whatever the style, and I liked these. Certainly lightly hopped, I tasted dark fruits, slightly sweet to begin with, but with a dry slightly bitter finish and 'tasty' say my notes!

Next was the Spingo Special Ale (6.6%) "Smooth Strong Refined, Dark Reddish & Well Hopped." I noted it was a very dark reddish colour, with a reddish brown head, big body and certainly noticed the hops in this one. The aroma reminded me of a dark fruit cake at Christmas, without the almonds, but the flavour included dark plum and damson, with a hint of cherry, quite rich and a nice dry bitter finish, luxurious and pretty damn good!

Finally the Spingo Extra Special (7.4%) "Smooth Strong Refined, Dark Ruby With Rich Fruit Cake Flavours." Just how dark can you go with a deep dark Ruby Red?!? It had a more brown head though, and there was me waffling about Dark Fruitcake, and they've said it themselves for this one. Well, yes, strong with plenty of body, and I got the big rich dark fruits again in the aroma and taste. Basically, it's the Special with bells on, indeed you know you've had a beer! Again, a wee bit sweet and fruity with a nice dry bitter finish, oh dear it's all gone, cheers! 

I do need to revisit Cornwall, 'tis on my bucket list. 😁