Country Best

Winner: Best Bitter at the Industry’s International Awards

Best bitter drinkers will really appreciate this beautifully balanced complex ale.

Strength: 4.3% (ABV)

Look: Amber

Aroma: Fruity. (Predominantly Pear)

Taste: Nutty, toffee, full bodied flavour.

Really, the best way to assess it’s taste it to come in and have a pint.

Country Best has a distinctly fruity smell and a toffee taste.

The hops used are Progress, Brambling Cross and English Fuggle Hops.

Crystal Malt and Pale Ale Malt are combined for a bright colour and nutty taste.

If you’re wondering: Fuggle Hops were discovered in Kent in 1861 and have an earthier less sweet aroma.
Brambling Cross hops are a cross between two types of hop; the brambling goldings variety and a wild Canadian Manitoban hop

Progress hops were developed in the 1960s as a replacement for the fuggle hops. Those two are now blended however to produce Country.

Forty Arches

A Cowper Arms Exclusive

Strength: 3.8% (ABV)

Look: Golden. Like Honey

Aroma: Berries and spice and all things nice

Taste: Citrus Fruits, with biscuity hints

Really, the best way to assess it’s taste it to come in and have a pint.

Forty Arches is new and exclusive to the Cowper Arms in 2017. Named in honour of the iconic Digswell viaduct. The amazing structure designed by William Cubbitt and opened by Queen Victoria in 1850 is made up of Forty Arches each 30ft wide and 100ft high. The viaduct plays an important role in the history of the pub as workers on the viaduct would have originally stayed here. Upon opening the Viaduct Queen Victoria refused to cross it, so got off at one end and rejoined the train at what is now Welwyn North station. There are no records to say she visited the Cowper, but also no records that say she definitely didn’t visit the Cowper, so lets assume she popped in for a Tapas bundle and a Prosecco. It was a Tuesday so she probably stayed for Open Mic Night too.

These days the Digswell viaduct brings people to the Cowper Arms for refreshment and relaxation after a long day’s hard work. Although some may suggest this should be a bottled beer in honour of the viaduct’s bottle-neck effect that causes delays all along the line.

It’s produced from a blend of English fuggle hops and Slovenian Styrian Goldings. That give it a spicy aroma, and a delicious citrus, biscuity taste. The only thing it lacks is chocolate chips.

IPA

Strength: 4.8% (ABV)

Look: Dark Mahogany

Aroma: Coffee, chocolate, burnt caramel, banana and orange

Taste: Strong coffee with a sweet caramel finish

Really, the best way to assess it’s taste it to come in and have a pint.

I.P.A. A.K.A. Indian Pale Ale. It’s an all time classic.

It could also stand for Intense Premium Ale at 4.8%, with a rich aroma and flavours that instantly made it a pub favourite.

The look is a dark mahogany like a fine writing beureu or a fancy posh bar.

It has an aroma and taste of coffee but provokes the opposite effect in those who drink it.