I always get beer for Xmas, I'm easy to buy for ! This year, amongst the ten I got were three called Hammond XXXX Old Tom, from Darwin Brewery in Sunderland.
Not heard of Hammond XXXX so did some research, but first bottles with string labels.
I first came across these in 2015 in the form of Three Kings Tyneside Tommy. It was reported at the time that 1200 bottles were brewed at the end of 2014, in memory of the thousands of Tynesiders who fought in the First World War. I acquired two.
The beer turned up again at the Woodhorn Mining Museum Ashington, when they had the giant poppy display on. I was given for 3 for Xmas, which makes 5. I am guessing they brewed more than 1200 then, or I'm very lucky.
Anyhow, fast forward to Xmas and the Hammonds XXXX. Hammonds were a brewery in Bradford, now defunct. Darwin, who's beers include Flag Porter & Extinction Ale, seem to specialise in digging up old recipes. The Old Tom, not to be confused with Robinsons Old Tom, was a strong old ale coming in at 7.45%.****
I tasted one the other day. It has the look and the body of an old ale, a bit like Owd Roger $$$. The initial taste was nice and fruity, but here's the strange thing ; after swallowing, the taste disappeared ! It wasn't till I got to near the bottom of the glass that the strong taste lingered. Obviously, being 7.45% there was the inevitable euphoric warm feeling one gets when drinking a strong beer such as this, but the delayed aftertaste sensation was weird.
I have 2 more bottles to get through, so more vital research is needed.
$$$ Sad news, my local B&M's doesn't stock Owd Roger anymore. Distraught !!
