Real ale aficionados have voted Palmers’ Tally Ho! as their favourite ale at a prestigious beer festival.
Members of the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) Woking branch picked Tally Ho! as Beer of the Festival, in the Old Ale/Strong Mild category. This strong, nutty, full strength dark beer (5.5% ABV) has built a cult following since it was first brewed for bottles in 1949. The oaky and roasted flavour, with its deep and distinctive taste, makes a characterful cask-conditioned beer.
Palmers’ Head Brewer Darren Batten sent a nine-gallon cask from Dorset to the 17th Woking Beer Festival. Darren said the certificate will be framed and hung in the boardroom, along with other accolades won by the historic Dorset brewery.
He added: ‘We were thrilled to win this award – beer festivals are voted for by the public, and our mission is to brew the perfect pint for you to drink.’
Tally Ho! is brewed with the finest Maris Otter malted barley, a large amount of English Golding hops and lots of crystal malt, which gives the beer a really full, nutty, flavour. It’s one of five finest ales brewed by Palmers.
Darren, who qualified as a biologist prior to gaining his Diploma in Brewing, scrupulously monitors the brewing process, ensuring a long careful fermentation for stability and character. Time in the cask gives Tally Ho! its lovely roasted flavour.
Now Darren’s sights are set on the SIBA South West Beer Festival held in April at Tuckers Maltings in Newton Abbott, where Tally Ho! and Palmers 200 will be up against 300 other beers.
Darren said: ‘I was gobsmacked when we won a bronze last year, so this year we would love to win a gold or even beer of the festival!’
