There has always been a no nonsense four square directness about the Bitter which at 3.7% abv punches well above its weight. With cellar age the bitter achieves a dry, earthy, marmalade tanginess that resonates all the way down the throat. It takes no prisoners and finds few equals. It is brewed with East Anglian pale ale malt and a blend of Goldings and Fuggles hops. Fuggles are added late in the boil to preserve their aroma and the casks are also dry hopped with Fuggles.

Like the bitter uses the same hop varieties - Fuggles and Goldings but also some of the dwarf variety, First Gold. With greater alcohol, malt richness and a touch of residual sweetness many find it the perfect sedative and never sleep as soundly as after a glass.

First brewed in 2004 is Adnams’ response to an explosion of interest in the ‘Summer or Golden Ale’ category. Using East Anglian Pale Malt and a charcaterful hop from the Pacific North-West known as Columbus. It is also dry hopped this time with Chinook hops (also from the US) imparting the tell-tale grapefruit aromas and extra crispness on the palate.

Although Tally-Ho with its black strap molasses and figgy richness runs it close. This classic old ale has become more succulent richer and even better balanced in the last few years. Currently hopped with a relatively new variety and an obvious local favourite – Suffolk grown Boadicea. Are we alone in hoping that this will be bottled and when bottle-conditioned, vintage dated? At the end of January 2008 we broached a year old firkin of Tally-Ho which was sweet, mellow perfection…aaaah.

Adnams' new pale ale for 2011, is brewed with Pale Ale malt, Crystal malt, Munich and some Wheat malt.Columbus, Chinook and Citra hops are used to give a beer with assertive, pithy bitterness, a malty backbone and lemon and lime aroma.

Pale ale, Crystal, Chocolate and black malts and English dwarf hops.

 - Pale ale malt and Boadicea hops

 – Pale ale malt, First Gold and Boadicea hops

 - Pale ale and Crystal malt and English dwarf hops