Tawny Owl

Cotleigh Brewery
Somerset, England
Imported by: C2 Imports
Los Angeles, CA

Available: NC, GA, FL, PA, MD, DC, VA, NY, MA, AZ, CO, CA, WA, OR, IL, IN, OH, MO, OK, KY, TX, LA, MN, TN

Cotleigh Brewery was founded in 1979 and is situated in the historic brewing town of Wiveliscombe in Somerset, England. Nearly all of the Cotleigh beers are names for birds. The brewery partners with The Hawk and Owl Trust, a charity devoted conserving wild birds of prey, their habitats and associated species.

ABV: 3.8
ABW: 3.0
Color: 28
Bitterness: 26
Original gravity: 1038

Is this really only 3.8% ABV? A great session beer! Bready, biscuit, maltiness, caramel, light nutty toffee, and soft citrus and apricot leading to a gently dry, hoppy finish. Very quaffable, well-balanced and with plenty of character. Just get it as fresh as possible. (There’s a “best by” date on the label.) These lighter style beers can be fragile.
- John Hansell

Having recently returned from two weeks in the countryside of the U.K., this bottled bitter from the southwest of England is a real treat, even if it isn’t “bottled real ale” by the CAMRA definition. (It isn’t bottle-conditioned.) The nose is full of fruity toffee and caramel notes, with dark berry fruit appearing first, followed by more of a candied citrus aroma, while the body is full but quaffable, as only a 3.8% alcohol bitter can be, with light, fruity sweetness up front, more of a tannic and dry malt profile in the middle and a gentle but thoroughly drying bitterness in the finish. Completely enjoyable all on its own or alongside a ploughman’s lunch.
- Stephen Beaumont

John Hansell
John Hansell writes about beer, wine and spirits. He is the creator, publisher and editor of Malt Advocate, a magazine for the whisky enthusiast.

Stephen Beaumont
Once described as “beerdom's Brillat-Savarin,” Stephen Beaumont is the author of five books and countless articles on beer, spirits, food, travel, and how it all goes together.

Comments are closed here.