On a recent trip to my local purveyor, I picked up a bottle of  Old Speckled Hen as part of a mixed six. From the Old Speckled Hen site:

“Old Speckled Hen” was first brewed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Named after an old MG car which was used as the factory run around, they would park the old MG Featherweight Fabric Saloon outside the paint shop where it would normally get spattered in paint and so it became known as the ‘Owld Speckl’d Un’. This turned into “Old Speckled Hen” when the beer was unveiled. Old Speckled Hen” has a full, smooth flavour and is very easy to drink. Its rich amber colour and superb fruity aromas are complemented by a delicious blend of malty tastes. Toffee and malt combine with bitterness on the back of the tongue to give a balanced sweetness. This is followed by a refreshingly dry finish.”

I found the Old Speckled Hen to have the following characteristics.

• Appearance: A little cloudy, amber. Little foam and lacing.
• Aroma: Sweet, fruit and malty.
• Taste: Nice start with a crisp taste and a slightly bitter finish.
• ABV: 5.2%

I thought this was a good find and my thought was confirmed when after a taste, the better half, suggested that this beer could stay.