Hop along

The trend for light hoppy pale ales knows no end. And I am not complaining. recently (as in last night) discovered a taste for Gadds No7, from the ambitious little brewery based in Ramsgate, Kent. Described by the brewers themselves as 'the brewery work horse', it's a classic of the style: fresh, with a little fruit and a dry bitterness that is really refreshing. Have to admit I hadn't come across Gadds before but they seem to represent everything good about new British brewing: grown from a brewpub set up in the back of their local into a flourishing little company.
I narrowly chose their No7 over the extravagantly named Hoptical Illusion from Bristol brewers Arbor, of whom I am in general a big fan. So well done, Gadds. Interestingly, both were a very sensible 3.8 per cent classing them as genuine session beers for those of us who don't want to be knocked out after a pint or two. I had five.