.png)
Some beers make their mark through boldness; others through balance. Top Totty, brewed by Slaters Ales, belongs firmly in the latter category, a beer that doesn’t shout for attention, but earns it steadily, pint after pint.
Behind the playful name lies a brewery with a clear sense of purpose, shaped by family roots, careful expansion, and a commitment to producing consistently high-quality ales.
From Eccleshall Beginnings
Slaters Ales began life in March 1995, originally known as Eccleshall Brewery. Founded by Ged Slater and Moyra Slater, the operation started modestly, tucked behind the George Hotel in the market town of Eccleshall.
It was a classic setup for the era, small-scale, local, and rooted in the traditions of British brewing. Yet even in those early days, the ambition was clear: to produce beers that could stand alongside the best in the country.
Demand grew steadily. What began as a local venture quickly gained a wider following, with customers drawn to the reliability and character of the beers.
Building a Modern Brewery
.png)
By 2004, growth had reached a point where expansion was no longer optional. In a move that reflected both confidence and foresight, the brewery relocated to new, purpose-built premises.
With ten years of experience behind them, the Slaters approached the move as an opportunity to refine and scale their operation. The result was a state-of-the-art brewery, designed from the ground up to support increased production while maintaining quality.
Capacity expanded significantly, from 10 barrels to around 30, allowing the brewery to meet demand without compromising its core principles. It is a model of growth that feels measured rather than rushed, grounded in craft rather than volume alone.
A Name with Layers
.png)
The name Top Totty is, at first glance, light-hearted, typical of the playful tradition found in British real ale naming. But it carries a more layered linguistic history.
Historically, 'totty' referred to something unsteady or tottering, a meaning now largely obsolete. In modern British slang, the word has taken on a very different, informal usage. Both meanings, however, trace back to the root 'tot,' a small measure of drink.
In the context of the beer, the name functions less as a statement and more as a piece of wordplay, reflecting the brewery’s sense of humour while remaining part of a long-standing naming tradition within the industry.
Top Totty: A Study in Balance
At 4.0% ABV, Top Totty sits comfortably in the category of a sessionable pale ale, yet its appeal lies in its precision.
Tasting profile:
- Appearance: Pale, crystal clear, with a light foamy head
- Aroma: Subtle, clean, and understated
- Flavour: A balanced interplay of malt richness and restrained hop character
- Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied, smooth, and highly drinkable
- Finish: Dry, crisp, and refreshing
What stands out most is what the beer doesn’t do. The hops are present but not dominant; there is no overt floral or aggressively citrus profile. Instead, the beer achieves a quiet equilibrium, malt and hop working together rather than competing.
It is this restraint that defines the beer’s success. In an era where many pale ales lean heavily into hop expression, Top Totty offers something different: clarity, balance, and drinkability.
Recognition and Reputation
Top Totty’s qualities have not gone unnoticed. The beer was awarded SIBA Gold in 2006, a recognition that reflects both its technical execution and its broad appeal.
Awards, of course, are only part of the story. More telling is the beer’s continued presence in pubs and its reputation among drinkers. It is a beer that people return to, not for novelty, but for reliability.
A Session Ale Done Right
.png)
Top Totty embodies something fundamental about British brewing: the idea that a beer need not be extreme to be excellent.
It is designed to be enjoyed over time, to accompany conversation, to suit a range of occasions, and to remain satisfying from the first sip to the last. In that sense, it is less about impact and more about endurance.
Quiet Excellence
Slaters Ales has built its reputation not on spectacle, but on consistency. From its beginnings behind a village hotel to its current, purpose-built brewery, the focus has remained the same: produce good beer and do it well.
Top Totty reflects that ethos perfectly.
It may arrive with a playful name, but what follows is something far more serious, a carefully crafted, award-winning ale that demonstrates just how effective balance can be.
Not loud. Not showy.
Just quietly, confidently excellent.
Comments