Hop, Clip, & Pump

Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild is a rare and fascinating example of a strong mild ale , weighing in at a robust 6.0% ABV and brewed to a pre–World War I recipe . Before the Great War, strong milds were not unusual; they were the norm. In fact, mild ales were traditionally brewed in four strengths , ranging from around 5.5% to 7% ABV , often обозначated by 'X' markings, with ' XXXX' representing the strongest. However, wartime grain shortages forced brewers to adapt, and weaker milds gradually replaced their stronger counterparts. What we drink today as 'mild' is often a shadow of that earlier, more powerful tradition, making Dark Ruby something of a historical survivor. Black Country Heritage: Sarah Hughes Brewery and Its Sedgley Home Sarah Hughes Brewery is a historic, family-run brewery based in the village of Sedgley , in the heart of the Black Country . Brewing takes place behind the renowned The Beacon Hotel , a traditional pub that has become somethin...

Someone once told me that Timothy Taylor’s Ram Tam Mild was 'just Landlord with extra caramel,' a claim I’d seen echoed on Wikipedia: ' some dark milds are created by the addition of caramel to a pale beer.'  Well, I can tell you now that jaded assessment couldn’t be further from the truth. I hadn’t tasted this dark ale in years. Somewhere along the way, it slipped off my radar, overshadowed by the endless parade of weak, hoppy home brews and trendy session ales. But last night, in a pub that seemed to lean heavily toward the lighter, hop-forward crowd, the classic Taylors pump clip stood out like a beacon, welcoming me back. Who could say no? Not I. The Brew Itself Ram Tam comes in at a sensible 4.3% ABV , and its inky dark colour might suggest a heavy, winter-only porter. Yet this is a mild and a gentle one at that. It’s the kind of ale you can enjoy on a warm summer evening as comfortably as in the depths of winter, no intimidating alcohol bite, no heaviness to ...