Results of the
"Fastcask on Trial" survey
at the
Chequers Inn, Rookley
16th November 2010 to 22nd November 2010

RA= Real Ale Drinker? Y=yes, N=No, S=sometimes
PD=Marston's Pedigree Drinker? A=all the time, S=sometimes, N=Never

RA
PD
Date
Time
F'cask
Trad
Comment
S
N
15th Nov
22.15
yes
Better flavour (and texture)
Y
S
15th Nov
22.20
yes
Slightly more flavour
S
N
16th Nov
3.15
yes
More bitter
S
S
16th Nov
16.45
yes
Smoother with less bitter taste
Y
S
16th Nov
22.15
yes
More depth of taste
Y
S
17th Nov
12.09
yes
Nicer
S
S
17th Nov
12.10
yes
Very subtle (difference) Red (fastcask) is flatter
Y
S
17th Nov
12.12
yes
There is more life in the blue (traditional)
Y
S
17th Nov
12.15
yes
Red spot (fastcask) to me has less "gassyness"
S
S
17th Nov
12.15
yes
Blue is not so "Hoppy"
Y
S
17th Nov
12.35
yes
Slightly more flavour
Y
S
17th Nov
12.45
yes
Softer taste
Y
S
17th Nov
12.50
yes
Red (fastcask) slightly "yeasty"
Y
N
17th Nov
13.00
yes
One more still
Y
S
17th Nov
18.50
yes
Rounder Smoother Kinder
Y
S
17th Nov
18.50
yes
Red smoother, creamier, but sl. Bland. Blue crisper, sl. Sharper, more CO2 "bite".
Y
S
17th Nov
20.15
yes
Slightly more condition in blue(trad) - especially after 5 - 10 minutes
Y
S
17th Nov
20.25
yes
Blue (trad) is fizzer than red (fastcask). Red has a more satisfying taste
Y
S
17th Nov
20.25
yes
Blue (trad) had more condition and a slightly more pronounced fruitiness on the palate. The red (fastcask) had a drier palate and little condition
Y
S
17th Nov
20.30
yes
Blue (trad) is best because the Red (fastcask) is poor condition and possibly the ordinary dispense
Y
S
17th Nov
20.45
yes
The Red (fastcask) is on the Flat side.
Y
S
17th Nov
21.00
yes
Blue (trad) is cleaner tasting. Red (fastcask) is in poor condition & has no head.
Y
S
17th Nov
21.15
yes
Although quite different, so different in fact that it is difficult to compare. The red is more sulphery and yeasty, the blue is thinner and more watery
Y
S
18th Nov
11.00
no difference
Y
S
18th Nov
17.30
yes
Much smoother. The Red (fastcask) is too "flat tasting"!
Y
A
18th Nov
21.00
yes
Blue has more taste and is more subtle. Red (fastcask) has a rather bland, earthy taste, perhaps a bit mouldy
Y
S
19th Nov
16.45
yes
The blue (trad) is more mellow with a much yeastier flavour. The red is a little sharp.
S
S
19th Nov
17.00
yes
Red (fastcask) is "nuttier". Blue seems slightly more acid
S
S
19th Nov
20.30
yes
no comment
Y
S
19th Nov
23.10
yes
Blue texture is smoother
N
N
20th Nov
12.45
yes
guessing
Y
S
20th Nov
21.20
yes
The Red (fastcask) tastes very flat - dead even. The blue is far superior. I wouldn't order a second red.
Y
S
22nd Nov
12.4
yes
Red (fastcask) is a little bit harsh. Blue has a cleaner taste
Note: These were all blind tastings. The glasses were marked with either a red or blue dot. The fact that the "red" beer was fastcask was not revealed until the end of the period.