Historic:TT's Black Bess Stout

[WishboneBrewery]

On the Timothy Taylors website they have an ecard of this stuff, an email to the brewery asking about it wasn't even answered... anyone have any clues?

[leigh1919]

No idea - have genuinley never seen that before. I know this sounds flippant, but could it just be a mock-up? I didnt know they even ever brewed beers with names (as opposed to 'Best' 'landlord' etc)....

[WishboneBrewery]

Fake Brewery History... shocking!
I'm sure they've been around long enough to have brewed more than the regulars we see now.
I've re-mailed them to 4 more email addresses, I emailed the addresses on the website last time, this time I've emailed some more common generic addresses (with no bounce-back as yet).

*edit* all bounced back! ahh well!

[WHL]

I found a similar label from 1957. at http://www.taverntrove.com/items/Black- ... _45308.asp

also a competing label from 1963:
as well as contemporary label:

That Black Bess and her rider Dick Turpin seem to have been an inspiration for many a victualer as well as many a pint. I'll probably expropriate the name myself as my own stout has been conditioning but a week.

Cheers, Bill

[WishboneBrewery]

Cheers for posting those

[dave-o]

I wonder if "Black Bess Stout" is a kind of in-joke between breweries....

[Mitchamitri]

Like q magazines mythical band Comfort of Strangers from many years back when it was a credible magazine

[WishboneBrewery]

I went the Old school approach and wrote a letter to the Head Brewer...
and got a very good and fast reply

Here's what I wrote:

FAO: Head Brewer / Archive

Dear Sir,
I have recently noticed on your website that you used to brew a Stout, Black Bess Stout, the only info I could find regarding this beer was the date 1957.

As a keen Real Ale drinker and all-grain home brewer I would be really interested to hear what this old Stout consisted of, what malts and hops went into it and how many years was it brewed for?

Have you considered brewing a Stout in the future, maybe something rich and mouth-filling with some late copper hops or wort cast over the hopback?
A Landlord / Stout Cross-breed with Styrians might make an interesting pint, though I wonder whether the strong flavour of the Styrian Golding would blend with the dark malt flavours.

I've always been a Landlord drinker, it would be good to hear back from you about this old Taylor's stout. I can be contacted via email or letter.

Many thanks

Here's the reply:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_S4Q6Hw9OY28/S0hMw ... 0reply.jpg

Thats very good of him

[leedsbrew]

Very good of him. Don't think we're missing anything though with his description of the black bess!

[WishboneBrewery]

No, the current range of ales are more natural!!
Though up until 1994 they were adulterating their Best Bitter to make a stout.. weird!!

[leigh1919]

interesting stuff....

[dave-o]

Here's the reply:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_S4Q6Hw9OY28/S0hMw ... 0reply.jpg

Thats very good of him

Hmm, no roast or flaked barley?

I wonder what was in that Special Priming Syrup then....

[WishboneBrewery]

Hmm, no roast or flaked barley?

I wonder what was in that Special Priming Syrup then....

Something evil and black made from old Bakelite telephones! When brewing wasn't so considerate to the end user!

[WHL]

Great follow through "pdtnc!" Makes one not yearn so much for the good ole days!

[WishboneBrewery]

a happy ending