Woodforde’s Admiral’s Reserve ***
Following success with two Wherry kits, I chose to buy another kit from the Woodforde’s range. I selected Admiral’s Reserve when I paid a special visit to a brewing shop a few miles from where I live. To my surprise the shop, which I discovered through a search on Google, seemed to be somewhat lacking in choice and Admiral’s Reserve was the only Woodforde’s kit on the shelf, priced at over £25! I was quite alarmed because I’d seen this kit priced much more affordably elsewhere but I bought it nevertheless to give some support to the fellow running the shop. It looked like his business might have been struggling.
Woodforde’s Admiral’s Reserve is designed to make only 32 pints instead of the 40 pints made by Wherry, so naturally this should be quite a bit stronger. Woodforde’s rate Admiral’s Reserve at 5.5% ABV, that said I don’t think we achieved the full strength.
The kit came packaged in an attractively rebranded box with the Admiral’s Reserve pump-clip artwork set against an atmospheric picture of what I imagine is an East Anglian beach scene.
Admiral’s Reserve includes a sachet of Goldings hop powder to enhance the bitterness of the brew. I guess it’s optional how much or how little you choose to put in. Lee and I decided to include only half the sachet as we weren’t sure whether or not we would like it. As it turned out it was really a lot more bitter than other kits we brewed without added hop powder. We are still debating just how much we like this flavour as it’s so much more intense than any ales we drink in a pub. It seems to me the intense bitterness is on account of the Goldings powder, so in future I will experiment by putting in less or even leave it out altogether. I discovered that mixing half a pint of Admiral’s with half of a less bitter brew made for a more palatable drink.
I had a very pleasant evening drinking Admiral’s Reserve with my friend Gary who made a surprise visit. From that experience I can attest that Admiral’s Reserve really is much stronger than Wherry. I was quite drunk by the time I got to bed and Gary left his car and walked home. Although Admiral’s Reserve is very hoppy, especially if you add the Goldings powder, it has a rich flavour that comes through all the same. Once you get going on this stuff, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be pouring yourself many repeat glasses. I have begun to think the hoppiness of ale is key to its addictive quality. Once you get used to it you’ll want more.
Note - I made a second batch of this brew a little over a year later but on that occasion decided to add a little more water and discard the sachet of hops. To my surprise Admiral’s Reserve tasted practically as strong and as hoppy. That said I would now only recommend this ale to the VERY bitter drinker. In future I will choose something a little less dry.