Woodforde’s Nelson’s Revenge
Nelson Takes His Revenge On You And Me
Nelson’s Revenge has been our third choice for a Woodforde’s brew. After the success of Wherry and Admiral’s Reserve I decided I’d better try all the Woodforde’s products. I cannot predict when I will get around to completing the range as there are so many other beers I’d like to try.
Nelson’s Revenge is a little stronger than Wherry but I would not choose it in preference as, for me, it lacked a sufficiently distinctive character. This may have been due to something that went wrong in the brew process but I doubt it. Truth be told I was a little disappointed with Nelson’s Revenge. Sadly I couldn’t shake a sweet, sickly under taste that always seemed to get in the way of me fully enjoying this one.
Norfolk is of course the birth place of Admiral Horatio Nelson and so, because Woodforde’s are based in the same area, they have taken the opportunity to associate themselves with the great man. Well, why not? The package artwork is typically polished, and bears a reworking of a famous portrait of Nelson used as the pump clip for the ale. This is set against a backdrop of a Norfolk cornfield on a summers day. Very attractive and traditional while also looking sharp and modern. I guess the name “Nelson’s Revenge” sounded quite snappy and fun but I keep wondering what it’s meant to refer to? Who is the revenge being meted out to? Us the drinkers? What did we do to deserve this revenge? Is it a spiteful, vindictive revenge because he lost an arm and an eye? It is a silly name really. I think it would have been better called “Nelson’s Triumph!” An opportunity missed by Woodfordes.