Arkell - Kingsdown Special Ale 4.7%

Taste: This ale has the requisite properties to remove the edges from a day. A touch metallic and a bit homebrewy. In fact I'm checking that I'm not drinking from a steel tankard, as the hit of metal is strong with this one. Hang on,  a little bit of a haribo chewy sweet taste has come from nowhere. Think foamy egg to be precise. Standard is a word that lurks uncomfortably around this ale.

Appearance: Declaring the 'specialness' of the ale on the label is dangerous. The ale is a timeless ale brown. Classic.

Would you buy 2? I can't imagine being happy or sad if that happened.

Would you buy 4? Ale apathy would kick in, which is bad.

Rating (out of 7): 3 * * *.  I'm not sure what to say? Standard.

Arkells - Bees Organic Ale (4.5%)

Taste: A touch bland and then a gone off pickled egg slaps the roof of your mouth. Uurrrggh. Distinctly unpleasant aftertaste. Where's the honey? Why do ales with bee based labels always seem so enticing? This is a disappointment. Hang on, it is improving... Not by much though.

Appearance: Ale is the colour of lager and blood mixed together. A sort of orange.

Would you buy 2? I'd rather not.

Would you buy 4? Not on the agenda. It's not even subject to status.

Rating (out of 7): * * ( maybe harsh, but the blandness is it's downfall.)