Joseph Holt - Humdinger 4.1%

Taste: Almost sickly sweet. Like honeysuckle. Sticky apricot sap. Soda water fizz on your tongue.

Appearance: There were a lot of big bubbles. Even more apricots.

Would you buy 2? Maybe, I like it but it's very sweet.

Would you buy 4? Sugar overload.

Rating (out of 7): 4**** Too sweet, but it might be perfect for a sunny picnic, rather than a fireside ale.

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.)