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I haven’t had the Boddington’s Pub Ale in quite some time, but I remember liking the beer when I had it last. I was really looking forward to trying the Boddington’s again and writing a little review about it, but either my taste has changed, or I remember it very differently for some reason.
The Boddington’s Pub Ale of course, comes to America in the distinctive yellow and black can with the little “floaty-thing” inside. This mysterious “floaty-thing” is supposed to simulate the hand-drawn beer experience, where air is somehow mixed with the beer creating a creamy beer with a wonderful taste or something. Interestingly, the Boddington’s can has instructions regarding the correct temperature to enjoy the brew, and it is apparently 41 degrees. I didn’t take the beer’s temperature, but I did wait a bit for the temperature to warm up – maybe 10 minutes or so from fridge to belly.
I cracked open my yellow and black can of Boddington’s and the beer kind of exploded out of the can and spilled all over my official beer-testing table! WTF? I didn’t shake it or anything, so I’m thinking it’s somehow more carbonated in the can causing the mini-explosion? It was quite an event!
Pouring the beer was, as expected, very cool! All these little bubbles separate out, and it is an
interesting show to see the huge cream-colored head rise from the amber-colored ale below. It takes some time to sort out the beer from the head, but once it does you are left with a classic-looking pint of beer!
The Boddington’s Pub Ale has a mildly hoppy smell, nothing that really made me think “wow”, but nothing offensive either. Kind of regular smelling actually.
My first taste was underwhelming, and I was a little surprised because I remember really liking this beer in the past! The beer is smooth no doubt, but there is a mildly bitter aftertaste that wasn’t so hot, and as I thought about it, maybe even a metallic taste too? Could this can with the cool “floaty-thing” add this weird metallic flavor? So far, of all the beers The Brew Club has sampled, this is the first beer that was not from a glass bottle. Hmmmm.
If possible, I’d really like to try the Boddington’s Pub Ale from tap someday to see if my memory has grown dim, (very, very possible), or the Pub Ale in the can actually tastes very different from the stuff from the tap. Anybody have any thoughts on this?
The Boddington’s Ale is definitely a nice, smooth English Ale, nothing really bad about it, but I was a little disappointed that what I had to drink did not live up to my expectations, or my memory of what was a really good beer. It had a bitter, and slightly metallic aftertaste that I did not expect really or care for. Definitely underwhelmed.
What do you think of Boddington’s Pub Ale? Is ti better on tap, or is it just a metallic-tasting beer?
Rating: 
‘well gee, it ain’t no bud light or nothin, but it’s good.’
You have no talent for reviewing beer.
Hey, thanks for contributing! You’ve added so much to the conversation with your insight and obvious depth of knowledge.
Though I feel it was accurate concerning the pouring of the head and the consistency of the beer, I respectfully disagree with the conclusion. True, Boddingtons isn’t the most flavorful, and hardly the strongest brew, but it’s thick and satisfying and pares well with a variety of dishes. In this sense, it’s lack of strength works for it, as it doesn’t overwhelm the palate and accompanies food well.
-Ethan
Thanks! Like I mentioned, I remember the Boddingtons being a REALLY good beer. But when I tried this one – eh. It was just too metallic tasting. I should try another one, maybe it was a weird batch or something.
Scott, definitely not just your batch that tasted metallic. I recently purchased my first 4 pack of Boddy’s with high hopes. Sweet, Guinness-Like, head with nice retention, excellent lacing. No real flavor though, other than some malt. Very STRONG metallic taste. Pairs great with food that has flavor, very easy to drink. Defnitely not recommended though.
I would have disagree with any comment concerning “metallic-taste.” I would urge you to try a new batch, check the expiration etc. I can be one of those picky, “I don’t care to drink beer in cans, because I hate metallic-taste tainting my experience” kinda people. Naturally, I was hessitant to reach for a Boddington’s. (The cooler on Fourth of July consisted of Boddington’s and Beast, so I avoided the Beast) I was surprised to find that the can did pollute the ale. To be honest, its now one of my favorite beers. Since then, I have also tried the ale on tap. Even better. So, give both of my suggestions a try and reconsider. I doubt you’ll regret it, and believe that your taste buds will spark the memory of that “really good beer” you once enjoyed. Enjoy your beer explorations… who wouldn’t?
wow, sorry. “that the can DID NOT pollute the ale”***
Thanks Joe. If I see it on tap someplace, I would have no problem getting it again on tap. Come to think of it, I don’t remember if there was a ‘best by’ date on the can I tried. Next time I’m in the store, I’ll check that out. Cheers!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer =-.
I am so happy (also saddened) to find someone who believes that the brew has changed.
Boddingtons Pub Ale used to be my favorite canned beer. The only canned beer that I would ever purchase.
I find the flavor unpleasent. It is much more bitter than it ever had been in the past. The creaminess is gone and the color is decidely much more amber than cream.
It’s very sad.
When brands and brewerys change ownership the product will never be the same unless the brewing location and the people associated with it does not change.
I love most English Ales but this one I really dislike. The aftertaste kills it, very metallic. Great mouthfeel and creamy but the aftertaste lets it down.
Rob, I agree. Considering there are so many great English Ales available, Newcastle seems to be the ‘Bud’ of English Ales. Very popular, very common, but not so good from a beer standpoint.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brewing Beer at Home With the Coopers Homebrew Kit =-.
I had a sip of one two nights ago and thought it tasted like bread soaked in water. Not much to it.
.-= Don´s last blog ..Ho, Ho, Hum. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale =-.
I, believe it is supper time. Drink up
I bought this last night and tried. This review is spot on. I guess it has to be tried to tap too but from the can it is not good.
@John – Thanks. It’s good to hear when other people agree! (Makes me think I’m not nuts!) If you see it on tap, give it a shot but otherwise there are many better choices.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Do Beer Glasses Matter? =-.
Absolutely love this beer. had it on tap at the Irish pub in san Diego called blarney stone. Cool to watch fun to drink. Great taste.
just bought a 4 pk of this brew. must say your review is exactly my opinion. I bought it cause I remembered it being a great liquid but was very disappointed. and somebody please slap glade, “it no bud light” uuuuhhhhh bud light sux and this person’s opinion stinks. bet they drink bud light lime now.
I absolutely love this beer on tap, however I have to agree that the cans leave a lot to be desired.
@Brandon in VA – Strange isn’t it? Cans have come such a long way in protecting beer. More and more craft beers are showing up in cans now. I wonder what the deal is here? I would say its in our minds, but so many people seem to have the same experience with Boddingtons being great on tap and not-so-great in cans. Hmmmm.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Do Beer Reviews Influence You =-.
Horrible beer, asbolutely horrible. It’s true because it’s science.
Just bought my first 4 pack, and obviously I thought it was “unique” enough to see what people were saying online about it. My first sip (usually the best sip) was definitely “underwhelming”, good choice in words. But I must say that after the first pint was gone, 2 and 3 started tasting a lot better, and I definitely like the creaminess of the beer. I personally did not taste the metallic taste in the batch that I tried. I would have rated my first can a one star out of five, but beer two and three grew on me and I would give it a 3.5 out of 5. I would try it again, especially if I found it on tap somewhere.
P.S. Cool Blog
@Ray – nice assessment. The think that turned me on about the Boddingtons was the creaminess you described in the body. Its a good beer in that sense. Its been awhile since I’ve had this, and perhaps its another example of a beer I should revisit soon. Thanks for the comment and compliment!
Come back anytime!
Love the Boddington’s, cans are an issue over the hand pulled beer. Tetley’s has now become by go to over Boddington’s. Better flavor, darker caramel color, less metalic, with the same nitro-widget that makes it a great creamy ale from the can.
Side note. I’ve had two can’s of Boddingtons now where the widget didn’t release. Never seen a flatter beer in my entire life, bartenders were understanding and replaced the beer.
My opinion. Beer is still quality but the product design has been cheapened to the point that its affected taste and quality.
@JS- Interesting observations. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sam Adams Infinium – Did you try it =-.
I’d say it’s interesting. Slightly detected metallic taste, but I would add that I sort of expected this. It’s out of a can! Hard to expect it to be different. But all things considered, that’s probably the best way they can market the product outside of a keg. I haven’t tried the draught version, but I will soon. Smooth and creamy to be certain, but I wouldn’t necessarily say I was underwhelmed. The can is the likely culprit, probably not the beer. Still beats a Bud Light (glade is an air-freshener, isn’t it?).
@T-Bone. thanks for the comment! I used to think it was the can too, but the more I’ve learned about modern beer cans, the more I think it is something else. In modern beer cans, there is a barrier, like a film that separates the beer from the metal. Technically, the beer doesn’t touch the metal.
So, what does that mean? Maybe they use ‘old school’ cans without the protective film? (Doubt it, especially with the fancy widget thing!) I’m thinking its the water used in the brewing process. Maybe there is a different mineral content in the water that creates the taste? Just guessing here, but in my mind its not the can, although that would be the obvious culprit.
I really need to find this on tap so I can compare! Its been soooo long since I’ve had Boddington’s on tap!
Cheers!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..The Kegputer – Nobel Prize Anyone =-.
Great Beer, Love it! Hate the 4 pack packaging. What moron designed this? You take one beer out and carrying the 3 others anywhere is impossible. Stupid!
A fun beer like this should have great packaging so you can carry the convenient 4 pack around a big party and share with friends easily.
Angela – I would think it would be easier t carry 3! You have the empty one that you can loop your finger with, or hang it on your backpack!
It is the only beer that my wife can drink without triggering a migraine headache.
@Jim – that’s good I guess. I wonder why that is? Most beer is made up of the same ingredients (water, malted barley, hops, yeast)…
I am trying to figure that one out. My first guess is the NO2 charge or widget in the can instead of CO2. I am going to test this out with her this weekend with some Young’s Double Chocolate Stout which also has the NO2 widget in the canned variety. I know that Old Speckled Hen also comes in cans with the NO2 widget as well but it is hard to find.
Hmmm. That’ s good idea actually. Or, see if you can find Boddingtons on tap someplace and see what happens. Good luck, and please let us know what the results are!
These imports with widgets, (including Guinnesss) are VERY pour sensitive. Meaning that actual pour speed and angle can dramatically change the taste and smoothness of the beer. Believe it or not you can find pour times and instructions on the web!