Fuller's London Pride Vs Morland Old Speckled Hen | British Ale Battle

[@davidmeyer188]

Fullers and Harveys from Lewes were my favorite beers back when I lived in the "old UK"!

[@AlienMidget123]

I was so worried when Asahi bought out Fullers and the Griffin Brewery, but big respect to them for not messing with London Pride or any of the Fullers range - letting them do what they do and not turning their amazing beers into pisswater like Doom Bar and Newkie Brown

[@stephengreen3367]

Apparently Asahi have a reputation for not interfering with breweries that they take over. Full marks to them for that. Shame other big brewers don't do the same.

[@philipnunn1816]

@@stephengreen3367 .................. Er... What about Dark Star?

[@richardbloore9480]

Are they still brewing Dark Star in West Sussex ?

[@johnp8131]

@@richardbloore9480 Maybe just? Don't think it's closed quite yet? Personally I've only ever had the original stuff from the Pitfield brewery in London before Rob Jones first moved though. Was the Brighton stuff any good?

[@philipnunn1816]

@@richardbloore9480 Sadly not..... I believe Dark Star beers are now brewed at Meantime Brewery in Greenwich since the end of last year...

[@kevinjohnsloan1157]

I love these vs battles really good idea

[@shannonwittman950]

Being as I am a Yank with a long history of drinking red wines, I hadn't had anything to do with beers and ales. My only exception would've been a can of Budwieser Lite chilled to ice cold with my friends. Loaded with carbonation; an Arctic blast to the mouth. But lately I got the idea to "experience" real English pub beers and ales. Researching online, Fuller's London Pride kept coming up as very popular wiht Brits. So, I bought a four-pack and took it home. Days later I capriciously took a bottle of London Pride from my closet (room temp) popped it open, took a sip -- and instantly was hooked. Everything you said, no blast to the mouth, just a delicous, treat. Utterly refreshing. I didn't want that bottle to run out. Luckily, I still had three more. Cheers and bravo to Fuller brewing.

[@kurran1962]

Why room temp?

[@Andy_ATB]

Good timing; I've got one bottle left of a box of Fuller's strong ales, and it's London Pride. Can't go wrong with proper strong, British ales.....

[@crazy_pete5129]

I think after the last several years of all the strange dessert / sweet porters / IPA's flavoured with artificial flavours and sugars and weird stuff like biscuits, birthday cakes and parts of roast dinners going back to more traditional ales makes you really appreciate how good they are to begin with and why do people keep trying to reinvent the wheel.

[@OscarOSullivan]

Hear hear I would add bottled single stout to that we should drink more of list

[@adamgreenhill110]

Exactly, if you find the "still good" ones. Many have gone downhill but some are still excellent beer

[@celdisco]

Fullers range of beers is fantastic, if i could only choose one beer to drink it would be one from Fullers ! Nice pint in their bar in Heathrow Airport before my flight a few years ago!

[@chrisward1666]

Nice to see some proper ale reviews. I’ve been buying more of them than craft beers in the last couple of months.

[@jeffreypeilow8851]

Any time I'm in London i always drink London Pride on draught never disappoints it's a solid ale

[@nigelwatson2750]

Great review, Simon. London Pride is the best market bitter sold in UK supermarkets.

[@jaysonwilkodp]

I wish the IPA craze hadn't taken off so hard here in the US. We used to have a robust import market until this happened. I can still find Old Speckled Hen, but London Pride and other Fullers Products are so hard to find.

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

Old Speckled Hen was phenomenal on draft in the 80s and 90s. My old man worked in the Morland brewery in Abingdon. He was always bringing kegs back. They used to do a secret special brew of the stuff for the staff. Was mind blowing. Not anymore though. They have tinkered with it to much over the years. A damn shame but saving money is king now.

[@johnp8131]

Had it the early 80's at beer festivals, I was posted to Germany in the late eighties and the next time I had it was back in the UK in the early 2000's. I thought it was a totally different beer? Marstons did something similar to Morrell's Varsity but I haven't seen that for years?

[@MarkBalcombe]

​@@johnp8131It has changed, not as good but still excellent. Why do takeovers affect quality 🧐

[@stephengreen3367]

London Pride was a favourite of mine on draught back in my pub drinking days. Lovely pint. By the way how cold did you drink those beers? They look well chilled, far more than I would myself for that type of beer.

[@runswithwindz9875]

Agreed !

[@OscarOSullivan]

Serve at cellar temperature

[@johnp8131]

The "tinny matalic" thing seems to be quite normal with most Greene King brewed ales even some of the draught stuff. I was told they changed their "hopping method" to keep up with demand when the expanded, after closing down the Biggleswade Greene King brewery. Many said, at the time, their beers had mostly changed for the worse, especially the more hopped ones? Don't get me wrong, they still can brew some very good ales when they want to, as I have witnessed at major festivals. Personally, I'd stick to a Fullers.

[@jonbibby9755]

^100% this^

[@MattWilliams482]

I had a lovely pint of Pride at the Mad Bear and Bishop in Paddington station yesterday when waiting for a train back to Cardiff 🍻

[@peterm7548]

London Pride is a stalwart. Been drinking it since the 1970s. Its not my favourite amber ale - I prefer Adnams, Harvey's or Purity's examples - but I will always happily consume one. Old Speckled Hen used to be a great beer when it first came out. Then it was 5.2%. I was given some of this a while back and I was disappointed. Too right about the bitterness and tinniness.

[@sstires]

I just had Old Speckled Hen on nitro yesterday it was fantastic .Hard to find at the pub here in the states .

[@ifyouarefeelingsinister]

oh nice, that sounds great

[@71simonforrester]

London Pride was such an eye opener for me, being a Midlands lad I had no respect for Southern brewers. Then I tried London Pride and it was impossible to fault! Had to rethink my prejudices that day!

[@nifty1111]

I like both of these ales but I agree - the London Pride is easily the better of the two. By the way - did you know that Shepherd Neame's Bishop's Finger is now in dark brown bottles instead of clear? If you can still find an older bottle in clear glass it might make a good head-to-head against a newer one in a brown bottle. Just a thought.... :))

[@action963]

The abv is lower now too

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

@@action963no

[@trappenweisseguy27]

I love all of the Fullers beers I’ve had over the years, with a great rememberance of their 1845.

[@rgillespie36]

London Pride vs Jail Ale would be a much better battle, both Amazing ales. I find most Green King ales have a metallic taste.

[@totspur6376]

A question if I may. I am a subscriber. I am a beer fan in all it's forms. I hear a lot about "Light Strike" in clear and green bottles that contain lager. But I do not hear this term with regards to Ale? Is this due to the brewing process?

[@realaleguide]

The darker malts help a lot with light strike, it helps to prevent it

[@AndyFraserA]

That was interesting. I've never been much of a fan of London Pride. It's ok but not great in my opinion. I've always preferred Old Speckled Hen out of the two and buy it fairly regularly. Different people, different tastes I guess. At this moment I'm drinking Robinson's Old Tom which is much better than either of them in my opinion! 😁

[@johnp8131]

There's probably bigger difference in the draught versions, as the Greene King beer still retains a bit of a metalic taste even then. Plus the "Pride" is a little weaker but has surprisingly more flavour on draught. Old Tom? That's about 1080+ OG though! A totally different kettle of fish.

[@Jannes-pj4cd]

What a coincidence Simon, I’ve bought and tried the Old Speckled Hen recently, it was my first time trying it. I really enjoyed it, I find it a shame that we don’t get many UK style beers in the Netherlands to try. I’d love to try a mild, bitter or strong ale for example.

[@flymajj]

London Pride is a lovely beer in my opinion. Whenever I get back to the UK, I do my best to make sure I find time for a Pride when passing through London. I also visited the brewery in Chiswick last year, which was very enjoyable. I wouldn't touch Old Speckled Hen, or any other Greene King beers for that matter.

[@richardwaldron1684]

I love a pint of London Pride. I've only recently discovered it but it's become a real firm favourite of mine already, the malted flavour is a real winner. Cheers

[@WolfmanWoody]

Although a northerner by birth, I remember Fullers from childhood holidays. Never ever tried it as I wrongly thought of it much like Marstons or Wilsons DRB. Might give it a go then sometime on your recommendation.

[@johnp8131]

Please try Fullers ESB too if you can get it. It may be a bit sweet and strong as a bitter for some but it's certainly worth trying.

[@NerdAdventurer85]

I went and picked up a bottle of London Pride today. Planning on trying in after Tea Tonight. Got some lush Pork Loins to scoff down with some mash and veg. 😂 I eas looking around some shops for Ales i haven't tried. No idea why i haven't tried London Pride...🤔😂 Cheers Friend. 👍🤝

[@FighterPilot1945]

Another good review m8👍your doing some good real ales reviews keep it up!

[@mbpathmaker]

That was a great review. I have 2 cans of Old Speckled Hen in the fridge.😂

[@terencemeikle534]

I used to drink both of these quite often, back in days when "Morland's" was Morland's. I think I preferred London Pride, but not by a long distance. Since then, I've been won over to locally brewed ales that have burgeoned in the last couple of decades. A bit of a bigger strain on the wallet, but for sheer enjoyment, you can't whack them.

[@scotty1487]

Are the beers slightly chilled or cold from the fridge?

[@mervynnel9267]

Loved watching this review.

[@brxee]

I always find OSH a bit 'oily' during the first pint for some reason, soon stops though and fine from like the 3/4 pint mark onwards. LP has always been a decent pint, especially cask in a pub that keeps their beers well.

[@AugustusRex-nk8ze]

Those are my two favourite British ales. Absolutely love them both. Respect from Sweden.

[@jonbibby9755]

Tinny and astringent is exactly how I would describe Old Speckled Hen these days. London Pride is an excellent beer either from a bottle or on cask

[@steve-bk1qd]

back in the day when Morland's still existed...OHS on cask was a good strong ale...Fuller's LP...a superb best bitter...hence the mismatch...having said that Fuller's was always a superior brewer to Morland's

[@millsy1861]

If i were asked to describe a pint of Pride, id simply say its a proper pint of beer, which it is, love a cast pint of Pride, its a superb beer.

[@MrTimjm009]

I dont know if its relevant but , because the Speckled he in in clear instead of brown bottles , do you think that might have something to do with it ? Ive had both before draught and bottle. Ive always loved London Pride . Could never really choose between that and Speckled hen normally

[@dansharpe2364]

Personally I'd always drink Pride over Speckled Hen which is nowhere near as good as it was years ago. It's still just about OK though. It would be good to see Fullers ESB up against something on your channel. I used to drink a lot of that when I lived in London.

[@simonharding3109]

Fuller's ESB is another level and a fabulous beer

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

What is the price for each one of these ales? I assume the London Pride costs more.

[@AlienMidget123]

Off the top of my head London Pride’s still very affordable, I think it’s about £1.80 for a 500ml bottle or part of a 3 for £5 deal in Sainsburys. LIDL stocks Old Speckled Hen for not too much either

[@tent7014]

Simon you dont seem to do a sniff test on the second beers in your recent comparisons.

[@Johnhorrill]

I've been drinking Old Speckled Hen for a while, and I have to say, not many beers compare to it. After watching this video, I tried London Pride, but I have to admit, I was rather confused by your comparison. If anything, I'd say London Pride has a more tangy, metallic taste. That said, they've nailed the carbonation. Old Speckled Hen can sometimes feel a bit bloaty unless poured out of the bottle.

[@cactusdan94]

Theyve just recently got Pride on pump up the pub, absolutely lovely stuff. As for Speckled Hen, i do like it, but ive always found it to have a very "acquired" taste. I can understand why somebody WOULDNT like it, if that makes sense

[@tommyist598]

London pride is an old school fav real nice bitter with a sweet and fruity twang, growing up not far from the smoke always loved fullers pubs and ales they do a great range. old speckled hen is also a great value tasty ale available in my local lidl. Both tasty yet very drinkable beers.

[@tommyist598]

Yes honey dew is another great one and I think generally available country wide

[@jonbibby9755]

The best selling ale in the UK is Doom Bar apparently. Wetherspoons probably has a lot to do with that

[@71simonforrester]

I'd say it's probably food pubs that only have doom bar on except for lagers and IPAs. Wetherspoons normal ale is probably Abbott tbf

[@grahamdukes1460]

I agree with some of the other comments, OSH used to be a fab beer. I also thought it used to be stronger but can't be sure. Stopped buy it.

[@neildoherty327]

How cold should ale be drank? New to it. Cheers

[@neildoherty327]

@@noggintube brilliant! Thanks !

[@matthewrobinson2831]

When my grandad was in the RAF serving he use to drink ales and beer and me growing up seeing him in his old age drinking ales and stouts and not the same old beers. Grew me into a mind off trying everything atleast once. I love spitefire alie that was one off his favs and the adnam ales from Southwold Think spitefire Alex is one my favs just because the memories it brings back and love a ghost ship..London's pride is beautiful. One my all time favourites tho are Guinness and John Smith's

[@pvacaesar2942]

London pride is one of the few cask ales we get over here in san francisco, always great to get a taste of home

[@NOFX_86]

anytime I brew London Pride. my favorite beer

[@dancemusic70]

London Pride since 1987. Never looked backed. The guvnor❤

[@rivafussball6719]

Bang on rating for FLP

[@rivafussball6719]

St Austel IPA or St Austel Black IPA v FLP is one you should try

[@grahammchendry7874]

I love London Pride, and quite like Fullers ESB as well. Both better than Old Speckled Hen

[@leeetchells609]

5 for £5 old speckled hen in Morrisons at moment. Fathers day special.. stock up 😊

[@NBK3524]

Once bought my uncle a box of the Hen.... Next time I seen him "whatever that beer was you bought me it went straight through me please don't buy it again 😄

[@mihaifox465]

@Real Ale Craft Beer from all of your years experience on YT, please get a proper microphone to filter out all the ecoes and ambiental sounds plzzzzzzzz

[@jameskrell4392]

Old seckled hen is a bit like the Labour Party, it remains in name only. I have lost count of the times they have messed with it, gravity, flavour, colour all changed over the years. I know very little about the history of London Pride exept to say I enjoy it.

[@robertscriven602]

Yes Old Speckled was great in the 90s when it was still brewed in Abingdon by Moorlands. Once it was taken over by Greene King it went downhill fast. Beer only used to cost £1 a pint in the pub back then too 😢

[@rgillespie36]

Hands down london pride for me

[@steve-bk1qd]

a bit of a mismatch surely ...different on cask...FLP 4.1%, OHS 5.2% as I recall

[@johnp8131]

Pride is 4.7% from the bottle though. Personally, I'd rather rather have a 4.1% Pride from the cask, far more flavour.

[@rivafussball6719]

London Pride hands down! Don't know if there's a beer on the planet that Beats Fullers Pride of London. King, ney Emporer of Ales

[@Ngamer834]

I have to disagree with those who are saying Asahi hasn't messed around with Fullers beers. London pride is still drinkable but Asahi have definitely changed it. ESB was changed more recently along with the bottle design still nice enough beer but the older recipe was superior and this was very apparent to me when I drunk one after the other to compare. Whilst they haven't stooped to the levels of Heineken with Newcastle brown ale and John smiths these big companies always ruin once great beers.

[@FighterPilot1945]

Completely agree asashi have changed recipe,I've been long time ESB drinker for 48 years!.brought up on real ales.esb changed bottle design and flavour not the same as before,I bought 4 bottles Tesco after 1 bottle I took them back awful stuff never again,contacted asashi complain,never even got reply back,terrible customer service ,naff beer ESB now

[@Ngamer834]

@@FighterPilot1945 Thankfully I still have one bottle left of the old ESB beer to enjoy at some point that's still in date. When they changed the bottle design I thought it's probably still the same beer. It was like drinking a different beer they changed it for the worst. The same has happened to London pride and it always surprises me how others can't tell the difference. Soon as I opened and drunk them it was obvious straight away. Least I am not the only one to notice.

[@americasfavoritehoarder]

Old Speckled Hen! IAN would be proud.

[@mikegregory2492]

I've still yet to find a beer to really rival LP for my tastes.

[@randalldraco3822]

I was waiting when you come to old hen, yes, the metalic is something I've noticed I first tried it in 2016. Overral a nice beer, but this metal/tin aftertaste is a production flaw they should eliminate. Shame

[@Eternal_Misery]

Fullers have declined ever since the rebrand and new bottle style. Just doesn’t taste like it used too. Not just Pride, ESB, Honey Dew taste nowhere near like before.

[@Left_it]

i actually havent found better than London Pride. Its very clean, and never get a hangover

[@muzzymuzzmuzz1]

Simon - come on - let's be honest. London Pride was gonna win every day of the week. Remember Speckled Hen is Greene King - and everyone knows Greene King has rubbish beers, wherever you look....

[@robertscriven602]

Pride is so much better than OSH. It used to be a good bet but it isn't anymore. If you can get hold of it try TEA by Hogsback brewery 😍

[@stephengodsmark4353]

six bit generous. average 5 maybe for me. no comparison to LP. think I'd change clubs too!

[@rosslogan4154]

London Pride is a beautiful pint drawn from the cask (4.1%abv). Bottled London Pride is a completely different beer (4.7%abv). Not as good as the cask but still very drinkable. Speckled Hen is disgusting. Any brewery that puts their beer in clear glass bottles tells you the value they put on their beer!! Tastes metallic and cheap.

[@craigb2644]

I prefer the canned version of old speckled hen 🐔

[@MarkBalcombe]

One of the all time classics malty as well as hoppy so great with cheese, egg, ham, tomato etc and again totally different from larger which does NOT go with those foods oimi

[@action963]

Both of these Beers have changed a lot over the years and not for the better....while i agree London Pride is better im surprised u gave it such a high mark

[@christoph1246]

The clear bottles just look cheap and nasty. I don’t mind speckled hen though.

[@davidhayes4814]

Not sure why Old Speckled Hen has reduced its ABV from 5% to 4.8%.I guess that it is fiscal, which is a shame…

[@FighterPilot1945]

Increase in government alcohol tax came into force this month,saves companies tax but you don't benefit reduced abv reduced taste you pay same price though😳😞

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

They said it wouldn't ruin the taste, well it did.

[@johnp8131]

Ironically, the Original Moorland version back in the seventies had an Original Gravity of around 1050. So the bottled stuff today is fractionally stronger? However, when it come to the cask version, you're right. That's probably so it's not in direct competition with Abbot Ale though?

[@OscarOSullivan]

Why is it that in the UK and ROI beers at five percent abv are taxed more than 4.2 percent abv also taxation seems like it was applied eighty years ago and has stuck

[@jimmyd12001]

Well Old Speckled Hen is yet another beer that's had it's abv lowered so I wont be buying that anymore.

[@frankcarter6427]

ham

[@treforwalker7152]

Way ‘forward ‘ - traditional ales . All these ttti fruity IPAs have had their day . Fed up of that fad

[@vail4639]

🇬🇧 🍺 💯

[@tobyjackman3212]

Hen isn't the beer it used to be - I give it a swerve these days