Coniston Brewing Old Man Old Ale

This is classic stuff from Cumbria - dark without being heavy, smooth without going sweet. The roasted malts do the legwork, bringing a soft richness that hints at fruitcake and toasted nuts, while a light touch of earthy hops stops it getting too cosy. It doesn’t try to impress with noise or novelty - it's simply a well-made, no-fuss ale that does its job rather nicely.

Coniston Brewery got going in 1995, when Ian Bradley decided to swap the family pub's bar for a brewhouse out back. Tucked away behind the Black Bull in the Lake District, it's where Bluebird Bitter was born - and promptly crowned Champion Beer of Britain a few years later. Since then, they've stuck to what they do best: brewing classic, characterful ales with local water, whole hops and a healthy respect for tradition.