Sampled at the Lincolnshire Poacher, Mansfield Road, Nottingham

THIS refreshing, easy-to-drink mouth-watering copper-coloured quaffing ale is a real gem. Lined with its underlying hoppy flavours, for which the brewer is famous, and its smidgens of background citrus and maltiness, I defy any beer drinker not to like it. It comes from the riverside-based Skinners Brewery in Truro. Notorious for its extravagant use of hops, Skinners' family brewers have been making cask beers since 1997. They've won copious awards for their ales including a Champion Beer of Britain accolade in 2008 for Betty Stogs, one of their 4% regulars. The Lincolnshire Poacher was Nottingham's first cask ale emporium, and it's still as popular as ever. Not surprising really as the beers are always spot-on; the staff are knowledgeable about the products they sell; and their beer range regularly excels beyond the boundaries of the East Midlands. There's always a good vibe about the Poacher. The Heligan should give you a buzz too...the ingredients include real Cornish honey.