Launched as a 6.3% bottled beer on 20 May 1972, Broadside’s full flavours were an instant hit. There were clamours for a cask version, so the brewing team was tasked with formulating a new recipe that delivered Broadside’s barrage of flavours at a lower strength. The bottled beer remains the strong original, but the 4.7% beer in cask shares its ruby red colour and rich fruitcake taste. Both versions have their fans and fifty years on, they are still going great guns. They are brewed with the same malts and British First Gold hops, but in differing proportions. Black and chocolate malt is used to give colour, while pale ale malt provides flavour, as well as fermentable sugars. The mashing regime is set to retain a lot of un-fermentable sugar, which gives Broadside its sweetness and full mouthfeel. When Adnams house yeast gets to work, it charges both brews with characters of Christmas. Broadside has earned its longevity thanks to its devotees, and the efforts of the brewing team in maintaining its quality and consistency over the years. It is always a favourite in our quality tastings, with the panel insisting on sampling Broadside on Fridays, to finish the week on a high note.