THE Morning Advertiser’s 2019 Drinks List has been published this week. Basically, it reveals what is going on with drinks sales at our pubs, clubs and bars.

In relation to cask ale sales, Molson Coors-owned Sharp’s Doom Bar has once again been identified as the nation’s best-selling cask conditioned beer.

The list highlighted the top 10 best-sellers: Doom Bar; Greene King IPA; Fuller’s London Pride; Greene King Abbot Ale; Deuchars IPA; Wainwright; Marston’s Pedigree; St Austell Tribute; Taylor’s Landlord; and Ruddles Best.

However, in my opinion, it only proves that a popular drink doesn’t necessarily guarantee a top quality product.

Permit me to explain. The top two, Doom Bar and Greene King IPA, are a tasteless offering in my view. Doom Bar for example, has a virtually non-existent aroma, little flavour and a watery mouth feel. But, all the beers mentioned have a route to the cask ale market. The ales are tied to thousands of pubs. In many, the beer is heavily discounted. They are bound to be the most popular.

Another beer in the top 10 is Wainwright, brewed by Marstons in Wolverhampton. It is a mere shadow of its former self. This golden ale was a first-class beer when it was brewed by Thwaites in Blackburn.The initial biscuit malt flavour, followed by tasty citrus notes, were a perfect marriage. They now appear virtually untraceable.

However, there are a four excellent beers in the top 10, in my humble opinion. Firstly, Fullers London Pride (3rd place). Its biscuit malt, toffee and bitter hop flavours balanced beautifully when I sampled it last month. An iconic traditional bitter.

Another classic ale, down in ninth place rather surprisingly, is Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. It’s one of my favourite beers with biscuit malt, fruity bitterness and a malty, tangy finish. It was in exceptional condition at the Aspinall Arms, Mitton, when I visited recently.

Deuchars IPA and St Austell Tribute Ale are two more beers I always enjoy too.

In all honesty this publication only reveals and highlights the big brewers’ marketing power and financial clout. National brewers will always have a major and indelible presence in the brewing industry. It just frustrates me some of the pervasive beers mentioned are shunting many excellent and lesser known beers off the bar.