Cary Grant could be the most famous Bristolian. J.K. Rowling, the first billionaire author, could be the wealthiest Bristolian. John Cleese is without a doubt the funniest Bristolian. But who is Matthew of Bristol?
A Replica of The Matthew in Bristol Harbour
Time for a COMDB history lesson. We all know that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue and discovered America. But do you know what Columbus actually discovered? That’s right, the Bahamas and Cuba. The first European to visit the Bahamas but certainly not the last. But in 1497 it was John Cabot who sailed from Bristol and was the first European to set foot on what we know today as Canada, when he landed at Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland. But who is this Matthew? While Columbus sailed ships with the romantic and memorable names the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, it turns out that the ship of Cabot’s historic voyage was the Matthew. Sounds like a Monty Python skit doesn’t it. The truth is stranger than fiction.
This Market brew, Matthew of Bristol, has an umbra of amber or is it umber. A dark amber more than red, with a bright white head. It has a bread malt aroma, a bit earthy on the nose, certainly amberesque, which bodes well when I’m sampling. It tastes of bread malt, smooth, no bitters or hops and quite a sweet finish. The sweet settled and a touch of bitter appeared. A nice red ale, smooth and easy drinking. With it’s full malt flavour and no hoppiness or fruit it seems more like a lager. No matter how you cut it, or pour it, or drink it, it’s a good beer.
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