Here at The Cask Connoisseur we are always on the look out for beers that pay tribute to iconic figures in the world of traditional English brewing. And here today, we have to include the exceptional and respected Frank Woodhouse, whose dedication and craftsmanship helped shape the legacy of Badger Brewery. Frank built his reputation on unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. He never compromised when it came to his beer, and he poured his passion into creating ales that truly reflected the heart of English brewing heritage.
His tribute, Frank’s Integrity, stands as a fitting testament to that philosophy: a bold, full-bodied strong English beer with an ABV of 7.0%, brewed in celebration of the values he championed throughout his career. This charming, rich, robust, and uncompromising in flavour, this beer captures not only Frank’s skill as a brewer but also his belief that every pint should tell a story of tradition, honesty, and craftsmanship.
A tribute to Frank Woodhouse?
The career of Frank Woodhouse began with him becoming a doctor. Then later down the line he joined his two older brothers in the family brewery. Frank, extraordinary, would go on to dedicate an incredible 59 years of service and 36 of those years he took the helm of chairman. His leadership guided the business through decades of cultural and commercial change, including the pivotal move from Ansty to Blandford Forum in Dorset. His quick thinking, resilience, and commitment to quality helped shape the brewery’s future.
Our first impressions on the first sample of Frank’s Integrity Strong English Beer ?
Frank’s Integrity should be poured with the steady hand due to it being bottle conditioned. This means there’s a small amount of sediment that sits at the bottom of the bottle.
Sediment is a harmless combination of yeast and protein particles. If you purchase a bottle conditioned beer, make sure you store it upright. And when you’re ready to crack open the bottle, always pour at a 45 degree angle.
On the pour, Frank’s Integrity showcases the legacy of British brewing. It certainly delivers on the high expectations that define a strong English beer.
It triggers the brain to understand the concept of why this beer is so important and the story behind it.
Where to watch our review of Frank’s Integrity Strong English Ale
If you’d like to discover more about the story behind Frank’s Integrity, head over to our YouTube channel and watch the full review for yourself – Watch Here.
Tasting Notes of Frank’s Integrity from Our Connoisseurs
- Appearance – At first glance, you’re met with a beautiful dark, inviting pour. Instantly you may think Frank’s Integrity is a “stout,” however it’s not that dark enough to be quoted as a stout. Instead, it sits in that sweet spot shared by other classic strong ales, with a deep mahogany colour that hints at warmth and character.
- Aroma – The nose delivers instant warmth, making you believe you’re savouring this beer in front of the roaring fire. It’s completely balanced.
- Flavour – Surprisingly, after the first sip you instantly know you’re drinking a strong beer. It does hit you full in the face in a positive way. Also, it triggers your brain to think that you’re sampling a Barley Wine, but the ABV is far from being classed as a Barley Wine. The finish is so prolonged, you’ll be chewing the flavours for a good five minutes.
How to enjoy Frank’s Integrity Strong English Ale
Just like any strong beer, it rewards you when you savour it sensibly. Take your time, and you’ll enjoy it more and truly understand the flavours unfolding in the glass.
A strong beer like Frank’s Integrity is the ideal drink to enjoy in the autumn or winter. Our reasoning behind this is the amount of warmth the beer strikes on the first sip. Following on from this, just how we described the aroma above, you can enjoy this beer whilst sitting in front of the roaring fire whilst diving into a mince pie.
The depth and warmth of Frank’s Integrity make it the perfect companion to enjoy for a quiet evening in a countryside pub. It’s comforting, characterful, and unmistakably English.
Our Connoisseur’s conclusion on Frank’s Integrity Strong English Ale
If you’re after a true British beer packed with warmth, character, and legacy, then Frank’s Integrity is for you. We chose it because your brain instantly recognises a strong beer, one full of history and depth from the very first sip.
One characteristic that really stands out is the head retention. Most bottled beers you do tend to lose the head after a good five minutes, but with Frank’s Integrity stays creamy in the glass and the froth lingers to the glass each time you take a sip.
As we’ve mentioned throughout this article, most importantly this beer makes you think of Frank Woodhouse. It’s a story inside a bottle! Also, it showcases what a fantastic legend did during his career, how he devoted his passion towards the British Brewing Industry.
This isn’t just a beer to taste and say that’s it, this is a beer to sit back, relax and listen to Frank’s story on how he became successful.
To Frank
Cheers
