Brewery: Adnams
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, England
ABV: 5.0%
Version: 500ml bottle

I know Adnams make a beer called Explorer but according to my notes, which I'll admit were made a while ago, I've recorded that this version had Chilled in its name. I can't see any mention of it anywhere on Adnams website, or on Rate Beer, so it may be the standard one even though the strength doesn't correspond with either the cask or bottled version of that. Or perhaps the Chilled was an experiment and they decided not to run with it. Anyway, I followed the name and stuck the bottle in the fridge.

It's a light amber colour with a restrained citrus aroma. The initial taste follows up on that smell, being a light and breezy citrus flavour, but this quickly gives way to a malty sweetness. Unfortunately I felt that sweetness pushed through too quickly, and overshadowed the grapefruit notes hinted at in the background. More hops, less malt would have worked much better. If it has been discontinued perhaps that's why. Maybe I should try a bottle of the other Explorer and see if there's any difference.

Edit: To resolve the apparent confusion over the name I emailed Adnams, and received a prompt and informative reply from the head brewer, Fergus Fitzgerald. Thanks Fergus for taking the time to reply. The strength of the bottled Explorer was reduced last year from 5.5% to 5%. The marketing people also advised that mention should be made to it being a blonde beer, as the packaging doesn't make this obvious. The suggested change to clear bottles was quickly ruled out as it was felt the subsequent over-exposure to light would mar the flavour. Instead the bottled product was renamed Explorer Chilled as chilled beer is regarded by most drinkers as being blonde. So now bottled Explorer is called Explorer Chilled.

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