I love talking about and supping ale. There are so many weird and wonderful ales, but my own taste rarely goes above 4.5%. Thwaites brew great beers and can't ever recall having a bad one. Wainwrights is one of my particular faves and Lancaster Bomber, a beer that I believe they took over brewing after purchasing Mitchell's of Lancaster is another tasty ale weighing in at 4.4%. My Mrs is a bit partial to their Nutty Black, and she also likes Wainwrights and Moorhouse Blonde Witch. My fave though is Timothy Taylor's Landlord and well worthy of it's champion status.
CD mentions Golden Pippin, a beer that looks not unlike piss but tastes like a "fruity wine", a tremendous drink. I have supped plenty Bank Top ales, and whilst in my opinion, not the best in the World are always good for the constitution and is Premier League class compared to that dire keg bilge John Shite!
Whilst remaining local, I have sampled another brewery's ale recently, Dunscar Bridge. I have to say that this Brewery's ale is top drawer and when tasked with finding a barrel for suppin with two mates at New Year I settled reluctantly for 72 pints of Bombay IPA at 3.7%, we all agreed it was divine!!
One place I like to sup is Barristers in town. They have a great range of beers, the usual favourites to some occasionals like Conistons Bluebird and St Austells Tribute.
As for bottled ale, some are stronger than their cask brothers, and some taste completely different. Black Sheep is a fine example of this, great out of the barrel, not quite as good in bottle. I try to stick to Wainwrights, Bomber and Landlord when purchasing take away ale as these are closest to the hand pump job.
Finally in the same vein, Marston's Pedigree at 4.5% hand pump and 5% bottle, is true to taste in both forms.
You can wake up now, I've finished for the time being!!! Bring it on, can't wait for more mouth watering posts in this thread.