Marston's Old Empire IPA
2 logs on Brewskipotatoes
Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with earthy, resinous hops — think dried herbs, orange peel, and a mild sulphurous note characteristic of Burton-on-Trent water. The palate brings a firm bitterness balanced by a biscuity, lightly caramel malt backbone that keeps things grounded rather than sharp. Body is medium, with a round, full texture that separates it clearly from leaner American interpretations. The finish is long and dry with lingering hop bitterness and a faint marmalade sweetness.
About the Brewery
Marston's has been brewing in Burton-on-Trent, England since 1834, making it one of the country's longest-established commercial breweries. They are particularly associated with the Burton Union system, a traditional fermentation method using linked wooden casks that contributes a distinctive yeast character to their beers. The brewery is widely known for Pedigree Pale Ale and has a broad portfolio spanning traditional cask ales to licensed and contract brewing. Their Burton heritage gives their hop-forward beers a naturally high sulphate water profile that accentuates bitterness.
Food Pairings
A ploughman's lunch works well here because the bitter hop edge cuts cleanly through sharp cheddar and pickled onion. Roast chicken with herb stuffing echoes the beer's earthy, resinous hop character without fighting it. Fish and chips is a natural match since the dry bitterness acts as a counterpoint to fried fat. Pork pies and cold cuts pair comfortably because the malt backbone handles the salt and richness of cured meat without being overwhelmed. Aged gouda or similar semi-hard cheeses also complement the orange-and-marmalade undertones in the finish.
Style Guide
English India Pale Ale traces its roots to the strong, heavily hopped pale ales brewed in Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries, originally shipped to colonial India where the hops and alcohol helped preserve the beer on long sea voyages. Compared to American IPA, the English version typically emphasizes earthy, floral, and resinous hop character over the tropical or citrus-forward aromas of American or New Zealand hops, and it carries a more prominent malt backbone. Bitterness is firm but rounded rather than aggressive, and ABV generally sits in the 5–6.5% range. The style is closely associated with Burton-on-Trent, where naturally sulphate-rich water sharpened hop perception and defined the classic Burton IPA profile.