This one takes it’s name from the Hen Harrier which is locally known as the Sky Dancer because of it’s elaborate flying displays, I can just imagine being sat outside a pub near the Bowland Forest, drinking a pint of this and watching the birds fly.

Bowland Sky Dancer

My first impressions of this beer were that it was a lot lighter than the Headless Peg and not quite as full of flavour or as tasty, however it was still a pretty fine beer.

It was light and summery, with a little bit of peach and a hint of grapefruit, it would almost compare it to the Badger range of beers that have a similar peachy flavour.

Sky dancer was a little bit fizzier and didn’t have as much body as the Headless Peg. It also had a lovely bitter aftertaste that slowly melted away leaving you wanting more.

Out of the two Bowland Beers I have had, this was Emily’s favourite she thought it was very tasty and just about right for her, not too bitter, not too sweet or flowery, so i guess that means i won’t be seeing any of the remaining bottles.

If you see this beer in the shop or are lucky enough to be close to the brewery i would definitely give it a try as it would make a cracking party or session beer.

As neither my dad or myself had heard of Bowland before we thought we would try a couple of their ales (along with some of Hambleton’s and some they bottled for Acorn)

Bowland Headless Peg

The first of these was Headless Peg, a 4.5% bitter.

The name is apparently derived from the legend of Peg O’Neil who is a local water spirit, who’s headless statue sits by the river a few miles from the brewery.

There was a distinct caramel smell and a little bit of hops on the nose as i poured the beer, it was a lovely rich dark golden colour and had a really nice creamy coloured head.

It tasted quite bitter with a lovely hoppy characteristic, I could also taste a bit of raisin and caramel, almost like black forest gateau (yes i know I’m a bit crazy). This made it a little different from your run of the mill English Bitter, which I think makes it stand out quite a bit.

Headless Peg was quite rich but that didn’t stop it being seriously drinkable, out of the 6 bottles I bought I only have one left (although i think i did give one to Dan and i think Emily may have polished off half a bottle).

I haven’t seen Bowland beers in many places and I will certainly be trying to get hold of some of the other beers in their range (their website seems a little out of date so I am not entirely sure what they currently bottle.