An interesting concept, here’s the official line from the brewery web site;

“FREE BEER (version 3.2) is an open source beer! And if you are wondering what that means keep reading.

The recipe and branding of FREE BEER is published under a Creative Commons license (Attribution-ShareAlike2.5). This gives permission for anyone to use the recipe or create a derivative to brew their own FREE BEER and to use the design and branding.

FREE BEER (version 3.2) from St. Austell Brewery is based on classic brewing traditions, but with added Guaraná for a natural energy boost. Our version shares its malt and hop blend with other versions, but is uniquely brewed with Cornish spring water from our own well, and uses premium locally grown ‘Maris Otter’ barley. The added Guaraná gives that final special flourish to this version.

Anyone is free to earn money from FREE BEER, but must credit the original and publish any changes and results under the licence.

For the recipe go to http://www.freebeer.org/”

Not sure what to make of this.

Poured from the 500 mL bottle bought at the brewery, this looks good. The look is probably the best part of the beer. Amber pour with plenty of clarity. Everything about the beer promises much but ultimately fails to deliver. It’s just a bit too light, weak and without presence to make much of an impression on me.

Not sure if I have listed this under the correct style either, so this is a bit of a mystery to me, as is the presence of Guaraná – what’s all that about??

Could be good with some tweaking, but for now a little disappointing.