For breakfast I had a black IPA - Fourpure and Cloudwater Optare.How can pale ale be black? ??? If it's black it ain't pale ale, India or not. And I must admit that I hate the name, as I do many beers nowadays. I hope it tasted good enough to make up for the misnaming.
Blue moon is as much as craft beer as Double Diamond was a real ale. The brewery is the beer equivalent of a flag of convenience. Avoid.
Soaring to unparalled levels of Git there, Graeme!
Week commencing 31st Oct, I'll be back in Aberdeen, staying close enough to a 6-degrees north pub to pop in, they do good beer as wellGive us a shout if you fancy company...
This weekend is Brewdog Collab fest, where each of their UK bars got together with a brewer to make 27 new beers. Yesterday we tried getting through them. I was in bed by 8pm :-[
There were a lot of stouts. I would say these were generally of better quality than the non stouts.
Managed a couple (Gadds Seaside and Kent Brewery Session Pale)before being dragged home by Mrs n for Strictly.
Whatever happened to BEER tasting like, well, BEER ???
If you like - but it's not as though beer tasting beer is exactly unavailable. There are gazillions more varieties about now than when I was a callow yoof. The new weird tasting stuff is in addition to the beery beer - not replacing it. Which, to my way of thinking, is an extremely good thing.Whatever happened to BEER tasting like, well, BEER ???
Exactly, it should taste of malt and hops. None of this namby pamby adding a fucking fruit salad. If I want fruit, I'll go to the greengrocers, if I want beer I'll go to the pub. As if sticking half a fruit salad in my beer (yes, I am looking at you, Sol and Blue Moon), forget about it.
Whatever happened to BEER tasting like, well, BEER ???
Exactly, it should taste of malt and hops. None of this namby pamby adding a fucking fruit salad. If I want fruit, I'll go to the greengrocers, if I want beer I'll go to the pub. As if sticking half a fruit salad in my beer (yes, I am looking at you, Sol and Blue Moon), forget about it.
Week commencing 31st Oct, I'll be back in Aberdeen, staying close enough to a 6-degrees north pub to pop in, they do good beer as wellGive us a shout if you fancy company...
Dunno what the filthy bananananana-tasting horror was that I had foisted on me but it was at least fifteen years ago and on draught in the White Lion of Mortimer in Crouch End.
The best name I can remember was "Comrade Bill Bartrams Egalitarian Anti Imperialist Soviet Stout", which I tried at a local beer festival a few years back. Sadly this pre-dates my usage of the app, and was the first or second beer tasted during a fairly hefty session, so I have no idea whether I liked it or not.
I'm all for innovation.
My approach is this: I try something. If I like it I continue to use/drink/eat it. If I don't like it I don't.
But I certainly don't preclude trying anything, on the grounds of bigotry or narrow-minded dedicated views on what something 'should' be.
I've just stocked up on Blue Moon. :P
A new micropub opened in Queenborough the other day so I popped in on the way home this evening. Totally unsurprised to find a bunch of acquaintances in there. Managed a couple (Gadds Seaside and Kent Brewery Session Pale)before being dragged home by Mrs n for Strictly. A carry out of Hopdaemon's Incubus softened the blow though. I'm definitely liking this idea of opening a pub any old where.
I'm all for innovation.
My approach is this: I try something. If I like it I continue to use/drink/eat it. If I don't like it I don't.
But I certainly don't preclude trying anything, on the grounds of bigotry or narrow-minded dedicated views on what something 'should' be.
I've just stocked up on Blue Moon. :P
Well done, you. You must be so proud of yourself :P
Seriously, though, I wouldn't call what I was saying bigotry, nor narrow mindedness, I know what I like. How do I know what I like? Simple, I try something new and, if I like it I will keep on drinking it, if I don't, I won't. Oh, hang on that is exactly what you said....
I've never tried Blue Moon, but Lagunitas IPA is quite drinkable, even if it is just a pseudo-craft brand of Heineken.
The best name I can remember was "Comrade Bill Bartrams Egalitarian Anti Imperialist Soviet Stout", which I tried at a local beer festival a few years back. Sadly this pre-dates my usage of the app, and was the first or second beer tasted during a fairly hefty session, so I have no idea whether I liked it or not.
You liked it, I was there. But I don't remember exactly where.
Whatever happened to BEER tasting like, well, BEER ???I've been thinking while reading some of the descriptions that they sound like beer for people who don't like the taste of beer. Ale-pops?
The best name I can remember was "Comrade Bill Bartrams Egalitarian Anti Imperialist Soviet Stout", which I tried at a local beer festival a few years back. Sadly this pre-dates my usage of the app, and was the first or second beer tasted during a fairly hefty session, so I have no idea whether I liked it or not.
You liked it, I was there. But I don't remember exactly where.
Interestingly, I can remember where: Chappel Beer Festival (the one with the ferrets).
I'm all for innovation.
My approach is this: I try something. If I like it I continue to use/drink/eat it. If I don't like it I don't.
But I certainly don't preclude trying anything, on the grounds of bigotry or narrow-minded dedicated views on what something 'should' be.
I've just stocked up on Blue Moon. :P
Well done, you. You must be so proud of yourself :P
Seriously, though, I wouldn't call what I was saying bigotry, nor narrow mindedness, I know what I like. How do I know what I like? Simple, I try something new and, if I like it I will keep on drinking it, if I don't, I won't. Oh, hang on that is exactly what you said....
Nope. You were telling other people what they should drink. What is good and what isn't. What beer is, and what it isn't.
I expect there is a word for that.
My approach is this: I try something. If I like it I continue to use/drink/eat it. If I don't like it I don't.These days there are far too many beers appearing all the time to try tasting them all, and at a certain point you have to be guided by previous experience.
There is nothing new in putting fruit in beer. Belgians have been doing it for a long time. Never had kriek?Yeah - thoroughly fermented, & all things that you can grow alongside yer barley - just like hops. And y'know - kriek & even framboise are still recognisably beery.
Hmmm, yes, the American definition of a craft beer, it is bonkers!
A craft brewer is one that produces <6 million barrels per annum! WTF?
It's mass-produced. That probably is enough for it not to be called craft. But I'm not going to let that alter my opinion on it. It tastes as good as many 'craft' beers I've tasted.
I've been thinking while reading some of the descriptions that they sound like beer for people who don't like the taste of beer. Ale-pops?
I'm rather partial to St Austell Proper Job, which is an authentic bottle-conditioned British IPA ...
It's fine in Cornwall but then Beer Miles start making the whole thing frankly ridiculous.
If you buy Doombar in bottle, it probably hasn't travelled that far, having been brewed in Burton-on-Trent:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-33175395
The whole Beer Miles thing started for me some years ago when huggy OTP and I were on our bikes in deepest, darkest Suffolk and fancied some lunch plus beer. The pub (which was a freehouse) we stumbled across only did Black Sheep beer ... from Yorkshire ... which is a lovely drop ... in Yorkshire.
Given that Suffolk, or indeed East Anglia, is knee deep in breweries both of the micro and grown up size, it struck me as ridiculous that rather than beer be transported from miles away the local breweries couldn't supply beer agreeable to the locals at a sensible price. Once my consciousness was pricked I became aware of the amount of long distance beer you can buy in East Anglian pubs, Cornish stuff (often Doombar) being the most blatantly bonkers. And I have been ranting ever since ;D
It's in the nature of any hobby that the reputation of certain products will spread because of their good qualities, and people further away will want to try them. Enjoying a pint of Black Sheep in Suffolk doesn't mean that Mauldon's is any less appreciated, or will suffer because you supped a foreign pint.
I like that British real ale culture has been taken on by the Yanks and then fed back to us with their own take on it. They are ingenious experimenters not bound by the sort of dullard closed-minded attitude and cultural bigotry that has been expressed upthread.
It's in the nature of any hobby that the reputation of certain products will spread because of their good qualities, and people further away will want to try them. Enjoying a pint of Black Sheep in Suffolk doesn't mean that Mauldon's is any less appreciated, or will suffer because you supped a foreign pint.
I like that British real ale culture has been taken on by the Yanks and then fed back to us with their own take on it. They are ingenious experimenters not bound by the sort of dullard closed-minded attitude and cultural bigotry that has been expressed upthread.
The best American brewers understand that you can't just draw a woman with a nose on the side of her face and call yourself Picasso.
It's in the nature of any hobby that the reputation of certain products will spread because of their good qualities, and people further away will want to try them. Enjoying a pint of Black Sheep in Suffolk doesn't mean that Mauldon's is any less appreciated, or will suffer because you supped a foreign pint.
How do you feel about Greene King? ;D
Actually, the best pint I ever had was just a simple pint of Adnam's Bitter. It was in that pub opposite the brewery. Some beer can't be bottled well, and doesn't travel.
Neither of those beers would exist without the input of US brewers into beer culture.
It's in the nature of any hobby that the reputation of certain products will spread because of their good qualities, and people further away will want to try them. Enjoying a pint of Black Sheep in Suffolk doesn't mean that Mauldon's is any less appreciated, or will suffer because you supped a foreign pint.
How do you feel about Greene King? ;D
Actually, the best pint I ever had was just a simple pint of Adnam's Bitter. It was in that pub opposite the brewery. Some beer can't be bottled well, and doesn't travel.
Greene King? I'm not sure I've ever had a pint of their products - but I've been persuaded to do a visit to their brewery with my local next month! Adnams' beers seem very good (though I'm no beer expert), and their shops are alcohol (and foodie) wonderlands, and I'm lucky that there's one not two miles away in Hadleigh.
Neither of those beers would exist without the input of US brewers into beer culture.
Totally agree that the American craft brewing movement has been a hugely positive influence but unfortunately it is also responsible for inspiring an awful lot of shite beers (British and American) made by hipster wannabes who haven't got a fucking clue what they're doing.
It's in the nature of any hobby that the reputation of certain products will spread because of their good qualities, and people further away will want to try them. Enjoying a pint of Black Sheep in Suffolk doesn't mean that Mauldon's is any less appreciated, or will suffer because you supped a foreign pint.
How do you feel about Greene King? ;D
Actually, the best pint I ever had was just a simple pint of Adnam's Bitter. It was in that pub opposite the brewery. Some beer can't be bottled well, and doesn't travel.
Greene King? I'm not sure I've ever had a pint of their products - but I've been persuaded to do a visit to their brewery with my local next month! Adnams' beers seem very good (though I'm no beer expert), and their shops are alcohol (and foodie) wonderlands, and I'm lucky that there's one not two miles away in Hadleigh.
I don't mind GK beer, if you want to visit Wally at The Cat's (features in OD's Top 5 Most Favourite Pubs) you've no choice as that's all he serves - that and kitten killer.
We did the GK brewery tour once, it was quite interesting. Our guide said that when they take over a brewery they sack all the staff except the head brewer. Then they analyse the water of the now defunct brewery so they can replicate it at Bury St E. Then once the head brewer can produce exactly the same beer at BSE as (s)he did at the original brewery they get their P45. How true the story actually was and whether it still is I don't know but it kind of fanned the flames of GK's reputation.
It's the Admiral's Arms. Have a squint at their facebook page for opening times.A new micropub opened in Queenborough the other day so I popped in on the way home this evening. Totally unsurprised to find a bunch of acquaintances in there. Managed a couple (Gadds Seaside and Kent Brewery Session Pale)before being dragged home by Mrs n for Strictly. A carry out of Hopdaemon's Incubus softened the blow though. I'm definitely liking this idea of opening a pub any old where.
Hmmm. Queenborough is a nice kind of distance from home for a bike ride... what's the pub called?
Gadd's Seasider would be worth the trip even if it were a lot further away.
If you buy Doombar in bottle, it probably hasn't travelled that far, having been brewed in Burton-on-Trent:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-33175395
Which I think simply makes matters worse ::-)
Another interesting paradox is the ever decreasing number of public houses in the country while on the other, the increasing number of micro breweries emerging. Brewing is one thing - selling the stuff is another. I do quite a lot of work for a local micro brewery, helping with the fit-out of their tasting bars/bottle shops. They have big [for them] expansioni plans, and are borrowing money all over the place. It's interesting to see it all unfolding. I really wish them well [hell I should do, I drink there]. But I do wonder about the longevity of what's going on at the moment. [Who was it who said 'If you see a band wagon, chances are it's too late?]
Despite their attempts to recreate the relevant water etc it never tasted the same.There's more to it than the water.
Not so much that beer doesn't travel, more that a brewery doesn't travel.
...As is Dead Pony Club...
Of them, I liked the Jaipur the best, a real IPA.
Some Belgish IPA tripels in Brussels. I wasn't sure about the concept (what it says on the label, a hopped up tripel) but they were rather scrumptious. Then some St Bernardus Abt 12 because no Westy was to be found.
Some Belgish IPA tripels in Brussels. I wasn't sure about the concept (what it says on the label, a hopped up tripel) but they were rather scrumptious. Then some St Bernardus Abt 12 because no Westy was to be found.
...I don't really know any great beer places in Brussels...
Some Belgish IPA tripels in Brussels. I wasn't sure about the concept (what it says on the label, a hopped up tripel) but they were rather scrumptious. Then some St Bernardus Abt 12 because no Westy was to be found.
ETA: advise me! I'll be passing through on my way to and from Leuven with a couple of hours to kill in a few weeks.
Some Belgish IPA tripels in Brussels. I wasn't sure about the concept (what it says on the label, a hopped up tripel) but they were rather scrumptious. Then some St Bernardus Abt 12 because no Westy was to be found.
You probably know that St Bernardus brewed for St Sixtus ( westvleteren) for many years. Westveleteren is usually only available in small quantities from the Monastery ( or odd bottles from the cafe), but just now they are selling mail order for a very limited time to pay for some emergency roof repairs. You need very deep pockets though!
if you have a sales minion driving by and he owes you a favour...I gather that the order process is along the lines of...
I don't reckon there is such a thing as the "best beer in the world"
Indeed, scarcity drives it. They should hire more monks or something. I mean, seriously, what is these guys' business plan! [/american]
Saltaire Brewery Cascade American IPA.Yeah I was thinking the same.
It's a bit meh, but not unpleasant.
ETA: advise me! I'll be passing through on my way to and from Leuven with a couple of hours to kill in a few weeks.
Chez Moeder Lambic (me) or Moeder Lambic Fontainas (Mrs P) http://www.moederlambic.com/
Nüetnigenough http://www.nuetnigenough.be/
Restobieres for food & beer :P http://www.restobieres.eu/en/ they do amazing duck in kriek :P
La Porte Noire
Poechenellekelder http://www.poechenellekelder.be/ (tourist central)
Morte Subite (just for the atmos, you only need to go once)
Delirium Café - loadsa beers
A la Bécasse
ETA: advise me! I'll be passing through on my way to and from Leuven with a couple of hours to kill in a few weeks.
Chez Moeder Lambic (me) or Moeder Lambic Fontainas (Mrs P) http://www.moederlambic.com/
Poechenellekelder http://www.poechenellekelder.be/
Nüetnigenough http://www.nuetnigenough.be/
Restobieres for food & beer :P http://www.restobieres.eu/en/
Morte Subite (just for the atmos)
Delirium Café - loadsa beers
A la Bécasse
La Porte Noire
ETA: advise me! I'll be passing through on my way to and from Leuven with a couple of hours to kill in a few weeks.
Chez Moeder Lambic (me) or Moeder Lambic Fontainas (Mrs P) http://www.moederlambic.com/
Poechenellekelder http://www.poechenellekelder.be/
Nüetnigenough http://www.nuetnigenough.be/
Restobieres for food & beer :P http://www.restobieres.eu/en/
Morte Subite (just for the atmos)
Delirium Café - loadsa beers
A la Bécasse
La Porte Noire
Phew! Good to see you've missed the best places in Brussel. More for the rest of us.
...Leuven...
Well, come on then
The Siren/Cigar City Caribbean Chocolate Cake stout was absolutely lush.
A Vedett followed by a Piraat. Local crafty barn conversion place has started selling most of the best Belgian beers. Not good news for my weight/wallet!
Where's a good place to buy a decent selection of craft beer online these days?
Where's a good place to buy a decent selection of craft beer online these days?
I thought *we* should be asking *you* that!
I was gonna get myself a bottle of Shnoodlepip from Brewdog until I saw it was 12 squids a bottle!
Back at Wild Beer, but still £12 for a 750 ml bottle (which isn't so bad).Yes it is. That's not drinking beer prices, it is willy waving prices. Sure, try it as a treat, an experiment, a toe in the water of 'how the other half live'. Then have a drink.
...though I think I prefer the Beavertown Tropigamma...
...though I think I prefer the Beavertown Tropigamma...
That was recommended by the barperson in CASC this afternoon, but I thought it was a bit strong for a starter so I had a Cloudwater Ghriette. It was OK, light & easy-going.
Beer is about the journey not the destination. The best beer to me is when I walk into a pub and see one I haven't had before. I just don't get it when someone I'm with has an Adnams, Sussex or Doom because they like it and don't 'know' the other beers available. I accept that's as much my problem as theirs. Personally I relish the unknown.I have a friend in the village who doesn't like to change beers during the evening. So he always drinks the Timothy Taylor's Landlord, despite the pub usually having two other beers on. I will always go for the one I've not had before. OK, the Landlord is (almost) always on form and very drinkable but...
Some Magic Rock beers at Brewdog Castlegate today: Salty Kiss, Inhaler, Punchline, Highwire Grapefruit, Hypnotist :P
OTOH Brewdog's Self Assembly Pope tastes like a coconut Magnum.
There comes a point with some of these craft beers when you realise that what you are drinking are alcopops.
Anyhoo, Ive just been to Aldi and bought a single bottle (95p) of their American style IPA. Will it trump Brewdog Dead Pony (£1.50) as my staple beer?
Tune in later to find out...
Interesting post above about all lagers tasting the same. On my Aussie ride, I spent a couple of evenings in the Tanglehead pub/microbrewery in Albany. Their products all tasted the same.
In my first book, to answer the remark about standard yank 'draft beer', I waxerd as lyrical as I could about real ale, and a now-deceased yank asked rhetorically if there was a difference between beer and "imported beer". Two replies arrived, one pointing out the USA doesn't exactly rank in the top flight of brew-nations. The other compared yank "draft beer" to sex in a canoe...
...Greene King IPA...
Greene King IPA used to be a decent beer, once, as did Boddingtons. (early 1980s)I have a hazy recollection of Doombar tasting of beer once upon a time.
I can't believe Boddingtons was ever a decent beer.It was good before I went to the Antarctic in October 1981, and on the slide when I got back in May 1984.
Dugges - High Five
Dugges x Stillwater - Mango Mango Mango
Dugges x All In - Tango Twang
Dugges - Tropic Folk
Dugges - Tropic Thunder
Omnipollo x Veil - Amun
Omnipollo - Magic #3,5 Pineapple Gose
Omnipollo - Mazarin
Omnipollo - Nebuchadnezzar
Omnipollo - Noa
Omnipollo - Selassie
Omnipollo - Perikles
Omnipollo - Leon
Given that some of them top 10% boozeahol it's probably a good job they do.
I like the Brewdog stuff too. But I like the unfiltered less homogenised stuff a but more.
The problem for me is that discovering all these delicious beers has made me find many of the real ales available in local pubs a bit meh. A year ago I loved them. Now I just find them about as interesting to drink as a glass of orange squash. My local pub used to serve four local beers, all from two tiny brewers. The pub has changed hands and now they serve Hooky and Butcombe. They taste pretty much the same and much the same as a whole load of other stuff.
After 20 years I've changed pubs because of this.
I'm not sure I've said this, but I'm going to Manchester in a few weeks, and I've discovered that the Cloudwater brewery is located there and has a taproom
I do like Wild Beer. I want to like Cloudwater but I can never find anything of an ABV less than #getshitfacedquick :(
I didn't have the lobster beet, but I did have Breakfast of Champignons, which was less bad than expected.
I do like Wild Beer. I want to like Cloudwater but I can never find anything of an ABV less than #getshitfacedquick :(
I didn't have the lobster beet, but I did have Breakfast of Champignons, which was less bad than expected.
Beer with mushrooms is a bit too much for this bunny. I presume the lobster will just be a salty beer. I've had beers made with sea water and they're in the OK-for-one category.
I do like Wild Beer. I want to like Cloudwater but I can never find anything of an ABV less than #getshitfacedquick :(
I didn't have the lobster beet, but I did have Breakfast of Champignons, which was less bad than expected.
Beer with mushrooms is a bit too much for this bunny. I presume the lobster will just be a salty beer. I've had beers made with sea water and they're in the OK-for-one category.
I had a Cloudwater Pale Ale last night for a modest ABV of 3.5% (ish) which was rather murky and quite nice, though not quite up there with the BbNo and Wiper and True low ABV pales. Their DIPAs are for sipping. I confess to liking the lighter beers, sometimes I want to drink an actual pint without my head falling off.
Not really a fan of real ale or casks. I can drink it, but I prefer something with a little more pizzazz.
As for the Guinness, please don't subject your taste buds to that. It's awful stuff. Unpleasantly metallic taste up front, followed by a bitter, burnt malt aftertaste, and a poltergeist has more body to it. There's so many fantastic stouts and porters.
I couldn't meet my wife because stupid work. Now, as I squeeze the pips of thought leadership, she's texting me all the beers she's drinking at the Waterloo Tap. Not literally, because you can't make beer out of electrons, you need other stuff. I am reliably assured.
This is cruel and unusual and up with we shouldn't put. I am going to the porch. I may be some time.
Olympen Mat og Vinhus – interesting beer selection (best to ask, it's never what they say it is) in interesting surroundings.
Olympen Mat og Vinhus – interesting beer selection (best to ask, it's never what they say it is) in interesting surroundings.
We all liked it and the resident foodie was well impressed! Some pics:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/shares/C14X89
We are currently drinking Burning Sky Cuvee. It's frikkin awesome! This may or may not be due to it being a very tired post 200km beer.
We are currently drinking Burning Sky Cuvee. It's frikkin awesome! This may or may not be due to it being a very tired post 200km beer.
Nope, it is in fact awesome.
First up a Northern Monk Communion pale ale. Rather refreshing after dragging it (and several other beers) up a giant hill. Really liking their stuff. If you see a can of their Tropical Death Party, send it my way, I drank all mine.
I also snarfed a bottle of Burning Sky Cuvee 2016, some Prairie Ace, and Modern Times Fortunate Islands, in addition to a selection of cans which explains why my bike was so heavy.
And I'd forgotten that I'd already bought two cans at lunch time (the rather splendid Magic Rock's Human Cannonball and Un-Human Cannonball).
I have to practice lying now because my wife will phone later and ask me what I'm drinking. Oh, just some cheap lager I found in the porch... She finds out I'm glugging a bottle of Cuvee or an Un-Human Cannonball and I'll be moving to the local Travelodge when she gets back.
We seem to be close to Samo Pivo (1st bar on this list) so looks like we might go for a nosey in there tonight. :P
http://jetsettingfools.com/5-craft-beer-bars-belgrade-serbia/
*Prairie Artisan Ales and Evil Twin Brewing have joined forces again on a variation of their first collaboration. The new beer is Barrel-Aged Bible Belt, a 12 percent ABV imperial stout brewed with cacao nibs, chili peppers, coffee and vanilla beans before being aged in Heaven Hill whiskey barrels for between seven and nine months. As the name suggests, the base beer is Bible Belt, a 13 percent imperial stout first released in 2014 that combines Evil Twin’s Even More Jesus imperial stout (12 percent ABV) and the same spices and other adjuncts that are used in Prairie’s Bomb! imperial stout (13 percent ABV.)
Must. Resist.
A local brewery in Zion National Park, Utah has beer names taking the p*ss of the Mormons :-)
Must. Resist.
Are you mad? Good luck with that.
I'm sure I saw an advert for 'fruit lager' on a passing bus the other dayThere was some in our local Morrison's this morning. I did not investigate.
Ive just had a pint of Dogbolter.Stuck in a time warp back to the 90's?
Yes. Dogbolter.
90s? 80s more like.
Nope. Its being brewed again but not by the Firkin people
"Good stuff, Dogbolter", said our chum Carl1to a barman in the Ferret & Firkin many moons ago, "but things do start to get a bit hazy after seven or eight pints."The joke candidate who got elected? No current relevance then, I often think of him when I see Trump. That and the Ann Diamond incident.
The barman began to look nervous.
1: rr will doubtless recall the Carl of whom I speak
90s? 80s more like.
Nope. Its being brewed again but not by the Firkin people
Hazy Jane was nice for those who like their IPAs murky (and I like mine filthy and dank). Tasted even better because it was free.
Hazy Jane was nice for those who like their IPAs murky (and I like mine filthy and dank). Tasted even better because it was free.
So I see the free Vermont IPA we were supposed to receive has morphed into Hazy Jane. The cynic in me says it was supposed to be Vermont but it went wrong so they rebadged it. :-\
Officially it does. The US Census Bureau, assorted other official bodies such as the regional tourist board, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, etc. all include it in New England.Hazy Jane was nice for those who like their IPAs murky (and I like mine filthy and dank). Tasted even better because it was free.
So I see the free Vermont IPA we were supposed to receive has morphed into Hazy Jane. The cynic in me says it was supposed to be Vermont but it went wrong so they rebadged it. :-\
Says New England IPA and I don't think Vermont qualifies as New England.
Officially it does. The US Census Bureau, assorted other official bodies such as the regional tourist board, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, etc. all include it in New England.Hazy Jane was nice for those who like their IPAs murky (and I like mine filthy and dank). Tasted even better because it was free.
So I see the free Vermont IPA we were supposed to receive has morphed into Hazy Jane. The cynic in me says it was supposed to be Vermont but it went wrong so they rebadged it. :-\
Says New England IPA and I don't think Vermont qualifies as New England.
New England seems to be unusual among multi-state US regions in that it is the same in all the different official US classification systems.
Hazy Jane was nice for those who like their IPAs murky (and I like mine filthy and dank). Tasted even better because it was free.
Waitrose are currently selling Broadside for £1.35 a bottle. Cheers!
I used to love beer with the passion of a Bavarian in the desert. But lattely i've given up on trying to find a good pub (https://restaurantguru.com/pub-and-bar-near-me) or bar that has good beer. Maybe my sense of taste has changed, but when I go to a bar like the Beer House (https://restaurantguru.com/London-Beer-House-London) I already know that the beer wil ltaste like metal with piss. Excuse my language.
The only decent kind of beer I've had was in a little German town I visited on a business trip. The place is called Radeberg, they have thrir own brewery, and it is actually decent. But i can't, naturally, get their beer anytime. I would.
I was in Brugge on Sunday. That is all.Visit Kemelstraat?
Waitrose are currently selling Broadside for £1.35 a bottle. Cheers!
I was in Brugge on Sunday. That is all.Visit Kemelstraat?
I've probably not promoted Burning Sky enough, but as I've not yet quaffed the Reserve and Anniversaire (I sadly have to wait for my beloved to be in the same country and at the same time*), I have a Saison Automne in front of me and it's rather spiffing.
I made the mistake of looking at RateBeer earlier. What a bunch of knobs. It's all that tastes of goat leather and foraged grass nonsense. Fuck off back to the wine snobbery world.
*she did text me last week to say he was five miles and one airport security perimeter away.
I'll just leave this here...I thought the Radical Road was alright at the Dundee food and flower festival. The only 'garden' festival where you have to stop tasting things because you are driving home.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/516/32406911630_c742ba4087.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RnFTMG)2017-02-08_06-52-21 (https://flic.kr/p/RnFTMG) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
If you're wondering why the choice on my side of the cupboard is a bit shit, it's because someone drank the good stuff.
Happy Seasons, a Cloudwater gig with a Beijing brewery. Apparently brewed with lychees. I couldn't taste them, but then I was reminded that lychees don't actually taste of anything so I shouldn't be surprised. Still, quite tasty as a pale ale but probably not worth the effort of the adding the lychees.
I had a Beavertown Smoked, I think from Oddbins in Aberdeen, which was very good.
something new at my local Tesco Express (I bought one and will try it later... 8 1/2 % so it most probably tastes like petrol):It does not taste remotely like petrol and is dangerously addictive.
delirium beer:
(https://img.tesco.com/Groceries/pi/098/5412186000098/IDShot_540x540.jpg)
the Vintage Ale especially I tend to buy a couple and drink one; a couple of years down the line the bottles are howfuckingmuch?!,2003 is currently priced at £360 a bottle (https://shop.fullers.co.uk/collections/vintage-ale/products/vintage-ale-2003-rare). So far, I've resisted the temptation to try to cash in, and just drunk the stuff.
Lucky bugger
In a moment of distraction the other day I ended up with a Marston's Pedigree IPA (at least I think that's what it was). Some kind of Marston's IPA.
..I recall strolling through Florence in December 1987 & finding a real ale bar selling local products a-plenty. And then I started seeing others. In the seven years since my previous visit they'd become common - & popular. In early 2002 I visited Livigno & found the self-proclaimed highest brewery (a brewpub, to be precise) in Europe, a bit over 1800 metres up, brewing what seemed to be trying-hard-to-be-trendy-craft-beers. Some of 'em were nice.
*OK, if you insist, the Italian beer place in Mercato Metropolitano down in E&C, they do a good selection of Italian craft beers which, let's face it, aren't exactly common.
(last week, pre-antibiotics and enforced wagon-time)
There's summat not quite right about this ;D
Anyone got a better translation than "Clean Pig"?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ae2_luSdMWQnkt2e1iKXdrVkwZ6wp436JgX0g6bVxzIpxQz0je5LtlJf8Gni27C0cMcCOsHsZr6US3rARy_e_vz3R4gze6YNHF3OXVapAmdZlUDT7zmFbThV2dQpbP8llcr8x9Ae5B4U-qZHsnxIQiNCW0ilA-6HH-9R9pusscrSshf6UQZpSkmOfAViS5RZAVhvbmiscGN37AHfrKLw07rYFto58EC1S4QM8E2Mz9Xzbh4owglF0oQjcKWmRT06gsdQggwbZqBjKkhtJ68U0SmtpI3HUHgA0Gi_D6rvFE9btTSRRYw4aJTyatQlR4pUIhZatBPQ-zB9lGabRoafRW8y9vL-RFFtaNDJQpItcQKD93ubL0P9fWbK6jBPZ2hdunCH_a6Ie7Bx0g_WEdm2Pr7avI7KveDImHYXNl0OGBXGq5qCSYqpz31yyXz3elNQc9VdDdA_Ug6faFHvFxQJ47UoIRHwuTM0MkbSAWyTvuL9m0yOgUJp0JCadhPrGPPpT_Uyz8TuLbAUl_dJwCjwlj2v98DT6-m_BUnKnk4eWxl3Lvh_fVadAybAadUB2Ov6tVMiYrPRvnVc5nZIlwUUrDg4d1nCPtvUf9LTbHehZiGJBXg-WQZzr02opLbgruceBn1irp_YtFtHz5pzkBjDP6yeiM7K-awivg=w653-h870-no)
In a moment of distraction the other day I ended up with a Marston's Pedigree IPA (at least I think that's what it was). Some kind of Marston's IPA.
Pedigree isn't an IPA its just an amber beer and is really nice. Sounds like you had Marstons EPA (English Pale Ale - apparently). I've never had that so cant comment on if its awful or not and will take your word for it :)
In a moment of distraction the other day I ended up with a Marston's Pedigree IPA (at least I think that's what it was). Some kind of Marston's IPA.
Pedigree isn't an IPA its just an amber beer and is really nice. Sounds like you had Marstons EPA (English Pale Ale - apparently). I've never had that so cant comment on if its awful or not and will take your word for it :)
When I was still drinking BEER Pedigree was just a bog-standard bitter, but today I saw a lorry with "Marstons Pedigree Amber Ale" written on the side in large, friendly letters so I imagine They are applying the name to other Stuffs as well.
Maybe one of these days we'll get a pint with you...
Maybe one of these days we'll get a pint with you...
Definitely, I've been somewhat disorganised in planning Aberdeen evenings these last couple of trips
We did the Bermondsey beer mile...
Quite enjoyed working through the stock at Ghost Whale in Brixton yesterday. A good selection of bottles and a couple of taps.
As a friend of mine lamented, he remembered the once-upon-a-time when he got mugged in Brixton, as was tradition back then. And all they took was his takeaway jerk chicken.
I had a third of Death at the weekend. Splendid. Try the Glory, if you get the chance.
I thought the porter was a bit sweet. Mrs P described it as bein like 'flat coke'. I wonder what she's sticking up her nose these days. The stout was good. Anyway, we both liked the 6% IPA :P
^ Grew up on that stuff :)
It did not feel good this AM..... :-X
A lager of the highest quality brewed only with the finest ingredients to give a satisfying and refreshing taste.
Windswept Clavie smoked porter. Om nom nom... :P
Windswept Clavie smoked porter. Om nom nom... :P
And again :P
Burning Sky tap take over at 6 Degrees North tomorrow :P
I hope you had the Cuvee, it's excellent. They're all pretty good.
Failed to get Cantillon at Six Degrees North this evening, so we're making do at home :P
...
A glass of Thornbridge 'Mr Smith Gose to...', a watermelon sour (winner of a 2017 home brewer's competition, and brewed by Thornbridge as a special). I will confess to picking it up as much for the name as anything else; I'm not sure I've ever had a trad gose, and certainly not a watermelon one. A little googling showed me 'gose' isn't cognate with 'gueuze', so I learned something there. It's not unpleasant, if something of an acquired taste, and works well for the warm weather we've got. Not sure I'd get it again, but I might try some other goses.
If said chap is near Excel, said chap is reasonably close to another sad chap who could suggest places, including their own hallowed halls....
Stopped off at a deli/petrol station /beer shop, on the way back from York, yesterday.
I managed to get my hands on a can of unhuman and neo-human Cannonball.
I am building up to the Cannonball, too.Is the new trembling any good?
Today, however, in celebration of our 16th wedding anniversary, myself and Mrs T will be visiting the new House of Trembling Madness, which only opened yesterday!
I think I might have to track down some Cannonballs. It's the problem with living in the craft beer desert that is Oxfordshire.
In other news, a cheeky and frivolous to Stone Brewing Berlin yesterday to cushion the impending doom of SXF yielded some of the best beers I've had so far this year.
Stone Pilot Series Golden Kraut - 8.5% golden ale w/ juniper, caraway and sage. The herbs were just strong enough to taste throughout the glass but subtle enough for it to be dangerously drinkable.
Guezerie Tilquin/Brasserie Artisanale de Rulles Stout Rullquin. Apparently it's La Rulles Brun blended 7 parts with 1 part one-year old lambics, aged in oak barrels and then refermented for 6 months. Reminiscent of a Flanders red but more like tamarind or pomegranate molasses than balsamic vinegar.
I think I might have to track down some Cannonballs. It's the problem with living in the craft beer desert that is Oxfordshire.
I'll be ABZ bound in a few weeks - Fierce Beer?Could be persuaded...
We have found the Stone tap at Prenzlauerberg :PThat was brilliant. Going back.
We have found the Stone tap at Prenzlauerberg :P
Whereabouts are you? There’s always a good selection at Bellingers in Wantage (the Vauxhall dealer, I kid you not!) and Q garden centre just outside Didcot. Plus Whitehorse Brewery in StanfordAbingdon - so all quite handy. Ta for the tips.
We have found the Stone tap at Prenzlauerberg :P
I'll be ABZ bound in a few weeks - Fierce Beer?Could be persuaded...
I'll be ABZ bound in a few weeks - Fierce Beer?Could be persuaded...
I went to Fierce Beer on their opening night. It's true. I didn't know you chaps were in Aberdeen. Sorry if I drank all the beer.
How could you have missed the fact we live in Aberdeen?I'll be ABZ bound in a few weeks - Fierce Beer?Could be persuaded...
I went to Fierce Beer on their opening night. It's true. I didn't know you chaps were in Aberdeen. Sorry if I drank all the beer.
Yes, there didn't seem to be a FB page for that particular tap room...We have found the Stone tap at Prenzlauerberg :P
So that stuff about San Diego was an Alternative Fact perpetrated by Mark Zuckerbot?
Iz disappointed.
I am building up to the Cannonball, too.Is the new trembling any good?
Today, however, in celebration of our 16th wedding anniversary, myself and Mrs T will be visiting the new House of Trembling Madness, which only opened yesterday!
Sent from my PLK-L01 using Tapatalk
How could you have missed the fact we live in Aberdeen?I'll be ABZ bound in a few weeks - Fierce Beer?Could be persuaded...
I went to Fierce Beer on their opening night. It's true. I didn't know you chaps were in Aberdeen. Sorry if I drank all the beer.
The current interest in "craft" beers is a mystery to me.
Make a beer, add something exotic, boil it and then put it in a fancy can and charge lots seems to be the MO
I've got some Adnams Clementine Pale Ale. It's nice but way, way too expensive.
After a week in Suffolk, the two best pints have been London Pride although Adnams Freewheel has been good as well.
Git.
Git.
It's awful I know. Google also tells me there's a craft beer bar behind my hotel. So I won't even need the taxi this evening.
There's more than sixty breweries alone in Portland...
Just read that a pint of is > £6 in many London pubs now. That's just mad !
Just read that a pint of is > £6 in many London pubs now. That's just mad !
Argyll brewery Jarl, light, hoppy, sessionable
Vital Spark, same outfit, dark and rich. Worth finding, not sure if they travel
Alas, there are only six breweries and taprooms within a 5 minute walk of my hotel.:thumbsup:
Alas, there are only six breweries and taprooms within a 5 minute walk of my hotel.:thumbsup:
However, from the sort of opposite point of view - I was playing in a "sports bar" last night (The Ashes in Maidstone, if anyone's interested) and, in common with sports bars everywhere (AFAICT) it served 5 kinds of shit lager and 1 fizzy 'bitter' (Tetleys Smooth). Is it a fact that folk who go to pubs to watch sport only like shit lager? Why? What's the link? Anyway, it ensured that I made 1 pint of St Miguel last all evening.
Alas, there are only six breweries and taprooms within a 5 minute walk of my hotel.:thumbsup:
However, from the sort of opposite point of view - I was playing in a "sports bar" last night (The Ashes in Maidstone, if anyone's interested) and, in common with sports bars everywhere (AFAICT) it served 5 kinds of shit lager and 1 fizzy 'bitter' (Tetleys Smooth). Is it a fact that folk who go to pubs to watch sport only like shit lager? Why? What's the link? Anyway, it ensured that I made 1 pint of St Miguel last all evening.
This unit was manufactured in the Amber Valley (it's not actually amber, is it?). <snip>It's another of those Celtic words for river, like Avon.
...
To Øl's Jule Mælk, a festively 15% imperial milk stout.
Out for a New year's Day stroll yesterday, we popped in to a Thee Pubbe at Teddington Lock. I chose a pint of Fuller's Imperial Stout.
"That's the best value alcohol we do" said the barman "£4.50 a pint"
I agreed it was reasonable and asked how strong it was. 10.7% abv. Stuff me. I've seen wine at 11% before and here I am sinking a pint of it. The equivalent of three pints of cooking bitter.
It tasted wonderful, strong burnt caramel, although my companion said it was "minging". "That's one word for it" said the hungover barman.
Out for a New year's Day stroll yesterday, we popped in to a Thee Pubbe at Teddington Lock. I chose a pint of Fuller's Imperial Stout.Given that Fuller's sell it in bottles for £8/500ml, that is indeed a stupendous bargain. If it's anything like their other strong beers (1845, Golden Pride, etc.), only favoured pubs will be getting it on cask, so alas I'm unlikely to find any on tap up here in the frozen
"That's the best value alcohol we do" said the barman "£4.50 a pint"
I agreed it was reasonable and asked how strong it was. 10.7% abv. Stuff me. I've seen wine at 11% before and here I am sinking a pint of it. The equivalent of three pints of cooking bitter.
It tasted wonderful, strong burnt caramel, although my companion said it was "minging". "That's one word for it" said the hungover barman.NorthMidlands, and by the time I'm next in that London the season will have passed :(
Bit sad that - were they the last big brewer still under family control?Depends what you call a big brewer. Shepherd Neame still have the Neames in control.
I think Fullers were in an awkward place – they tried to big up their independence as a craft brewer though they never really fitted that mould, so they were caught somewhere between the trendily tragic hipster brews that fill my fridge and industrial granddad pints and pubs.
Madame Pingu, what no Tokyo* Death?
I only signed for a delivery and she gave us all this beer. Yes, that's FIVE tins of Ten Ton Truck at 10% a pop.
I like my new neighbour :P
Loving the barleywines at the moment. Excellent one from Lervig the other day at the Beer Merchants Tap in the tragically hip Wickney Hack. And I've snarfed a bottle of Magic Rock's Strongman.
We did wander down the Bermondsey Beer Mile before Christmas (cut a bit short as both Affinity and Partizan had closed already for the holidays, humbug). I suspect we still got enough beer in. And sausage rolls. Lots of sausage rolls. You need to cover all your essential food groups on one of these boozy adventures.
Yesterday I had a pint of Rhythm Stick, from the Billericay Brewing Co (obv.). It was touted as an "amber" ale and it was really excellent.I'm enjoying the nomenclature of your beer, the place from whence it came, and the convoluted connection to the late, great Ian Dury.
Loving the barleywines at the moment. Excellent one from Lervig the other day at the Beer Merchants Tap in the tragically hip Wickney Hack. And I've snarfed a bottle of Magic Rock's Strongman.
We did wander down the Bermondsey Beer Mile before Christmas (cut a bit short as both Affinity and Partizan had closed already for the holidays, humbug). I suspect we still got enough beer in. And sausage rolls. Lots of sausage rolls. You need to cover all your essential food groups on one of these boozy adventures.
I made an excellent homebrew barleywine in November 2017, finished the last three bottles with my dad and sisters OH this Christmas, it had matured very well. It's definitely on the list for a re-brew
Yesterday I had a pint of Rhythm Stick, from the Billericay Brewing Co (obv.). It was touted as an "amber" ale and it was really excellent.I'm enjoying the nomenclature of your beer, the place from whence it came, and the convoluted connection to the late, great Ian Dury.
If memory serves, we've stopped by 23 Tye Common Road on one of your rides.....Yesterday I had a pint of Rhythm Stick, from the Billericay Brewing Co (obv.). It was touted as an "amber" ale and it was really excellent.I'm enjoying the nomenclature of your beer, the place from whence it came, and the convoluted connection to the late, great Ian Dury.
I have had a few of their beers over the years but this is the only one that has really impressed me. The others have been of the OK-but-nothing-special variety. But as a native (born at 23, Tye Common Road) I have to offer my support.
If memory serves, we've stopped by 23 Tye Common Road on one of your rides.....Yesterday I had a pint of Rhythm Stick, from the Billericay Brewing Co (obv.). It was touted as an "amber" ale and it was really excellent.I'm enjoying the nomenclature of your beer, the place from whence it came, and the convoluted connection to the late, great Ian Dury.
I have had a few of their beers over the years but this is the only one that has really impressed me. The others have been of the OK-but-nothing-special variety. But as a native (born at 23, Tye Common Road) I have to offer my support.
In Pingvinen, Bergen:
7 Fjell Laibik, a raspberry & liqorice sour. Not very sour but acceptable. Followed by 7 Fjell Dopamine, an APA. Shoulda had the first one 2nd cos it was bettter.
Fuck's sake, Magic Rock taken over by Australian Lion group.
>:(
Fuck's sake, Magic Rock taken over by Australian Lion group.
>:(
Bound to happen, I think the only reason it hasn't happened to Beavertown is because a) they have rock star backing and b) they are shit.
I was at a "meet the brewer" thing on Thursday, with Black Sheep (the brewery, not otp) and found it interesting how they were trying to spin them doing to other breweries (York) what S&N did to cause Paul Theakston to set up the brewery in the first place.
Beer Twitter has suggested that it's a move to consolidate their European brewing operations in advance of Brexit... ?
I don't normally rate low alcohol-free/low ABV beer, if I don't want the booze I'd usually settle for something else than what's at best a passable beer substitute.
OMG, do you have enough left to get through the rest of the show?
Vocation Pride and Joy too. Available in Morrisons ffs. I still cant quite believe that.
I'm on La Chouffe tonight after going into a french supermarket looking for rose jam as requested by my beloved but coming out with a fine selection of Belgian beers for me instead.
One current and one former yacf member will remember an evening in Amsterdam in 2008 when much La Chouffe was consumed under the assumption that it would be a standard 4 to 5 %. A mistake one only makes several times.
I have vague memories of earning a La Chouffe keyring for over-consumption.
This is what we got on Zwanze Day
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48828816246_cde1af30dc.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hoQrUb)2019-10-01_09-50-50 (https://flic.kr/p/2hoQrUb) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Well, we didn't have a lot of walking distance venues to choose from in Maspalomas since the 2nd one on our list had closed but we kept going back to B2 Burger Bar because they had not only Belgian, but Canarian craft beer.
...
I haven't had a beer for three weeks (and I normally drink 10-15 pints a week). But Laithwaites is keeping me in wine. Happy days (to a degree)!
Good god, I want to go to an actual pub filled with loud people who I'll hate.
Resurecting an old thread to say that: If you like 'flavoured' ales, Aldi have on offer at the moment (£1.29) a Toffee Ale and a Plum Porter that are rather good. ;)
Resurecting an old thread to say that: If you like 'flavoured' ales, Aldi have on offer at the moment (£1.29) a Toffee Ale and a Plum Porter that are rather good. ;)Thanks for the tip.
Windswept brewery, where we have got our xmas mini keg from for the past few years didn't have anything particularly enticing on and then I left it til a bit late, so have done an order from Brew Toon in Peterheed in the vain hope it might arrive in time.
We should, at some point, buy food.
We should, at some point, buy food.
Beer is liquid food. Highly nutritious. Practically a complete meal in a bottle.
Bake Off for beer!
I have fond memories of the Old Crown in Hesket Newmarket, especially the Doris' 90th Birthday Ale :thumbsup:
Bake Off for beer!
Hello hello... what is this? Sounds like I'm missing something I need to see.
Took delivery of my birthday present from my brother yesterday - a case from his local brewery (Hesket Newmarket). Question is, do I hold off tucking in until my actual birthday (29th) or do I come up with some lame excuse to start early, eg it needs to be drunk while it's fresh...
It's on Amazon prime.
Beer Masters (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beer-Masters-Search-Europes-Great/dp/B09KM49LJ1/)
No Doris's in the case, unfortunately...
so have done an order from Brew Toon in Peterheed in the vain hope it might arrive in time.
so have done an order from Brew Toon in Peterheed in the vain hope it might arrive in time.
Yay! It arrived and as another bonus the mini keg was the one I actually wanted (Mango Unchained) that was out of stock and not the one that I ordered instead. Someone else might be disappointed but not me :)
...I quite fancy a Belgish beer splurge – it's been an age since I was last in Belgium...