tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30036980466648158222024-03-13T21:00:20.682+00:00maeib's Beer BlogBlogging about stuff.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-4473292282286591062013-02-15T21:11:00.002+00:002013-02-15T21:11:33.919+00:00Hmmmm....What's going on here then? Murmurings? Whatever next?Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-47392896190524104502009-06-15T19:50:00.001+01:002009-06-15T19:51:36.985+01:00End Of The LineI've decided to put the blog to sleep. To be honest I've gotten bored with it and lack the motivation to post with any regularity. I shall keep the blog here rather than shut it down, and will still be twittering or whatever it's called and the latest tweets will still appear at the top of the front page.<p>I'd like to thank all of the people who read the blog especially those who read it regularly and those who took the effort to post comments; the vast majority of which were interesting and thought provoking.<p>Special thanks obviously go to BrewDog and BeerMerchants for the sponsorship. Their adverts will remain because they are companies I believe in who are doing the right things in the beer World.<p>If you are a fellow blogger and I like your blog, I will continue to read it and will attempt to comment more regularly.<p><b>Good luck</b>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-20306956243316246912009-06-10T19:24:00.001+01:002009-06-10T19:27:32.154+01:00Presentation Night For Our Pub Of The Year18 or so members of the Northants Branch of CAMRA attended the Pub Of The Year presentation at <b>The Coach & Horses</b> in Wellingborough in Monday night.<p>It was a good evening (even if I did have to drive) with Phil our branch chair doing us proud with a good speech as ever, whilst John the landlord provided a full bar of ten real ales for our delectation.<p>Leicestershire Branch who judged the seven pubs on our shortlist did a good job in choosing the Coach as winner. One I wish was just a <i>little bit</i> closer to home.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-75202763773216718922009-06-07T10:46:00.003+01:002009-06-07T10:55:23.362+01:00Britiah Summer Ales<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1je_ZPNkojK0aBju5h_DzBLFLiKyeRJvc3m2K8eBnHscxw_mVNyy3Zv98odYZPIHjZqZ37KedjjYNXh8RA4xQeZZpwH_9pah0d8LNsBqH1MX_1FbsidmwbGap8hCaz-0vzP42pFX6Aw/s1600-h/69307.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1je_ZPNkojK0aBju5h_DzBLFLiKyeRJvc3m2K8eBnHscxw_mVNyy3Zv98odYZPIHjZqZ37KedjjYNXh8RA4xQeZZpwH_9pah0d8LNsBqH1MX_1FbsidmwbGap8hCaz-0vzP42pFX6Aw/s320/69307.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344521907090161698" border="0" /></a><br />It seems very strange writing about Summer beers whilst sat in my conservatory with the rain absolutely lashing it down and disturbing the peace of an otherwise empty house, but the pubs are starting to fill with beers which brewers choose to name Summer ales.<p>I am often filled with dread as these beers appear. They are pale, around 4% and often very ordinary. Using pale malt whilst utilising the usual boring earthy English hops does not a Summer ale make.</p><p>However my recent experiences seem to demonstrate that more and more brewers are getting the hang of putting flavour into their beer, and that flavour may be described as Summery.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97mhWLKiaxvtvSQIGmXmBPR3V7bFsh6WD-SkqdpkUFRR_XbPsXT_cMKZnG4A9Bhdg1nNwWuyHp2BPCNrbHXPHOl2XNT7NCocgZS5a-rhHbzEdgdCf1QbIe83A2nk9GXRKBLxrDUVOisc/s1600-h/78891.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97mhWLKiaxvtvSQIGmXmBPR3V7bFsh6WD-SkqdpkUFRR_XbPsXT_cMKZnG4A9Bhdg1nNwWuyHp2BPCNrbHXPHOl2XNT7NCocgZS5a-rhHbzEdgdCf1QbIe83A2nk9GXRKBLxrDUVOisc/s320/78891.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344522006559079762" border="0" /></a></p><p>It really is, for me, all about the hops, and where good brewers like Oakham and Pictish have led with their heavily hopped beers using stuff like Willamette and Centennial, others do appear to be following. You need a bit of citrussy flavour to be a Summer beer. You get that from using the right hops. US stuff, New Zealand stuff, First Gold from here all do the trick. Fuggles and Goldings really don't.</p><p>Loads of the pale beers I had at our beer festival last weekend hit the spot because they used the right hops. Hats off to those brewers that haev realised this and are prepared to spend a little bit more on imported hops. I like flavour in my beer and a Summer beer on a hot day needs just the right type of flavour.</p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-5095802500031924022009-06-05T19:52:00.004+01:002009-06-05T19:59:47.332+01:00Other Pubs In Brighton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlxkH5Jmo-azet74iIEQJpHVice2uAvAbUFO9r7JLqhxOXxvU1_AyBwTtcje2Cdr4GXJLgU1jQoNO4i1Quim74M1sCEQ7aa_tfdURPXxue-BxD-xjlDzZtTBdWriAsg_D-1LMyjIqsiw/s1600-h/Ballards-Best+Bitter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlxkH5Jmo-azet74iIEQJpHVice2uAvAbUFO9r7JLqhxOXxvU1_AyBwTtcje2Cdr4GXJLgU1jQoNO4i1Quim74M1sCEQ7aa_tfdURPXxue-BxD-xjlDzZtTBdWriAsg_D-1LMyjIqsiw/s400/Ballards-Best+Bitter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343919761100040018" border="0" /></a><br />As well as the <a href="http://maeib.blogspot.com/2009/06/brighton-pubs-obvious-go-tos.html">usual suspects</a>, I did visit a few other pubs whilst in Brighton. Most of these were in the current Good Beer Guide or on the local CAMRA branch's ale trail.<p>The exception to that was <b>The Pump House</b> in The Lanes which I visited twice. This pub sells five real ales, and the three different ones I had: <b>Dark Horse Whip Cracker</b>, <b>Harveys Sussex Best</b> and <b>Taylor Landlord</b> were all in really good condition. I'm told by friends that the food, especially the sausages, was excellent too. I do wonder why the pub doesn't currently feature with the local CAMRA bods.</p><p><b>The Great Eastern</b> is at the bottom of Trafalgar Street, down the hill from The Lord Nelson, and sells three beers. I had a reasonable <b>Ballards Best</b> and an underpar <b>Hop Back Summer Lightning</b>. The pub does stock around 40 different bourbons if that's your thing.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAPp1VAsfGN2b2LpIYqQ5r1DbXV3BasgiLsKpoJ0TSATYJJ3gkVW5hOthD5cVG9fBIBPpJivgegSYm-a0_zJpWKZhA8gsM7WUHxmSeuh4W9cb6n9kmhMqKRb9_BkJOvDBuOZ-mIvdjHc/s1600-h/Harveys-Hadlow+Bitter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAPp1VAsfGN2b2LpIYqQ5r1DbXV3BasgiLsKpoJ0TSATYJJ3gkVW5hOthD5cVG9fBIBPpJivgegSYm-a0_zJpWKZhA8gsM7WUHxmSeuh4W9cb6n9kmhMqKRb9_BkJOvDBuOZ-mIvdjHc/s320/Harveys-Hadlow+Bitter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343919870001323522" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Southover Street is in the Hanover area of Brighton and has the steepest street I ever wish to walk up. I went to two pubs; the interesting <b>Greys</b> being the first. Greys has a good selection of Belgian beers and promotes a different Belgian brewer each Tuesday. I stuck to the local stuff though with a reasonable <b>Harveys Best</b>, Landlord being the only other choice. Further up the hill is the ex-Gales, now Fullers, <b>Sir Charles Napier</b>. Four beers from the London brewer were available. my choice was <b>Summer Ale</b> as I rarely see it. It was OK. no more.</p><p>Near the London Road shops is <b>The Mitre</b> which is a Harveys pub, and sadly was the quietest pub I went in all week, which was a shame as I liked it. The <b>Hadlow Bitter</b> I had was good too.</p><p>Another pub in The Lanes is <b>The Victory</b>, three beers were available including two from <b>Arundel</b> of which <b>Sussex Gold</b> was my choice, and decent enough it was.</p><p>Finally I went to <b>The Waggon and Horses</b> near the theatre where I passed over the two beers on offer in favour of the <b>Westons Perry</b> (we all need a change sometimes), which was decent enough in an unchallenging manner.</p><p>There are countless other pubs to try and next year I'll do so. I may just uncover a gem.</p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-65558879019682505122009-06-03T20:11:00.004+01:002009-06-03T20:18:50.145+01:00Brighton Pubs - The Obvious Go-Tos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSf4Sgeq830HzaOv8tGUZ2-rRNdMtXqQWmas43wyL9T-rOV8i7uZOpzqga814imVa5GLooniw07Uq8RQUEOBcPd8kaB0YiDvUEUQUe_0T_lmboitnhfx7UWHHufLpWv5dfIJlmC-1Gxw/s1600-h/brighton+logo-500x500.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSf4Sgeq830HzaOv8tGUZ2-rRNdMtXqQWmas43wyL9T-rOV8i7uZOpzqga814imVa5GLooniw07Uq8RQUEOBcPd8kaB0YiDvUEUQUe_0T_lmboitnhfx7UWHHufLpWv5dfIJlmC-1Gxw/s400/brighton+logo-500x500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343182507159514834" border="0" /></a><br />I enjoy going on my annual sojourn to Brighton, as there are a handful of pubs which I could never tire of, all of which sell beers I rarely see up here.<p>My first pub was <b>The Lord Nelson</b> on Trafalgar Street which is a <b>Harveys</b> pub. Harveys beers are not universally popular but I like them a lot. I had pints of <b>Armada</b> and the light mild <b>Knots Of May</b>, both were on good form. I didn't return there during the week but did sample other Harveys beers namely <b>Sussex Best</b> and <b>Hadlow Bitter</b></p><p>I paid two visits during the week to <b>The Evening Star</b>. This pub is almost faultless. The cask beers, especially the <b>Dark Star</b> beers were superb (I tried <b>American Pale Ale</b>, <b>Mild For May</b>, <b>Old Chestnut</b> and <b>Hophead</b>); the guests are well chosen and the foreign list is superb. I really loved the <b>Oaked Arrogant Bastard</b>. This is one of the pubs I'd give anything to have in my town<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtDtTGWmkGTxUCQ_eS804Cars7mUdjQ0ds-PADEqi8VRyHLVNQPHoSLZTP2Uv3zcwpUYR1BzIgtQJAoP3VAL_oSnKdwMPHootOBnfZsDRSacmyAVQs5DMqbjtnVgIM1SItJDxhi3nAh4/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtDtTGWmkGTxUCQ_eS804Cars7mUdjQ0ds-PADEqi8VRyHLVNQPHoSLZTP2Uv3zcwpUYR1BzIgtQJAoP3VAL_oSnKdwMPHootOBnfZsDRSacmyAVQs5DMqbjtnVgIM1SItJDxhi3nAh4/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343182628181333730" border="0" /></a>.</p><p>A pub I didn't get to last year, but I had to do this year was <b>The Basketmakers Arms</b>. This was a Gales pub, but of course is branded as Fullers now, and sells five from that stable as well as two guests. It is always very busy, but is definitely worth a brief visit.</p><p>Finally of the old favourites was my Brighton local, as I stay just around the corner, <b>The Hand In Hand</b>. I only went in a couple of times and am pleased to report that the home brewed beers are still available and are better than I've ever had them. There are three of fours guests too, which are in good nick.</p><p>These are the pubs I will go back to year on year, but there are others which are worth an occasional visit which I'll write about next time.<br /></p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-74562723760122714412009-06-02T19:32:00.000+01:002009-06-02T19:33:16.095+01:00Coming Soon From AdnamsI'm going to Suffolk for a week towards the end of June, and will be staying very near Southwold, which is, of course <b>Adnams</b> country. Looks like I've timed it well as <a href="http://www.williamgodell.co.uk/">this new beer</a> should be available.<p>I do like Nelson Sauvin hops.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-8559781727125036952009-06-01T19:35:00.002+01:002009-06-01T19:38:11.059+01:00Northants BF - That Was A Mad WeekendThe sun shone, and the drink flowed. This year's Northamptonshire Beer Festival had more beer than ever and far more cider than ever. It also had our best weather ever, with temperatures in the mid twenties.<p>The beer list numbered 238 although there were a few barrels doubled up making around 250 casks in total. We <u>didn't</u> sell out of beer, although we were quite close, but therein lies the good planning in the beer ordering because there is no point having gallons and gallons of beer left at last orders on the last day. We did run out of cider at around 8;30 though. There was a bit of beer left for the staff to have a quick drink and a sing song after closing which was very pleasant.<p>I didn't catch any of the entertainment, which included an <a href="http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Motorcycle-stunt-man-claims-new.5320519.jp">allegedly successful attempt</a> at a World record motorcycle jump; the sealed knot and plenty of bamds, but I'm sure they were a success.<p>My efforts were restricted to selling beer and helping back of house, and I hope visitors thought we ran a good show. We didn't have sufficient glasses on Saturday night, but it was busier than expected. Nobody went home thirsty though.<p>I did manage to sample around 40 different beers over the three days and have to say that they were in great condition. It's long been an assertion of mine that outdoor festivals work better than indoor as far as beer quality is concerned. We had to soak the barrels with cold water to keep them at optimum temperature; something which is easier to do when the water can flow into the ground rather than a linoed floor.<p>Favourite beers I tried included <b>Boggart Rum Porter</b>, <b>Green Mill Big Chief</b> and <b>Chocolate Mild</b>, <b>Beowulf Wuffa</b> and the festival special <b>Great Oakley Abbey Stout</b>. Honourable mention also to <b>Nobbys Chilli Summer</b>; proof again that chilis is a great additive to beer.<p>So, it was really hard work and my aging knees felt the pressure, but it was great fun, and we'll be doing it again. Same time same place next year. Roll up, roll up.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-22316845362258345192009-05-26T22:26:00.000+01:002009-05-26T22:27:02.034+01:00Last Minute ChangesEverything is up on the stillages for this week's festival and there are surprisingly few alterations to<br />the list I posted at the weekend.<br /><br />Boggart Dark Mild replaced by Trad Mild.<br />Boggart Dark Rum Porter is actually Rum Porter.<br />Elland Anniversary Ale is 7th Anniversary Ale.<br />Bridestones TJ5 is actually TJ's.<br />Rockingham Black Forest replaced by Dark Forest.<br />Brampton Best replaced by Golden Bud.<br /><br />The following are no shows:<br /><br />Red Squirrel Colorado American IPA<br />Sawbridgeworth Malt Shovel Porter<br />Sawbridgeworth Chocolate Orange StoutMark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-62525569375595679522009-05-24T10:08:00.001+01:002009-05-24T10:10:28.615+01:00Northamptonshire Beer Festival 2009- The Beer ListThe Northamptonshire Beer Festival starts this Thursday at Delapre Abbey in Northampton at 5pm. It is then open all day from noon. The beer list which should be final is listed below. I will update with any changes as and when they occur.<p>Abbeydale Brimstone<br />Abbeydale Belfry<br />B&T Gold Leaf<br />B&T R101<br />B&T Black Dragon Mild<br />B&T Edwin Taylors Extra Stout<br />Bank Top Flat Cap<br />Bank Top Volunteer<br />Bank Top Pavilion<br />Bank Top Port o' Call<br />Beowulf Wuffa<br />Beowulf Goldwork<br />Beowulf Chasewater<br />Beowulf Swordsman<br />Blue Cow Best Bitter<br />Blue Monkey Original<br />Blue Monkey Evolution<br />Blythe Blythe Bitter<br />Blythe Staffie<br />Blythe Ridware Pale<br />Blythe Tetty's Tipple<br />Boggart Hole Clough Dark Mild<br />Boggart Hole Clough Standard Pioneer<br />Boggart Hole Clough Sun Dial<br />Boggart Hole Clough Ray of Sunshine<br />Boggart Hole Clough Dark Rum Porter<br />Brampton Best<br />Brampton 1302<br />Brass Monkey Best Bitter<br />Brass Monkey Mandrill<br />Brass Monkey Monkey Pooh<br />Brass Monkey Silverback<br />Brewdog Zeitgeist<br />Brewdog Punk<br />Brewdog 77Lager<br />Brewdog Dogma<br />Brewdog Trashy Blonde<br />Brewdog Paradox Smokehead<br />Brewsters Hophead<br />Brewsters Marquis<br />Brewsters Cheval Mort<br />Brewsters Kiyo<br />Bridestones Pennine Dark Mild<br />Bridestones Brown Ale<br />Bridestones TJ5<br />Bridestones Sandman<br />Brunswick White Feather<br />Brunswick Pilsener<br />Cathedral Magna Carta<br />Cathedral St Hugh's<br />Cathedral Black Imp<br />Cherwell Valley Larkrise<br />Cherwell Valley Cropredy Bridge<br />Cherwell Valley Kineton Fight<br />Cherwell Valley Duke of Cumberlands Head<br />Concrete Cow Ironbridge Brew<br />Concrete Cow Cowzat'<br />Dark Star Hophead<br />Dark Star Espresso<br />Dark Star Festival<br />Dark Star Original<br />Dent Dent Bitter<br />Dent Aviator Ale<br />Dent T'owd Tup<br />Digfield Fools Nook<br />Digfield Barnwell Bitter<br />Digfield March Hare<br />Digfield Shacklebush<br />Digfield IPA<br />Digfield Mad Monk<br />Dowbridge Centurion<br />Dowbridge Fosse<br />Dowbridge Legion<br />Dowbridge DB Dark<br />Dowbridge Morgans Beez Neez<br />Elland Mambo<br />Elland Beyond the Pale<br />Elland Anniversary Ale<br />Elland Space<br />Empire Golden Warrior<br />Empire Pilgrim<br />Empire Valour<br />Empire Longbow<br />Frog Island Fuggled Frog<br />Frog Island Best Bitter<br />Frog Island Shoemaker<br />Frog Island Natterjack<br />Frog Island Fire Bellied Toad<br />Frog Island Croak & Stagger<br />Full Mash Brass Monkey<br />Full Mash Stapleford Stout<br />Grainstore Cooking<br />Grainstore 1050<br />Grainstore Silly Billy<br />Grainstore NIP<br />Great Oakley Welland Valley Mild<br />Great Oakley Wot's Occurring<br />Great Oakley Wagtail<br />Great Oakley Harpers<br />Great Oakley Gobble<br />Great Oakley Delapre Dark<br />Great Oakley Tailshaker<br />Great Oakley Abbey Stout<br />Green Mill Chocolate Mild<br />Green Mill A Bitter T'ale<br />Green Mill Chief<br />Green Mill Big Chief<br />Hart Nemesis<br />Hart Dishy Debbie<br />Hawkshead Bitter<br />Hawkshead Lakeland Gold<br />Hawkshead Brodies Prime<br />Hoggleys Northamptonshire Bitter<br />Hoggleys Kislingbury Bitter<br />Hoggleys Mill Lane Mild<br />Hoggleys Reservoir Hogs<br />Hoggleys Pump Fiction<br />Hoggleys Solstice Stout<br />Hoggleys Slum Hog<br /> Hopshackle Historic Porter<br />Hopshackle Double Momentum<br />Iceni Celtic Queen<br />Iceni Fine Soft Day<br />Iceni Cranberry Wheat<br />Julian Church Parson's Nose<br />Julian Church Wonky Spire<br />Julian Church Martyr<br />Leatherbritches Copper Classic<br />Magpie Fledgling<br />Magpie Dark Secret<br />Magpie Best Bitter<br />Magpie Monty's FIrkin<br />Mallinsons Amarillo<br />Mallinsons Statue of Zeus<br />Mallinsons TR7<br />Mallinsons Jubilee Tower<br />Maypole Little Weed<br />Maypole Major Oak<br />Milestone Raspberry Wheat<br />Milestone Loxley<br />Milestone Rich Ruby<br /> Milton Icarus<br /> Milton Nero<br /> Naylors Pinnacle Bitter<br /> Naylors Pinnacle Blonde<br />Nethergate Old Growler<br />Nethergate Essex Beast<br />Nethergate Umbel Magna<br />Nethergate Lounge Lizard<br />Nethergate Essex Border<br />Nobbys Best Bitter<br />Nobbys Guilsborough Gold<br />Nobbys Claridges Crystal<br />Nobbys Monster Mash<br />Nobbys Chilli Summer<br />Nobbys T'owd Navigation<br />Oakham Endless Summer<br />Oakham Attila<br />Oakham JHB<br />Oakham Inferno<br />Oakham White Dwarf<br />Oakham Bishops Farewell<br />Oldershaw Grantham Dark<br />Oldershaw Regal Blonde<br />Oldershaw High Dyke<br />Oldershaw Harrowby Pale<br />Oldershaw Grantham Stout<br />Oldershaw Ahtanum Gold<br />Grainstore Phipps IPA<br />Grainstore Phipps Red Star<br />Potbelly Welland Truly<br />Potbelly Black Sun<br />Potbelly Potbelly Best<br />Potbelly Aisling<br />Potbelly Ambrosia<br />Potbelly Beijing Black<br />Potbelly Inner Daze<br />Potbelly Crazy Daze<br />Purple Moose Black Hand Porter<br />Purple Moose Madogs<br />Purple Moose Snowdonia<br />Purple Moose Glaslyn Ale<br />Purple Moose Darkside of the Moose<br />RCH Old Slug Porter<br />RCH East Street Cream<br />RCH Double Header<br />RCH Steampole<br />RCH PG Steam<br />Red Squirrel BSPA<br />Red Squirrel London Porter<br />Red Squirrel English IPA<br />Red Squirrel Colorado American IPA<br />Red Squirrel Blonde<br />Rockingham A1 Amber Ale<br />Rockingham Black Forest<br />Sawbridgeworth Malt Shovel Porter<br />Sawbridgeworth Chocolate Orange Stout<br />Shardlow Kiln House<br />Shardlow Whistle Stop<br />Shardlow Golden Hop<br />Silverstone Pitstop<br />Silverstone Chequered Flag<br />Southport Golden Sands<br />Southport Carousel<br />Spinning Dog Herefordshire Owd Bull<br />Spinning Dog Mutleys Dark<br />Spinning Dog Celtic Gold<br />Spinning Dog Mutts Nutts<br />Spire Ruby Tuesday<br />Spire Land Of Hop And Glory<br />St.Georges St George is mild<br />St.Georges Order of the Garter<br />St.Georges Dragons Blood<br />Tower Steamin Billy Last Bark<br />Tower Steamin Billy Skydiver<br />Tower steamin Billy Fox's Revenge<br />Titanic Golden Age<br />Ufford White Hart<br />Ufford Golden Drop<br />Vale Vale Best Bitter<br />Vale Edgar's Golden Ale<br />Vale Hadda's Spring Gold<br />Vale VPA<br />Vale Castle Bitter<br />Weatheroak Light Oak<br />Weatheroak Victoria Works<br />White Horse Village Idiot<br />White Horse Wayland Smithy<br />White Horse Black Beauty<br />White Park White Gold<br />White Park Kellihopter<br />White Park Cranfield Bitter<br />Whitehaven Ennerdale Breeze<br />Whitehaven Ennerdale Bitter<br />Whitehaven Ennerdale Blonde<br />Whitehaven Ennerdale Copper<br />Wild Walker Old Big Ead<br />Wild Walker Last Orders<br />Wolf Golden Jackal<br />Wolf Lavender Honey<br />Wolf Woild MoildMark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-74488819021911019242009-05-15T21:27:00.003+01:002009-05-15T21:39:26.983+01:00Coach & Horses Dronfield<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3prF6MR4EJW0T0p-H-8pKELfMF3n_pJHyWL5A3fIBJVxzLHiSkIa6B6QSAhSeDZmEUG5kTuefeUbIb6xYHX6I7fAKHn8KFAGUQ7CixkNYNZs-lwkbugKv_2SkPTpHjnbo9N0jOmYGZvY/s1600-h/thornbridge_brewery_badge_May_07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3prF6MR4EJW0T0p-H-8pKELfMF3n_pJHyWL5A3fIBJVxzLHiSkIa6B6QSAhSeDZmEUG5kTuefeUbIb6xYHX6I7fAKHn8KFAGUQ7CixkNYNZs-lwkbugKv_2SkPTpHjnbo9N0jOmYGZvY/s400/thornbridge_brewery_badge_May_07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336153074504899010" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't realise that most pubs I take my wife in are a bit dodgy until she exclaimed "it's really nice Mark" when we walked into <b>The Coach & Horses</b> at Dronfield. It appears she was expecting somewhere a bit "spit and sawdust".<p>The C&H is owned by Sheffield FC and sells beers from the excellent <b>Thornbridge Hall</b> brewery. It also though sells a deecnt range of foreign bottled beers and carefully chosen draught keg products. It's anything but spit and sawdust being actually pretty smart.</p><p>Thornbridge beers available on my visit were:</p><p>Wild Swan<br />Lord Marples<br />Redbrick<br />Jaywick<br />Jaipur</p><p>I tried them all except the Redbrick and particularly liked the first two on the list. Jaipur was a bit disappointing, being a little warm which I'm told is very unusual here.</p><p>Although I didn't eat the menu looked really appetizing wih some lovely looking choices.</p><p>It was a well spent hour and one I hope to repeat again. The pub is having a beer festival on the next bank holiday weekend with a large selection of Thornbridge beers but also a good range of other brewers beers such as BrewDog, Dark Star and Marble. I wish I were going.</p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-87496966108669647322009-05-13T17:56:00.001+01:002009-05-13T17:57:43.772+01:00Hello AgainYes, it's been a while hasn't it? Sorry about that. I've been a bit busy with one thing and another, but to hell with excuses.<p>So, what have I been up to since we last met? I went to the beer festival at <b>The Merchants Inn</b> in Rugby, where all beers had an animal in the name and we were encouraged to order merely by animal name rather then the whole beer (Bugger that). I went to the first festival at <b>The Victoria</b> in Northampton, which needed to have more beers on at a time. I spent a week in the Peak District and only went to four (yes four) pubs the whole week. I had no internet access and precious little mobile phone reception, but that's not always a bad thing. And finally, and more pressingly, I've been puttiing together the tasting notes for this year's <b>Northamptonshire Beer Festival</b> which runs from May 28-30 at Delapre Abbey. This blog will be the first place the beer list will be published and there are some good beers to behold.<p>I'll try to get the blog back on a regular roll now that things are quietening down. I'm off on my annual pilgrimage to Brighton on Sunday though. That will be fun.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-8701069449673903792009-04-30T19:58:00.000+01:002009-04-30T19:59:15.156+01:00Bucking The TrendIn the last few weeks I've heard of four oubs reopening in Northamptonshire and only one closing. And that single closure is said to be temporary according to the notice on the front door.<p>I'm not for one moment suggesting this is the end of the bad period for pubs, but it's a step in the right direction.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-66956868506232178782009-04-27T20:06:00.002+01:002009-04-27T20:10:42.944+01:00Opening Hours<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHLdi_cy3hgDo8PDcAMj8YNCI6H4sw7yBU3cFtWYedXCv-G9Bfh2inNpX2jgRtLk4QsJo1-_lDZC6ppv-8QlI5uGGXv2QrouN9W52OsAdLRGg0nUqpwdVBTYxZHWg4QzO4Xg9WzEeKYo/s1600-h/opening-hours.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHLdi_cy3hgDo8PDcAMj8YNCI6H4sw7yBU3cFtWYedXCv-G9Bfh2inNpX2jgRtLk4QsJo1-_lDZC6ppv-8QlI5uGGXv2QrouN9W52OsAdLRGg0nUqpwdVBTYxZHWg4QzO4Xg9WzEeKYo/s400/opening-hours.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329450671033619778" border="0" /></a><br />When I first started drinking pubs had to close during the afternoon, then the law was changed so that drinking was allowed between 11 and 11 on every day except Sunday where it was noon until 10;30. I lived in a village at the time and my pub of choice flirted with opening all day on Saturday only. It was usually just us lads in there, playing skittles and listening to the football on the radio.<p>It was a far cry from what we have today with pubs effectively able to open all the hours they want to but where generally speaking the vast amount of pubs choose to open all day at least at weekends and Fridays. The pub which closes during the afternoon is in a definite minority, especially in towns or near tourist attractions.</p><p>Not all pubs do though and I'm confused why last orders is called at 3ish with a number of customers still spending their money. I know the same could be said for 11pm but people do have beds to go to.</p><p>So why do pubs which probably could open all day choose not to? Sure staff need a break but if there are enough staff and shift patterns are sorted correctly this shouldn't be an issue. The question of profit doesn't come into it as I've already identified that these are busy pubs only.</p><p>No, it's been suggested to me that pubs close to enable cleaning and general sprucing up between services. This may seem a valid argument but I can honestly say that I've not noticed an all day pub being particularly grotty in the evening.</p><p>So. what's the reason? And if you ran a successful pub would you consider an afternoon of no money going through the tills?<br /></p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-67630721364495639432009-04-21T20:00:00.002+01:002009-04-21T20:04:27.294+01:00CAMRA - A Romantic Notion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkuWGD22fRWjaaxJk6Ahj6dvz0j1zPXTJittZM8N4ta_ehXtv7mco5uZZxzCwR0YvHTi4n1nIpNiy69mJujAq0VwdkKpc63h1Ao7AoWPL1emjL2KQiZUVDRc1fFpNqKNGV9XEaV3VcNk/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 83px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkuWGD22fRWjaaxJk6Ahj6dvz0j1zPXTJittZM8N4ta_ehXtv7mco5uZZxzCwR0YvHTi4n1nIpNiy69mJujAq0VwdkKpc63h1Ao7AoWPL1emjL2KQiZUVDRc1fFpNqKNGV9XEaV3VcNk/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327222536421424194" border="0" /></a><br />The following is a verbatim quote from the Weekend supplement of The Times dated 11 April:<p><b>The Campaign For Real Ale (a worthy cause) travels around the country holding festivals to promote the beauty of real ale, cider and perry</b>.</p><p>It really is a lovely thought that a troupe of individuals hold a beer festival and then load the lorries and move on to the next town where they unload and start all over again. If that's a real job then I want a piece of it. Does anyone know to where I should apply?</p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-32011628060296742102009-04-16T20:47:00.001+01:002009-04-16T20:50:34.120+01:00If I Owned A Brewery Part 5 - The Pumpclips And Bottle LabelsI first thought up this series of posts whilst sat in a pub looking at the pumpclips all over the wall situated about ten feet away. Even with my good eyesight some of the clips were hard to read and if I could make out the beer's name I couldn't neccesarily make out anything else. Even stood just inches away from the bar there have been occasions when reading the beer name has proved problematic. It shocks me why a brewer would make it hard for potential punters to order their beer correctly.<p>In my opinion a pumpclip needs three things: the beer name, the brewery name and the ABV. The brewery logo may also be included if it's not too intrusive. Anything else is just superfluous. And all three of the required things should be clear enough and large enough to be read. I think that interesting shaped pumpclips are OK and that that can set a particular brewery's beers apart from others. A good example of a clear pumpclip with the necessary information is those from <a href="http://www.milestonebrewery.co.uk/tasting.html">Milestone</a>, whilst those from <a href="http://www.leedsbrewery.co.uk/beer/permanent_beers.html">Leeds</a> are clear and definitely distinctive.<p>The same principles apply for bottle labels. They should be kept plain and simple. The joy of a bottle is the opportunity to use the back label to really go to town. Standing in an off licence struggling to work out what is what is too much of a pain for a grouchy old drinker like me.<p>So to paraphrase, like my beer naming policy my labelling is going to be simple and traditional also. I just wish more brewers were like me.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-16479560955392124922009-04-13T19:48:00.002+01:002009-04-13T19:52:54.097+01:00If I Owned A Brewery Part 4 - The Occasional BeersSo we've ascertained from comments left that some people agree that beers don't need to have leftfield or interesting names to sell and that where a name gives an obvious indication of what the customer might expect it will lead to a more informed choice.<p>The naming policy for my permenant and seasonal beers may be a tad boring, but the beers won't be. They will use the best ingredients and a sufficient quantity of each to impart good flavour. My beers won't simply be one mess of Fuggles and Goldings after another. It's fair to say they won't be particularly extreme though. These are going to be high production beers that will appeal to your ordinary beer drinkers as well as your aficionados. The occasional and one off beers though are likely to be more extreme and appeal to a more niche market.<p>I am a member of that niche market myself. I've regularly blogged about interesting foreign beers that are being imported and have sang the praises of the more daring progressive brewers like BrewDog and Thornbridge. It's with these beers that I'm going to have some fun<p>I'm not going to complicate matters too much though. Again you're going to have a fair idea what you're going to get by the way the beer is named. So my single hopped IPA brewed with Simcoe is going to have a name to reflect itself, and its' going to be <i>really hoppy</i>, the same goes for my other IPAs. I'll brew <i>proper</i> fruit beers with proper fruit, no juice but the real thing, and I'll experiment with ingredients like coffee, spices and barrel aging, but not too many of anything at a time.<p>The beers will be produced when the time is right to source the right ingredients. It's not quite seasonality but there will be a method to the madness of why each beer is produced at a certain time. These beers will be bottled as will as produced cask conditioned; my other stuff <i>may</i> not see a bottle. And quality control here is of the utost importance as sadly all too many British BCAs are substandard. I won't allow mine to be<p>Hopefully the consistency and quality of the regular stuff will see interest in these beers, and export deals will be on the table. It all seems too simple to be true, and of course it is all my fabrication, but it's a workable model I'd have thought.<p>Next time I'll do pump clips and bottle label designs.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-86638531813516319002009-04-08T20:14:00.002+01:002009-04-08T20:18:28.358+01:00If I Owned A Brewery Part 3 - The Seasonal BeersI've been picked up, possibly fairly, for the boring naming policy of my imaginary beers. They won't taste boring though.<p>As well as the permanent beers I will have seasonal beers. These seasonals though will be representative of the season or a celebration of an annual occurrence. They won't just be any old new recipe with a name to match the time of year. The same seasonals will be brewed year in year out, and drinkers will look forward to each year's output.<p>It's far rarer in UK than in USA for regular and relevant seasonals to be produced, and it actually tends to be the older, perhaps more traditional brewers who do it. Harveys do it probably better than others although Shepherd Neame seasonals are anticipated highly in Kent although perhaps not so much further afield. I also look forward to finding Youngs Winter Warmer each year.<p>As is my want the beers will all be named so as to inform the punter what to expect, so the following beers will form part of my portfolio:<p><b>Light Mild</b> for March (the alternative mild month)<br /><b>Chocolate Stout</b> brewed with massive amounts of Chocolate Malt for Easter<br /><b>Strong Mild</b> brewed for May (the current mild month)<br /><b>Summer Lager</b> a real and authentic lager, brewed throughout the Summer<br /><b>Green Hop</b> using the first pickings.<br /><b>Bonfire Smoke</b> a smoked style beer for the period around November 5th.<br /><b>Winter Warmer</b> a true strong warmer for those sipping nights around the fire.<br /><b>Christmas Ale</b> strong and spicy.<p>That's probably enough to cover the whole year. There's no need to brew beers for Valentine's Day or Halloween or St Georges Day or any other nonsense just to get another beer under your belt. These will be proper quality meaningful seasonals.<p>Having said that though there will be other beers brewed as and when the time is right. More on that next time.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-15666069734228478982009-04-07T21:53:00.001+01:002009-04-07T21:54:56.448+01:00If I Owned A Brewery Part 2 - The Permanent BeersBeer is a serious drink and as such deserves to treat its drinkers like serious people. My brewery therefore will produce a number of permanent beers in various styles, and will have serious understandable names.<p>All too often we order beers not having a clue what we are going to receive. We can of course ask the bar staff but sadly they are not always fully in command of the knowledge to tell us whether the beer will be a golden ale or a dark mild. ABV doesn't tell us as much as it used to. That pint of Old Gutblaster could be anything.<p>Sure, sometimes it's nice to be surprised, but that can occasionally be problematic.<p>My dark mild will therefore be called <b>Dark Mild</b>, my porter <b>Porter</b> and my barley wine <b>Barley Wine</b>. No jokey names thank you very much. It may be boring but breweries back in the day didn't feel the need for odd nomenclatures.<p>You'll know what you'll be getting with my beers. Tomorrow I'll do the seasonals.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-63510975323311954672009-04-06T20:46:00.005+01:002009-04-06T21:14:03.490+01:00If I Owned A Brewery Part 1 - The NameMy brewery's name would be based on one of two criteria. It would either be named after me or it would be named after its location.<p>It seems a modern phenomenon to give a brewery a 'joke' name or something totally irrelevant to anything in particular. If you look at the oldest breweries still in existance, they are all named after their founders.<p>So we have <b>Shepherd Neame</b>; <b>Harveys</b>; <b>Palmers</b> and <b>Elgoods</b> who are the only existing independent breweries from pre 1800.<p>The oldest brewery still in existence named after its origin is <b>Old Swan</b> from 1835, but that's probably cheating slightly as it's actually a brew pub, although <b>Felinfoel</b> wasn't far behind.The oldest brewery still around not nammed after its fouders or loaction seems to be <b>Caledonian</b> from 1865. Even then there is a link with Caledonia being an old name for Scotland<p>So being the traditionalist I am I'll be going either with Edwards' Brewery which has been done <a href="http://www.geocities.com/botleyhistory/trade.htm">before</a> or Wootton Brewery.<p> Tomorrow I'll talk about the beers.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-25376260339298979762009-04-05T20:56:00.002+01:002009-04-05T21:00:32.429+01:00Beer Of The Month - March 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9zGTKzcbWV1sh6eUmyhGVERAI5ivkep18nHzJF_ES0VEt7MZBTX1xfvsD3hbPNqjAk4M5hxML1sgD93OUN2pSfqcPF_rJNhQaRygmminHrTwgMGSUIUBfBAlinGNHnTbHJgeXsM2Q5U/s1600-h/365.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9zGTKzcbWV1sh6eUmyhGVERAI5ivkep18nHzJF_ES0VEt7MZBTX1xfvsD3hbPNqjAk4M5hxML1sgD93OUN2pSfqcPF_rJNhQaRygmminHrTwgMGSUIUBfBAlinGNHnTbHJgeXsM2Q5U/s400/365.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321299644609900290" border="0" /></a><br />The beer I probably drink the most of at home is <b>Sierra Nevada Pale Ale</b>. It's easily attainable; cheap and tasty. In addition it's as consistent as you'd like a bottled beer to be. It was the only bottled beer I drank in March which was above average, so therefore has to win <b>Bottled Beer Of The Month</b>.<p>There was more competition for cask beer of the month, although there was an outright winner. The highlights of the month were <a href="http://maeib.blogspot.com/2009/03/leicester-beer-festival-2009.html">Leicester BF</a> and <a href="http://maeib.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-thing-that-struck-home-whilst.html">Liverpool</a>. I was ill for a lot of the rest of the month so drinking opportunities were at a premium.</p><p>Both the articles linked to go into detail about the better beers on each day, so I won't bore you by repeating myself. The best beer in Liverpool was <b>Wentworth Black Zac</b> followed by <b>Northern Two Tone Stout</b>, but these pailed into insignificance against the wonder that was <a href="http://maeib.blogspot.com/2009/03/futures-chili.html">Atomic Firebox</a>. I liked reading the comments that were left and can easily see that beers brewed with chili might divide opinion, but this was a work of true genius. I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if it doesn't end up being the best cask ale I drink all year.</p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-38890444079485022152009-04-02T20:38:00.002+01:002009-04-02T20:42:25.392+01:00Northants POTY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg_SV6cfzwIfDGAU2AWH6-yrDeCR6i34qd4T7JVKaISJd4UT7DGn4pjuYfILa3e2jQDl-aml9iMPtD5RmWCmX-i33hGLlsb8pGtfRWAXX0Dmhn732fycObop271LTX5wMLzCE7Fx439M/s1600-h/Michelin+Pub+of+the+Year.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg_SV6cfzwIfDGAU2AWH6-yrDeCR6i34qd4T7JVKaISJd4UT7DGn4pjuYfILa3e2jQDl-aml9iMPtD5RmWCmX-i33hGLlsb8pGtfRWAXX0Dmhn732fycObop271LTX5wMLzCE7Fx439M/s200/Michelin+Pub+of+the+Year.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320181713297858786" border="0" /></a><br />The Northamptonshire CAMRA pub of the year has just been declared. The winner is <b>The Coach & Horses</b> in Oxford Street, Wellingborough.<p>I'm pleased for this pub which beat far more well known freehouses <b>The Malt Shovel, Northampton</b> and <b>The Alexandra Arms, Kettering</b>.</p><p>The Coach sells up to ten real ales but is careful not to have too many on at quieter times of the week. Service is always quick and friendly and for those who are that way inclined a choice of straight glass or handle is always offered. I've never been disappointed in the quality of the beer and I'm led to believe the food's pretty good as well.</p><p>I've written about the pub once before <a href="http://maeib.blogspot.com/2007/12/two-blasts-from-past.html">here</a>. That real fire I referred to is still there and is roaringly lovely at the relevant time of the year. So a big congrats from me.<br /></p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-50212709721305944412009-04-01T20:00:00.006+01:002009-04-01T22:10:16.867+01:00My Liverpool Crawl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFNMVTJDxiQqA91T4G6FCpEQREd_brMucfKUWR6hXkeIb0VMhpbuJ5poXIv0F1Ev8Mxot3PzILXMPLYCkJyZb5i-u6sYdBj9SH3JYo98nYqUQtcmdAHh3ZUj5ETJuAluFflh8Il9R5lE/s1600-h/liverpool_2053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFNMVTJDxiQqA91T4G6FCpEQREd_brMucfKUWR6hXkeIb0VMhpbuJ5poXIv0F1Ev8Mxot3PzILXMPLYCkJyZb5i-u6sYdBj9SH3JYo98nYqUQtcmdAHh3ZUj5ETJuAluFflh8Il9R5lE/s320/liverpool_2053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319802052227311714" border="0" /></a><br />The one thing that struck home whilst walking around Liverpool on Monday was how many quality pubs there are within a short walk. I did five pubs before dinner, then headed in the other direction after dinner and did two more. I'm a bit of a lightweight sadly as there are a number of other pubs the seasoned drinker should really have done.<p>There are a few jottings below of my experiences:</p><p>Pub one - <b>The Dispensary</b>; smart and clean; nice wood panelling; despire being owned by Cains only one of their beers on. I had <b>Wentworth Black Zac</b> which was very tasty and <b>TSA Golden Thistle</b> which was very bland.</p><p>Pub two <b>Roscoe's Head</b>; quaint little pub, nice snug, institution, untouchable by which I mean its place in the GBG may well be sacrosanct. My <b>Jennings Bitter</b> was a little vinegary.</p><p>Pub three <b>The Fly In The Loaf</b>; modern and almost trendy, good selection of foreign beers well chosen; four Fullers beers and only one from owners Okells. Why is that? I had <b>Wild Walker Last Orders</b> and <b>Okells Bitter</b>, both were bland.</p><p>Pub four <b>The Pilgrim</b>; Bohemian; great tables; cheap food; mostly students. My <b>Phoenix White Tornado</b> was hoppy and crisp.</p><p>Pub five <b>Ye Cracke</b>; tatty; interesting; doesn't need to smarten up; interesting guest beers. I had <b>All Gates Mild At Heart</b> and <b>Hornbeam Winterlong Dark Bitter</b>, both were decent enough if a little ordinary.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tWT08dPaK6hCdBabB7dScJQxkYgKCeYRkiI6L8B_T8kFQn700pBrS3QI9W3PxY071f-FetjRbN7e8vtTBiMHd2R4El1qN0Dq77UL8di53s0pZFmnWB6qNB-n_KFKDAyK-gQdC6G2JJg/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 90px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tWT08dPaK6hCdBabB7dScJQxkYgKCeYRkiI6L8B_T8kFQn700pBrS3QI9W3PxY071f-FetjRbN7e8vtTBiMHd2R4El1qN0Dq77UL8di53s0pZFmnWB6qNB-n_KFKDAyK-gQdC6G2JJg/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319802177950004482" border="0" /></a>Pub six <b>Thomas Rigbys</b>; walked in just as someone appeared to be being ejected so a good start; good draught foreign beers, would have had the <b>Aventinus Weizen Eisbock</b> if I could guarantee I would keep it down. Instead I had <b>Fullers Hock</b> which was pretty nice.</p><p>Pub seven <b>Ship & Mitre</b>; big beer selection; intriguing beer board; fast service despite the pub being busy. I had <b>Betwixt Storr Lager</b> and <b>Northern Two Tone Stout</b> both good beers doing what they say on the tin.</p><p>I trugded home, unwittingly passing Dr Duncans where a quick glimpse through the windows revealed just Cains beers which at that time of the night didn't float my boat.</p><p>In summery a crawl around Liverpool is not hard on the shoe leather and is sure to result in a wide selection of interesting and old favourite beers. I'ev not been since 2000, I hope I'll be back before 2018.<br /></p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-92174320631880605992009-03-28T15:46:00.001+00:002009-03-28T15:50:26.668+00:00Official Beer Of Welsh Football<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqJIdiPYZ_-VzNKjv9U9YL9yhM9o904ZN_bYX2QPk8xz8oG9PFBnbdU2xoRPFpcMm3AWH80vwEfe0eM7165u8xkSB4SkUFha1WeNorEezBuklz4IXHP__fNnoIJ8TJ52m4UdXCrw42ig/s1600-h/45-logo_200pxw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqJIdiPYZ_-VzNKjv9U9YL9yhM9o904ZN_bYX2QPk8xz8oG9PFBnbdU2xoRPFpcMm3AWH80vwEfe0eM7165u8xkSB4SkUFha1WeNorEezBuklz4IXHP__fNnoIJ8TJ52m4UdXCrw42ig/s200/45-logo_200pxw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318266270906726722" border="0" /></a><br />That rather splendid title is given to <b>Brains 45</b>, a new beer from the Welsh capital's own brewery. It is being advertised big time at The Millenium Stadium at the moment.<p>Don't ask me what it tastes like as I've not drank it, nor does the <a href="http://www.sabrain.com/index.cfm?UUID=141225CD-1372-662A-4C904C6C86BFF7A8">description</a> help me. I really don't know what a "continental style Welsh beer with a classic continental taste" is.</p><p>Anyone any clues?</p>Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3003698046664815822.post-54099341744006648652009-03-23T21:21:00.001+00:002009-03-23T21:23:31.666+00:00Going To LiverpoolI'm staying in Liverpool next Monday for just the one night at a residential training seminar. There's a disco arranged in the evening and we've been told to "bring our dancing shoes"<p>Bugger that; I'm going out drinking. It's been years since I've been on the beer in the land of Scouse. Where should I go? I'm staying centrally and will probably head for The Ship & Mitre first.<p>Anybody want to design me a pub crawl? Something in the region of six to eight pubs.Mark Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862251527980938136noreply@blogger.com6