1FFACAS

[Alty]

I notice both Guinness and Adnams are belatedly trying to get on the craft beer bandwagon with trendy little sleek bottles. I haven't tried any of their new ranges though.

I think I'm actually starting to 'get' Belgian beers a bit more now. There's a Belgian bar/restaurant at Covent Garden called Belgo which has loads of beers. Got a bit of a taste for the Westmalle Dubbel (rich, malty, highish percentage). And have since found it in Waitrose, which is a bonus

I've also got myself a Japanese-brewed Belgian-style white ale, which I'm intrigued by. I've had a couple of good Japanese beers at festivals before, although they were British and American influenced. Will share my feelings with you all in due course.

Also got some Innis and Gunn for the first time in a good while.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Trendy? Style and cant over substance? A recognisable aesthetic to be glommed on to? No!

 

[Alty]

Trendy? Style and cant over substance? A recognisable aesthetic to be glommed on to? No!

Never denied those were things that applied to sections of the craft beer market, Martino (will never, ever get used to calling you that). Doesn't alter the fact that you're going to get a hell of a lot more flavour and variety if you go for cask beer in particular but also from certain craft brewers than if you stick with various lager manufacturers who all produce incredibly similar tasting beers. Beers that are brewed specifically (this is a readily acknowledged fact, not a snide jibe) to be very mild tasting.

Come. Join our revolution. Loads of good pubs in Hull. I'll recommend you a few.

 

[Alty]

Just had the Westmalle Dubbel. Yep, I'm officially a fan.

Have now started on Tripel Karmeliet. Wouldn't say I love it but I think it might grow on me. Strong and fruity golden ale. Brewed with wheat and oats.

 

[Van Der Graaf]

Best Belgian Beer (of which I've had many) is bourgogne des flandres. Unfortunately it's bloody hard to find outside of Brugge.

 

[Alty]

Best Belgian Beer (of which I've had many) is bourgogne des flandres. Unfortunately it's bloody hard to find outside of Brugge.

I'm going to Brugge (and Brussels) in May Bourgogne Des Flandres duly noted.

Also, I went round Clapham yesterday. A few decent places. The Prince of Wales in Clapham Old Town was probably the pick of the places I'd never been. All sorts of random tat dotted about the place. Couple of cask beers and loads of bottles. I had Brixton Atlantic APA.

Brewdog and the Craft Beer Company were both enjoyable, although I wish the former hadn't abandoned cask beer and the latter isn't as good as their other pubs.

 

[Stagat]

I'll be back in the UK for bit this spring. Looking forward to quaffing a few halves of this:

 

[SUTSS]

I had a bottle of Dizzy's Dark Side from Robinson's which was ok. It had a grapefruit aftertaste which was the only thing that ruined it slightly for me.

 

[Van Der Graaf]

Alty I assume you have Cafe Delirium noted for your visit to Brussels? Over 2,400 beers available!

http://deliriumcafe.be/

 

[RavenBish]

Did they not get to 2,000 and think 'y'know what, we've got enough here, we don't need any more'

 

[Magic]

Alty I assume you have Cafe Delirium noted for your visit to Brussels? Over 2,400 beers available!

http://deliriumcafe.be/

Good bar. Probably the best thing about Brussels.

 

[Mustard]

Had a Guinness Dublin Porter yesterday. Wasn't a huge fan, tasted a bit bland to be honest. I also had one of their Foreign Extra Stouts. Very sweet with hints of coffee, not sure if I could do a session on it! I'm going to Dublin next weekend so I'll finally be able to see if Guinness really is better in Ireland.

Ahh Delirium, the last thing I remember from my recent brother-in-laws stag do in Bruges was that fucking pink elephant. I found the beer there to be extremely strong and far too drinkable, I love Belgian styles. Recommend any of the Rochefort Trappists.

 

[Jarvis]

I tried a bottle of Bateman's Mocha Coffee & Chocolate Beer. It's nice despite tasting like neither, though it does smell somewhat of it. More a treat for the nose, I think. Quite drinkable.

Also bought myself some Rattler Cornish Cyder. Has that made it further up the country yet?

 

[Magic]

Had a Guinness Dublin Porter yesterday. Wasn't a huge fan, tasted a bit bland to be honest. I also had one of their Foreign Extra Stouts. Very sweet with hints of coffee, not sure if I could do a session on it! I'm going to Dublin next weekend so I'll finally be able to see if Guinness really is better in Ireland.

Ahh Delirium, the last thing I remember from my recent brother-in-laws stag do in Bruges was that fucking pink elephant. I found the beer there to be extremely strong and far too drinkable, I love Belgian styles. Recommend any of the Rochefort Trappists.

Yeah in a way great though. Could go out, have two pints and be well on your way. I remember having a very drinkable IPA in there. Cost about seven euros but it was about 11%.

 

[markpvfc]

My local Tesco has refreshed its range of ale and I managed to buy 6 i've never had before for a tenner. Good beer at a decent price.
Timothy Taylor - Boltmaker
Sharp's - Atlantic
Young's - Special London Ale and Hummingbird
Marston's - Pedigree New World
Badger's - First Call

 

[Magic]

My local Tesco has refreshed its range of ale and I managed to buy 6 i've never had before for a tenner. Good beer at a decent price.
Timothy Taylor - Boltmaker
Sharp's - Atlantic
Young's - Special London Ale and Hummingbird
Marston's - Pedigree New World
Badger's - First Call

Boltmaker won beer of the year didn't it? I've had it on draught a couple of times when I'm back home but still prefer Landlord. Never had it in a bottle mind.

 

[markpvfc]

So it is, camra ale of the year 2014, drank it last night and it was certainly a good drink.

 

[Alty]

Went to Craft Beer Rising at the weekend. Part of London Beer Week. Absolutely brilliant event held at the Old Truman Brewery at Brick Lane.

Much younger crowd than your average CAMRA event. Probably mainly keg but quite a lot of cask beer too. Bad Seed and Yeastie Boys were both brilliant finds. First one is a Yorkshire brewery. The other is a New Zealand brewery who are expanding their British operation. Head brewer is moving over here in the next few weeks. Franciscan Wells was a decent find too. Apparently the Irish craft beer scene is actually getting quite good and is based primarily around the Dublin 2 area. Nice to know it's not just Harp and Guinness.

There were also a whole load of talks on everything from homebrewing, to specific beer styles, to food and beer matching. All in all it was thoroughly enjoyable.

 

[Stagat]

Few pints of this last night in me local. Think it was alright. Gonna go back and check tonight.

 

[Alty]

Few pints of this last night in me local. Think it was alright. Gonna go back and check tonight.

I haven't liked the Blue Monkey beers I've had, but don't think I've had the Original. As you say, if there's any doubt it's only right you go back and check

I got a few beers in from Waitrose last night. Two Belgian ones I've never had before: Blanche De Namur; St Stefanus Blonde. Will probably have those over the next few days. Also picked up a Fuller's Golden Pride, which is a fruity strong beer. Dropped and smashed the bottle as soon as I got home From what I could smell while clearing up the glass it's quite nice.

 

[Pleg]

I haven't liked the Blue Monkey beers I've had, but don't think I've had the Original. As you say, if there's any doubt it's only right you go back and check

I got a few beers in from Waitrose last night. Two Belgian ones I've never had before: Blanche De Namur; St Stefanus Blonde. Will probably have those over the next few days. Also picked up a Fuller's Golden Pride, which is a fruity strong beer. Dropped and smashed the bottle as soon as I got home From what I could smell while clearing up the glass it's quite nice.

rudE

!

 

[Stagat]

I haven't liked the Blue Monkey beers I've had, but don't think I've had the Original. As you say, if there's any doubt it's only right you go back and check

Yes mate, tbh I was a bit disappointed with the ones I'd tried before, even at their own boozer. This Original though is kind of nowt special but in a good way, if you know what I mean. I think deliberately so. It's not trying to be owt out of the ordinary, and is just a bitter, albeit a really really nice and highly drinkable one. Recommended.

 

[Alty]

Yes mate, tbh I was a bit disappointed with the ones I'd tried before, even at their own boozer. This Original though is kind of nowt special but in a good way, if you know what I mean. I think deliberately so. It's not trying to be owt out of the ordinary, and is just a bitter, albeit a really really nice and highly drinkable one. Recommended.

I get ya. Perfect session beer.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

I've quite liked the Blue Monkey beers I've had in the past - Infinity and Ape Ale from memory although possibly also one or two others. They also seem to have a penchant for bad puns - BG Sips, 99 Red Baboons (amazing name) - which I always like in a brewery.

Golden Pride is nice. Looking forward to Guildford gaining a Waitrose later this year, their beer selection tends to be v good.

 

[Alty]

How can Guildford not have a waitrose already? It's the most waitrose ready place I can imagine.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Ha, I know, right? Have often wondered much the same. I think it may have had one once upon a time but we're talking a long time ago...

 

[Magic]

I had a limited edition Blue Monkey one a while ago and really enjoyed it tbh. Bought a few the other day, my favourite of which was probably Mallinson's Centennial.

 

[Alty]

Went to the London Drinker Beer Festival at the weekend. It was held in the Camden Centre.

Little bit wank, tbh. Quite a lot of the beer had gone, the whole thing felt a bit trainspotterish, about 90% of the attendees were men in their 40s or older...

That said, I discovered Sucker Punch by Hopcraft Brewery of Rhonnda. Kudos to them. Really nice golden ale.

In other news, I signed up for a delivery from these guys after a discount voucher came through from CAMRA. Little batches of new/rarely seen beers. Bit of a mixed bag first up but some really nice ones, including beers I'd never, ever have got of otherwise. One from a Spanish brewery and another from a Danish one. I think I'll probably sign up for regular monthly deliveries.

 

[Lukey]

Saturday i had Shipwrecked 6.5 thats nice, moonshine and stones is nice too.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Went to the London Drinker Beer Festival at the weekend. It was held in the Camden Centre.

Little bit wank, tbh. Quite a lot of the beer had gone, the whole thing felt a bit trainspotterish, about 90% of the attendees were men in their 40s or older...

That said, I discovered Sucker Punch by Hopcraft Brewery of Rhonnda. Kudos to them. Really nice golden ale.

In other news, I signed up for a delivery from these guys after a discount voucher came through from CAMRA. Little batches of new/rarely seen beers. Bit of a mixed bag first up but some really nice ones, including beers I'd never, ever have got of otherwise. One from a Spanish brewery and another from a Danish one. I think I'll probably sign up for regular monthly deliveries.

Yeah, this looks pretty good. I'm always a bit hesitant to sign up to this sort of thing because they're always a little on the pricey side (not that I blame them for that, as a business model it probably doesn't work any other way and I'd sort of expect to pay a bit of a premium). It's definitely a really good way of getting your hands on beer you wouldn't otherwise encounter.

Though on a more mundane note my local Sainsbury's had Golden Glory, Bishops Finger and Hobgoblin all on sale for £1.25 / bottle today - WIN