Ale, craft, pubs thread

[Lord Duckhunter]

16 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

This week, I has been mostly drinking...

Draft Sharp's Doom Bar

My condolences. 

[Gloucester Saint]

53 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

My condolences. 

Like Guinness, it’s a reliable back up if I go somewhere where the alternative is Carling, Carlsberg or some other brewed under licence bilge. But I wouldn’t seek it out especially as an ale. I also like a well made lager, St Austell does one with Korev which can pop up here, although Jever Pilsner is my all time best lager.

Most local pub offers Doom Bar, London Pride, 6X and Butty Bach, with Neck Oil on keg. I usually order one of the last two, sometimes 6X but so many Waddies pubs growing up in Soton and hence had hundreds of pints of 6X that I like to vary it up. Pride has IMHO lost its hop profile somewhat. The other pubs offer Wye Valley HPA (v good), Goffs Cheltenham Gold (yum), Sharp’s coastal pale (not bad) and Butcombe range (decent). Sometimes Bristol Beer Factory guests appear for some excitement.

Cheltenham and Gloucester have some fine establishments. I’m going to Cheltenham v Swindon on 12 October and intend to pop into some of them. 

Edited 15 September, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

My condolences. 

Like Gloucester said, not my first choice. But preferred choice had just finished, and other option not on at all.  A mile ahead of what else was on offer. A decent fall back option.

[Gloucester Saint]

Beer number one tonight is Madresfield Land First Pale Ale. Bought at St Peter’s Garden Centre near Malvern, which has a fruit and veg shack with it selling great produce. It’s better than it sounds!

Floral nose which followed through on the taste, bit of citrus, tangy but not too bitter. Simple beer but good.

I suspect the grains and hops come from Madresfield Farm and the Hop Shed in Worcester brews it.

[Gloucester Saint]

Second and final beer for tonight. Maggs Mild from Renegade Brewery in Berkshire. The previous beer was only 3.8% and this is only 3.4%. Not untypical for a Mild although they are being brewed stronger if late, although grateful any milds are brewed at all. I’ll have something stronger at the local tomorrow as a solo pint.

This beer is very dark brown, chocolately nose, malty sweet palate, chocolate biscuits, not much hop presence although a hint of peppery/spicy on the finish. A decent, classic mild. 

Edited 20 September, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

Hop Shed Redcap today. Lives up to it’s name, very malty nose, burnt toffee and mellow red apples on palate, sweetness but moderate and lingering bitterness on the finish.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

This week I has been mostly drinking...

...very little, as I was worried about having a "chat" with folk on SaintsWeb. 🙂

I was at a local game today, so didn't get past a couple of pints of Tennants Light (which I don't mind).

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

This week I has been mostly drinking...

...very little, as I was worried about having a "chat" with folk on SaintsWeb. 🙂

I was at a local game today, so didn't get past a couple of pints of Tennants Light (which I don't mind).

Which game did you go to? Never had Tennants Light and probably not had the brand overall since the 90s (shirt sponsor for Rangers IIRC at the time). Better for the waistline by the looks https://untappd.com/b/tennent-s-caledonian-brewery-tennent-s-light/3667240

[Gloucester Saint]

Last night watching the England ODI I enjoyed Hokum Stomp by Deya in Cheltenham. They are best known for their pale ales and IPAs such as Steady Rolling Man which has won loads of awards but this was a stout. Stronger at 5.6% but very tasty, coffee, bright red berries and dark chocolate finish.

Tonight it’s a beer I bought at the Malvern Autumn Show today, by Copper Beech called Common Ground, a New England style pale ale. Hazy as unfiltered, strongly tropical fruity nose, I can detect mango, mellow grapefruit, pine lingering with a spicy finish. The Show had quite a few local ciders and perries on offer (Worcestershire is famous for its pears and nearby Herefordshire for apples and ciders).
 

Edited 28 September, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

Hook Norton Red Rye tonight, the leaves are turning red and so has my pint. Fruity nose, apples, pears, hints of citrus fruit, with the rye noticeable. The taste is toffee apples, citrus, a peppery hoppiness and dryness from the rye in the finish. The colour is really vivid, very deep red like a sunset.

Off to a couple of the local pubs tomorrow, will zap a pic with the local stone in the background. 

[Turkish]

Do many of you lot get gout? This thread is gout in a bottle 

[Gloucester Saint]

24 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Do many of you lot get gout? This thread is gout in a bottle 

Can’t speak for others, but no, never had it myself. I’m pescatarian - which sounds like some sort of religious denomination that gets sung about at Old Firm games - but is fish and plants, so don’t have red meat and some of the other stuff which tends to set it off eg creamy sauces and things cooked in butter.

Plus I’m a moderate drinker (5-7 units p/week) and only beer, don’t touch red wine etc. I like it but it’s not so keen on me.

Friends have had it and nasty. 

Edited 11 October, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Lord Duckhunter]

This is my tipple for a few days. Surprisingly good. 
 

 

[Turkish]

8 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Can’t speak for others, but no, never had it myself. I’m pescatarian - which sounds like some sort of religious denomination that gets sung about at Old Firm games - but is fish and plants, so don’t have red meat and some of the other stuff which tends to set it off eg creamy sauces and things cooked in butter.

Plus I’m a moderate drinker (5-7 units p/week) and only beer, don’t touch red wine etc. I like it but it’s not so keen on me.

Friends have had it and nasty. 

I’ve had it a couple of times but not for 4 or 5 years now but then I’ve improved my diet and cut down massively on booze so can’t be a coincidence. My bro in law gets it all the time despite being on medication for it. Beer is meant to be one of the worst things to set it off

Edited 12 October, 2024 by Turkish

[egg]

9 hours ago, Turkish said:

Do many of you lot get gout? This thread is gout in a bottle 

Yep, although booze doesn't spike uric acid levels as much as people think. The biggest offender is protein, particularly red meat. A big steak is more likely to trigger an attack than the bottle of red to go with it. 

[stknowle]

6 hours ago, Turkish said:

I’ve had it a couple of times but not for 4 or 5 years now but then I’ve improved my diet and cut down massively on booze so can’t be a coincidence. My bro in law gets it all the time despite being on medication for it. Beer is meant to be one of the worst things to set it off

I had it B.A.D a couple of years ago, wincing, throbbing keep you awake all night agony. Allopurinol sorted it. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just the single pint at one of my local pubs, Adam Henson Pale Ale.

[badgerx16]

As a non-drinker, this is currently my tipple of choice

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

As a non-drinker, this is currently my tipple of choice

Their Ginger Beer and Cream Soda is decent as well.

[egg]

3 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

As a non-drinker, this is currently my tipple of choice

I'm also a non drinker and love a bit of burdock, although not easy to get down South. Ginger Beer is my preference. Bundaberg is great, ditto the fever tree stuff. 

[Gloucester Saint]

It’s more of a social observation than the beer per se - it could be a Thursday Dandelion & Burdock club instead - about the importance of social connections. I really like the fact that their debates can get heated at times but all still leave the pub as mates https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgj4pl878pwo

[benjii]

Anyone into Lambics / sours?

I've found over the past few years that lager-style beers just make me feel shit, but I'm not a fan of lukewarm bitters or a lot of the very hazy IPAs that you seem to see everywhere now.

Sour beers though, give me less gyp  and are often very interesting.

Lambic is the original king of sours but there are a lot of nice sours produced all over the place now. They go well with food.

Edited 20 October, 2024 by benjii

[Gloucester Saint]

9 hours ago, benjii said:

Anyone into Lambics / sours?

I've found over the past few years that lager-style beers just make me feel shit, but I'm not a fan of lukewarm bitters or a lot of the very hazy IPAs that you seem to see everywhere now.

Sour beers though, give me less gyp  and are often very interesting.

Lambic is the original king of sours but there are a lot of nice sours produced all over the place now. They go well with food.

Kriek Lambic is a favourite of mine and also Fou’Foune which is a mix of 18 month matured Lambic and Apricots. Timmermans Peche is a good one as well, not so keen on their Curvee Rene.

Took me a few tries for my palate to adapt in my 20s to the funkiness and complexity but have come to enjoy and appreciate them.

Edited 20 October, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[benjii]

20 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Kriek Lambic is a favourite of mine and also Fou’Foune which is a mix of 18 month matured Lambic and Apricots. Timmermans Peche is a good one as well, not so keen on their Curvee Rene.

Took me a few tries for my palate to adapt in my 20s to the funkiness and complexity but have come to enjoy and appreciate them.

They are hard to find, and expensive, but if you ever get the chance to try a Cantillon Gueze, do it!

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, benjii said:

They are hard to find, and expensive, but if you ever get the chance to try a Cantillon Gueze, do it!

Will do. Last time I saw one was in Bermondsey and it was £100 or something daft. Best way is probably on my next work trip to Brussels. Cafe Delirium might have one for £20-25 which I can handle.

Westveleren Trappist ales can get like this on supply, demand and price too, especially the ABV 12

Edited 21 October, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[benjii]

On 21/10/2024 at 18:42, Gloucester Saint said:

Will do. Last time I saw one was in Bermondsey and it was £100 or something daft. Best way is probably on my next work trip to Brussels. Cafe Delirium might have one for £20-25 which I can handle.

Westveleren Trappist ales can get like this on supply, demand and price too, especially the ABV 12

Yeah, that's mad. Should be able to get one in a bar for around 20 quid. Although they have preferred/rare vintages which are sometimes more. Delirium will almost certainly have one and there are plenty of other bars around there that should have it.

[Gloucester Saint]

Goff’s White Knight after work. Was in the local 15th century pub last weekend with the family after it being saved with a new buyer. 

Quite a traditional pale ale this one, no Cascade or US hops involved here. But sometimes that can be good, floral notes from UK and European hops, dry finish. This brewer’s favourite beer of mine is Cheltenham Gold though, never been able to source their Blackberry Stout in the winter.

[Gloucester Saint]

To celebrate our first league win of the season, Attic Brewery’s Rolling Waves Gluten Free pale ale from Birmingham. I’m not Gluten Free but saw it and thought it might be interesting. Not surprised it poured cloudy but don’t mind that.
Passion Fruit, Mango and Grapefruit on the nose, the grapefruit and passion fruit come through in the taste but not as bitter or sharp a finish as I’d expected. Hint of sweetness in a fruity and mild finish. Very good brew that. 

[Give it to Ron]

If ever in Romsey there are now some decent real ale pubs and good for a crawl. Nightingale landlady sour face but keeps good pint, Old House but expensive, Phoenix Bath Ale is ok, Tudor, Cocky anchor bit crowded, Star, best of lot though is 3 Tuns.

Plus also Flacks tap room although had a lot of people say not keen on beer I quite like it Romsey Gold, Wolfie T 

Edited 3 November, 2024 by Give it to Ron

[Gloucester Saint]

13 hours ago, Give it to Ron said:

If ever in Romsey there are now some decent real ale pubs and good for a crawl. Nightingale landlady sour face but keeps good pint, Old House but expensive, Phoenix Bath Ale is ok, Tudor, Cocky anchor bit crowded, Star, best of lot though is 3 Tuns.

Plus also Flacks tap room although had a lot of people say not keen on beer I quite like it Romsey Gold, Wolfie T 

Sounds good. Haven’t been to Romsey for about 20 years plus, used to use Three Tuns which was good and Old House for food as well as ale. My girlfriend at the time said that the Tudor Rose had quite a rough customer base so never used there. Can’t remember the Cocky Anchor being there. I used to enjoy the old Romsey Brewery products not least Penny Black their mild and Strongs Bitter (a historic name there). Have enjoyed Flack’s Romsey Gold and Black Jack, although preferred Mr M’s Porter by Red Cat brewery as a Hampshire dark beer when it was trading (real shame that)
A summary of the scene https://camra.org.uk/pubs/location/50.989027/-1.497709?sort=nearest

Edited 3 November, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

Going further north this week with Abbeydale’s Sheffield Stout. Made with six malts apparently, notes of dark chocolate with spicy hop notes in the background. And it tastes good - dark chocolate, equivalent to a very high cocoa content, getting the peppery notes off the hops with hints of fruit 🍋‍🟩 

The can is a work of art, I’m reluctant to put it in the recycling. I think that’s Kinder Scout depicted at the top of the can.

 

[Gloucester Saint]

Er, shall we skip the football today?

Tonight’s pair of beers are Hive Mind Pollen Pale Ale from Wales, hazy and infused with 🐝 pollen. Low in alcohol but not taste, floral, fruity, not too bitter and almost a chewy texture. Last but not least is a more familiar autumn beer, Badger Cranborne Poacher. It promises wild fruits, liquorice, and chocolate malt. I think it delivers, on the sweeter side offering the palate damsons, blackberries and other bramble fruits, and liquorice bite from the slightly spicy hops. Stronger by far than the first offering at 5.7%. 

Edited 9 November, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Lord Duckhunter]

I went in the piss last night to a few boozers I don’t normally use. Overall the beer was disappointing, London Pride, Tribute,both of which I can take or leave, and one late night joint only had bottled Pride. However one bar had a decent one I haven’t had before & it was pretty decent,  Brixton Atlantic American pale ale. Anyone tried it? It was ok 

[Gloucester Saint]

On 10/11/2024 at 15:07, Lord Duckhunter said:

I went in the piss last night to a few boozers I don’t normally use. Overall the beer was disappointing, London Pride, Tribute,both of which I can take or leave, and one late night joint only had bottled Pride. However one bar had a decent one I haven’t had before & it was pretty decent,  Brixton Atlantic American pale ale. Anyone tried it? It was ok 

Decent stuff, it came in a pack of pale ales my missus bought me for my birthday last year. Northern Monk Faith was in there as well, Buxton SPA I think it was too. Tribute is decent stuff but having lived in Devon it is everywhere in the SW, even some of the pubs up here along with Proper Job which can be a class IPA at a medium strength. 

London Pride I used to really enjoy but for me it’s lost a bit of hop profile since Fullers were bought, that marmalade note has gone. Quite run of the mill now. Butty Bach is the ubiquitous session ale around here, very good beer once warmed up if served cold. HPA pops up frequently as well, good pale when well kept. 

Edited 11 November, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

Stroud Organic Big Cat Stout for a cold, ark night in the Cotswolds. Chocolate ice cream, burned toast and espresso coffee on the nose, taste is chocolate liqueur, espresso coffee, sharp red fruits, a savoury note and notable alcohol for only 4.5% ABV, with a tangy and lingering finish.

Ideal for watching the Grand Slam of Darts quarter finals. 

Edited 15 November, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

A limited edition tonight for Hook Norton’s 175th anniversary. The brewery, about 40 minutes from here across the Oxfordshire border, is famous for its tower design (second page) and visitor centre, well worth a visit if you’re over that way.

The beer itself poured a golden amber, soft fruit notes on the nose, mandarin, mango, and the palate, which is very soft in texture like a cask draft or Perfectdraft, follows that with more mandarin and tangerine 🍊, the malt gives a strong backbone and balances the fruit beautifully so it never becomes harsh. Very gentle bitterness but this beer is about aromatics over muscular hops.

 

[Hamilton Saint]

On 16/11/2024 at 14:16, Gloucester Saint said:

A limited edition tonight for Hook Norton’s 175th anniversary. The brewery, about 40 minutes from here across the Oxfordshire border, is famous for its tower design (second page) and visitor centre, well worth a visit if you’re over that way.

The beer itself poured a golden amber, soft fruit notes on the nose, mandarin, mango, and the palate, which is very soft in texture like a cask draft or Perfectdraft, follows that with more mandarin and tangerine 🍊, the malt gives a strong backbone and balances the fruit beautifully so it never becomes harsh. Very gentle bitterness but this beer is about aromatics over muscular hops.

 

That's an impressive tower brewery! Thanks for sharing the photo!

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

No refreshment this week Gloucester Saint? 

Myself I opted for an old classic. 'Red Death' McEwans Export is sadly not even brewed in Scotland any more but still delivers a good experience bringing back memories of holidays in Scotland.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

No refreshment this week Gloucester Saint? 

Myself I opted for an old classic. 'Red Death' McEwans Export is sadly not even brewed in Scotland any more but still delivers a good experience bringing back memories of holidays in Scotland.

Tonight’s offering SG was Phoenix, a collaboration between Hook Norton Brewery and Arbor Brewery in Bristol - describing itself as an American Brown Ale but much, much darker. And it looks like a Black IPA. Bitter up front from the roasted malt and blood orange from the US hops, with the palate clashing slightly but it then mellows nicely into a Terry’s Chocolate Orange vibe but with a sharper edge. Nice, would have that again. Got it from Dunkerton’s, the cider makers who have a big cider, ale (Stroud), global food and farm shop complex on the edge of Cheltenham off the A40. The farm shop sells other local beers and is run by Daylesford Organic, it’s where this came from.

McEwans - I remember it was very popular in the 90s when I first started drinking, our local Co-Op sells their Champion ale in bottles (at 7.3% it could earn the moniker Red Death!). I liked the equivalent beer from Broughton. 

 

Edited 23 November, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

I try to feature beers that are local or not easy to get hold of in my native Hants and more common to where we live now but tonight feels like a bitter night being mild in temperature so I’ve put the rarer winter beers to one side that I’ve been having in the cold snap and poured a Thornbridge Lord Marples instead for the game. Very good it is too, lovely head, a subtle fruitiness of citrus and 🍐, dry and bitter finish. Bottled conditioned with live yeast so has some of the smoothness of cask.

 

Edited 29 November, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Lord Duckhunter]

 I’ve had a decent drop tonight. 
 

My mate has a similar machine to me and has been recommending it for ages. The strength has always put me off, but a Black Friday deal led me to give it a try.

Bloody wonderful, but I’m feeling a bit tipsy.

 

[Gloucester Saint]

Kwak is a great drop, certainly strong but a Belgian classic. One of the most distinctive glasses in world beer when you have it in its native Belgium https://www.beerritz.co.uk/belgian-beer/kwak-glass_bosteels_1-x-330ml-glass

The glass is called the Koetsiersglas and was designed to circumvent snooty bar owners who wanted to stop coach drivers from drinking in their establishments. So this way, the beer came to the drivers in a top heavy design to not spill any whilst they were driving the horses https://belgianbeers.co.uk/beer-blog/why-is-kwak-beer-served-in-such-a-unique-glass/

With the strength of Kwak, I wouldn’t want to drive anything afterwards!

Triple Karmeliet is also available on Perfect Draft. Highly recommended too.

 

[Gloucester Saint]

Enjoyed our day in Great Malvern - after the Christmas Market buying presents, we had lunch and then a couple of hours in Weavers Ale and Craft beer micro pub on the high street.

Tried four halves - starting with Pomona Island Mondays Irish Stout from Manchester https://untappd.com/b/pomona-island-brew-co-mondays/5774241

That was good but it got better with Ossett/Oakham Enchanted Pale Ale. Very aromatic but not the overpowering grapefruit finish that can get sometimes https://untappd.com/b/ossett-brewery-enchanted-pale-ale/6072427

Then Brew York Maris the Otter Bitter, which mixed biscuit, caramel with fruity hops https://untappd.com/b/brew-york-maris-the-otter/1530376 then finishing more local with Fownd from Kidderminster’s Cosmic Santa Breakfast stout with coffee and chocolate https://untappd.com/b/fownd-brewing-company-cosmic-santa/6066287

We headed for Gloucestershire before tomorrow’s weather rolled in off the Malvern Hills (and before that from the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains)

 

[Gloucester Saint]

I’ve been a bit quiet on this thread with travel, not being so well and getting work deadlines tied up before Xmas.

Went to this excellent establishment recently https://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk

They are 5 minutes walk from New Street, so hence have both a rail departures board and this live board for the ales in the pub itself http://wellington.dns-systems.net/pages/beerboard2.php

I opted for the Facer’s Plum Porter which was wonderfully jammy and the Titanic Plum Porter upstairs which is slightly richer but still fruity. Both marvellous, finished with a BFG. 

 

Edited 20 December, 2024 by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

Home again after finishing Xmas food shopping for family joining us over festive period. First offering was Small Beer Stout purchased from Waitrose. If you are in the market for a low alcohol (2.5%) dark beer this is the best I’ve had. Like a milky coffee with some toffee notes, hints of orange and spice, sweet notes but bitter too, not cloying.

Second choice was a hybrid collaboration between Thornbridge and Bundabust, an Anglo-Indian craft beer and food which started in Bradford and has expanded across the north of England. Anyone been? Southampton has a Tap and Tandoor branch with a not dissimilar concept.
https://bundobust.com

Beer itself is very much citrus led on the nose and palate but not overwhelmingly so, also hints of pineapple and a slightly sweet and pleasing finish. Very good and I can imagine it would work incredibly well with spicy food.

[benjii]

I don't know about those beers but I congratulate you on the Frazzles.

[Gloucester Saint]

14 hours ago, benjii said:

I don't know about those beers but I congratulate you on the Frazzles.

We have more of them for Christmas, they went well with the Small Beer Stout. Family coming up tomorrow, pub lined up in Oxfordshire for lunch. Missus driving back so will try out the ales there.

[Whitey Grandad]

On 29/11/2024 at 23:02, Lord Duckhunter said:

 I’ve had a decent drop tonight. 
 

My mate has a similar machine to me and has been recommending it for ages. The strength has always put me off, but a Black Friday deal led me to give it a try.

Bloody wonderful, but I’m feeling a bit tipsy.

 

Talking of Kwaks, I wonder if you’ve heard of this stuff?

https://www.duckhunter.co.nz

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Talking of Kwaks, I wonder if you’ve heard of this stuff?

https://www.duckhunter.co.nz

We’re hoping to go to NZ in Nov, I’ll look out for them…

[Gloucester Saint]

13 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Talking of Kwaks, I wonder if you’ve heard of this stuff?

https://www.duckhunter.co.nz

Lovely part of New Zealand that. Their Sauvignon Blanc gets good reviews https://www.wineenthusiast.com/buying-guide/duck-hunter-2022-sauvignon-blanc-marlborough/?srsltid=AfmBOorHkasiiJdYzso911csS_Ih1StRH6KvxUvoAXRjDhPpQkKBrmat