My interest in micropubs began about a year ago with an article in the Daily Telegraph. It seemed a simple idea and the article suggested it was something that would probably grow. That got me thinking because I have always wanted to run a pub and with retirement approaching in the next 5-10 years this seemed the sort of thing I could do to keep me busy.
A year further down the line and I thought it was time to do more reasearch. The current concentration of micropubs seems to be centred on either Kent or the East Midlands. Kent is miles away from both where I work and where I live so my destination of choice was Little Chester Ale House in Derby. Despite being born and raised in Loughborough, a short drive from Derby, I have never been to a pub in the city or driven into it. It is therefore a city I know nothing about except for one trip to the old Baseball Ground many years ago.
Little Chester is situated within a mile of the city centre. Apparently it used to be a dry cleaners and is on a fairly busy road on a corner with a side street of terraced houses overlooking a very pleasant green. From the outside it looks like a pub albeit a small one. The central door leads you into what I would consider to be a nice cosy snug but this is the main bar. The bar had four handpumps so the place has a cellar. Many micropubs serve beer straight from the barrel but not here. The beers available were all new to me so I was spoilt for choice. I've described the magical pint of Great Heck Dr Rudis that I chose in my last post. What is important to describe here is the service. I was immediately asked if I had tried the beer before and when I answered in the negative was firmly told I had to try a sample first. Service at its best.
The bar area was tiny. There was a small fridge underneath the counter with a few bottles of wine and soft drinks. Bottles of cider were also available. No optics from what I could see. No food except for a few classic bar snacks. All in all a very tidy ale house. The front room was all I was expecting and it had four or five tables with basic wooden chairs. Nicely decorated and a very pleasant atmosphere with a gathering of about a dozen customers chatting away. Off to the side of the bar was another small table and at the back was an even snugger snug with a single table and a few stools and chairs. Overall it could probably cater for 30-40 cusotmers at a time.
My first experience of micropubs is therefore very positive. I can see why they are taking off from a customers perspective. I wish I had one local to me. From an economical standpoint I wonder how much money they can turn over. They obviously cannot cater for coach parties but their overheads must be tiny compared to many pubs and considering I visited early on a Thursday evening I have been to many larger pubs at this time of day and seen fewer customers. When I visited, the opening hours of Little Chesters was 3.00.pm-10.00.pm Thursday thru Sunday but they do have plans for all week opening.
The thing I really like about Little Chester is they keep things simple yet despite the simplicity the customer is made to feel important. It is that emphasis on giving what the customer wants that will see a continued growth in the number of micropubs. It would be nice to see the day when every town has a micropub or two as well as a Wetherspoons. As for my future plans, I am going to do more research and it is now at the forefront of my mind. If any micropub owners out there would like to assist me with a business plan I'd be happy to talk about it over a few pints.
Until that day comes, happy drinking.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Thursday, 31 January 2013
More gold medal beers
Tonight I went to my first micropub, Little Chester Ale House in Derby. A long drive for a pint but well worth it. My next blog post will be about Little Chesters and micropubs in general but the beer I chose tonight was the latest recipient of my gold medal awards. It is a couple of months since my first post regarding gold medal beers and I've drunk quite a few more since then.
Great Heck Brewing Company's Dr Rudi (3.8% ABV) was one of the clearest gold medal winners so far. The barman very kindly invited me to sample it first and I was instantly hooked. It looked very pale and inviting in the glass and I could smell the hops. It went down incredibly smoothly and left a lovely bitter aftertaste. The clarity and taste of this fine beer is obviously due to the brewer but it must also be an indication on how Little Chester look after their beers. This was my first ever beer from the North Yorkshire brewer and hopefully I will find it again on my travels.
So what other beers have I tried recently that will receive the gold medal award? There aren't as many as in my first post so perhaps I'm becoming harder to please or I've just been unlucky. To remind you of my criteria, it must have been a pint served in a pub, so that excludes many of the fine bottled beers I have had over the new year period. Taste is obviously the key factor. However, the condition in which it is served is also a major factor too. I have had one or two beers that I know have been gold medal recipients in the past but did not live up to expectations this time around due to being served in less than perfect form. So, the latest winners are
American Pale Ale 4.8% ABV (Firefly Brewing, Worcester). A delightful hoppy brew served in perfect condition as to be expected as it was brewed on the premises.
Old Henry 5.2% ABV (Hobsons, Shropshire). A lovely rich ruby ale served in The Bear at the Swan's Nest, Stratford-on-Avon.
Shakespeare's County 3.4% ABV (Warwickshire Brewing Co, Cubbington, Warwickshire). A low strength well balanced beer that was surprisingly tasty.
Hoppy Helper 4.0% ABV (Wibblers Brewery, Essex). Bursting with hops and citrus flavours.
Of the gold medal recipients from my first post, Mud City Stout 6.6% ABV (Sadlers Ales, West Midlands) wins again. I have not got to try a second pint from the other winners. It is quite rare at the moment for me to try the same beer twice. In the past 4 months I have tried 103 different beers from 73 different breweries and I have only had a second pint of five of these beers. By 'eck though, if I see Great Heck on the bar again I will be straight in there.
Until next time, keep smiling and happy drinking.
Great Heck Brewing Company's Dr Rudi (3.8% ABV) was one of the clearest gold medal winners so far. The barman very kindly invited me to sample it first and I was instantly hooked. It looked very pale and inviting in the glass and I could smell the hops. It went down incredibly smoothly and left a lovely bitter aftertaste. The clarity and taste of this fine beer is obviously due to the brewer but it must also be an indication on how Little Chester look after their beers. This was my first ever beer from the North Yorkshire brewer and hopefully I will find it again on my travels.
So what other beers have I tried recently that will receive the gold medal award? There aren't as many as in my first post so perhaps I'm becoming harder to please or I've just been unlucky. To remind you of my criteria, it must have been a pint served in a pub, so that excludes many of the fine bottled beers I have had over the new year period. Taste is obviously the key factor. However, the condition in which it is served is also a major factor too. I have had one or two beers that I know have been gold medal recipients in the past but did not live up to expectations this time around due to being served in less than perfect form. So, the latest winners are
American Pale Ale 4.8% ABV (Firefly Brewing, Worcester). A delightful hoppy brew served in perfect condition as to be expected as it was brewed on the premises.
Old Henry 5.2% ABV (Hobsons, Shropshire). A lovely rich ruby ale served in The Bear at the Swan's Nest, Stratford-on-Avon.
Shakespeare's County 3.4% ABV (Warwickshire Brewing Co, Cubbington, Warwickshire). A low strength well balanced beer that was surprisingly tasty.
Hoppy Helper 4.0% ABV (Wibblers Brewery, Essex). Bursting with hops and citrus flavours.
Of the gold medal recipients from my first post, Mud City Stout 6.6% ABV (Sadlers Ales, West Midlands) wins again. I have not got to try a second pint from the other winners. It is quite rare at the moment for me to try the same beer twice. In the past 4 months I have tried 103 different beers from 73 different breweries and I have only had a second pint of five of these beers. By 'eck though, if I see Great Heck on the bar again I will be straight in there.
Until next time, keep smiling and happy drinking.
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Leamington Spa Pub Crawl
I had been planning on visiting Leamington for a few weeks and I finally decided to visit on one of the coldest nights of the year so far. I was hoping it would make the pubs more inviting if my face was frozen when I entered. It's not a bad theory actually. One of my favourite pub crawls of all time was when I organised a walk around Norwich with snow falling and with two feet of snow already accumulated.
From the station I walked north until I reached Regent Street. The first thing you notice in Leamington is how the roads are nicely laid out in a grid so a quick look at the map before setting off was all I needed (or so I thought). Regent Street was off to the left and right but a quick look to my left and The Woodland Tavern was in sight. It is very much a traditional street-corner local with a bar and separate lounge. It is a regular outlet for Slaughterhouse Beers so I chose a pint of Saddleback (3.8% ABV). A delightful pale session bitter that started off the evening nicely. The alternatives were another Slaughterhouse beer (Boar D'Eau) and Hobgoblin. I sat in the lively bar where there was a group playing darts which is always good to see. There was also a selection of newspapers to read as well as the local CAMRA publication where I discovered the local branch was also having a Leamington pub crawl this evening which was finishing where I was starting from. A shame I did not know about this in advance.
Time was short due to train timetable changes in December which brought the last train back to Stratford-on_Avon forward to before 10.00.pm so it was quickly off to pub number two. It was back to the main road and I was sure I couldn't miss it with Clarendon Avenue supposedly off to the right. However, I found Clarendon Place and Clarendon Square but I went too far and had to backtrack to find it. It didn't take me long, once I had retraced my steps, to come across the White Horse. At first glance it looked like a tidy modern pub but after walking past the 'white horse' standing guard at the entrance to a large covered courtyard it was apparent that this pub is massive. The cavernous bar had plenty of sofas and other seating options. At the bar I chose a pint of Pride of Oxford from Oxfordshire Ales. This was a brewery I was not familiar with and at 4.2% ABV the beer was a delightful pale golden well balanced bitter with plenty of citrus flavours as well as a bitter finish. The other choices were Doom Bar and UBU. Upon leaving I noticed the pub also consisted of two very nice snugs to the front so for those who do not like sitting in a large cavernous lounge there was the option to get more cosy. Overall a lovely pub if you don't mind the fact that it is a pub of Wetherspoon proportions. However, it does have much more character and personality than your average 'Spoons.
From here it was back down towards town on a parallel road to the one I came up. Upon reaching Regent Street I turned back to the right towards the first pub but before I went as far as the Woodland Tavern I came across Murphy's Bar. It looked totally out of place in a street full of shops and the place was empty except for a few old drunken guys falling of their bar stools. I chose the only real ale available, my second pint of Saddleback Bitter of the evening, and sat at the table in the window looking out into the street. From where I sat the loud colourful language of the drunks was still overpowering but it was not a problem as time was running short and I had a train to catch. This pub deserves much better clientele though. The pint was a mere £2.20 (80p cheaper than the Woodland Tavern a few hundred yards away) and the bar was full of interesting artefacts as well as a good supply of reading material.
After leaving Murphy's Bar I retraced my steps and then turned right back in the direction of the station. It was doubtful whether I had enough time for a final stop and by the time I reached the two Wetherspoon pubs I knew I probably didn't so I headed back to the station. However, I had got to visit three very different pubs, each with their own distinctive appeal, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this picturesque town.
Happy drinking.
From the station I walked north until I reached Regent Street. The first thing you notice in Leamington is how the roads are nicely laid out in a grid so a quick look at the map before setting off was all I needed (or so I thought). Regent Street was off to the left and right but a quick look to my left and The Woodland Tavern was in sight. It is very much a traditional street-corner local with a bar and separate lounge. It is a regular outlet for Slaughterhouse Beers so I chose a pint of Saddleback (3.8% ABV). A delightful pale session bitter that started off the evening nicely. The alternatives were another Slaughterhouse beer (Boar D'Eau) and Hobgoblin. I sat in the lively bar where there was a group playing darts which is always good to see. There was also a selection of newspapers to read as well as the local CAMRA publication where I discovered the local branch was also having a Leamington pub crawl this evening which was finishing where I was starting from. A shame I did not know about this in advance.
Time was short due to train timetable changes in December which brought the last train back to Stratford-on_Avon forward to before 10.00.pm so it was quickly off to pub number two. It was back to the main road and I was sure I couldn't miss it with Clarendon Avenue supposedly off to the right. However, I found Clarendon Place and Clarendon Square but I went too far and had to backtrack to find it. It didn't take me long, once I had retraced my steps, to come across the White Horse. At first glance it looked like a tidy modern pub but after walking past the 'white horse' standing guard at the entrance to a large covered courtyard it was apparent that this pub is massive. The cavernous bar had plenty of sofas and other seating options. At the bar I chose a pint of Pride of Oxford from Oxfordshire Ales. This was a brewery I was not familiar with and at 4.2% ABV the beer was a delightful pale golden well balanced bitter with plenty of citrus flavours as well as a bitter finish. The other choices were Doom Bar and UBU. Upon leaving I noticed the pub also consisted of two very nice snugs to the front so for those who do not like sitting in a large cavernous lounge there was the option to get more cosy. Overall a lovely pub if you don't mind the fact that it is a pub of Wetherspoon proportions. However, it does have much more character and personality than your average 'Spoons.
From here it was back down towards town on a parallel road to the one I came up. Upon reaching Regent Street I turned back to the right towards the first pub but before I went as far as the Woodland Tavern I came across Murphy's Bar. It looked totally out of place in a street full of shops and the place was empty except for a few old drunken guys falling of their bar stools. I chose the only real ale available, my second pint of Saddleback Bitter of the evening, and sat at the table in the window looking out into the street. From where I sat the loud colourful language of the drunks was still overpowering but it was not a problem as time was running short and I had a train to catch. This pub deserves much better clientele though. The pint was a mere £2.20 (80p cheaper than the Woodland Tavern a few hundred yards away) and the bar was full of interesting artefacts as well as a good supply of reading material.
After leaving Murphy's Bar I retraced my steps and then turned right back in the direction of the station. It was doubtful whether I had enough time for a final stop and by the time I reached the two Wetherspoon pubs I knew I probably didn't so I headed back to the station. However, I had got to visit three very different pubs, each with their own distinctive appeal, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this picturesque town.
Happy drinking.
Monday, 14 January 2013
Pete Brown - Hops and Glory
I read lots in the vain hope that it will improve my writing but being an analytical IT consultant writing nevers seems to come easy (this review will take me hours to write). Travel books are a particular favourite of mine and beer is my passion and here comes a book that combines the two. Surely a perfect combination. The synopsis seemed simple. Brew a traditional IPA and take it to India via the traditional route and once there open it and drink it. However, the more simple a task seems, the more complicated it can become.
My first concern about this book was whether the story behind the history of IPA would dominate ahead of the actual journey. However, the mix was just about right. The journey is the main theme but when things are going smoothly he adds some historical background to the adventure. The story behind how the mad idea originated was detailed and amusing and I was immediately hooked by the complexity of the planning process. Taking a keg of beer to India is not something I have considered but it is much more complicated than I could ever have imagined.
The first part of the journey involved the canals. The author's attempts at this form of transport soon had me in stitches and from the time he became intimately acquainted with the temperature of the water I couldn't put the book down. I do get jealous when I read a book by someone who makes the art of writing seem so simple. It is apparent to me that the author is a natural writer as the story has such an easy flow. It wasn't simply a case of moving from A to B to C where I did this and that. There are plenty of personal anecdotes and historical background mixed in with the journey and it kept me entertained from first to last.
Obviously the author is the integral part of this story but the real stars were Barry, Kevin and Jeff. Barry became an early casualty and I was wondering how the hell the story could progress following his sad demise. How can you replace the irreplaceable? Enter Jeff. This guy must be totally trusting and have an amazing thirst for adventure. I'm sure hearing the story behind Jeff's trip to Brazil with Kevin could provide enough material for a whole new book but that's one tale we never get to read about.
For me, a travel book must draw me in and make it easy for me to imagine what it must be like to be there and experience what the author is experiencing. On this front it scores big time. I may not want to have experienced the sea journey from Brazil to India via Iran (in fact having read about it I can say for certain I wouldn't) but I got a pretty good idea of what it must have been like. You would also think that once he was on the ship to India it would be plain sailing but there were plenty of trials and tribulations still to come. Would he finally reach his goal and open the keg of IPA? Would there be a welcome party or would he sit on his own whilst drinking it? Would it even be drinkable? For answers to those questions I recommend you buy yourself a copy of this wonderful story. It has plenty of heartbreak, highs and lows and, most importantly, humour. My wife was constantly asking me what I was laughing at. The final answer to this question was 'an Indian with a wind problem'. Oh what horrors.
So I have discovered a new author and it's going to cost me. The Amazon gift vouchers I received for Christmas will be spent on more Pete Brown adventures and I look forward to reading them.
My first concern about this book was whether the story behind the history of IPA would dominate ahead of the actual journey. However, the mix was just about right. The journey is the main theme but when things are going smoothly he adds some historical background to the adventure. The story behind how the mad idea originated was detailed and amusing and I was immediately hooked by the complexity of the planning process. Taking a keg of beer to India is not something I have considered but it is much more complicated than I could ever have imagined.
The first part of the journey involved the canals. The author's attempts at this form of transport soon had me in stitches and from the time he became intimately acquainted with the temperature of the water I couldn't put the book down. I do get jealous when I read a book by someone who makes the art of writing seem so simple. It is apparent to me that the author is a natural writer as the story has such an easy flow. It wasn't simply a case of moving from A to B to C where I did this and that. There are plenty of personal anecdotes and historical background mixed in with the journey and it kept me entertained from first to last.
Obviously the author is the integral part of this story but the real stars were Barry, Kevin and Jeff. Barry became an early casualty and I was wondering how the hell the story could progress following his sad demise. How can you replace the irreplaceable? Enter Jeff. This guy must be totally trusting and have an amazing thirst for adventure. I'm sure hearing the story behind Jeff's trip to Brazil with Kevin could provide enough material for a whole new book but that's one tale we never get to read about.
For me, a travel book must draw me in and make it easy for me to imagine what it must be like to be there and experience what the author is experiencing. On this front it scores big time. I may not want to have experienced the sea journey from Brazil to India via Iran (in fact having read about it I can say for certain I wouldn't) but I got a pretty good idea of what it must have been like. You would also think that once he was on the ship to India it would be plain sailing but there were plenty of trials and tribulations still to come. Would he finally reach his goal and open the keg of IPA? Would there be a welcome party or would he sit on his own whilst drinking it? Would it even be drinkable? For answers to those questions I recommend you buy yourself a copy of this wonderful story. It has plenty of heartbreak, highs and lows and, most importantly, humour. My wife was constantly asking me what I was laughing at. The final answer to this question was 'an Indian with a wind problem'. Oh what horrors.
So I have discovered a new author and it's going to cost me. The Amazon gift vouchers I received for Christmas will be spent on more Pete Brown adventures and I look forward to reading them.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Firefly Brewery / Pub, Worcester
My first discovery of the year is the Firefly pub in Worcester. I have not been to Worcester during my adult life so I have no idea whereabouts it is in relation to anywhere else in the city as I just followed my satnav instructions. However, it is apparently in a regenerated part of the city and the pub itself is housed in a delightful Georgian building.
The first unusual feature of the pub is a solid glass front door that is reached up a twisty stone staircase edged with iron railings. Entering the bar you have to adjust your eyes to the darkness. The fairy lights covering the ceiling and adorning the deer's head above the fireplace do little to add much light but it has a nice atmosphere. Down a few steps to the left of the bar is an equally gloomy snug with more sofas and comfortable seating.
The brewery is a small 0.5 barrel plant and there were 5 house beers available. The chocolate stout (5.0% ABV) was tempting as was the Simcoe IPA (6.0% ABV) but I decided to try the American Pale Ale (4.8% ABV). It was a lovely golden colour, had an inviting citrus aroma and the flavour was bursting with hops with a very pleasant bitter aftertaste.
In addition to their own beers there was an interesting selection of craft beers on tap. Two Brewdog beers (a Christmas beer and 5am Saint), Dobber from Manchester's Marble Brewery and a beer from the Derbyshire brewer Thornbridge. I am yet to sample beers from these modern 'craft' brewers and if I wasn't driving I would love to have tried them all. In addition to these British craft beers there was the lovely Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from California available. For cider drinkers there were two selections to choose from.
Taking my pint I retired to the snug as the tables were all taken in the bar. Early on a Thursday evening this has to be a good sign. A local CAMRA publication was available which I picked up for a read but the dim light in the snug made this difficult. Beyond the snug was a door to a partially covered garden. Above the main bar is an upstairs bar that opens at weekends and occasionally during the week for live music.
Overall, this pub is a delight. An interesting range of craft beers in addition to their own excellent range offers plenty of choice for the beer drinker. There is also a selection for cider lovers. There is a choice of rooms in which to sit and the only negative point would be the lack of light all round. A corner to sit and read without straining my eyes would have been nice.
The first unusual feature of the pub is a solid glass front door that is reached up a twisty stone staircase edged with iron railings. Entering the bar you have to adjust your eyes to the darkness. The fairy lights covering the ceiling and adorning the deer's head above the fireplace do little to add much light but it has a nice atmosphere. Down a few steps to the left of the bar is an equally gloomy snug with more sofas and comfortable seating.
The brewery is a small 0.5 barrel plant and there were 5 house beers available. The chocolate stout (5.0% ABV) was tempting as was the Simcoe IPA (6.0% ABV) but I decided to try the American Pale Ale (4.8% ABV). It was a lovely golden colour, had an inviting citrus aroma and the flavour was bursting with hops with a very pleasant bitter aftertaste.
In addition to their own beers there was an interesting selection of craft beers on tap. Two Brewdog beers (a Christmas beer and 5am Saint), Dobber from Manchester's Marble Brewery and a beer from the Derbyshire brewer Thornbridge. I am yet to sample beers from these modern 'craft' brewers and if I wasn't driving I would love to have tried them all. In addition to these British craft beers there was the lovely Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from California available. For cider drinkers there were two selections to choose from.
Taking my pint I retired to the snug as the tables were all taken in the bar. Early on a Thursday evening this has to be a good sign. A local CAMRA publication was available which I picked up for a read but the dim light in the snug made this difficult. Beyond the snug was a door to a partially covered garden. Above the main bar is an upstairs bar that opens at weekends and occasionally during the week for live music.
Overall, this pub is a delight. An interesting range of craft beers in addition to their own excellent range offers plenty of choice for the beer drinker. There is also a selection for cider lovers. There is a choice of rooms in which to sit and the only negative point would be the lack of light all round. A corner to sit and read without straining my eyes would have been nice.
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
2012 Review
2011 was an awful year. Most of it was spent expecting redundancy but it never quite happened. I approached 2012 in a positive frame of mind determined to change things myself. The year began promisingly as one person in our company did prove he could organise a piss-up in a brewery. The Hogs Back Brewery tour was organised for late January and it was an excellent evening spent sampling their delightful ales. The tour guide kept our glasses full as we walked around this small brewery nestled at the foot of the North Downs in Surrey. Also on the site is an excellent beer shop where you can buy the Hogs Back beers alongside a great selection of bottled beers from all round the world.
In February life took a massive turn for the better. My services were required by a client in Stratford-on-Avon for three months and having previously spent many enjoyable work assignments with this company it provided me with the opportunity to revisit some favourite pubs as well as temporarily removing the threat of redundancy. It also enabled me to book my brewing experience at nearby Sadlers Ales, a 50th birthday present that I was looking forward to immensely. This was definitely my highlight of the year.
Since March I have explored Warwickshire and the surrounding counties quite extensively as my three month assignment got extended again and again. I managed several visits to my old local in Loughborough, The Swan In The Rushes, alongside the re-opening of The Old Pack Horse under a new name (The Organ Grinder) owned by Nottingham's micro Blue Monkey.
At the end of March I attended the CAMRA AGM in Torquay. This was my first AGM since 1992 (I was living in Norwich when it was last held there) and along with my friend Martin, we sampled some lovely beers from this region. My favourite was the delightful Topsail (4.0% ABV) from Bays Brewery. This beer was my first Gold Medal beer of the year. As for the pubs of Torquay, the Hole In The Wall was a gem, hidden away but very close to the bustling seafront.
In Warwickshire I discovered several wonderful breweries for the first time. The Weatheroak Brewery (Studley) and their wonderful brewery tap, The Victoria Works. The Slaughterhouse Brewery (Warwick) and their micro brewpub, The Wild Boar. Church End Brewery (Ridge Lane) and Wood Farm Brewery (Willey) and their superb brewery taps with panoramic views of their brewery from the bar. Then there are the beers from the Warwickshire Beer Co and Byatts Brewery in addition to an old favourite UBU from Purity Ales.
In Stratford-on-Avon itself The Bear at the Swan's Nest and The Golden Bee have kept me happy with their ever-changing guest ales all of which have been served in perfect condition without exception. The West End was a pub I discovered with a good range of beers too. Warwick has also given me a good selection of pubs with the Old Fourpenny Shop Hotel, The Oak Tavern and the previously mentioned Wild Boar standing out for their excellence. Between these two towns the Boars Head in Hampton Lucy has maintained its appeal from previous visits. Further afield I discovered the excellent Clarendon Arms in Kenilworth.
In addition to pubs, I always get excited when I discover a specialist beer shop and Cotteridge Wines in the suburbs of Birmingham, was a fantastic find. The choice of bottled beers that they have available is simply staggering and it has given me a lovely beer selection to be enjoyed over Christmas. In addition to that the guys running this business are brimming with enthusiasm and extremely friendly.
In May a friend suggested I begin a blog to write about my passion for beer. What an excellent idea I thought and with one eye on the future I also decided to acquaint myself with Twitter and I began to write. I never expected more than a handful of people to read my reviews and opinions but with nearly a thousand views it has certainly exceeded my expectations and I thank everyone who has read an article for their interest. Likewise, I never thought I would get more than a few Twitter followers so to exceed a hundred has been fantastic. So now I'm hooked on these new mediums for expressing my love of beer and pubs and this will surely continue.
Autumn began with my very first 'Meet The Brewer' event. The local Shakespeare CAMRA branch, in conjunction with The Golden Bee in Stratford-on-Avon, arranged for the fabulous brewers from Sadlers Ales to come and talk about the brewing process and their wonderful beers. They gave an interesting presentation and the pub put on an excellent evening. The local CAMRA members welcomed me and I hope to meet up with them for a social event in the new year if it is at all possible.
I fully expect beer to take a massive leap into my working life once redundancy hits (as I fully expect it to) so this assignment and free time in the evenings has given me the opportunity to make new contacts and make plans. Starting my own microbrewery would certainly be an adventure and next year I would love to attend a 3 day Brewlab course if I can fit it in. A specialist beer shop has been something I have thought about for a few years and the south coast certainly has room for one. Then there is the micropub revolution. Next year I aim to study a mix of businesses and continue my planning. All ideas welcome !!
So yes it has been a great year. I am determined to keep my positivity high in 2013 despite my current work assignment only taking me to the end of January. I will continue to drink as many different ales as I can find in a variety of pubs both old and new. I will continue to write about my love of beer and in particular my love of cask conditioned ale served in a pint glass in a pub. I hope to finally get more involved with CAMRA and my local branch when I leave Warwickshire and I hope to work at a CAMRA beer festival for the first time. Then there is the CAMRA AGM at Norwich which I really hope I can get to. So goodbye 2012 and a big hello to 2013.
Happy drinking.
In February life took a massive turn for the better. My services were required by a client in Stratford-on-Avon for three months and having previously spent many enjoyable work assignments with this company it provided me with the opportunity to revisit some favourite pubs as well as temporarily removing the threat of redundancy. It also enabled me to book my brewing experience at nearby Sadlers Ales, a 50th birthday present that I was looking forward to immensely. This was definitely my highlight of the year.
Since March I have explored Warwickshire and the surrounding counties quite extensively as my three month assignment got extended again and again. I managed several visits to my old local in Loughborough, The Swan In The Rushes, alongside the re-opening of The Old Pack Horse under a new name (The Organ Grinder) owned by Nottingham's micro Blue Monkey.
At the end of March I attended the CAMRA AGM in Torquay. This was my first AGM since 1992 (I was living in Norwich when it was last held there) and along with my friend Martin, we sampled some lovely beers from this region. My favourite was the delightful Topsail (4.0% ABV) from Bays Brewery. This beer was my first Gold Medal beer of the year. As for the pubs of Torquay, the Hole In The Wall was a gem, hidden away but very close to the bustling seafront.
In Warwickshire I discovered several wonderful breweries for the first time. The Weatheroak Brewery (Studley) and their wonderful brewery tap, The Victoria Works. The Slaughterhouse Brewery (Warwick) and their micro brewpub, The Wild Boar. Church End Brewery (Ridge Lane) and Wood Farm Brewery (Willey) and their superb brewery taps with panoramic views of their brewery from the bar. Then there are the beers from the Warwickshire Beer Co and Byatts Brewery in addition to an old favourite UBU from Purity Ales.
In Stratford-on-Avon itself The Bear at the Swan's Nest and The Golden Bee have kept me happy with their ever-changing guest ales all of which have been served in perfect condition without exception. The West End was a pub I discovered with a good range of beers too. Warwick has also given me a good selection of pubs with the Old Fourpenny Shop Hotel, The Oak Tavern and the previously mentioned Wild Boar standing out for their excellence. Between these two towns the Boars Head in Hampton Lucy has maintained its appeal from previous visits. Further afield I discovered the excellent Clarendon Arms in Kenilworth.
In addition to pubs, I always get excited when I discover a specialist beer shop and Cotteridge Wines in the suburbs of Birmingham, was a fantastic find. The choice of bottled beers that they have available is simply staggering and it has given me a lovely beer selection to be enjoyed over Christmas. In addition to that the guys running this business are brimming with enthusiasm and extremely friendly.
In May a friend suggested I begin a blog to write about my passion for beer. What an excellent idea I thought and with one eye on the future I also decided to acquaint myself with Twitter and I began to write. I never expected more than a handful of people to read my reviews and opinions but with nearly a thousand views it has certainly exceeded my expectations and I thank everyone who has read an article for their interest. Likewise, I never thought I would get more than a few Twitter followers so to exceed a hundred has been fantastic. So now I'm hooked on these new mediums for expressing my love of beer and pubs and this will surely continue.
Autumn began with my very first 'Meet The Brewer' event. The local Shakespeare CAMRA branch, in conjunction with The Golden Bee in Stratford-on-Avon, arranged for the fabulous brewers from Sadlers Ales to come and talk about the brewing process and their wonderful beers. They gave an interesting presentation and the pub put on an excellent evening. The local CAMRA members welcomed me and I hope to meet up with them for a social event in the new year if it is at all possible.
I fully expect beer to take a massive leap into my working life once redundancy hits (as I fully expect it to) so this assignment and free time in the evenings has given me the opportunity to make new contacts and make plans. Starting my own microbrewery would certainly be an adventure and next year I would love to attend a 3 day Brewlab course if I can fit it in. A specialist beer shop has been something I have thought about for a few years and the south coast certainly has room for one. Then there is the micropub revolution. Next year I aim to study a mix of businesses and continue my planning. All ideas welcome !!
So yes it has been a great year. I am determined to keep my positivity high in 2013 despite my current work assignment only taking me to the end of January. I will continue to drink as many different ales as I can find in a variety of pubs both old and new. I will continue to write about my love of beer and in particular my love of cask conditioned ale served in a pint glass in a pub. I hope to finally get more involved with CAMRA and my local branch when I leave Warwickshire and I hope to work at a CAMRA beer festival for the first time. Then there is the CAMRA AGM at Norwich which I really hope I can get to. So goodbye 2012 and a big hello to 2013.
Happy drinking.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Gold Medal Beers
The announcement of CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival is always exciting. The choice has often surprised me and I often wonder how meaningful it really is. It's obviously a very prestigious award as the winner will see their sales soar. At the end of the day though it is the opinion of a few distinguished panelists and personal taste must play a large part. In the early days I felt the award was often 'political'. How else can you explain Batemans XXXB winning in 1986 during their battle for independence. This beer is quite magnificent and deserves all accolades but amazingly it has never won since. Some of the stranger victors have been Caledonian Deuchars IPA (2002), a very ordinary beer, and Ind Coope Burton Ale (1990), a decent pint but nothing to compare with many beers available at that time.
So what is the current process for choosing a winner? I received an email last week to join in the voting process. Looking at the first category, Milds, I was presented with a list of 26 milds. I have sampled 82 different beers in pubs since September 1st and quite a few of these were milds but I have not tried any of those listed. So how do they get on this list? I am probably an anomaly in that I am presented with a list of beers for my region but I do most of my drinking elsewhere due to my work. Church End Gravediggers is a superb mild and it would get my vote but it was not one of the choices available to me. Do people vote for beers they have never tasted? I couldn't do that. It was a similar story for most of the other categories so my voice will not be heard this year.
So the Champion Beer of Britain is obviously a difficult competition to win and it must be biased towards the more commonly available beers as these will be tried by more members over the year. So can the huge number of beers now available ever be compared against one another? Local festivals often have a beer of the festival and this is an award that is probably fairer as all beers will be often sell out and therefore be tried by an equal number of paying customers. Beers with a strong local following may have an advantage but this is not guaranteed as many drinkers will steer clear of their favourites and try something new.
So how do I judge my beers? As I've said before, I always try and sample something new and some of these will turn out to be disappointing but others will turn out to be excellent. Some beers can be disappointing due to the way it has been kept but once I sample something that is exceptional it will be awarded a Gold Medal. Perhaps this is what should be adopted by the GBBF. Choosing one champion ale seems arbitrary but to award medals for all those available depending on the quality will make the award more meaningful. If there are 10 amazing beers then give 10 gold medals. Simple.
So to conclude, out of the 82 different pints of beer I have tried in the past 3 months here is my list of Gold Medal winners. To be awarded a Gold Medal the beer must be exceptional and must have been served in perfect condition. I have tried some beers in the past 3 months that have been awarded Gold Medal status previously but on the occasion I tried them this time it did not live up to previous standards.
Byatts Coventry Bitter (3.8% ABV)
Church End Gravediggers Ale (3.8% ABV)
Dorset Brewing Company Durdle Door (5.0% ABV)
Hawkshead Brewery Cumbrian Five Hop (5.0% ABV)
Hobsons Best Bitter (3.8% ABV)
Lees Moonraker (6.5% ABV)
Oakham Ales JHB (3.8% ABV)
Ossett Hop Monster (5.0% ABV)
Otter Brewery Otter Ale (4.5% ABV)
Sadlers JPA (3.8% ABV)
Sadlers Mud City Stout (6.6% ABV)
Slaughterhouse Starboard Porter (4.8% ABV)
Weatheroak Brewery Victoria Works (4.3% ABV)
This is the start of a regular feature and every three months I will be listing my latest winners. Obviously, I highly recommend you trying any of the above if you get the chance.
Happy drinking.
So what is the current process for choosing a winner? I received an email last week to join in the voting process. Looking at the first category, Milds, I was presented with a list of 26 milds. I have sampled 82 different beers in pubs since September 1st and quite a few of these were milds but I have not tried any of those listed. So how do they get on this list? I am probably an anomaly in that I am presented with a list of beers for my region but I do most of my drinking elsewhere due to my work. Church End Gravediggers is a superb mild and it would get my vote but it was not one of the choices available to me. Do people vote for beers they have never tasted? I couldn't do that. It was a similar story for most of the other categories so my voice will not be heard this year.
So the Champion Beer of Britain is obviously a difficult competition to win and it must be biased towards the more commonly available beers as these will be tried by more members over the year. So can the huge number of beers now available ever be compared against one another? Local festivals often have a beer of the festival and this is an award that is probably fairer as all beers will be often sell out and therefore be tried by an equal number of paying customers. Beers with a strong local following may have an advantage but this is not guaranteed as many drinkers will steer clear of their favourites and try something new.
So how do I judge my beers? As I've said before, I always try and sample something new and some of these will turn out to be disappointing but others will turn out to be excellent. Some beers can be disappointing due to the way it has been kept but once I sample something that is exceptional it will be awarded a Gold Medal. Perhaps this is what should be adopted by the GBBF. Choosing one champion ale seems arbitrary but to award medals for all those available depending on the quality will make the award more meaningful. If there are 10 amazing beers then give 10 gold medals. Simple.
So to conclude, out of the 82 different pints of beer I have tried in the past 3 months here is my list of Gold Medal winners. To be awarded a Gold Medal the beer must be exceptional and must have been served in perfect condition. I have tried some beers in the past 3 months that have been awarded Gold Medal status previously but on the occasion I tried them this time it did not live up to previous standards.
Byatts Coventry Bitter (3.8% ABV)
Church End Gravediggers Ale (3.8% ABV)
Dorset Brewing Company Durdle Door (5.0% ABV)
Hawkshead Brewery Cumbrian Five Hop (5.0% ABV)
Hobsons Best Bitter (3.8% ABV)
Lees Moonraker (6.5% ABV)
Oakham Ales JHB (3.8% ABV)
Ossett Hop Monster (5.0% ABV)
Otter Brewery Otter Ale (4.5% ABV)
Sadlers JPA (3.8% ABV)
Sadlers Mud City Stout (6.6% ABV)
Slaughterhouse Starboard Porter (4.8% ABV)
Weatheroak Brewery Victoria Works (4.3% ABV)
This is the start of a regular feature and every three months I will be listing my latest winners. Obviously, I highly recommend you trying any of the above if you get the chance.
Happy drinking.
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