Tonight I went to the Golden Bee, the local Wetherspoons pub, expecting to try one of my favourite beers, Sadlers Mud City Stout. The beer was labelled as 'Coming Soon' on Monday but sadly the label was sgtill there tonight. The Olympics is over but I chose a pint of Golden Flame brewed by the excellent Burton Bridge brewery. This beer was brewed specifically to celebrate London 2012 and at 4.5% I was expecting a pleasant pint. However, it was disappointing. A standard golden bitter with very little aftertaste. Perhaps I was destined to be disappointed due to expecting a lovely pint of stout. However, I can categorically state that I have never found an above average pint of beer that was brewed for a special occasion. It may be that my taste buds are telling me not to enjoy it because it won't be around for long. Let's face it though, if a beer proves popular enough, it will be given an alternative name at a later date and reappear.
Similar to special occasion beers, many breweries are now experimenting with special monthly beers. In the case of these monthly specials though, I have had many fine beers. King and Barnes, the Horsham brewer sadly no longer in existence, was one of the first breweries I remember doing these special ales. Intially, they did seasonal brews and eventually they became monthly. The one I remember with great affection was their Corn Beer. This pale 6.0% ABV beer was absolutely delightful. It was so easy to drink too which was dangerous due to the strength. If a current brewer is out there reading this please experiment with corn and let me know when it is available. I'd be a very happy man.
Happy drinking.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
The Brandy Cask, Pershore
Last night I ventured out to Pershore to visit a brew pub called the Brandy Cask. As well as being an excellent traditional pub it is also the home of the Brandy Cask brewery. Approaching Pershore from Evesham you cross over a bridge crossing the River Avon and the Brandy Cask is a few hundred yards on the right hand side. The street consists of an amazing row of terraced three storey buildings. Virtually every building in the terrace has a different height and although they all seem to consist of three floors the height of these three floors varies dramatically. I initially thought it was a bit drab and run-down partly due to a closed pub two doors down from the Brandy Cask but looking beyond this you see a lot of character.
I got to the pub at 7.00.pm which is opening time for this particular pub so be aware of this if you are visiting early evening. It is a very traditional pub that would not have looked out of place 30 years ago and it has probably not seen much change in that time. The food menu is very traditional too and if I'd been eating I would have chosen the faggots and mushy peas !! Three house beers were available and I chose the medium strength Brandysnapper at 4.0% ABV. Tradition continued when tasting this fine beer. A very tasty bitter which is harder to find nowadays due to the proliferation of 'golden' ales and 'blondes', especially in the Summer months. If you are lucky to stay long enough for a few pints then you could choose one of the two guest beers or even the real cider on offer.
Overall, Pershore appears to be a small quiet town. It is situated on the outskitrs of the beautiful Malvern Hills and if you are ever in the area be sure to visit this superb traditional brew pub. You won't be disappointed.
Happy drinking.
I got to the pub at 7.00.pm which is opening time for this particular pub so be aware of this if you are visiting early evening. It is a very traditional pub that would not have looked out of place 30 years ago and it has probably not seen much change in that time. The food menu is very traditional too and if I'd been eating I would have chosen the faggots and mushy peas !! Three house beers were available and I chose the medium strength Brandysnapper at 4.0% ABV. Tradition continued when tasting this fine beer. A very tasty bitter which is harder to find nowadays due to the proliferation of 'golden' ales and 'blondes', especially in the Summer months. If you are lucky to stay long enough for a few pints then you could choose one of the two guest beers or even the real cider on offer.
Overall, Pershore appears to be a small quiet town. It is situated on the outskitrs of the beautiful Malvern Hills and if you are ever in the area be sure to visit this superb traditional brew pub. You won't be disappointed.
Happy drinking.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Great British Beer Festival 2012
It is more than a week since Kensington Olympia closed its doors to the nation's beer lovers for another year. Earls Court had been the venue since 2006 but due to it being an Olympic venue CAMRA had to return to the venue that had successfully hosted the Great British Beer Festival since 1992. This was my 23rd GBBF. My first was way back in 1985 when it was held at the Brighton Metropole. In those days the small venue was a bit of a problem as Brighton proved a very popular place to visit in August for obvious reasons. After a lunchtime session you could sleep on the beach for a few hours before returning for the evening session and at the end of the day there were plenty of cheap guest houses to provide a comfortable bed and a hearty breakfast.
The move to Kensington Olympia in 1992 was a great success. The glass roof caused a few problems with regard to keeping the beer at a drinkable temperature but that was overcome by an effective cooling system. When the event moved to Earls Court in 2006 I felt the event lost some of its appeal. It had become too big and too commercial and despite being larger it had a claustrophobic feel to it. This brings me to this years event.
I did not know what to expect this year. Would the venue be too small? Would the Olympics reduce vistor numbers or increase them? Would the beer have run out by Saturday as it had done a few times in recent years? I am delighted to report that the event, which had obviously been scaled back, was an absolute joy. The beer selection was fantastic, the atmosphere was tremendous and there was plenty of space. All the usual activities and stands were there. The table skittles was well staffed and efficiently run. The CAMRA stand had its usual fine selection of books (more about my purchases on a later post). The food stands were offering the usual wholesome fare. The stage was in a sensible place and had plenty of seating.
I am delighted to report that next year the venue will once again be Kensington Olympia (August 13th - August 17th). Earls Court is being pulled down so it will be interesting to see if Olympia will once again be the regular home of this magnificent event. I for sure will be there once more.
Happy drinking.
The move to Kensington Olympia in 1992 was a great success. The glass roof caused a few problems with regard to keeping the beer at a drinkable temperature but that was overcome by an effective cooling system. When the event moved to Earls Court in 2006 I felt the event lost some of its appeal. It had become too big and too commercial and despite being larger it had a claustrophobic feel to it. This brings me to this years event.
I did not know what to expect this year. Would the venue be too small? Would the Olympics reduce vistor numbers or increase them? Would the beer have run out by Saturday as it had done a few times in recent years? I am delighted to report that the event, which had obviously been scaled back, was an absolute joy. The beer selection was fantastic, the atmosphere was tremendous and there was plenty of space. All the usual activities and stands were there. The table skittles was well staffed and efficiently run. The CAMRA stand had its usual fine selection of books (more about my purchases on a later post). The food stands were offering the usual wholesome fare. The stage was in a sensible place and had plenty of seating.
I am delighted to report that next year the venue will once again be Kensington Olympia (August 13th - August 17th). Earls Court is being pulled down so it will be interesting to see if Olympia will once again be the regular home of this magnificent event. I for sure will be there once more.
Happy drinking.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Wye Valley Brewery
Tonight I paid a quick visit to my favourite Stratford-upon-Avon pub, The Bear In The Swan's Nest, before settling down to another evening of Olympic viewing. One of their regular beers is Butty Bach (4.5% ABV), yet another delightful golden hoppy ale of good strength. These type of beers are all I seem to be drinking at the moment but I shouldn't complain. Brewed by the Herefordshire brewer, Wye Valley, the brewer is probably more famous for the pump click for its wholesome stout called Dorothy Goodbody's, after a female MP asked for it to be banned from the House of Commons bar. I find it totally amazing that such people find enough people to vote for them to be elected to govern us. I was pleased to read that sales of the beer took off following these ridiculous comments. It really is time for some people to get a sense of humour transplant.
Happy drinking.
Happy drinking.
Swan In The Rushes
I got back to my hotel late last night so I did not have time to post this. After meeting up with my sister and nephew for a meal my sister went home and left 'the boys' to quickly visit one of my favourite pubs. Situated in The Rushes (hence the name) it was a very rundown pub named The Charnwood when I turned 18 in the late 1970s. It was then purchased and turned into a real ale paradise in the 1980s becoming part of the East Midland pub chain, Tynemill. In the late 1990s a partnership between Tynemill and the Bramcote Brewing Company created the Castle Rock Brewery. This brewery is situated close to Nottingham's historic castle rock from where the name is derived. Eventually the pub group bought out the original brewery founders and The Swan In The Rushes is now an excellent advert for their fine beers. Tonight I sampled a pint of Elsie Mo, a strong hoppy golden ale (4.7% ABV) that is very popular so my nephew informs me. I can certainly see why. Delicious.
I now try and visit this wonderful pub every time I go 'home' to Loughborough. It comprises two quiet comfortable rooms to the front with a livelier back bar (the Charnwood vaults). The walls are adorned with breweriana and with newspapers and good conversation it has everything you need to settle down with a pint of fine beer. As well as the range of Castle Rock beers there is up to six guest beers available. Added to that, an inventive loyalty scheme, makes this a perfect local. Loughborough is blessed with some excellent pubs but this is the best by far. Pay it a visit if you ever pass this way.
I now try and visit this wonderful pub every time I go 'home' to Loughborough. It comprises two quiet comfortable rooms to the front with a livelier back bar (the Charnwood vaults). The walls are adorned with breweriana and with newspapers and good conversation it has everything you need to settle down with a pint of fine beer. As well as the range of Castle Rock beers there is up to six guest beers available. Added to that, an inventive loyalty scheme, makes this a perfect local. Loughborough is blessed with some excellent pubs but this is the best by far. Pay it a visit if you ever pass this way.
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
CAMRA Membership
I've been avoiding my local 'spoons for a few weeks now as they have been concentrating on ciders and perrys making the beer choice somewhat lmited. Last weekend my CAMRA membership renewal came through the letterbox and as is usual now it comes with forty 50p vouchers to be redeemed at Wetherspoons pubs for a pint of real ale. With ten vouchers for each three month period I thought it was time I saved a bit of money for my holiday starting next week and there is no better way than getting a pint of beer for £1.49. These vouchers effectively pays my annual CAMRA membership fee so I do always try and use them.
Last night I had a pint from my new favourite micro-brewery, Sadlers. The deliciously hoppy Hop Bomb was available and it is a potent brew. Tonight I settled for a delicious IPA from the Warwickshire Brewing Company called Rugby Ball Stitcher. At 5.0% it is a reasonable strength for an IPA although I do usually like them to be even stronger. It had a lovely smooth finish and went down remarkably quickly. Only the one pint again though as I have been hooked on the Olympic games and I prefer watching it from the comfort of my hotel room.
Tomorrow night I will be having a quick pint in one of my favourite pubs. You will have to wait to find out where it is though.
Happy drinking.
Last night I had a pint from my new favourite micro-brewery, Sadlers. The deliciously hoppy Hop Bomb was available and it is a potent brew. Tonight I settled for a delicious IPA from the Warwickshire Brewing Company called Rugby Ball Stitcher. At 5.0% it is a reasonable strength for an IPA although I do usually like them to be even stronger. It had a lovely smooth finish and went down remarkably quickly. Only the one pint again though as I have been hooked on the Olympic games and I prefer watching it from the comfort of my hotel room.
Tomorrow night I will be having a quick pint in one of my favourite pubs. You will have to wait to find out where it is though.
Happy drinking.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Bad pubs
Last night I visited my brother who lives in Leicestershire. He lives in Littlethorpe but we walked across the railway line into Narborough. The Narborough Arms is a large imposing pub with a large outside drinking area. Inside it has many nooks and crannies with a TV visible from most areas. Being a darts fan I did not object to watching some of the Betfair World Matchplay Championships but I did object to the beer quality. Firstly, I had a pint of Charles Wells Bombardier. This was clearly off and the barman insisted it was fresh on yesterday. He sampled it and grudgingly agreed it wasn't very nice but still insisted it was fresh on whilst pouring me an alternative choice (Sharp's Doom Bar). This was OK but far from a perfect pint. The whole pub was scruffy though and unwlecoming. It had the Cask Marque sign which is usually an encouraging sign but with the poor beer quality I wonder how recently this was awarded to them. Altogether, not a very nice pub.
CAMRA constantly quote how the pub industry is suffering and cite the number of closures to back up their case. I always wonder how many of the closures are pubs such as the Narborough Arms. Badly run businesses will always struggle to survive and clearly this is one such example. Pubs are closed for a number of reasons but in most cases it will be because they are deemed to be economically unviable. Why is this though? Some pubs can be revived simply by a change of ownership. Pub companies are often to blame though. They increase rents on a regular basis until it becomes impossible for anyone to make a decent living from it. What is important is to campaign against people or companies who apply for a change of use. A pub is bought as a pub and if someone cannot make a profit from it then they should sell it as a pub and let someone else try. Eventually we will hopefully have a few less pubs like the Narborough Arms and a country full of pubs where it is a pleasure to visit and enjoy a pint in. Let's all drink to that.
Happy drinking.
CAMRA constantly quote how the pub industry is suffering and cite the number of closures to back up their case. I always wonder how many of the closures are pubs such as the Narborough Arms. Badly run businesses will always struggle to survive and clearly this is one such example. Pubs are closed for a number of reasons but in most cases it will be because they are deemed to be economically unviable. Why is this though? Some pubs can be revived simply by a change of ownership. Pub companies are often to blame though. They increase rents on a regular basis until it becomes impossible for anyone to make a decent living from it. What is important is to campaign against people or companies who apply for a change of use. A pub is bought as a pub and if someone cannot make a profit from it then they should sell it as a pub and let someone else try. Eventually we will hopefully have a few less pubs like the Narborough Arms and a country full of pubs where it is a pleasure to visit and enjoy a pint in. Let's all drink to that.
Happy drinking.
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