Hello,
a long time ago I was in my twenties. I would have been knocking on the door of the above named place an hour before it officially opened, and yet, I think its hideous modernity would have made me hate it. Twenty years later and Kommune encapsulates both the past, being housed in the former Co-op in Sheffield, and the future, in its modern way of dispensing ales and food, in a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. And I really enjoyed my first visit. It seems then that as I age am liking more modern venues more. That is perhaps strange. But perhaps not as strange as the reactions of others.
I should maybe first set out my stall. I am over forty and a massive fan of the National Inventory of Unspoilt Pub Interiors. I have been to the Luppitt Inn, Duke of York at Elton and the Colliers Arms at Mossley, and fell in love with their timeless simplicity and cared for beauty. I also drink beer in all formats, from gravity mild to soupy keg, and from can or bottle. Having estranged myself from the needless pre-judgemental nonsense espoused by the Campaign for Real Complaining, I am now much happier in my drinking and much more focused on what beer tastes like and whether or not I like how it tastes. And I think this in some ways enabled me to enjoy Kommune more than people with their own expectations. I mean, lets not get started on expectation versus delivery....
I should point out that cost is a consideration for us all. And this is where expectation can play a villainous role. For clarity, I couldn't afford to go on the opening night as I had no money. Visiting on payday however, I had no concerns about prices and wasn't shocked or horrified by any. I have a friend who didn't like their first visit for reasons including the cost of a burger. And because Hop Hideout was shut when they arrived. I have to say I can understand their disappointment with the latter. I went straight to Jules and Will's venue when I arrived and as ever they did not disappoint. I didn't let the concerns expressed over food prices affect me though, and had I had more time I would have happily eaten there.
I met two friends from work as I came in and they literally left after five minutes because they said that the place made them feel uneasy. I was at the very least surprised. Yes I made a number of jokes about it being a hipster creche, and admitted that I felt old, but in all honesty these concerns were quickly eroded as I sat with friends, drinking excellent ale. I was on a fruity tropical pale from Ridgeside and it was delicious. I decided not to start on the Cloudwater and Veil Brewing Chubbles as it is 10%, but it is still one of the best beers I have ever had...
I should also point out that I didn't go to the main bar so I can't comment on its range, cost, or service. These are all important factors in your appreciation of a venue and as always Hop Hideout excelled, making me enjoy my visit all the more. Am hoping that as the venue beds in any creases in the tablecloth of customer service can be ironed out.
I have to say that as well as the range of beers I saw at Hop Hideout I was pleased with the range of ages and cultures I saw in Kommune even more. Its easy to promote a venue as inclusive and welcoming but harder for this to play out in reality. The combo of food hall and bars is perhaps what makes this possible, I think it removes the barriers that people put up regarding their expectations of both or either. If I was in a traditional pub I would be unhappy if a family with kids turned up, just as I may recoil at the idea of people drinking and being noisy when I am eating. For some reason I didn't have any concerns about the interactions or behaviours of others here. Its rare to find a venue that offers that kind of peace and reassurance.
The last thing I will say is that Sheffield continues to slowly catch up with other great beer cities such as Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and others, regarding the type of venue that you can enjoy a beer in. I don't want to sound like am flogging an ideal, but I do think that the widening of appeal to drinkers with differing backgrounds, needs, expectations and appreciations can only be a good thing. Sheffield is a vibrant ale city. It is not stultifying. Its a giant, awakening, lively, beast.
And long may this continue
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Saturday, 30 March 2019
Saturday, 16 March 2019
Bluvver Duck! It's Sheffield Beer Week!
Evenin all,
I have to admit that I do not know how to spell Bluvver Duck. I mean, I know that duck is correct but it could likewise be Bloover....to those that don't know, which many now include me, the phrase, in my experience, was used by my Belper born Mum instead of bloody. It seemed that during her childhood in the fifties that was too rude a word to espouse, and she used said phrase to avoid contempt. I was going to call the post "Fuck me sideways, its Sheffield beer week!" . And that's swearing. As a former manger used to say. There. Am glad we sorted that out....
Five years ago the wonderful Jules Gray assisted by numerous friends and fellow beer enthusiasts including my chum Clare, set up a celebration of all that is beer in Sheffield, and all that is good about it. This has since grown to include the Fem.Ale celebration of women in beer along with Indie Beer Feast, a festival of beers and breweries held in Abbeydale Picture House. This year, and previously, numerous pubs have put on showcases of numerous beers from numerous breweries, so here is a flavour of what I have enjoyed this year.
Monday night I headed to BrewDog to taste some excellent Left Handed Giant beers. I started with a half o their excellent Out of Sight, a four hopped 6.6% IPA. I also tried a third of their own Juicy IPA, as well as a third of their Paradox Islay. Its worryingly easy to sup at 14% and the hit of the peat and smoke comes in the wonderful aftertaste. Am not sure if this was in aid of Sheffield Beer Week but it was a great start to the celebration anyway...
On Tuesday I met my friends Vikkie and Matthew in Shakespeares where they were serving the excellent Amundsen Dessert in a can beers on draught. Given that they are all over 10% I only had two, the Coconut chop chip cookie and the pecan and maple pie imperial stouts, in thirds. I also had a pint of the excellent Vision Quest 7% IPA on cask, and a pint of the four way or more way Hop City Colab IPA. I then popped over the road to Bar Stewards to enjoy a pint of a Verdant beer and a beer whose name has since escaped me. Can't think why....
On Wednesday I popped into Shakespeares once again to enjoy a hugely satisfying pint of Turning Point Vision Quest, before meeting Reason, Gazza, Suethebrew and Dave and Patrick in the Bar Stewards for a pint of Loka Polly Spur, and to grab a final bottle of Yellow Belly. This was mostly part of their excellent South West Tap Takeover, although I understand there was a delivery issue with the Deya which may not be on yet...
On Thursday I went to see a gig by a "duo" and popped in the Rutland Arms first for a pint of Blackjack and a ridiculously strong and similarly delicious third of De Molen imperial stout, from a frankly amazing range of beers including Siren Maiden 2018.
My last "do" was at Shakespeares yesterday. Having taken the day off to recover and to arrive early I didn't actually get there until about 13.45, to behold and hugely enjoy the North versus the rest of the world Tap takeover. North Brewing had very kindly agreed to put five or six special keg lines into cask and these were competing with a range of keg lines from a variety of international breweries. I started on a half of the Dots and Loops, a super hazy DDH IPA at 6.5% that woke my palate perfectly. I then risked a pint of one of my all time favourite beers, North Transmission, a fabulous 6.9% IPA on cask at £4.20 a pint. This was despatched swiftly, and was frankly wonderful. After this wonderment I then had further, a half of their excellent Ursa Major, an extremely drinkable and joyously hopped DIPA at 8.1%.
One thing that I did like was seeing the stronger cask beers served in more appropriate, usually keg and can beer glasses - especially sine the transfer from Keg to cask was done so well and with such success.
More Transmission followed, now joined by Tony and Laura, before a final Full Fathom 5, a fabulous coffee and a half on keg of the Fierce and Verdant 01 Citra hop series, which went down far too well.
This was also the last shift at Shakespeares by Adam, very much a man of Dronfield, who will soon be moving up the hill on the other side of the road to the Crow Inn. I look forward to seeing you there soon mate!
All in all I have enjoyed every one of the events I have attended at Sheffield Beer Week 2019 and am now looking forward with just as much anticipation to a similar robust roll call of beery delights in the event next year. Well done to Jules and Will and all their many friends and volunteers in the brewing and pubs sectors who helped to once again make this a fantastic Sheffield Beer Week.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
I have to admit that I do not know how to spell Bluvver Duck. I mean, I know that duck is correct but it could likewise be Bloover....to those that don't know, which many now include me, the phrase, in my experience, was used by my Belper born Mum instead of bloody. It seemed that during her childhood in the fifties that was too rude a word to espouse, and she used said phrase to avoid contempt. I was going to call the post "Fuck me sideways, its Sheffield beer week!" . And that's swearing. As a former manger used to say. There. Am glad we sorted that out....
Five years ago the wonderful Jules Gray assisted by numerous friends and fellow beer enthusiasts including my chum Clare, set up a celebration of all that is beer in Sheffield, and all that is good about it. This has since grown to include the Fem.Ale celebration of women in beer along with Indie Beer Feast, a festival of beers and breweries held in Abbeydale Picture House. This year, and previously, numerous pubs have put on showcases of numerous beers from numerous breweries, so here is a flavour of what I have enjoyed this year.
Monday night I headed to BrewDog to taste some excellent Left Handed Giant beers. I started with a half o their excellent Out of Sight, a four hopped 6.6% IPA. I also tried a third of their own Juicy IPA, as well as a third of their Paradox Islay. Its worryingly easy to sup at 14% and the hit of the peat and smoke comes in the wonderful aftertaste. Am not sure if this was in aid of Sheffield Beer Week but it was a great start to the celebration anyway...
On Tuesday I met my friends Vikkie and Matthew in Shakespeares where they were serving the excellent Amundsen Dessert in a can beers on draught. Given that they are all over 10% I only had two, the Coconut chop chip cookie and the pecan and maple pie imperial stouts, in thirds. I also had a pint of the excellent Vision Quest 7% IPA on cask, and a pint of the four way or more way Hop City Colab IPA. I then popped over the road to Bar Stewards to enjoy a pint of a Verdant beer and a beer whose name has since escaped me. Can't think why....
On Wednesday I popped into Shakespeares once again to enjoy a hugely satisfying pint of Turning Point Vision Quest, before meeting Reason, Gazza, Suethebrew and Dave and Patrick in the Bar Stewards for a pint of Loka Polly Spur, and to grab a final bottle of Yellow Belly. This was mostly part of their excellent South West Tap Takeover, although I understand there was a delivery issue with the Deya which may not be on yet...
On Thursday I went to see a gig by a "duo" and popped in the Rutland Arms first for a pint of Blackjack and a ridiculously strong and similarly delicious third of De Molen imperial stout, from a frankly amazing range of beers including Siren Maiden 2018.
My last "do" was at Shakespeares yesterday. Having taken the day off to recover and to arrive early I didn't actually get there until about 13.45, to behold and hugely enjoy the North versus the rest of the world Tap takeover. North Brewing had very kindly agreed to put five or six special keg lines into cask and these were competing with a range of keg lines from a variety of international breweries. I started on a half of the Dots and Loops, a super hazy DDH IPA at 6.5% that woke my palate perfectly. I then risked a pint of one of my all time favourite beers, North Transmission, a fabulous 6.9% IPA on cask at £4.20 a pint. This was despatched swiftly, and was frankly wonderful. After this wonderment I then had further, a half of their excellent Ursa Major, an extremely drinkable and joyously hopped DIPA at 8.1%.
One thing that I did like was seeing the stronger cask beers served in more appropriate, usually keg and can beer glasses - especially sine the transfer from Keg to cask was done so well and with such success.
More Transmission followed, now joined by Tony and Laura, before a final Full Fathom 5, a fabulous coffee and a half on keg of the Fierce and Verdant 01 Citra hop series, which went down far too well.
This was also the last shift at Shakespeares by Adam, very much a man of Dronfield, who will soon be moving up the hill on the other side of the road to the Crow Inn. I look forward to seeing you there soon mate!
All in all I have enjoyed every one of the events I have attended at Sheffield Beer Week 2019 and am now looking forward with just as much anticipation to a similar robust roll call of beery delights in the event next year. Well done to Jules and Will and all their many friends and volunteers in the brewing and pubs sectors who helped to once again make this a fantastic Sheffield Beer Week.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Thursday, 28 February 2019
Two sides of the coin
Hellall,
as friends and regular readers, of any posts which I now infrequently find the time to write, will know, I don't consider pubs a place one goes to get scran. That said, I do often go out with the other Wees into Staffordshire and with Mumraah and Keet to Crookes for the same. Last week WF had a few issues in his flat and offered to take us out for a meal.
I have only been to the Phoenix at Ridgeway, possibly in fact at High Lane but equally not, twice before. Once when I was a child, and once back in September after coming out of A and E. That time the food was good and the ale OK so at 19.30 we headed off back for a meal. Arriving at 19.40 we dropped WF at the entrance and I ran in, put my coat on a chair and headed to the bar with three menus. Cue being ignored.
Five minutes or more later WF had finally reached the bar and me and WK ad already chosen. There were three staff behind the bar, all running between the other end and the kitchen. At 19.50 I finally got a response when I asked if I could order some food "not at this time no". As WK pointed out, it said they served til 20.00 on their website and elsewhere, and asked that since we only wanted mains could they do that, but the woman said "not tonight" before reignoring us.
We told WF to swap his glasses back and walk back to the car - he was not impressed. "what's the point of spending all that money on refurbishment if you aren't going to serve food?". It was a fair question. There had been a huge amount spent on the refurb. Five minutes later we were holding the door open for WF looking at the sign which still asked you to grab a table and number and go to the bar to order food. Keith did point out that they should take it down - its an A Frame so could just be folded shut and turned round. No answer was made.
As we awaited WK to bring the car to the bottom of the steps for WF, 10 minutes after he had been told they weren't serving food, and with a couple behind us planning to order at an Indian restaurant instead, we decided to call the White Swan in Ridgeway itself. They told us we would need to order by 20.15 and having found out there was three of us told us to grab a table in the right hand side. Five minutes later I was at the bar, and ten minutes later WF was. Me and WK had hunters chicken with the wonderful home made chips, whilst WF opted for partridge and sherry pie with chips. The food came in 20 minutes and was absolutely delicious.
We washed it don with pints of Stancill India red from a choice of three local real ales. We have been going in the Swan for nearly thirty years and the ale used to be Bass which was good but it wasn't always that impressive, and sometimes wasn't on at all. When we had last gone three years ago and sat for the first time in the room on the left, am guessing it was the present owners as they had two or three ales on then as well.
We had stopped going in because for a period they stopped doing food on a Monday but the rudeness and lack of organisation of the nearby Greedy King outpost helped to show us what we had been missing. WF had gone to the Swan for a meal for his 60th in the early noughties so we have appreciated the food, and now the beer range, for many years. I can't forget their goulash and peppered pork stews from that era.
Am not for a minute trying to pull some sort of provider and client relationship card here by the way. The Phoenix however is entirely a food venue so to get that wrong, and provide no explanation or apology, is really very bad. Its like setting up a gin wagon and running out of gin. You have one thing to do.....
The worst part is that the two pubs are s close together. Two very different sides of virtually the same coin. Oh, and the fact that they couldn't have manged to ignore WF's slow tortured walk to the bar and his looking at the menus, yet nobody ventured to tell us that we were in fact wasting our time.
At least we have rediscovered the excellent beer and food in the White Swan now. I think our next Monday night pub meal will be there.
Your very best health
Wee Beefy
as friends and regular readers, of any posts which I now infrequently find the time to write, will know, I don't consider pubs a place one goes to get scran. That said, I do often go out with the other Wees into Staffordshire and with Mumraah and Keet to Crookes for the same. Last week WF had a few issues in his flat and offered to take us out for a meal.
I have only been to the Phoenix at Ridgeway, possibly in fact at High Lane but equally not, twice before. Once when I was a child, and once back in September after coming out of A and E. That time the food was good and the ale OK so at 19.30 we headed off back for a meal. Arriving at 19.40 we dropped WF at the entrance and I ran in, put my coat on a chair and headed to the bar with three menus. Cue being ignored.
Five minutes or more later WF had finally reached the bar and me and WK ad already chosen. There were three staff behind the bar, all running between the other end and the kitchen. At 19.50 I finally got a response when I asked if I could order some food "not at this time no". As WK pointed out, it said they served til 20.00 on their website and elsewhere, and asked that since we only wanted mains could they do that, but the woman said "not tonight" before reignoring us.
We told WF to swap his glasses back and walk back to the car - he was not impressed. "what's the point of spending all that money on refurbishment if you aren't going to serve food?". It was a fair question. There had been a huge amount spent on the refurb. Five minutes later we were holding the door open for WF looking at the sign which still asked you to grab a table and number and go to the bar to order food. Keith did point out that they should take it down - its an A Frame so could just be folded shut and turned round. No answer was made.
As we awaited WK to bring the car to the bottom of the steps for WF, 10 minutes after he had been told they weren't serving food, and with a couple behind us planning to order at an Indian restaurant instead, we decided to call the White Swan in Ridgeway itself. They told us we would need to order by 20.15 and having found out there was three of us told us to grab a table in the right hand side. Five minutes later I was at the bar, and ten minutes later WF was. Me and WK had hunters chicken with the wonderful home made chips, whilst WF opted for partridge and sherry pie with chips. The food came in 20 minutes and was absolutely delicious.
We washed it don with pints of Stancill India red from a choice of three local real ales. We have been going in the Swan for nearly thirty years and the ale used to be Bass which was good but it wasn't always that impressive, and sometimes wasn't on at all. When we had last gone three years ago and sat for the first time in the room on the left, am guessing it was the present owners as they had two or three ales on then as well.
We had stopped going in because for a period they stopped doing food on a Monday but the rudeness and lack of organisation of the nearby Greedy King outpost helped to show us what we had been missing. WF had gone to the Swan for a meal for his 60th in the early noughties so we have appreciated the food, and now the beer range, for many years. I can't forget their goulash and peppered pork stews from that era.
Am not for a minute trying to pull some sort of provider and client relationship card here by the way. The Phoenix however is entirely a food venue so to get that wrong, and provide no explanation or apology, is really very bad. Its like setting up a gin wagon and running out of gin. You have one thing to do.....
The worst part is that the two pubs are s close together. Two very different sides of virtually the same coin. Oh, and the fact that they couldn't have manged to ignore WF's slow tortured walk to the bar and his looking at the menus, yet nobody ventured to tell us that we were in fact wasting our time.
At least we have rediscovered the excellent beer and food in the White Swan now. I think our next Monday night pub meal will be there.
Your very best health
Wee Beefy
Thursday, 24 January 2019
Back in Sheffield
Urllorr,
I should point out first of all that I haven't drunk much in January - not because of Dry January - regular readers will know that I do not support the idea, even if potential, of hitting struggling pubs and bars in the pocket harder in what is already their most dismal month of the year. No, instead this was almost entirely down to a lack of funds. So here are details of just two crawls completed this month.
On the first Sunday of 2019 I went to Crookes. In the Two Sheds, Arthur two sheds Jackson (assuming at least part of that is his real name) was not there, instead it was quiet and calm and filled when I left by happy fellow Scots. I even stayed for two pints of Thornbridge Jaipur, which in comparison to other offerings was good value at £3.70 a pint.
Across the road the Punch Bowl had just one cask on, and almost no keg. The landlord had enjoyed his Christmas roster of ales but had somewhat fallen out with Greedy King, and so wasn't especially busy. He didn't do pizzas or like the oven, and didn't want ales that GK couldn't sell. Whilst I also dislike Greedy King, I stayed only for a half and left.
Down the hill the Walkley Beer Co was having no such issues. Packed when I arrived, I did get a seat on one of the tables and enjoyed some beer. In the months ahead am sure I will remember what it was. Am going to guess Pressure Drop - no, wait, it was Wiper and True IPA possibly involving the colour indigo and it was about 6.9%. It was bloody lovely.
I finished the night in Bar Stewards, where I had an excellent cask version of the Magic Rock barrel aged Bearded Lady, and in Shakespeares. where alas details are unclear.
On the second Saturday I met up with Vikkie and Matt outside my second home to walk to the Wellington. I started on a pint of Neepsend Amarillo IPA on cask from the past, and also had a half of the Siren Ryesing Tides on keg. Matt had a stout, am certain and Vikkie had a Ryesing Tides and a sour before we headed to our second stop.
This was at the Gardeners. Being virtually next door to the Cutlery Works seems to be helping trade and I had a pint of something pale which I used to be able to remember on CFTP. It was an enjoyable visit but it was definitely very busy.
Off to the Old Workshop next where I had a half of a pineapple and Yuzu IPA from a brewery that may have been in London. Claret had tried a half earlier and loved it so I knew I was making a good choice. From here we went to a packed K.I.T where I enjoyed a pork pie and a pint of Peach IPA or similar from Blue Bee. Once again the pub was very busy, which is always a good sign at this time of year. Good for Josh and Louise that all seems to be going well!
Back in Bar Stewards I had a half of Lervig Supersonic soundwave or similar, an excellent DIPA, before we finished in Shakespeares where I had a pint of keg - I know this because I took a picture. Alas I don't recall what it was of...
Sheffield continues to do very well in multiple venues at filling spaces and seats with the derrieres of discerning drinkers throughout the year. Hats off to my sunny city for once again reminding me why it is I am so lucky.
Your very best health!
Wee Beefy
I should point out first of all that I haven't drunk much in January - not because of Dry January - regular readers will know that I do not support the idea, even if potential, of hitting struggling pubs and bars in the pocket harder in what is already their most dismal month of the year. No, instead this was almost entirely down to a lack of funds. So here are details of just two crawls completed this month.
On the first Sunday of 2019 I went to Crookes. In the Two Sheds, Arthur two sheds Jackson (assuming at least part of that is his real name) was not there, instead it was quiet and calm and filled when I left by happy fellow Scots. I even stayed for two pints of Thornbridge Jaipur, which in comparison to other offerings was good value at £3.70 a pint.
Across the road the Punch Bowl had just one cask on, and almost no keg. The landlord had enjoyed his Christmas roster of ales but had somewhat fallen out with Greedy King, and so wasn't especially busy. He didn't do pizzas or like the oven, and didn't want ales that GK couldn't sell. Whilst I also dislike Greedy King, I stayed only for a half and left.
Down the hill the Walkley Beer Co was having no such issues. Packed when I arrived, I did get a seat on one of the tables and enjoyed some beer. In the months ahead am sure I will remember what it was. Am going to guess Pressure Drop - no, wait, it was Wiper and True IPA possibly involving the colour indigo and it was about 6.9%. It was bloody lovely.
I finished the night in Bar Stewards, where I had an excellent cask version of the Magic Rock barrel aged Bearded Lady, and in Shakespeares. where alas details are unclear.
On the second Saturday I met up with Vikkie and Matt outside my second home to walk to the Wellington. I started on a pint of Neepsend Amarillo IPA on cask from the past, and also had a half of the Siren Ryesing Tides on keg. Matt had a stout, am certain and Vikkie had a Ryesing Tides and a sour before we headed to our second stop.
This was at the Gardeners. Being virtually next door to the Cutlery Works seems to be helping trade and I had a pint of something pale which I used to be able to remember on CFTP. It was an enjoyable visit but it was definitely very busy.
Off to the Old Workshop next where I had a half of a pineapple and Yuzu IPA from a brewery that may have been in London. Claret had tried a half earlier and loved it so I knew I was making a good choice. From here we went to a packed K.I.T where I enjoyed a pork pie and a pint of Peach IPA or similar from Blue Bee. Once again the pub was very busy, which is always a good sign at this time of year. Good for Josh and Louise that all seems to be going well!
Back in Bar Stewards I had a half of Lervig Supersonic soundwave or similar, an excellent DIPA, before we finished in Shakespeares where I had a pint of keg - I know this because I took a picture. Alas I don't recall what it was of...
Sheffield continues to do very well in multiple venues at filling spaces and seats with the derrieres of discerning drinkers throughout the year. Hats off to my sunny city for once again reminding me why it is I am so lucky.
Your very best health!
Wee Beefy
Sunday, 13 January 2019
Hebden and Halifax
Its 2019.
.......so this year I visited Helen and Neil in Hebden Bridge. They have lived their together for over 12 years I think and this is the first time I have been over to visit them. I had only been to Hebden Bridge twice, and Halifax once, drinking. Both Hebden trips had featured the Fox and Goose, and one the New Delight up in the hills. One had included a trip to Moyles Bar as well as the Three Pigeons in Halifax. Its over ten years since I was in Hebden. And goodness, its changed.
Having caught the fast train to Lates and the slow train to Rochdale I arrived at Hebden around 15.00, heavy of head but pleased to see Helen and Neil. I walked with them from the station to their wonderful house and we caught up before heading out. Our first stop was Calan's micropub. Its a few minutes walk away and a a few feet wide. I had a pint of the Calan's best from Elland and Neil had a stout from Black something brewery in the North East. The pub was busy and friendly and was indicative of the scene that I think there is in this excellent mill town.
Our next stop was in the Old Gate, or similarly named pub. There were about eight beers on including about four from Windermere. I had a pint of one of their pale ales as we soaked up the atmosphere, but this was not a long visit as we had to get back for tea. Neil and Helen are vegetarian, so this probably did my tired old body the world of good after a 2018 almost entirely comprising of cooking bacon...
We finished the night in the Vocation Brewery Tap. This inhabits half of the former Moyles Bar which was flooded in one or both of the last two floods. There are 20 beers available including the full Vocation range, all on keg from the future, and apart from that night they serve lovely food. I accidentally chose a 12% stout and a half a BBNo saison, both of which were excellently kept, but am going to blame my sleepiness on the stout, as I was in bed asleep by before 22.00.....
The next day Neil headed into work and I got up having promised to walk to the top of Stoodley Pike. Its about a 6 miles round trip, and my claims of resilience to climbing hills and determination to do this was severely put to the test at the beginning. Once we reached the hamlet of Horsehold the route settled down a little and I suddenly realised that I was overdressed for such a walk and it was in fact mild and still. We didn't have time to head down to Lumbutts and its pub but the walk itself was very enjoyable.
Back in Hebden we headed for the Fox and Goose. This was the first pub I visited from my first ever GBG so its probably 25 years since my first visit. As I recall nothing has changed, apart from the room layout, but am told that the bar has moved completely. I had a pint of the Burton Bridge and a a half of the Stod Fold Imperial stout whilst Helen had a beer from a brewery that I have alas forgotten the name of, and a a taster of the stout. The pub was warm and clean and friendly and I think is now community owned. Long may it's success continue.
We headed back into Hebden to meet Neil and went to the Drink? Micropub. Neil was coming down with a cough but we all had a drink in here, the identity of which I may even remember. Drink? is very much a bar and bottle shop, with the cans and bottles at the front and the bar at the back. Along with the Nightjar micropub opposite Vocation as well as the unvisited Blue Pig or similar social club in the woods, this proves that Hebden is a great place to sample real ales, buy local beers and see local bands.
After popping home for scran myself and Helen headed to the Nightjar micropub, which has its own brewery, and enjoyed a half each in there. There was good music on and a decent range of ales available. Am fairly sure I had something strong and Helen tried a Nightjar brewery beer.
We finished the night in Vocation once again, now staying open as normal and serving food. I had an absolutely fabulous pint of Ask Dan NEIPA on keg at 6.9% and it was wonderful, washed down with a bowl of crispy fries and a a bowl of guacamole. Well worth a revisit!
On our final day myself and Helen headed to Halifax on the train. Alas the Three Pigeons was not open but 5 minutes up the hill is the Victorian Craft Beer Cafe. This was wonderful, with a range of 28 beers on offer and featuring 5 on cask. We probably tried six between us, enjoying every one. Alas am unable to name, or recall, my favourite....
Before I got my train back we visited the Alexandra just down the road. This small modern bar sells 5 or 6 keg ales and bottles and I went straight for the excellent Verdant Allen at 7.6% on keg. The loos are upstairs and there is more seating up there as well as another venue right next door to this excellent modern bar which was noticeably quiet in the awkward first week of the new year.
All in all it was great to spend a few days with Helen and Neil and brilliant to sample a taste of the excellent pubs in their hometown of Hebden and nearby Halifax. Definitely two places I would recommend visiting.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
.......so this year I visited Helen and Neil in Hebden Bridge. They have lived their together for over 12 years I think and this is the first time I have been over to visit them. I had only been to Hebden Bridge twice, and Halifax once, drinking. Both Hebden trips had featured the Fox and Goose, and one the New Delight up in the hills. One had included a trip to Moyles Bar as well as the Three Pigeons in Halifax. Its over ten years since I was in Hebden. And goodness, its changed.
Having caught the fast train to Lates and the slow train to Rochdale I arrived at Hebden around 15.00, heavy of head but pleased to see Helen and Neil. I walked with them from the station to their wonderful house and we caught up before heading out. Our first stop was Calan's micropub. Its a few minutes walk away and a a few feet wide. I had a pint of the Calan's best from Elland and Neil had a stout from Black something brewery in the North East. The pub was busy and friendly and was indicative of the scene that I think there is in this excellent mill town.
Our next stop was in the Old Gate, or similarly named pub. There were about eight beers on including about four from Windermere. I had a pint of one of their pale ales as we soaked up the atmosphere, but this was not a long visit as we had to get back for tea. Neil and Helen are vegetarian, so this probably did my tired old body the world of good after a 2018 almost entirely comprising of cooking bacon...
We finished the night in the Vocation Brewery Tap. This inhabits half of the former Moyles Bar which was flooded in one or both of the last two floods. There are 20 beers available including the full Vocation range, all on keg from the future, and apart from that night they serve lovely food. I accidentally chose a 12% stout and a half a BBNo saison, both of which were excellently kept, but am going to blame my sleepiness on the stout, as I was in bed asleep by before 22.00.....
The next day Neil headed into work and I got up having promised to walk to the top of Stoodley Pike. Its about a 6 miles round trip, and my claims of resilience to climbing hills and determination to do this was severely put to the test at the beginning. Once we reached the hamlet of Horsehold the route settled down a little and I suddenly realised that I was overdressed for such a walk and it was in fact mild and still. We didn't have time to head down to Lumbutts and its pub but the walk itself was very enjoyable.
Back in Hebden we headed for the Fox and Goose. This was the first pub I visited from my first ever GBG so its probably 25 years since my first visit. As I recall nothing has changed, apart from the room layout, but am told that the bar has moved completely. I had a pint of the Burton Bridge and a a half of the Stod Fold Imperial stout whilst Helen had a beer from a brewery that I have alas forgotten the name of, and a a taster of the stout. The pub was warm and clean and friendly and I think is now community owned. Long may it's success continue.
We headed back into Hebden to meet Neil and went to the Drink? Micropub. Neil was coming down with a cough but we all had a drink in here, the identity of which I may even remember. Drink? is very much a bar and bottle shop, with the cans and bottles at the front and the bar at the back. Along with the Nightjar micropub opposite Vocation as well as the unvisited Blue Pig or similar social club in the woods, this proves that Hebden is a great place to sample real ales, buy local beers and see local bands.
After popping home for scran myself and Helen headed to the Nightjar micropub, which has its own brewery, and enjoyed a half each in there. There was good music on and a decent range of ales available. Am fairly sure I had something strong and Helen tried a Nightjar brewery beer.
We finished the night in Vocation once again, now staying open as normal and serving food. I had an absolutely fabulous pint of Ask Dan NEIPA on keg at 6.9% and it was wonderful, washed down with a bowl of crispy fries and a a bowl of guacamole. Well worth a revisit!
On our final day myself and Helen headed to Halifax on the train. Alas the Three Pigeons was not open but 5 minutes up the hill is the Victorian Craft Beer Cafe. This was wonderful, with a range of 28 beers on offer and featuring 5 on cask. We probably tried six between us, enjoying every one. Alas am unable to name, or recall, my favourite....
Before I got my train back we visited the Alexandra just down the road. This small modern bar sells 5 or 6 keg ales and bottles and I went straight for the excellent Verdant Allen at 7.6% on keg. The loos are upstairs and there is more seating up there as well as another venue right next door to this excellent modern bar which was noticeably quiet in the awkward first week of the new year.
All in all it was great to spend a few days with Helen and Neil and brilliant to sample a taste of the excellent pubs in their hometown of Hebden and nearby Halifax. Definitely two places I would recommend visiting.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Tuesday, 25 December 2018
Hell's Bellers....
Good morning,
I realise its Christmas day and I should therefore be wrapped up in bed awaiting Santa to come down my chimney (or something) but am wide awake and the festive mood is making me feel a little mischevious.......
With thanks first of all to Mr Q for the word Bellers, I thought I would share, almost as literally as I can, this run down of all that happened when six or seven corpulent whingers entered a bar popular for its kegs and cans and bemoaned almost every aspect - only for some to stay for more than a pint each.
I was sat near the bar, likely with my friend T-Dawg, but also likely by myself, enjoying a chat with the staff. The unwieldy hills of flesh arrived in a doughy trail and immediately started moaning at the range of beers. "You aven got enni bitter on then?" one asked in a thick West Midlands accent. The barman admitted his failure in life, but pointed the assembled party in the direction of Brass Castle Comet, a single hop pale ale, nearer to the unedifying dullness of bitter than anything else.
One by one the portly complainers tasted the beer and mostly scowled. "ooh, ooh, its gorra twang, its gorra twang this as" said one, about 47 times. "ooh thass oppy innit. Ooh no. Far too oppy....." Much mumbling followed, yet mysteriously, apart from one who had a gin (but was likely not part of the group) all had the Comet, apart from one who had a stout....
We none bellers continued our convivial chat whilst they sat down, saying loudly "iss really disappointing this place innit" and "oi expected a traditional bitter like that Barnsley they ave over the road". Even more perplexing than their choice of venue, was the comment by one that "ooh no, Commit is faar too oppy to be suitible forrah single op beer". As opposed to what? Target? First Gold?
Its important for me to point out by the way that this is not a criticism of their preferred beer style. Not at all. If all they drink is bitter then they probably damn well know a lot about it, and its good to be clear about what you like, and would prefer. My issue is, why come to a bar renowned for its keg lines and range of cans and bottles to drink bitter? They were heading to the Wellington next - and Gav from Neepsend who turned up as they were leaving was quick to point out that Neepsend don't brew a bitter and were very unlikely to have one in at the Wellington.
A couple of rogues in the crew stayed for another pint if memory serves, whilst the majority of the lumpish crowd shambled off with their broken dreams hanging in the air, and their ripe disdain fizzing on the seats they had sat on.
I think that my Dad is very set in his ways when it comes to beer but his main enemy is strength rather than the horror of ingredients or the rueful spectre of interesting flavours dirtying his long loved beers. These guys and girls far outstripped WF in terms of narrowness and determination to not enjoy anything new. And that is saying something.
It's their loss in the end, so I feel sorry for them, but equally there's no need to go round pissing in everyone else's sherbet because the ice cream is too cold. Perhaps its time to lighten up a little?
On a number of levels.
Your very best health!
Wee Beefy
I realise its Christmas day and I should therefore be wrapped up in bed awaiting Santa to come down my chimney (or something) but am wide awake and the festive mood is making me feel a little mischevious.......
With thanks first of all to Mr Q for the word Bellers, I thought I would share, almost as literally as I can, this run down of all that happened when six or seven corpulent whingers entered a bar popular for its kegs and cans and bemoaned almost every aspect - only for some to stay for more than a pint each.
I was sat near the bar, likely with my friend T-Dawg, but also likely by myself, enjoying a chat with the staff. The unwieldy hills of flesh arrived in a doughy trail and immediately started moaning at the range of beers. "You aven got enni bitter on then?" one asked in a thick West Midlands accent. The barman admitted his failure in life, but pointed the assembled party in the direction of Brass Castle Comet, a single hop pale ale, nearer to the unedifying dullness of bitter than anything else.
One by one the portly complainers tasted the beer and mostly scowled. "ooh, ooh, its gorra twang, its gorra twang this as" said one, about 47 times. "ooh thass oppy innit. Ooh no. Far too oppy....." Much mumbling followed, yet mysteriously, apart from one who had a gin (but was likely not part of the group) all had the Comet, apart from one who had a stout....
We none bellers continued our convivial chat whilst they sat down, saying loudly "iss really disappointing this place innit" and "oi expected a traditional bitter like that Barnsley they ave over the road". Even more perplexing than their choice of venue, was the comment by one that "ooh no, Commit is faar too oppy to be suitible forrah single op beer". As opposed to what? Target? First Gold?
Its important for me to point out by the way that this is not a criticism of their preferred beer style. Not at all. If all they drink is bitter then they probably damn well know a lot about it, and its good to be clear about what you like, and would prefer. My issue is, why come to a bar renowned for its keg lines and range of cans and bottles to drink bitter? They were heading to the Wellington next - and Gav from Neepsend who turned up as they were leaving was quick to point out that Neepsend don't brew a bitter and were very unlikely to have one in at the Wellington.
A couple of rogues in the crew stayed for another pint if memory serves, whilst the majority of the lumpish crowd shambled off with their broken dreams hanging in the air, and their ripe disdain fizzing on the seats they had sat on.
I think that my Dad is very set in his ways when it comes to beer but his main enemy is strength rather than the horror of ingredients or the rueful spectre of interesting flavours dirtying his long loved beers. These guys and girls far outstripped WF in terms of narrowness and determination to not enjoy anything new. And that is saying something.
It's their loss in the end, so I feel sorry for them, but equally there's no need to go round pissing in everyone else's sherbet because the ice cream is too cold. Perhaps its time to lighten up a little?
On a number of levels.
Your very best health!
Wee Beefy
Sunday, 23 December 2018
Fruit Loop Friday - sniffed up on misery
Hello there,
I would like to point out that I always did, and continue to do so until this day, think that sniffed up was a reference to a current or previous cold infection. It was only when in the toilets with two of the world's loudest ever men, on the last Friday before Christmas, that I heard one of them roar that they wouldn't be able to eat their meal because they were "snifft up off mi tits man" referencing, one imagines, recreational drugs. So the title is about injecting misery into your veins. AKA going out on Fruit Loop Friday. Hope that helps....
Oh, and a warning to any delicate souls reading - this post does feature a large swathe of what I might politely call "maritime language". AKA swearing. Look away now if you are scared of the f word.
So, who would want to go out on the last Friday before Christmas? Who? And why? Well, the thing is, am thinking that I may have gone out on every such cataclysm of coarse language and crude behaviour in the last ten years - not least because Wee Keefy's work mates almost always have their Christmas pub crawl on that day. And am struggling to recall a year when I didn't see them. So if its not such a big deal in terms of times completed, what is it that I hate about the last Friday before Christmas so much? Let me tell you....
Not wanting to go over old territory (that much) I think most of all I dislike the large numbers of obnoxious people infringing on my personal space, and the fact that a number of these irregulars believe that the season to be merry is, instead, the season to act without reason. Am not going to try and assume a high moral line against drinking to excess - even if I never say it I am aware that I drink too much and my birthday week this year was an excellent example of my drinking well beyond the bounds of sensibility by anyone's standards. What I would say, however, is that apart from the odd argument with those around me, I never become aggressive, and never physically attack people when am drunk. This is a rule that I observe as a member of human society. And its not one that I consider the festive season is reason enough to abandon entirely.
Many of you will have heard the phrase pub voice. This is a voice that most people have, at a reasonable volume, that should be used when in the pub surrounded by other humans, whom have ears. Inside the pub is not a place to try out your foghorn overpowering bellow. Not even once. And definitely not all bloody night. Yet for some reason, the festive season seems to be overladen with the shoutiest and most annoying people ever. And the last Friday before Christmas is their pied piper of pointless, piss taking, rambunctiousness.
Then, there is the lack of spacial awareness. As a hundred and something year old pub building, Shakespeares has a number of rooms and a relatively small bar area. Using even the most infantile logic its easy to spot that congregating at the bar once you have your drink is entirely the behaviour of fucktards. Apologies for my Middle-English. I have sat at the bar, in times of quiet. The last Friday before Christmas is not that. Get your drink, and piss off out of everyone's way OK? Its a simple rule to follow.
A lack of knowledge of beers and pub etiquette and manners is also piss boilingly annoying. As per the below:
Fucknugget: Steeef. Steeef. Dyerwanna beer?
Far away Fucknugget: Whorrivthi go?
F: Ave yer gorrany lager pal?
Barkeep: Yes we have Becks Vier, Paulaner or bottles of Corona....
F: Fuck me, errr...ooh, this uns 11% Steeee-eeee-eeeef! Steeee-eeee-eeee-eeef!
Barkeep: it is £8.90 a pint though
F Yer fuckin wha? yavvin a fuckin laff er wha?
Barkeep: you could have a pint of Becks for £3.40
F: aye go on then (laughs, turns away and points over shoulder at barkeep) this guys tranna sell mi a pint for £19.00 a gu.....
FAF: wosztha go meh?
F: nnanuvver pint er tha please pal
FAF : eh?
Some 11% shit, a dorn fuckin norr.....
This goes on for the next 7 hours. This is one of many reason I don't work behind a bar. The above is not a criticism of lager drinkers, by the way, before you get your angry crayon out....
And finally, mass. Too many people in too small a space. For the love of made up deities, just go somewhere else!
The weight of the air, sticky with overweight men's sweaty farts and Thorseby market perfume splashed on by the litre. Blokes pissing in the sink because there is a queue of two for the urinals. A ten minute scramble to the loos. People who can't pronounce available, thinking it features the letter D. People who are proud of knowing nothing. People who start anecdotes in great enthusiasm, only to not finish them or drift off onto another subject, like John McCabe. Sitting behind a near impenetrable barrier of massive lumbering chimp men with the brains of a cat and the hygiene of a dead rat. Its really not very good fun.
Yet, despite all of the above, I was out in this shambles. I was drinking and enjoying Almasty Pale on cask from the past, and enjoying the company of my Brother and his workmates. We finished the night in a reassuringly quieter Bar Stewards on a mental pint of Wylam Reality Asylum hoppy soup at 7.4% and it was amazing.
And that is the ironic thing. I enjoyed my night out because I was drinking what I liked in my two favourite pubs with people I love. Partially the same remit as the noisy simpletons blocking the bar.
Although, to the best of my knowledge, I don't have breath like a miner's sock with a poo in it.
Just saying....
Bee Wifi
I would like to point out that I always did, and continue to do so until this day, think that sniffed up was a reference to a current or previous cold infection. It was only when in the toilets with two of the world's loudest ever men, on the last Friday before Christmas, that I heard one of them roar that they wouldn't be able to eat their meal because they were "snifft up off mi tits man" referencing, one imagines, recreational drugs. So the title is about injecting misery into your veins. AKA going out on Fruit Loop Friday. Hope that helps....
Oh, and a warning to any delicate souls reading - this post does feature a large swathe of what I might politely call "maritime language". AKA swearing. Look away now if you are scared of the f word.
So, who would want to go out on the last Friday before Christmas? Who? And why? Well, the thing is, am thinking that I may have gone out on every such cataclysm of coarse language and crude behaviour in the last ten years - not least because Wee Keefy's work mates almost always have their Christmas pub crawl on that day. And am struggling to recall a year when I didn't see them. So if its not such a big deal in terms of times completed, what is it that I hate about the last Friday before Christmas so much? Let me tell you....
Not wanting to go over old territory (that much) I think most of all I dislike the large numbers of obnoxious people infringing on my personal space, and the fact that a number of these irregulars believe that the season to be merry is, instead, the season to act without reason. Am not going to try and assume a high moral line against drinking to excess - even if I never say it I am aware that I drink too much and my birthday week this year was an excellent example of my drinking well beyond the bounds of sensibility by anyone's standards. What I would say, however, is that apart from the odd argument with those around me, I never become aggressive, and never physically attack people when am drunk. This is a rule that I observe as a member of human society. And its not one that I consider the festive season is reason enough to abandon entirely.
Many of you will have heard the phrase pub voice. This is a voice that most people have, at a reasonable volume, that should be used when in the pub surrounded by other humans, whom have ears. Inside the pub is not a place to try out your foghorn overpowering bellow. Not even once. And definitely not all bloody night. Yet for some reason, the festive season seems to be overladen with the shoutiest and most annoying people ever. And the last Friday before Christmas is their pied piper of pointless, piss taking, rambunctiousness.
Then, there is the lack of spacial awareness. As a hundred and something year old pub building, Shakespeares has a number of rooms and a relatively small bar area. Using even the most infantile logic its easy to spot that congregating at the bar once you have your drink is entirely the behaviour of fucktards. Apologies for my Middle-English. I have sat at the bar, in times of quiet. The last Friday before Christmas is not that. Get your drink, and piss off out of everyone's way OK? Its a simple rule to follow.
A lack of knowledge of beers and pub etiquette and manners is also piss boilingly annoying. As per the below:
Fucknugget: Steeef. Steeef. Dyerwanna beer?
Far away Fucknugget: Whorrivthi go?
F: Ave yer gorrany lager pal?
Barkeep: Yes we have Becks Vier, Paulaner or bottles of Corona....
F: Fuck me, errr...ooh, this uns 11% Steeee-eeee-eeeef! Steeee-eeee-eeee-eeef!
Barkeep: it is £8.90 a pint though
F Yer fuckin wha? yavvin a fuckin laff er wha?
Barkeep: you could have a pint of Becks for £3.40
F: aye go on then (laughs, turns away and points over shoulder at barkeep) this guys tranna sell mi a pint for £19.00 a gu.....
FAF: wosztha go meh?
F: nnanuvver pint er tha please pal
FAF : eh?
Some 11% shit, a dorn fuckin norr.....
This goes on for the next 7 hours. This is one of many reason I don't work behind a bar. The above is not a criticism of lager drinkers, by the way, before you get your angry crayon out....
And finally, mass. Too many people in too small a space. For the love of made up deities, just go somewhere else!
The weight of the air, sticky with overweight men's sweaty farts and Thorseby market perfume splashed on by the litre. Blokes pissing in the sink because there is a queue of two for the urinals. A ten minute scramble to the loos. People who can't pronounce available, thinking it features the letter D. People who are proud of knowing nothing. People who start anecdotes in great enthusiasm, only to not finish them or drift off onto another subject, like John McCabe. Sitting behind a near impenetrable barrier of massive lumbering chimp men with the brains of a cat and the hygiene of a dead rat. Its really not very good fun.
Yet, despite all of the above, I was out in this shambles. I was drinking and enjoying Almasty Pale on cask from the past, and enjoying the company of my Brother and his workmates. We finished the night in a reassuringly quieter Bar Stewards on a mental pint of Wylam Reality Asylum hoppy soup at 7.4% and it was amazing.
And that is the ironic thing. I enjoyed my night out because I was drinking what I liked in my two favourite pubs with people I love. Partially the same remit as the noisy simpletons blocking the bar.
Although, to the best of my knowledge, I don't have breath like a miner's sock with a poo in it.
Just saying....
Bee Wifi
Sunday, 16 December 2018
Supermarket craft
Afternoons,
I apologise for using the c word in the title of this post. Its just that I thought entitling it Supermarket cancer or Supermarket c*nts may provoke something of the wrong reaction. Worse still, I could have entitled it Supermarket Christmas. Eeeurrgh. That makes me shudder....
Anyhoo, as am bereft of funds I popped t'asda to grab some essentials and a few cans of beer. Alas they had run out of Bass but Ringwqood Razorback was on offer at 95p for 500ml so I got two of them, and then I found some beer in the "craft" (whatever that is) section which was £1.25 a 330ml can for a 5.6% West Coast Pale ale from BadCo. I don't mind their output, although its not a go to brewery, so I bought a can and took it home. Its only when I looked at the can in detail I noticed it said on the front "Brewed exclusively for Asda".
I immediately feared crystal malt. Its not a pathological fear you understand, but it is valid. I can on rare occasions, even detect it in disappointing potations, and share a dislike of it with many in the drinking and brewing circles that I rotate in.
One thing I don't know is, why would anyone add it to a "craft" (whatever that is) beer? Is it cheaper than pale ale malts? Or does it just remind less up to date drinkers of mass produced golden ales? Looking down the ingredients the beer has a decent hop line up, summit, cascade (not sure if UK or US) and chinook, but in the malt list was Light Crystal. I feared the worst.
Light crystal may explain why the beer retained its pale colour - because I have found that other supermarket own brewed, i.e in secret, pale ales, are bitter coloured. Am not sure if crystal malt is to blame, but lets assume it is. And to be fair to BadCo the hops were prominent, and I could appreciate them. And this was better than Razorback, so all is fine.....
Back in August Wee keefy, horrified at my spending £6.00 a can on Verdant and Cloudwater soups, took me to his to enjoy some supermarket own brand "craft" (whatever that is) ales. I was assured that they cost as much for 4 cans as one of those ones that I wasted my money on did. The selection was laid on mainly to prove a point, and stimulate a blog post. Alas, no point was proven, except that they in some cases, tasted five times less good than Verdant beers. The interesting thing though, was the ingredients used.
Having got them from Aldi or Lidl or Rialto, which is a shop I have made up for vaguely alliterative reasons, the four tried were Red Rye captain pale ale, a 4.6% pale with "notes of caramel and toffee", Twisted knots, a 5.5% American IPA with " a grapefruit aroma" and notes of "citrus zesty fruits", Bitter Iron IPA at 5.4% and Plunged Orange pale ale at 6.0% which was "refreshing" and featured "tangy orange sweetness".
The red rye captain was the joint worst - it was hardly pale and worse still featured what I can only guess was crystal and caramalt, to mask the pale colours, and hide any vestige of hops. The twisted knots was better, mainly because it featured a decent line up of hops including Columbus citra and centennial (but also Dark Crystal malt), and the Bitter Iron IPA was the second joint worst, featuring as it did a more underwhelming hop load but crystal malt again. The best of the four was the Plunged orange pale ale which managed to hide some of the sweetness of the orange with Rakau and Mandarina hops, and also managed to avoid the temptation of using any type of crystal malt whatsoever.
The thing is, churning out hoppy pale ale in a factory is never going to hold the same appeal for me. And I have to admit that. And I also have to pay more for the beer that I like. Which means, funnily enough, that I also drink less beer than I used to (although its generally stronger, so am not trying to claim any health benefits).
I think the positive thing though, from this brief snapshot of supermarket own brand beers, is that things have really really improved in the last five years, and that this improvement has likely been started by the likes of Lidl and Aldi. Although am never going to seek them out, its good to know that I still have some beers to go to when funds run low.
Many thanks to WK for his generosity, and kudos where kudos is due, to the supermarkets mentioned for taking the time to work with brewers (identified, and sadly in secret) to produce decent beers at a knockdown price. Now, where's that can of Verdant and Equilibrium Keep Left....
Cheese
Wee Beefy
I apologise for using the c word in the title of this post. Its just that I thought entitling it Supermarket cancer or Supermarket c*nts may provoke something of the wrong reaction. Worse still, I could have entitled it Supermarket Christmas. Eeeurrgh. That makes me shudder....
Anyhoo, as am bereft of funds I popped t'asda to grab some essentials and a few cans of beer. Alas they had run out of Bass but Ringwqood Razorback was on offer at 95p for 500ml so I got two of them, and then I found some beer in the "craft" (whatever that is) section which was £1.25 a 330ml can for a 5.6% West Coast Pale ale from BadCo. I don't mind their output, although its not a go to brewery, so I bought a can and took it home. Its only when I looked at the can in detail I noticed it said on the front "Brewed exclusively for Asda".
I immediately feared crystal malt. Its not a pathological fear you understand, but it is valid. I can on rare occasions, even detect it in disappointing potations, and share a dislike of it with many in the drinking and brewing circles that I rotate in.
One thing I don't know is, why would anyone add it to a "craft" (whatever that is) beer? Is it cheaper than pale ale malts? Or does it just remind less up to date drinkers of mass produced golden ales? Looking down the ingredients the beer has a decent hop line up, summit, cascade (not sure if UK or US) and chinook, but in the malt list was Light Crystal. I feared the worst.
Light crystal may explain why the beer retained its pale colour - because I have found that other supermarket own brewed, i.e in secret, pale ales, are bitter coloured. Am not sure if crystal malt is to blame, but lets assume it is. And to be fair to BadCo the hops were prominent, and I could appreciate them. And this was better than Razorback, so all is fine.....
Back in August Wee keefy, horrified at my spending £6.00 a can on Verdant and Cloudwater soups, took me to his to enjoy some supermarket own brand "craft" (whatever that is) ales. I was assured that they cost as much for 4 cans as one of those ones that I wasted my money on did. The selection was laid on mainly to prove a point, and stimulate a blog post. Alas, no point was proven, except that they in some cases, tasted five times less good than Verdant beers. The interesting thing though, was the ingredients used.
Having got them from Aldi or Lidl or Rialto, which is a shop I have made up for vaguely alliterative reasons, the four tried were Red Rye captain pale ale, a 4.6% pale with "notes of caramel and toffee", Twisted knots, a 5.5% American IPA with " a grapefruit aroma" and notes of "citrus zesty fruits", Bitter Iron IPA at 5.4% and Plunged Orange pale ale at 6.0% which was "refreshing" and featured "tangy orange sweetness".
The red rye captain was the joint worst - it was hardly pale and worse still featured what I can only guess was crystal and caramalt, to mask the pale colours, and hide any vestige of hops. The twisted knots was better, mainly because it featured a decent line up of hops including Columbus citra and centennial (but also Dark Crystal malt), and the Bitter Iron IPA was the second joint worst, featuring as it did a more underwhelming hop load but crystal malt again. The best of the four was the Plunged orange pale ale which managed to hide some of the sweetness of the orange with Rakau and Mandarina hops, and also managed to avoid the temptation of using any type of crystal malt whatsoever.
The thing is, churning out hoppy pale ale in a factory is never going to hold the same appeal for me. And I have to admit that. And I also have to pay more for the beer that I like. Which means, funnily enough, that I also drink less beer than I used to (although its generally stronger, so am not trying to claim any health benefits).
I think the positive thing though, from this brief snapshot of supermarket own brand beers, is that things have really really improved in the last five years, and that this improvement has likely been started by the likes of Lidl and Aldi. Although am never going to seek them out, its good to know that I still have some beers to go to when funds run low.
Many thanks to WK for his generosity, and kudos where kudos is due, to the supermarkets mentioned for taking the time to work with brewers (identified, and sadly in secret) to produce decent beers at a knockdown price. Now, where's that can of Verdant and Equilibrium Keep Left....
Cheese
Wee Beefy
Saturday, 8 December 2018
Doing the Heeley run
Hullabalo,
last Sunday I went out with my dear friend Vikkie for a short tour of pubs starting on Derbyshire Lane before making our way towards Chesterfield Road and who knows where after. Here are some details of what happened on that wander...
I started the trip by paying to catch a Stagecoach because the Wirst bus never showed up - we were catching the 18 at 12.35 in town so I left home at 11.30 and made it with 5 minutes to spare. The 18 was late after changing drivers, and then the new driver forgot the route. Chaos from the dreadful Wirst bus as always, but we got there on time.
From a range of real ales at the Mount Pleasant, our first stop, we both had pints of the Sadlers Drop Hammer at 4.1%. This was refreshing and easy drinking starter which went down well. The Pleasant remains an excellent traditional boozer serving 5 real ales, with a lovely view from the bench out the front and a lovely unspoilt interior.
We walked down to the Cross Scythes next where Vikkie enjoyed a bottle of the Thornbridge Versa, wheat beer, and I had a pint of their Rattlesnake. Am not sure whether my tastebuds have changed since the staff at the Bath Hotel brewed this, or whether its another less hopped weaker version of formerly excellent Thornbridge beers - which ever it was it was pleasant but underwhelming. The Scythes was a little quiet, and was also the place where I spotted my first pub Christmas tree of 2018. Mutter mumble....
From here we walked down to Archer Road Beer Stop, now owned by Richard. We had planned to go to the Ale House but information on the internet, which is a person, told me it didn't open til 16.30 so we had to miss it out. We bought some cans, and had a quick chat with Richard, before heading off down the road to the Broadfield. Here I had a half of the Brew York Hazy IPA on keg, whilst Vikkie may have had half a sour. We sat outside as the pub was boiling, but it was also packed. The Brew York beer was excellent.
We passed Hop Hideout next - ironically the windows displayed only four letters, that spelling out Hope...and then went to the Gin Bar next door. This wasn't a planned stop but it was nice to pop in for a look, and to have to halves of a beer with Shed in the name, on keg.
By now it was dark and we walked along Broadfield Road to the bridge over the river to come out on London Road - and our next stop was at Pour next to the White Lion. Here I had an excellent 8.5% DIPA from True North on keg for something like £4.20 a pint? An excellent beer, and one which accompanied our food perfectly. We both had pizza - Vikkie had the green spicy one with extra olives and I the ham mushroom and olive one. The bases were likely hand made but the dough used made them so light and incredibly tasty, they were very much appreciated. Definitely reasons for a return visit
Our penultimate stop was in the White Lion next door where we spoke to Jon and settled down in the snug on the right with what was likely pints of Abduction - always a go to fave beer of mine, although had we been staying longer am sure we would have tried some of the others. The music in the White Lion was excellent as always.
As time was getting on we caught a taxi to our final pub, the Beer Engine. In here we had beers, served in glasses, which we drank using our mouths. The beers would have been brewed by breweries and would have had names. We also saw Adam and Lucienne, although I didn't recognise her, and me and Vikkie left them to it after drunkenly thinking he was on a hot date....
Vikkie left me here to finish my quantum of liquid, after which I popped over to the Albion for a finisher, which was a can of Lupoloid from that brewery. It was nice, but slightly reflective of a poor line up of ales on offer.
We managed to miss out Guzzle, the Ale House, Tramsheds, Brothers, Sheaf View and Jabeerwocky so we may revisit starting on Woodseats on a Saturday to get them all in - in the meantime, this was a fab wander around some fab pubs selling unequivocally fab beer.
Your very best health!
Wee Beefy
last Sunday I went out with my dear friend Vikkie for a short tour of pubs starting on Derbyshire Lane before making our way towards Chesterfield Road and who knows where after. Here are some details of what happened on that wander...
I started the trip by paying to catch a Stagecoach because the Wirst bus never showed up - we were catching the 18 at 12.35 in town so I left home at 11.30 and made it with 5 minutes to spare. The 18 was late after changing drivers, and then the new driver forgot the route. Chaos from the dreadful Wirst bus as always, but we got there on time.
From a range of real ales at the Mount Pleasant, our first stop, we both had pints of the Sadlers Drop Hammer at 4.1%. This was refreshing and easy drinking starter which went down well. The Pleasant remains an excellent traditional boozer serving 5 real ales, with a lovely view from the bench out the front and a lovely unspoilt interior.
We walked down to the Cross Scythes next where Vikkie enjoyed a bottle of the Thornbridge Versa, wheat beer, and I had a pint of their Rattlesnake. Am not sure whether my tastebuds have changed since the staff at the Bath Hotel brewed this, or whether its another less hopped weaker version of formerly excellent Thornbridge beers - which ever it was it was pleasant but underwhelming. The Scythes was a little quiet, and was also the place where I spotted my first pub Christmas tree of 2018. Mutter mumble....
From here we walked down to Archer Road Beer Stop, now owned by Richard. We had planned to go to the Ale House but information on the internet, which is a person, told me it didn't open til 16.30 so we had to miss it out. We bought some cans, and had a quick chat with Richard, before heading off down the road to the Broadfield. Here I had a half of the Brew York Hazy IPA on keg, whilst Vikkie may have had half a sour. We sat outside as the pub was boiling, but it was also packed. The Brew York beer was excellent.
We passed Hop Hideout next - ironically the windows displayed only four letters, that spelling out Hope...and then went to the Gin Bar next door. This wasn't a planned stop but it was nice to pop in for a look, and to have to halves of a beer with Shed in the name, on keg.
By now it was dark and we walked along Broadfield Road to the bridge over the river to come out on London Road - and our next stop was at Pour next to the White Lion. Here I had an excellent 8.5% DIPA from True North on keg for something like £4.20 a pint? An excellent beer, and one which accompanied our food perfectly. We both had pizza - Vikkie had the green spicy one with extra olives and I the ham mushroom and olive one. The bases were likely hand made but the dough used made them so light and incredibly tasty, they were very much appreciated. Definitely reasons for a return visit
Our penultimate stop was in the White Lion next door where we spoke to Jon and settled down in the snug on the right with what was likely pints of Abduction - always a go to fave beer of mine, although had we been staying longer am sure we would have tried some of the others. The music in the White Lion was excellent as always.
As time was getting on we caught a taxi to our final pub, the Beer Engine. In here we had beers, served in glasses, which we drank using our mouths. The beers would have been brewed by breweries and would have had names. We also saw Adam and Lucienne, although I didn't recognise her, and me and Vikkie left them to it after drunkenly thinking he was on a hot date....
Vikkie left me here to finish my quantum of liquid, after which I popped over to the Albion for a finisher, which was a can of Lupoloid from that brewery. It was nice, but slightly reflective of a poor line up of ales on offer.
We managed to miss out Guzzle, the Ale House, Tramsheds, Brothers, Sheaf View and Jabeerwocky so we may revisit starting on Woodseats on a Saturday to get them all in - in the meantime, this was a fab wander around some fab pubs selling unequivocally fab beer.
Your very best health!
Wee Beefy
Wednesday, 5 December 2018
Shakespeares Beer festival November 2018
Hellall,
one thing that makes me happy is a beer festival at Shakespeares, which is my second home. I mean, fair enough, a beer fest at mine would probably be better, especially if the beer was free, but its not, and this isn't where this took place.
I managed to cobble together sufficient funds to visit on Thursday night, the 29th of November. The unspeakable horror that is the day before pay day. I manged to purchase an excellent half of the Turning Point Soothsayer Cascade Pale on cask from the cellar, and went to join Ally and Malc, who as dark ale aficionados were already on with trying some of the more troublingly strong offerings from Atom and Imperial and Steel City. The Neutron Star, Rum Tiramisu and Rogue 3 offerings were very easy to eat. sorry, drink, but even just a taste of each a going to my legs.
I meanwhile was very kindly bought half a Kurios Oranj, a Mandarina hop, orange and oat IPA at 6.0% from North Brewery which was once again very easy drinking and not as sweet as it may sound. I then had a half of the Siren suspended in Citra which was excellent, followed by more Soothsayer and a half of Wilde Childe Adoption Process passionfruit IPA, now joined by Steve and Sonya.
I returned on Friday where I had more pints of the Soothsayer and two pints of the excellent North Brew Co Hallertau Blanc and Mosaic pale which was on excellent form, very refreshing and packed full of two types of hops that balanced the beer out perfectly. I also tried the Atom Pathfinder Mosaic pale at 4.5%, the Cloudwater AW18 DDH Pale at 5.5% (which may have been on "cask" or some such), as well as their excellent DIPA on keg, from the future.
I finished on pints of the excellent Almasty Breakfast IPA, Howling Hops Pale XX APA and North Riding Brew co Biotic Orb which was a 5.8% mango American pale, which sadly featured too much mango and too little bittering hop, but was still a nice sup.
Rodney said that he had enjoyed it but that there had been nothing that made him say "Wow" but I disagree - the North Pale, Turning Point Soothsayer and Almasty Breakfast IPA were all stunning beers which I had more than one of, and apart from the soilly taste in the Abbeydale plum sour I didn't try a bad beer all fest.
Well done once again to Adam, Chris, Nate and the rest of the team at my second home for making this another classic beer festival, and I look forward to visiting you once more before the unspeakable horror of harassment descends upon us, that being the C word.
Huzaah!
Wee Beefy
one thing that makes me happy is a beer festival at Shakespeares, which is my second home. I mean, fair enough, a beer fest at mine would probably be better, especially if the beer was free, but its not, and this isn't where this took place.
I managed to cobble together sufficient funds to visit on Thursday night, the 29th of November. The unspeakable horror that is the day before pay day. I manged to purchase an excellent half of the Turning Point Soothsayer Cascade Pale on cask from the cellar, and went to join Ally and Malc, who as dark ale aficionados were already on with trying some of the more troublingly strong offerings from Atom and Imperial and Steel City. The Neutron Star, Rum Tiramisu and Rogue 3 offerings were very easy to eat. sorry, drink, but even just a taste of each a going to my legs.
I meanwhile was very kindly bought half a Kurios Oranj, a Mandarina hop, orange and oat IPA at 6.0% from North Brewery which was once again very easy drinking and not as sweet as it may sound. I then had a half of the Siren suspended in Citra which was excellent, followed by more Soothsayer and a half of Wilde Childe Adoption Process passionfruit IPA, now joined by Steve and Sonya.
I returned on Friday where I had more pints of the Soothsayer and two pints of the excellent North Brew Co Hallertau Blanc and Mosaic pale which was on excellent form, very refreshing and packed full of two types of hops that balanced the beer out perfectly. I also tried the Atom Pathfinder Mosaic pale at 4.5%, the Cloudwater AW18 DDH Pale at 5.5% (which may have been on "cask" or some such), as well as their excellent DIPA on keg, from the future.
I finished on pints of the excellent Almasty Breakfast IPA, Howling Hops Pale XX APA and North Riding Brew co Biotic Orb which was a 5.8% mango American pale, which sadly featured too much mango and too little bittering hop, but was still a nice sup.
Rodney said that he had enjoyed it but that there had been nothing that made him say "Wow" but I disagree - the North Pale, Turning Point Soothsayer and Almasty Breakfast IPA were all stunning beers which I had more than one of, and apart from the soilly taste in the Abbeydale plum sour I didn't try a bad beer all fest.
Well done once again to Adam, Chris, Nate and the rest of the team at my second home for making this another classic beer festival, and I look forward to visiting you once more before the unspeakable horror of harassment descends upon us, that being the C word.
Huzaah!
Wee Beefy
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