Hellall,
apart from my Derbyshire based sojourn recently I really haven't been out as many times as normal. But this month I have at least tried some venues that are new to me, whilst also trying out some old faves from the past. Here are some memories of such visits that have somehow filtered through.......
Starting on the 30th July (just to undo my previous statement), and myself and my friend Mr G went out for a few boohars starting at the Nags Head at Stacey Bank. I first went for beer here when I recall it was still a Kimberley's pub when me and our lass were on a CAMRA pub of the month trip to none other than the Three Stags Heads at Wardlow Mires. The Three Stags was as always wonderful, but I don't recall being that impressed with the Nags. Nowadays it does a range of about six beers from Bradfield, sadly including their lower gravity and awful fruit nonsense, but noticably and crucially their excellent Farmers Pale and the Sixer. Once I had provided my details (I think....) I had two pints of the Pale and Mr G a beer shandy followed by a soft drink. We sat outside in the sunshine and chatted lengthily, enjoying our rural location. I then suggested we went somewhere new....
Using a mixture of knowledge and Nav suggestions we soon found our way out of Stannigton and it wasn't long before we dropped into Bakewell. We immediately found the Joiners Arms pub and parked in the yard outside. It was initially busy when we went in but soon quietened down and Mr G had a soft drink and I a pint of Abbeydale Heathen on keg from the future. Once we had acquired a seat at a table we relaxed and spent a good couple of hours in the pub on what was both our first visit's. We got chatting to the lass behind the bar, and found the atmosphere was enjoyable, and crucially they had installed an in one end out the other system along with markings on the floor to keep people apart. I went for a pint of the 6% Peak Ales IPA on Cask from the Past, and despite being surprised by it's high cost am well aware that Bakewell is an expensive place to rent - and of course, they had been shut for nearly 4 months so needed to recoup some costs. Overall this was a highly enjoyable first visit. And we still had time to be seated and table served at the excellent Shakespeares in Sheffield en route home, where I had beers, which had names, and everything......
Earlier this month I met up with the excellent Robert J Ward and his mate Mr Pickles in Bar Stewards before we headed for a pop up pub in Neepsend. I started on a pint of Abbeydale Heathen on cftp and then had a can of the excellent North Kveik IPA before we set off. Ace boohars as always here. After walking past the K.i.T and then the Ball Street Bridge bars and the Gardeners we eventually found Heist Craft Brewery's pop up bar set in a car park further along Neepsend lane. Sadly by the time we got there around 19.00 or so they had run out of much of their beers, sadly including their one featuring the wonderful Kveik, but their All Together beer industry IPA was still available in cans, so we had a can each of this whilst sat in the far corner watching people come and go, including a group of six who simply grabbed take out food from the burger van and escaped by taxi! Having never made it Heist's place in Clowne, am really looking forward to them opening their multi kegged tap room next door to the Gardeners in the next year.
Speaking of which, we couldn't get in the Gardeners as it was filled up so we wandered up the hill to the Forest for a pint each, somewhere elese I haven't been for a while. There were three Tool Makers ales on and I had a red one and the other two a pale before we got sat down in the back for a natter and a sup. Robert J Ward (for that is his name) had never been here before but quickly realised its a good friendly boozer.
From here the three of us sat in the Kelham Island Tavern in the back room, after a minor hassle getting in, where I was on a couple of pints of the Blue bee Confusion Black IPA which was delicious, as we thoroughly enjoyed our Yorkshire Day supping!
The last place I have been for the first time is the Early Bar on Crookes. I had heard a micropub had opened in the former butchers shop at the top of School Road just before lockdown but having closed on 20th March I was worried it may never open again. Luckily, owner Joe reopened quite soon in July and I have now been there twice, including stopping for a couple of pints with WK after our walk up Rushup edge and down into Edale. I was on pints of Abbeydale Orion on cftp, and a keg American IPA whose name sadly escapes me. Before we left we managed to get a seat on the tables outside and sat there watching the last of the day's sunshine. Here's hoping this place stays open and thrives as restrictions are slowly reduced.
The last two gasps from the past were the Old Queens Head, where I went on Friday and enjoyed half a bottle of wine along with three excellent pints of Abbeydale Orion once more - and I hear they are still doing their excellent Garlic soup so it's somewhere I intend to revisit. And the last was the recently reopened Three Tuns on Silver Street Head. My friend Peter Hudson had been in that day and had a pint of Old Peculier on cask for £3.00 a pint, and although it's not as good as it used to be I had a pint of that last night and it was excellent. The pub was busy and playing some excellent music and rumour has it that they may start serving food again so that is somewhere to keep an eye on!
Overall I have really enjoyed my pub visits, and am glad to see that all those visited have installed their own regulations and sensible restrictions in order to try and reduce the spread of Covid-19 whilst allowing safe supping.
Your very best of health!
Wee Beefy
Sunday, 16 August 2020
Thursday, 13 August 2020
DEYA
An unforseen future, nestled somewhere in time,
Unsuspecting victims no warnings, no signs,
Judgement day the second coming arrives,
Before you see the light, you must die!
Ah, whoops. Have got DEYA, a Cheltenham based brewery, mixed up with Tom Araya's excellent thrash master's Slayer. Soz....
Back to boohar, and over Loockdown, and largely via my chums at Bar Stewards, DEYA have produced some of the frankly finest pints. Prior to writing this I had a quick check of my previous posts and noticed that in 2018 and onwards I had already recognised the excellent quality of their soups - and had written about it a number of times previously, thereby proving me right. Tonight I had the first of three cans of theirs which I picked up from Bar Stewards, and found it unsurprisingly excellent.......
Over the past four months their Steady Rolling Man, an excellent 5.2% IPA, is probably the beer, of many, that I have drunk most often. Its a great quality, vegan friendly, unfiltered and unpasteurised IPA which drinks like babbeh milk with an excellent hoppiness in the background. This was well received and enjoyed, and in fact most of their best beers have been 5.2 - 6.9%, but they did also do a fabulous DIPA collab with Left Handed Giant in Brizzle. Despite some disappointing brown colours this once again was excellent.
One of the things I like about DEYA is that as well as them producing big cans, therefore supplying a whole and wholly enjoyable 500ml, they also state that the beer was produced "in our house style". Am well aware that this is neither a soul changing nor spine snapping revelation, but I do think it perfectly sums up their output. Tonight I enjoyed a 6.5% "Glue IPA" and it was outstanding. Perfectly pale, utterly clouded, hoppy and fruity in the aftertaste and displaying an excellent overall mouth feel. Although it sadly does not list the HOPS used, it's noticable that they are of good quality, perfectly balanced, and the overall taste is so good that I can forgive that lack of information.
Have never had chance to travel down to Cheltenham to pop into, as well as what I hear are some excellent pubs, their brewery tap. It is however something that I would love to do. Not least because, its actually very rare to find a brewery whose every output you desire, simultaneously doesn't disappoint. and which leaves you craving some more....
So although this is a short post I would like to thank DEYA for their marvelous output, and to hope to see then in keg or can, or who knows, perhaps even Cask from the Past, at sometime soon.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Unsuspecting victims no warnings, no signs,
Judgement day the second coming arrives,
Before you see the light, you must die!
Ah, whoops. Have got DEYA, a Cheltenham based brewery, mixed up with Tom Araya's excellent thrash master's Slayer. Soz....
Back to boohar, and over Loockdown, and largely via my chums at Bar Stewards, DEYA have produced some of the frankly finest pints. Prior to writing this I had a quick check of my previous posts and noticed that in 2018 and onwards I had already recognised the excellent quality of their soups - and had written about it a number of times previously, thereby proving me right. Tonight I had the first of three cans of theirs which I picked up from Bar Stewards, and found it unsurprisingly excellent.......
Over the past four months their Steady Rolling Man, an excellent 5.2% IPA, is probably the beer, of many, that I have drunk most often. Its a great quality, vegan friendly, unfiltered and unpasteurised IPA which drinks like babbeh milk with an excellent hoppiness in the background. This was well received and enjoyed, and in fact most of their best beers have been 5.2 - 6.9%, but they did also do a fabulous DIPA collab with Left Handed Giant in Brizzle. Despite some disappointing brown colours this once again was excellent.
One of the things I like about DEYA is that as well as them producing big cans, therefore supplying a whole and wholly enjoyable 500ml, they also state that the beer was produced "in our house style". Am well aware that this is neither a soul changing nor spine snapping revelation, but I do think it perfectly sums up their output. Tonight I enjoyed a 6.5% "Glue IPA" and it was outstanding. Perfectly pale, utterly clouded, hoppy and fruity in the aftertaste and displaying an excellent overall mouth feel. Although it sadly does not list the HOPS used, it's noticable that they are of good quality, perfectly balanced, and the overall taste is so good that I can forgive that lack of information.
Have never had chance to travel down to Cheltenham to pop into, as well as what I hear are some excellent pubs, their brewery tap. It is however something that I would love to do. Not least because, its actually very rare to find a brewery whose every output you desire, simultaneously doesn't disappoint. and which leaves you craving some more....
So although this is a short post I would like to thank DEYA for their marvelous output, and to hope to see then in keg or can, or who knows, perhaps even Cask from the Past, at sometime soon.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Sunday, 9 August 2020
One fine summer's day....
Hello,
I have gotten on to the old version of Blogger because the new version, which am guessing they consider is the future, will not allow me to write anything below the red line underneath the title. Apparently I can only use this version for a further few weeks so this maybe one of my last posts. Unless I can somehow change to blogging on my ultra modern laptop in future, which should work....
So a couple of weeks ago a friend and I decided we would like to go on a days tour of pubs in far away Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Having previously done some of the route, and also checked up with every possible venue that they were still open, we set off around 11.00 on Friday. Having got to Chezvegas, and used the satnav (sorry) to find a quicker route to the road past Walton Hospital, which we did, we headed over the Two Dales Road into Darley Dale and soon enough having viewed the delights of Wensley and the mad road up through Winster we arrived at the Miners Standard at the top of the village. Have not been in for a while but they had a range of four real ales on, or rather three plus Greedy King, including two from Aldwark Artisan Ales. I had a pint of their Pale IPA at 4.8%. It was delicious, especially sat outside in the hot sunshine.
From here we drove over Bonsall Moor and then into Upper Town of Bonsall, before taking that mad road near the bus stop to the corner near the footpath to Ible, in the Dale. Sadly we had already found out that the excellent Barley Mow would be closed but it was worth showing my friend Bonsall, the Barley Mow and the absurd road. From here we headed up to Grangemill and then over the moors and through the woods to the turning of the A515 down to Milldale and then up to Stanhope and then in the glorious sunshine to Ilam, up to Throwley (including opening a gate en route) before heading down to Waterhouses and then up to our next stop in Waterfall, the Red Lion.
Four cask ales again, including the excellent Bass plus a few others, with me starting on Wainwrights before having another pint, this time of Bass. Sat outside in the hot sunshine we could very easily have stayed here all day - the place, beer and atmosphere was excellent. Instead we headed off for Leek, and parked nearly outside the Hideout.
First visit for me, and we once again sat outside overlooking the square in very hot sunshine - they usually have two casks and ten Kegs from the future but were sadly down only to five kegs - despite this I bought myself a whole pint of Drop Project DIPA at just 8%, which I supped outside in the sun with my mate who was on soft drinks, both wanting a snack. Love the Hideout as I do (it was ace) I would rather have purchased some crisps from them, so after just one pint we headed off (and I will return) using satnav (and very effectively) to find the turn for Onecote.
The Jervis Arms is somewhere have not been for a while - last time they had about five different cask ales as well as food. Now, although we enjoyed our tipples, its basically just a restaurant that serves bowze. We had much needed crisps each with what for me was an OK pint of Taylors.
Further up the road and off we made what for me, unless I popped in with WF when I was a child, was my first visit to the Black Lion at Butterton. We sat out the back in the last of the sunshine and my friend chose a half of Bass and I a rather tired but definitely not off pint of Storm - (which the barman warned me was near it's end) am guessing Silk of Amnesia, but am not sure. All was well organised and the pub was busy, and am sure it's somewhere we would consider visiting again.
Our final stop was an old favourite,the Pack Horse at Crowdecote. Again all was well organised, and we stood waiting at the bottom entrance to get to the bar - there were four beers on and I have to admit as with usual trecks, am not sure what it was that I had, but it was delicious. We sat up at the back in the Beer garden and awaited our scran and it was well cooked when it arrived, although am not sure my mate loved his burger. It was a shame not to see the usual landlord but am guessing he may have been off - either way this remained an excellent finisher.
We went back via Monyash listening to excellent Cathedral which I rather worryingly sang along to, and by 22.30 I was back home and safe. Thanks once again to my wonderful friend for an absolutely fabulous day out, and also to the different pubs visited for their speed and kindness in responding so quickly to our requests for info. Your very best of health.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
I have gotten on to the old version of Blogger because the new version, which am guessing they consider is the future, will not allow me to write anything below the red line underneath the title. Apparently I can only use this version for a further few weeks so this maybe one of my last posts. Unless I can somehow change to blogging on my ultra modern laptop in future, which should work....
So a couple of weeks ago a friend and I decided we would like to go on a days tour of pubs in far away Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Having previously done some of the route, and also checked up with every possible venue that they were still open, we set off around 11.00 on Friday. Having got to Chezvegas, and used the satnav (sorry) to find a quicker route to the road past Walton Hospital, which we did, we headed over the Two Dales Road into Darley Dale and soon enough having viewed the delights of Wensley and the mad road up through Winster we arrived at the Miners Standard at the top of the village. Have not been in for a while but they had a range of four real ales on, or rather three plus Greedy King, including two from Aldwark Artisan Ales. I had a pint of their Pale IPA at 4.8%. It was delicious, especially sat outside in the hot sunshine.
From here we drove over Bonsall Moor and then into Upper Town of Bonsall, before taking that mad road near the bus stop to the corner near the footpath to Ible, in the Dale. Sadly we had already found out that the excellent Barley Mow would be closed but it was worth showing my friend Bonsall, the Barley Mow and the absurd road. From here we headed up to Grangemill and then over the moors and through the woods to the turning of the A515 down to Milldale and then up to Stanhope and then in the glorious sunshine to Ilam, up to Throwley (including opening a gate en route) before heading down to Waterhouses and then up to our next stop in Waterfall, the Red Lion.
Four cask ales again, including the excellent Bass plus a few others, with me starting on Wainwrights before having another pint, this time of Bass. Sat outside in the hot sunshine we could very easily have stayed here all day - the place, beer and atmosphere was excellent. Instead we headed off for Leek, and parked nearly outside the Hideout.
First visit for me, and we once again sat outside overlooking the square in very hot sunshine - they usually have two casks and ten Kegs from the future but were sadly down only to five kegs - despite this I bought myself a whole pint of Drop Project DIPA at just 8%, which I supped outside in the sun with my mate who was on soft drinks, both wanting a snack. Love the Hideout as I do (it was ace) I would rather have purchased some crisps from them, so after just one pint we headed off (and I will return) using satnav (and very effectively) to find the turn for Onecote.
The Jervis Arms is somewhere have not been for a while - last time they had about five different cask ales as well as food. Now, although we enjoyed our tipples, its basically just a restaurant that serves bowze. We had much needed crisps each with what for me was an OK pint of Taylors.
Further up the road and off we made what for me, unless I popped in with WF when I was a child, was my first visit to the Black Lion at Butterton. We sat out the back in the last of the sunshine and my friend chose a half of Bass and I a rather tired but definitely not off pint of Storm - (which the barman warned me was near it's end) am guessing Silk of Amnesia, but am not sure. All was well organised and the pub was busy, and am sure it's somewhere we would consider visiting again.
Our final stop was an old favourite,the Pack Horse at Crowdecote. Again all was well organised, and we stood waiting at the bottom entrance to get to the bar - there were four beers on and I have to admit as with usual trecks, am not sure what it was that I had, but it was delicious. We sat up at the back in the Beer garden and awaited our scran and it was well cooked when it arrived, although am not sure my mate loved his burger. It was a shame not to see the usual landlord but am guessing he may have been off - either way this remained an excellent finisher.
We went back via Monyash listening to excellent Cathedral which I rather worryingly sang along to, and by 22.30 I was back home and safe. Thanks once again to my wonderful friend for an absolutely fabulous day out, and also to the different pubs visited for their speed and kindness in responding so quickly to our requests for info. Your very best of health.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Monday, 13 July 2020
Verdant back on track....
Hello,
quite a few years ago now I purchased a can of Pulp by Verdant from Beer Central in Sheffield. I loved it - despite it's far away origins down in Cornwall the beer was fabulously fruity and hoppy and well balanced - I may even recall that it used London Fog yeast, a strain which I believe leads to a particular quality of cloudiness. Soon after I tried some of their Maybe One More PSI, which was fantastic, along with some "I played Bass on that tune" on keg, which was similarly excellent. I also tried their Even Sharks need water DIPA. Once again the quality was there - simultaneously fruity and citrussy but with excellently balanced hoppiness. Both Sharks and Pulp became strong favourites of mine, and remain so, but at the start of lockdown I purchased a few other of their beers and.....I became somewhat, underwhelmed......
In line with almost all my posts I must admit that I have sadly not kept a record of the names of those psrticular beers, but I can confirm that the strength, often a feature of my faves, was not the issue. Perhaps it could be a reflection of the incredibly wide selection of other beers, not least the excellent output of both North Brewing and Wylam, that made them promise more than that background could deliver. I should also point out that I very rarely keep even my favourite cans these days, which forms part of an excuse for not recalling the brews in question.
In my latest delivery I got another can each of my two favourites along with a DIPA called Pavement Licker. Am aware that purchasing a can from a range based on name alone is not acceptable, but it was a DIPA and also similarly named to Window Licker, an excellent track by Aphex Twin. On opening it the other night, I straight away recognised a high quality and notably hoppy balanced brew. It was delicious.
Now I realise that I have probably said before that I perhaps love hops too much, and also pointed out that my starting strength is usually 6% or thereabouts, which perhaps explains my love of DIPAs. And I have to admit that I was very impressed with the ingredients listed - not least the ever more enjoyable Sabro, along with Ekuanot, Amarillo, Galaxy, Simcoe and Idaho 7. I had always previously thought that Verdant beers used two or three hops maximum so this alone was surprising. And it could be that lengthy list that provided some truly excellent hoppy taste, sat at the back of the flavour, atop their renowned balance.
For info, Pavement Licker is, incidentally, an underground art magazine - to be fair the can and their website states "zine" but as the oldest man on earth I have to insist on using the older descriptor. There's a link here
to their website featuring information on the artist of the image on the can front and the folks who set up the undertaking. Well worth a look I have to say.
So although I am a bit short on further details of the beer (which I possibly imagined used London Fog yeast now I have looked into it) I am however happy to confirm that in my opinion this latest Verdant brew suggests an increase in the quality of their previously excellent output, which promises much for the future. Lets hope I can get hold of another can soon to enjoy.
Meanwhile, your very good health!
Wee Beefy
quite a few years ago now I purchased a can of Pulp by Verdant from Beer Central in Sheffield. I loved it - despite it's far away origins down in Cornwall the beer was fabulously fruity and hoppy and well balanced - I may even recall that it used London Fog yeast, a strain which I believe leads to a particular quality of cloudiness. Soon after I tried some of their Maybe One More PSI, which was fantastic, along with some "I played Bass on that tune" on keg, which was similarly excellent. I also tried their Even Sharks need water DIPA. Once again the quality was there - simultaneously fruity and citrussy but with excellently balanced hoppiness. Both Sharks and Pulp became strong favourites of mine, and remain so, but at the start of lockdown I purchased a few other of their beers and.....I became somewhat, underwhelmed......
In line with almost all my posts I must admit that I have sadly not kept a record of the names of those psrticular beers, but I can confirm that the strength, often a feature of my faves, was not the issue. Perhaps it could be a reflection of the incredibly wide selection of other beers, not least the excellent output of both North Brewing and Wylam, that made them promise more than that background could deliver. I should also point out that I very rarely keep even my favourite cans these days, which forms part of an excuse for not recalling the brews in question.
In my latest delivery I got another can each of my two favourites along with a DIPA called Pavement Licker. Am aware that purchasing a can from a range based on name alone is not acceptable, but it was a DIPA and also similarly named to Window Licker, an excellent track by Aphex Twin. On opening it the other night, I straight away recognised a high quality and notably hoppy balanced brew. It was delicious.
Now I realise that I have probably said before that I perhaps love hops too much, and also pointed out that my starting strength is usually 6% or thereabouts, which perhaps explains my love of DIPAs. And I have to admit that I was very impressed with the ingredients listed - not least the ever more enjoyable Sabro, along with Ekuanot, Amarillo, Galaxy, Simcoe and Idaho 7. I had always previously thought that Verdant beers used two or three hops maximum so this alone was surprising. And it could be that lengthy list that provided some truly excellent hoppy taste, sat at the back of the flavour, atop their renowned balance.
For info, Pavement Licker is, incidentally, an underground art magazine - to be fair the can and their website states "zine" but as the oldest man on earth I have to insist on using the older descriptor. There's a link here
to their website featuring information on the artist of the image on the can front and the folks who set up the undertaking. Well worth a look I have to say.
So although I am a bit short on further details of the beer (which I possibly imagined used London Fog yeast now I have looked into it) I am however happy to confirm that in my opinion this latest Verdant brew suggests an increase in the quality of their previously excellent output, which promises much for the future. Lets hope I can get hold of another can soon to enjoy.
Meanwhile, your very good health!
Wee Beefy
Thursday, 9 July 2020
Libations during Lockdown
Hellall,
am not going to tell you about each one of the cans and bottles I have consumed whilst self isolating, as I am aware that I have already mentioned a few. I wanted instead to focus on the Fourth of July here in England, a date on which, for the most part, every public house in England which met the stringent arrangements and requirements set out poorly by the government, could once again open their doors. I would be interested to know how your own independent experiences were, dear readers - I heard a lot of talk of misbehaviour and trouble and other details of rambunctiousness in areas such as West Street in Sheffield, a place where one might go if desiring a mob rule, slavvering sump of stupidity, but also that behaviour across Sheffield had mostly been quite good. Here is what I encountered......
So whilst not celebrating independence day from 1776 in the US, I left the house about 14.15 and got straight on a bus to town. Having seen my friend JB starting his day at the Tap House on Alma Street, and realising it was near the two people whom I was meeting later, I went in there first of all. It appears that sending a text message to a new number is neither my quickest or most enjoyable practice, but once done, and inside, I viewed the cask from the past on the bar and decided to sit outside. After a small niggle with the cash machine requiring the whole card number of my non contactless card to pay, I started on a pint of Elland 1872 porter. It was perfectly served, and very tasty - and 6.5%. Nearly finished, I spotted Matty whom had spoken to Diane at the Fat Cat earlier, so I decided to nip in there next, not least because I have known her since 1994. The Tap House is an interesting venue - although they did serve a range of basic keg beers they did state that they were going to concentrate on cask. There was a choice of about five, and on this basis they were well kept. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
I had to sign into a book to get in the Fat Cat - and saw a man I have known for years called Ian, as well as JB. I chose a hoppy pale from somewhere in London which has sadly escaped me, and went and sat at a table by myself in the beer garden. After a quick chat with Diane and a trip to the obviatorium I quickly left, meeting up with Vikkie and Matt outside and heading to a private do at Bar Stewards.....
So far behaviours had been excellent and this proved to be a feature here, and of the rest of the night. People had reserved seating and were served until 19.00 on tables outside. I started on a can of the excellent Festoon NEIPA from the excellent St Mars of the Desert, featuring grapefruit zest and excellent hops. I then moved onto a marvelous can of Chione from Alpha Delta in faraway Newcastle. It was about 7% and described as a Kveik IPA. It was cloudy yellow and absolutely delicious. As well as finally getting to meet the excellent Robert J Ward, and of course of seeing many regulars and the wonderful Al and Charlie, the main highlight of the three hours was the excellent range of beers. Next up was a can of the excellent Northern Monk OFS004, a Kveik DDH DIPA - and this was amazing. After a can of Pressure Drop Tambourine Mountain sour however my memories became unclear.....I know I ended up with tea at Vikkie and Matt's and slept there. It was then time to go out again......
Sunday I awoke with a sore neck - and a not that good head - and had a few cups of tea and an egg sandwich before we all headed out for a walk after midday to Gaard coffee hide. Due to their small size once ordered we had to sit outside, but the coffee I had - and the excellent sausage roll, were very enjoyable in the bright hot sunshine in their yard. I also saw and forgot the name of Matijas Kapstien, a name I still cannot properly spell. Finishing our treats we headed to the Gardeners Rest. Matty had been on IPAs the day before and wasn't feeling up to more beer but Vikkie joined me for a half and me a pint of 4.6% West Coast Pale ale. Sat in the beer garden having filled in a form with our details, there were a few others present, and after Vikkie had gone I got chatting to an older couple from Harthill along with a man from Hillsborough who may have been called John, and a youngster from Ull who may have been called Matty.....
Several pints of this and an Empire something beast 5% pale ale were had, along with pickled eggs from the past, before I attempted a frustrating and incredible long winded trip home on the Stagecoach 52 - a very unsatisfactory and expensive undertaking.
Finally, yesterday I traveled up to Crookes after meeting up with Mumraah, and had a couple of beers - the first was a pint of Deception from a reduced range at the otherwise ace Ball Inn, where I once again had to text my details, and the second was a half of a strong pale on keg from Shindigger in Manchester I think, at the never previously visited Early Bar at the top of School road. It was a lovely place to pop in for a quick half and very friendly - given that they initially opened about two weeks before lockdown forced them to close, I would hope that their reopening creates a surge in much needed trade and profit.
Once in town by the altered 52 route I walked to the Crow Inn on Scotland Street and started on a pint of North Tunnels of La West Coast IPA and then a half of the excellent Verdant pulp DIPA on keg from a choice of 7 or 8 keg and three hand pulled. Alas I had to quickly run to the nearest cash machine to pay for both as their new, and soon to be replaced, card reader, would not accept non contactless payments - this, and the rip off no change on a Stenchcrotch earlier in the month makes me think I may need to ask for a contactless card.....
I met up with good mate Robert J Ward and he had amongst other things a half of the 11% barrel aged sour which was immense, whilst I opted for a half of saison at 5% or thereabouts. Chatting to Ian and vicky (not certain if this is her correct spelling, but to point out hat it was not Vikkie) I also managed to get a pint of Atom stout at a similar strength on cask. We then all left for the Kelham Island Tavern and the wonderful Ed was working and saw us out to covered seating in the garden. Am fairly certain I started on North and finished with two separate halves of the excellent Buxton at 6.8%. A fabulous day of supping in all four venues.
Overall I have really enjoyed my experiences in the recently reopened pubs in fine sunny Sheffield. There were a few loud people leaving the Kelham later but overall behaviour and keeping within the rules has been perfect throughout. Lets hope that this continues as more and more pubs manage to reopen their doors whilst the awful pandemic lingers on.
Your very good health
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
am not going to tell you about each one of the cans and bottles I have consumed whilst self isolating, as I am aware that I have already mentioned a few. I wanted instead to focus on the Fourth of July here in England, a date on which, for the most part, every public house in England which met the stringent arrangements and requirements set out poorly by the government, could once again open their doors. I would be interested to know how your own independent experiences were, dear readers - I heard a lot of talk of misbehaviour and trouble and other details of rambunctiousness in areas such as West Street in Sheffield, a place where one might go if desiring a mob rule, slavvering sump of stupidity, but also that behaviour across Sheffield had mostly been quite good. Here is what I encountered......
So whilst not celebrating independence day from 1776 in the US, I left the house about 14.15 and got straight on a bus to town. Having seen my friend JB starting his day at the Tap House on Alma Street, and realising it was near the two people whom I was meeting later, I went in there first of all. It appears that sending a text message to a new number is neither my quickest or most enjoyable practice, but once done, and inside, I viewed the cask from the past on the bar and decided to sit outside. After a small niggle with the cash machine requiring the whole card number of my non contactless card to pay, I started on a pint of Elland 1872 porter. It was perfectly served, and very tasty - and 6.5%. Nearly finished, I spotted Matty whom had spoken to Diane at the Fat Cat earlier, so I decided to nip in there next, not least because I have known her since 1994. The Tap House is an interesting venue - although they did serve a range of basic keg beers they did state that they were going to concentrate on cask. There was a choice of about five, and on this basis they were well kept. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
I had to sign into a book to get in the Fat Cat - and saw a man I have known for years called Ian, as well as JB. I chose a hoppy pale from somewhere in London which has sadly escaped me, and went and sat at a table by myself in the beer garden. After a quick chat with Diane and a trip to the obviatorium I quickly left, meeting up with Vikkie and Matt outside and heading to a private do at Bar Stewards.....
So far behaviours had been excellent and this proved to be a feature here, and of the rest of the night. People had reserved seating and were served until 19.00 on tables outside. I started on a can of the excellent Festoon NEIPA from the excellent St Mars of the Desert, featuring grapefruit zest and excellent hops. I then moved onto a marvelous can of Chione from Alpha Delta in faraway Newcastle. It was about 7% and described as a Kveik IPA. It was cloudy yellow and absolutely delicious. As well as finally getting to meet the excellent Robert J Ward, and of course of seeing many regulars and the wonderful Al and Charlie, the main highlight of the three hours was the excellent range of beers. Next up was a can of the excellent Northern Monk OFS004, a Kveik DDH DIPA - and this was amazing. After a can of Pressure Drop Tambourine Mountain sour however my memories became unclear.....I know I ended up with tea at Vikkie and Matt's and slept there. It was then time to go out again......
Sunday I awoke with a sore neck - and a not that good head - and had a few cups of tea and an egg sandwich before we all headed out for a walk after midday to Gaard coffee hide. Due to their small size once ordered we had to sit outside, but the coffee I had - and the excellent sausage roll, were very enjoyable in the bright hot sunshine in their yard. I also saw and forgot the name of Matijas Kapstien, a name I still cannot properly spell. Finishing our treats we headed to the Gardeners Rest. Matty had been on IPAs the day before and wasn't feeling up to more beer but Vikkie joined me for a half and me a pint of 4.6% West Coast Pale ale. Sat in the beer garden having filled in a form with our details, there were a few others present, and after Vikkie had gone I got chatting to an older couple from Harthill along with a man from Hillsborough who may have been called John, and a youngster from Ull who may have been called Matty.....
Several pints of this and an Empire something beast 5% pale ale were had, along with pickled eggs from the past, before I attempted a frustrating and incredible long winded trip home on the Stagecoach 52 - a very unsatisfactory and expensive undertaking.
Finally, yesterday I traveled up to Crookes after meeting up with Mumraah, and had a couple of beers - the first was a pint of Deception from a reduced range at the otherwise ace Ball Inn, where I once again had to text my details, and the second was a half of a strong pale on keg from Shindigger in Manchester I think, at the never previously visited Early Bar at the top of School road. It was a lovely place to pop in for a quick half and very friendly - given that they initially opened about two weeks before lockdown forced them to close, I would hope that their reopening creates a surge in much needed trade and profit.
Once in town by the altered 52 route I walked to the Crow Inn on Scotland Street and started on a pint of North Tunnels of La West Coast IPA and then a half of the excellent Verdant pulp DIPA on keg from a choice of 7 or 8 keg and three hand pulled. Alas I had to quickly run to the nearest cash machine to pay for both as their new, and soon to be replaced, card reader, would not accept non contactless payments - this, and the rip off no change on a Stenchcrotch earlier in the month makes me think I may need to ask for a contactless card.....
I met up with good mate Robert J Ward and he had amongst other things a half of the 11% barrel aged sour which was immense, whilst I opted for a half of saison at 5% or thereabouts. Chatting to Ian and vicky (not certain if this is her correct spelling, but to point out hat it was not Vikkie) I also managed to get a pint of Atom stout at a similar strength on cask. We then all left for the Kelham Island Tavern and the wonderful Ed was working and saw us out to covered seating in the garden. Am fairly certain I started on North and finished with two separate halves of the excellent Buxton at 6.8%. A fabulous day of supping in all four venues.
Overall I have really enjoyed my experiences in the recently reopened pubs in fine sunny Sheffield. There were a few loud people leaving the Kelham later but overall behaviour and keeping within the rules has been perfect throughout. Lets hope that this continues as more and more pubs manage to reopen their doors whilst the awful pandemic lingers on.
Your very good health
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Monday, 29 June 2020
Pomona Island Brew Co
Afternooo.
a few years ago I first tasted some Pomona Island on cask from the past. I had never heard of them before and didn't know where they came from apart from "somewhere near Manchester" as an informant told me. I noticed that my friend Martin who runs the Grocers Micropub in Cadishead in Salford was starting to have their beers on regularly, and he confirmed that, as am sure I would know if lived in Salford, this was where they were from - am fairly confident that Pomona Island is an area of Salford, and everything.....
Doing a modicum of checks before today's espousal I found not only their website here - about cans.... but also that they were originally set up by two chaps called Nick and Ryan, whom started the excellent Gas Lamp bar just over the river in Manchester, along with Gaz from Marble and James from Tempest Brewery. Since I have always liked Marble and Tempest output, and also the Gas Lamp bar, its perhaps unsurprising that I found that I liked their beers. But I have to pay tribute to the excellent balance and quality of their brews.
Today am on a can of their My Toe Hurts Betty, a 5.6% starter Pale ale double dry hopped with Cyro Mosaic, Bru-1 and Amarillo. Regular readers aware of my quite worrying level of hopsession may assume this is a hop fest of overwhelming bitterness, but as I said, their beers are so balanced that this isn't the case. The beer is gloriously orangey, fruity, bitter, hoppy, and oaty. And reflecting another regular feature - it is also very easy to sup.
Earlier in the month I also tried a can of their TIPA at 10% called An Overwhelming Surplus of Diggity. Am always a little concerned that I may be underwhelmed by a TIPA since the extra hops and alcohol may create an unwanted sweetness that overrides, but although there was sweet fruitiness in the flavour the brew was once again balanced for that kind of strength, and wonderfully palatable.
They continue to produce beers in both cask and keg and also occasionally in bottles and regularly in the future of beers which is in can. I often like to start my sessions in Shakespeares on a pint of cask Pomona if its on, especially their delectable APA or indeed anything they have thus far produced. They have a core range of five casks (details also available on their website) but am certain their overall range is extended in all formats - usefully their website states that many listed beers are one offs and not always produced but which may be produced again. Last night I enjoyed their Style Control Damage Aggression which was a delicious 6.5% IPA which finished my night's supping off perfectly. And one of the many advantages of buying beer from four or more different suppliers is that its often possible to go back to beers that I have really enjoyed.
Thus far that description applies to everything I have tried by Pomona island Brew Co. Long may their excellence continue.
Your very best of health
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
a few years ago I first tasted some Pomona Island on cask from the past. I had never heard of them before and didn't know where they came from apart from "somewhere near Manchester" as an informant told me. I noticed that my friend Martin who runs the Grocers Micropub in Cadishead in Salford was starting to have their beers on regularly, and he confirmed that, as am sure I would know if lived in Salford, this was where they were from - am fairly confident that Pomona Island is an area of Salford, and everything.....
Doing a modicum of checks before today's espousal I found not only their website here - about cans.... but also that they were originally set up by two chaps called Nick and Ryan, whom started the excellent Gas Lamp bar just over the river in Manchester, along with Gaz from Marble and James from Tempest Brewery. Since I have always liked Marble and Tempest output, and also the Gas Lamp bar, its perhaps unsurprising that I found that I liked their beers. But I have to pay tribute to the excellent balance and quality of their brews.
Today am on a can of their My Toe Hurts Betty, a 5.6% starter Pale ale double dry hopped with Cyro Mosaic, Bru-1 and Amarillo. Regular readers aware of my quite worrying level of hopsession may assume this is a hop fest of overwhelming bitterness, but as I said, their beers are so balanced that this isn't the case. The beer is gloriously orangey, fruity, bitter, hoppy, and oaty. And reflecting another regular feature - it is also very easy to sup.
Earlier in the month I also tried a can of their TIPA at 10% called An Overwhelming Surplus of Diggity. Am always a little concerned that I may be underwhelmed by a TIPA since the extra hops and alcohol may create an unwanted sweetness that overrides, but although there was sweet fruitiness in the flavour the brew was once again balanced for that kind of strength, and wonderfully palatable.
They continue to produce beers in both cask and keg and also occasionally in bottles and regularly in the future of beers which is in can. I often like to start my sessions in Shakespeares on a pint of cask Pomona if its on, especially their delectable APA or indeed anything they have thus far produced. They have a core range of five casks (details also available on their website) but am certain their overall range is extended in all formats - usefully their website states that many listed beers are one offs and not always produced but which may be produced again. Last night I enjoyed their Style Control Damage Aggression which was a delicious 6.5% IPA which finished my night's supping off perfectly. And one of the many advantages of buying beer from four or more different suppliers is that its often possible to go back to beers that I have really enjoyed.
Thus far that description applies to everything I have tried by Pomona island Brew Co. Long may their excellence continue.
Your very best of health
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Saturday, 27 June 2020
Brettanarchist
Hellall,
the wonderful Vikkie bought me, amongst other delights, a large bottle of beer for my birthday. I was intending to share it with Davefromtshop when he came over on the day itself, and he did say he liked "Brett" beers because they weren't resultantly, if perhaps otherwise, sour, but in the end we didn't try it. I opened it whilst sat in the baking sunshine on Friday, leaving a small amount for Matty to try yesterday, and it was good enough to warrant a post.....
The beer in question was, as the title informs, Brettanarchist, and as the label suggests, it was a Triple IPA dry hopped with Citra, aged in a Foeder and fermented 100% in Brettanomyces. It was a mere 12% and I kept it in the fridge for over a week before opening. It was produced by the Overworks wing of BrewDog, and when I called Vikkie on Thursday to thank her once again for the presents, especially this, she advised that she had encountered different experiences of the Overworks output. As a fan of sour beers she had found one or two of them underwhelming, but I was happy to assure her that this did not disappoint. And myself and Matty had tried a couple of their sours - both Raspberry, earlier in the week, and had found them excellent.
Its worth pointing out that Brettanomyce is a type of yeast, non spore forming, in the family of saccharomycetaceae, also known as Brett and sometimes as Dekkera. I mean, that's what it says on the tinterweb at least.....
I first came across it in references to the previous excellence of a similarly strong London stout called Imperial Russian Stout by Courage. I know they re-brewed it in 2013 or 2014 but am fairly sure they, or indeed anybody else, haven't done since or for many years prior. When I first worked at Archer Road Beer Stop in the 1990s, bottles of the same at 10% or thereabouts were £1.25 each. Apart from buying a bottle of the rerelease, this time by the huge brewery which was Youngs, the last time I bought it was in a pub down a long single track lane in kent which had some fairly old bottles still for sale in the noughties.
The thing I immediately liked about the Brettanarchist was its lack of sweetness despite its rather high strength. And the first taste showed a good amount of wonderful hops in the background, not necessarily the Citra but a mixture holding its own either way. Having only tried one bretted pale previously, possibly by Welbeck Abbey, I didn't think it worked as an additional flavour, but this was not the case. And sat outside in the 28 degrees of sunshine I have to say I found it worryingly easy to drink - and had been on squash for three hours prior so it wasn't thirst....
Interestingly the aroma had a lingering almost sherry or other fruited alcohol to it, which if anything made the strength of the hops a great feature. It smelled of fruity alcohol but tasted of a well balanced hoppiness and some fruit - was this perhaps because of the Foeder? The excellent Saint Mars of the Dessert here in sunny Sheffield have certainly produced beers using a Foeder (and also the excellent Koolships) which I have always found incredibly refreshing and easy drinking. Whichever of the many aspects of the brewing stood out, it made this overall a very pleasurable and easy drinking strong IPA.
Well done to the folk at BrewDog for allowing us to taste a truly fabulous brew - lets hope we see many more beers like this, as well as the excellent output from St Mars and the Funk Dungeon series from Abbeydale, in the very near future.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
the wonderful Vikkie bought me, amongst other delights, a large bottle of beer for my birthday. I was intending to share it with Davefromtshop when he came over on the day itself, and he did say he liked "Brett" beers because they weren't resultantly, if perhaps otherwise, sour, but in the end we didn't try it. I opened it whilst sat in the baking sunshine on Friday, leaving a small amount for Matty to try yesterday, and it was good enough to warrant a post.....
The beer in question was, as the title informs, Brettanarchist, and as the label suggests, it was a Triple IPA dry hopped with Citra, aged in a Foeder and fermented 100% in Brettanomyces. It was a mere 12% and I kept it in the fridge for over a week before opening. It was produced by the Overworks wing of BrewDog, and when I called Vikkie on Thursday to thank her once again for the presents, especially this, she advised that she had encountered different experiences of the Overworks output. As a fan of sour beers she had found one or two of them underwhelming, but I was happy to assure her that this did not disappoint. And myself and Matty had tried a couple of their sours - both Raspberry, earlier in the week, and had found them excellent.
Its worth pointing out that Brettanomyce is a type of yeast, non spore forming, in the family of saccharomycetaceae, also known as Brett and sometimes as Dekkera. I mean, that's what it says on the tinterweb at least.....
I first came across it in references to the previous excellence of a similarly strong London stout called Imperial Russian Stout by Courage. I know they re-brewed it in 2013 or 2014 but am fairly sure they, or indeed anybody else, haven't done since or for many years prior. When I first worked at Archer Road Beer Stop in the 1990s, bottles of the same at 10% or thereabouts were £1.25 each. Apart from buying a bottle of the rerelease, this time by the huge brewery which was Youngs, the last time I bought it was in a pub down a long single track lane in kent which had some fairly old bottles still for sale in the noughties.
The thing I immediately liked about the Brettanarchist was its lack of sweetness despite its rather high strength. And the first taste showed a good amount of wonderful hops in the background, not necessarily the Citra but a mixture holding its own either way. Having only tried one bretted pale previously, possibly by Welbeck Abbey, I didn't think it worked as an additional flavour, but this was not the case. And sat outside in the 28 degrees of sunshine I have to say I found it worryingly easy to drink - and had been on squash for three hours prior so it wasn't thirst....
Interestingly the aroma had a lingering almost sherry or other fruited alcohol to it, which if anything made the strength of the hops a great feature. It smelled of fruity alcohol but tasted of a well balanced hoppiness and some fruit - was this perhaps because of the Foeder? The excellent Saint Mars of the Dessert here in sunny Sheffield have certainly produced beers using a Foeder (and also the excellent Koolships) which I have always found incredibly refreshing and easy drinking. Whichever of the many aspects of the brewing stood out, it made this overall a very pleasurable and easy drinking strong IPA.
Well done to the folk at BrewDog for allowing us to taste a truly fabulous brew - lets hope we see many more beers like this, as well as the excellent output from St Mars and the Funk Dungeon series from Abbeydale, in the very near future.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Monday, 15 June 2020
Fuerst Wiacek and Frau Gruber
Ay oop,
I am hoping that the combination of these two frankly excellent brewery names together does not somehow cause offence to German speakers - not because it will, simply because all of you whom have cringed at my appalling attempts to "translate " the phrase make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you into German using a book in the 1990s will know, German is not a language I can write or speak. I can't even remember the word meaning a face that needs to be slapped, even though Tash and Vicky P are well aware.....
So, these are two absolutely stunning German breweries whom I have discovered at Shakespeares and Bar Stewards in the last six months - AKA my second and third homes. Its important to note that in June I got a large number of excellent bottled German beers including the erstwhile brilliance of Augustiner Edelstoft, but I have to admit that prior to 2020, apart maybe from some Bavarian style hoppy beers brewed in London, the name of which at present escapes me, I haven't been blown away by the output of Germany. A recent taste of Paulaner Salvator reminded me how good that was, but this week I have been blown away by the beers of Frau Gruber. And since I heard of them after Fuerst Wiacek I figured they both warrant a mention.
It was probably 2019 when I first came across Fuerst. I remember trying and really enjoying one of their IPAs at Shakespeares and being impressed by the excellent build up, boldness and overall output of this beer. That said am unable to recall which particular brew this was, but I do distinctly remember the suggestion of it's excellence by Lucienne and others. It did not disappoint.
This month I have got hold of four beers in can (its the future) from Frau Gruber. Since I have drunk those recently, and am on one now, my details are more succinct. On Friday, both the Stewards as well as Archer Road Beer Stop dropped off two large orders, and since the first came at noon I started the day's drinking at 13.00 with Frau Gruber Helles.
At just 4.8% and actually clear (see many previous posts about my love of soup) despite my early start I drank this cracking lager beer in about ten minutes. Smooth, obviously, refreshing, perhaps more so, and also perfectly balanced. I have a can left which am going to use to start my birthday drinks soon - as well as a Schoffenhoffer pineapple lager beer.
Next up was their 24/7 a 5.2% Hopfengestopftes unfiltriertes Helles. Not as soup like as I had naturally expected this was still another firm favourite - weirdly it was perhaps a little less easy to sup than their standard Helles.
I had heard much praise for their 6.8% Purple Haze, a double dry hopped IPA - and this was much deserved. Once again it was perfectly balanced, as well, of course, as perfectly cloudy. Its interesting to note that they don't name the hops that they use but they do use oat malt, which may help to explain their absolute ease of consumption. The thing is however the stronger beers are just as easy to drink - and in receipt of widespread acclaim.
Once again this includes tonight's tipple - the 8.0% Eden Project double dry hopped Imperial India Pale Ale. Cloudy once more, not listing the hops used, again using oat malt, but the main delight is how reassuringly balanced it is. Am drinking this slowly since am typing but I could have finished it long ago - the balance is wonderful since some of the malt and the yeast used create a sweetness, but it blends so well into the flavour and the aftertaste that the blend of all these features is seemless.
I now just need t find out if I have another can of this.....
Meanwhile I send my thanks and appreciation to both breweries for producing such a wonderful range of easy supping oaty, hoppy, delights.
Cheers!
We Beefy
I am hoping that the combination of these two frankly excellent brewery names together does not somehow cause offence to German speakers - not because it will, simply because all of you whom have cringed at my appalling attempts to "translate " the phrase make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you into German using a book in the 1990s will know, German is not a language I can write or speak. I can't even remember the word meaning a face that needs to be slapped, even though Tash and Vicky P are well aware.....
So, these are two absolutely stunning German breweries whom I have discovered at Shakespeares and Bar Stewards in the last six months - AKA my second and third homes. Its important to note that in June I got a large number of excellent bottled German beers including the erstwhile brilliance of Augustiner Edelstoft, but I have to admit that prior to 2020, apart maybe from some Bavarian style hoppy beers brewed in London, the name of which at present escapes me, I haven't been blown away by the output of Germany. A recent taste of Paulaner Salvator reminded me how good that was, but this week I have been blown away by the beers of Frau Gruber. And since I heard of them after Fuerst Wiacek I figured they both warrant a mention.
It was probably 2019 when I first came across Fuerst. I remember trying and really enjoying one of their IPAs at Shakespeares and being impressed by the excellent build up, boldness and overall output of this beer. That said am unable to recall which particular brew this was, but I do distinctly remember the suggestion of it's excellence by Lucienne and others. It did not disappoint.
This month I have got hold of four beers in can (its the future) from Frau Gruber. Since I have drunk those recently, and am on one now, my details are more succinct. On Friday, both the Stewards as well as Archer Road Beer Stop dropped off two large orders, and since the first came at noon I started the day's drinking at 13.00 with Frau Gruber Helles.
At just 4.8% and actually clear (see many previous posts about my love of soup) despite my early start I drank this cracking lager beer in about ten minutes. Smooth, obviously, refreshing, perhaps more so, and also perfectly balanced. I have a can left which am going to use to start my birthday drinks soon - as well as a Schoffenhoffer pineapple lager beer.
Next up was their 24/7 a 5.2% Hopfengestopftes unfiltriertes Helles. Not as soup like as I had naturally expected this was still another firm favourite - weirdly it was perhaps a little less easy to sup than their standard Helles.
I had heard much praise for their 6.8% Purple Haze, a double dry hopped IPA - and this was much deserved. Once again it was perfectly balanced, as well, of course, as perfectly cloudy. Its interesting to note that they don't name the hops that they use but they do use oat malt, which may help to explain their absolute ease of consumption. The thing is however the stronger beers are just as easy to drink - and in receipt of widespread acclaim.
Once again this includes tonight's tipple - the 8.0% Eden Project double dry hopped Imperial India Pale Ale. Cloudy once more, not listing the hops used, again using oat malt, but the main delight is how reassuringly balanced it is. Am drinking this slowly since am typing but I could have finished it long ago - the balance is wonderful since some of the malt and the yeast used create a sweetness, but it blends so well into the flavour and the aftertaste that the blend of all these features is seemless.
I now just need t find out if I have another can of this.....
Meanwhile I send my thanks and appreciation to both breweries for producing such a wonderful range of easy supping oaty, hoppy, delights.
Cheers!
We Beefy
Monday, 8 June 2020
BHA at the Double H
Hullabalo,
recently, during my self isolation here at home, I have been doing some long needed clearing up. This has revealed quite a lot of interesting stuff, not least finding my old Panasonic digital camera (which stopped working in late 2016, but temporarily at least, has been revived). I also found a lot of beer festival beer lists - I have been saving them since my first festival in 1994, and to the best of my knowledge I have never thrown any away. Recently I came across one from thew Hillsborough Hotel, AKA The Double H.
It was the end of February this year that myself and Tash last went in the Double H, after our regular trip for cheap scran from Aldi. We have always popped in for a couple of drinks post shop (and of course with shopping), but as we often shopped on Tuesday or Wednesday the Double H was often not open so that has reduced our visits, and now they have stopped due to the Lockdown measures. I heard a statement on Facebook that the pub had closed, and also that it had been up for sale for some time. I recall chatting to Tom on my last few visits and I was aware that the business wasn't doing particularly well, no doubt suffering from being too far from town and Kelham Island and also not perhaps attracting the large crowds of drinkers situated in Hillsborough. Either way, am not sure of it's current status.
The list I found was for the Hillsborough Hotel Scottish Beer Festival which took place in January or early February three or four years ago. I only made it once, with Matty, and although the sheet I have states that some beers were available outside, I honestly can't recall if they had a bar in the conservatory or under the covering right next to it. I do remember my personal favourite, Williams Brothers Joker IPA, being on the bar on Handpump. I also loved the Cromarty Kowabunga American Pale Ale at 4.6%, but as was often the case, am certain this is not my personal list of beers tried, since only one is marked as if tasted - am not a one beer festival trier I must admit.
Overall the range was good - I love Fyne Ales and am certain I had one of each of their two beers, am certain I tried the Loch Lomond Kessog Dark Ale at 5.2%, I now remember enjoying the Tempest Pale Armadillo , as its a cracking brew, and I hope I tried some from the Swannay, Fallen (am certain I did) and Pilot breweries.
The festival featured an address to, stabbing and serving of, the haggis, hence am a little nearer the date it took place. There was still scran available after service from the initial address so myself and Matty both paid for a haggis neeps and tatties each, which given his notorious hunger, I have to admit was quite filling. And I love haggis, so that was a treat as well.
The main reason I am writing this though is that this was one of the last times I saw Badges Andrew, or Badge Hat Andrew. As you may have heard me say previously, after many years of glugging, talking loudly, enthusing, and, alas, producing spittle, he had taken a few years away from the pub scene but made a surprise comeback for a short while, before sadly passing away.
At the fest, he made a memorable impression by, am not sure if drunkenly, performing a dance to the bagpipes pre or during the cutting of the haggis. I think most people knew about his condition, and I have to add - whatever it was, mainly because I never actually asked - and after some initial amusement I think it was actually quite appreciated. I do however remember that he went shortly after that. Myself and Marty meanwhile, had about four pints each and enjoyed them all, and am assuming that in line with normality we finished off in the Shakespeares for a last couple before heading home.
Checking the Hillsborough Hotel Friendache page Here I notice that up until the beginning (the 4th) of May they continued supplying beer for collection - but after that point nothing else has been posted. I tried to find out if the pub and hotel had been sold, using my usual carefulness in looking at a maximum of ten websites, but sadly am still not sure.
Lets hope that the horrendous delay in allowing pubs to reopen ends soon, and sees the Double H reopen, and people once again come through their doors in thirsty glee.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
recently, during my self isolation here at home, I have been doing some long needed clearing up. This has revealed quite a lot of interesting stuff, not least finding my old Panasonic digital camera (which stopped working in late 2016, but temporarily at least, has been revived). I also found a lot of beer festival beer lists - I have been saving them since my first festival in 1994, and to the best of my knowledge I have never thrown any away. Recently I came across one from thew Hillsborough Hotel, AKA The Double H.
It was the end of February this year that myself and Tash last went in the Double H, after our regular trip for cheap scran from Aldi. We have always popped in for a couple of drinks post shop (and of course with shopping), but as we often shopped on Tuesday or Wednesday the Double H was often not open so that has reduced our visits, and now they have stopped due to the Lockdown measures. I heard a statement on Facebook that the pub had closed, and also that it had been up for sale for some time. I recall chatting to Tom on my last few visits and I was aware that the business wasn't doing particularly well, no doubt suffering from being too far from town and Kelham Island and also not perhaps attracting the large crowds of drinkers situated in Hillsborough. Either way, am not sure of it's current status.
The list I found was for the Hillsborough Hotel Scottish Beer Festival which took place in January or early February three or four years ago. I only made it once, with Matty, and although the sheet I have states that some beers were available outside, I honestly can't recall if they had a bar in the conservatory or under the covering right next to it. I do remember my personal favourite, Williams Brothers Joker IPA, being on the bar on Handpump. I also loved the Cromarty Kowabunga American Pale Ale at 4.6%, but as was often the case, am certain this is not my personal list of beers tried, since only one is marked as if tasted - am not a one beer festival trier I must admit.
Overall the range was good - I love Fyne Ales and am certain I had one of each of their two beers, am certain I tried the Loch Lomond Kessog Dark Ale at 5.2%, I now remember enjoying the Tempest Pale Armadillo , as its a cracking brew, and I hope I tried some from the Swannay, Fallen (am certain I did) and Pilot breweries.
The festival featured an address to, stabbing and serving of, the haggis, hence am a little nearer the date it took place. There was still scran available after service from the initial address so myself and Matty both paid for a haggis neeps and tatties each, which given his notorious hunger, I have to admit was quite filling. And I love haggis, so that was a treat as well.
The main reason I am writing this though is that this was one of the last times I saw Badges Andrew, or Badge Hat Andrew. As you may have heard me say previously, after many years of glugging, talking loudly, enthusing, and, alas, producing spittle, he had taken a few years away from the pub scene but made a surprise comeback for a short while, before sadly passing away.
At the fest, he made a memorable impression by, am not sure if drunkenly, performing a dance to the bagpipes pre or during the cutting of the haggis. I think most people knew about his condition, and I have to add - whatever it was, mainly because I never actually asked - and after some initial amusement I think it was actually quite appreciated. I do however remember that he went shortly after that. Myself and Marty meanwhile, had about four pints each and enjoyed them all, and am assuming that in line with normality we finished off in the Shakespeares for a last couple before heading home.
Checking the Hillsborough Hotel Friendache page Here I notice that up until the beginning (the 4th) of May they continued supplying beer for collection - but after that point nothing else has been posted. I tried to find out if the pub and hotel had been sold, using my usual carefulness in looking at a maximum of ten websites, but sadly am still not sure.
Lets hope that the horrendous delay in allowing pubs to reopen ends soon, and sees the Double H reopen, and people once again come through their doors in thirsty glee.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
Sunday, 31 May 2020
Not like that boring stuff they sell at Asda, man says......
Hellabaloo,
so far in the last week I have received two large orders of tasty canned and bottled boohar. And although I still have plenty left I have to say that so far this experience has shown me the difference between the qualities and attributes of what I would describe as standard more mass marketed output, along with the delightful soupy happiness that I so enjoy.
I have, admittedly, never made the phrase in the title by the way - but I am well aware that although Asda near me sell a few good beers from BrewDog, FourPure, Vocation, Thornbridge and Harbour, the majority of their output is, as a large retailer, of cheap mass produced beers which people guzzle without any particular interest in how it is made or what it contains. I should point out as well that this is fine - I know that in the beer universe there is plenty of criticism of some people's choices - but that is not an issue that am explaining here. What am here to say is that my choice of beers this year especially, has shown me the benefits of the styles that I like, and alerted me to features in more traditional style beers that I like much less.....
I should first of all point out that I still like draught Bass and Marstons pedigree, especially if they are gravity dispensed from the cask. And when it comes to smaller breweries the list of favourites is never ending. In this case I should confirm that I have always liked Little Critters brewery beers in Sheffield. I know that some folks don't, and I admit that I have not really got on with their standard bitters, but their single hopped C Monster beers at 6% or similar, along with their excellent stouts and porters at 6.5 - 7%, have never disappointed. So whilst ordering a large number of brews from Dronfield Beer Stop recently I chose a can of Little Critters Incubus Series Vol 9, a pale ale at 5.6% made with Columbus, Citra and Waimea hops. Along with the other hoppy delights I had purchased from Turning Point, Pentrich, Pomona Island, Brew by Numbers, Northern Monk and the excellent Kernel, I fully expected this to be a cracking brew. But I noticed a specific difference in the hops, overall flavour and crucially the type of fruit and type of bitterness in the Incubus 9. And I realised that I was appreciating the outputs of other UK brewers far more....
I have recently tried a lot of other Sheffield brews by the way - including the wonderful Abbeydale Moonshine in a can. This is ironic because despite it's renowned lagery pale appearance, as well as it's excellent hoppiness, arguably in Abbeydale's portfolio this is one of the more traditional beers in their range. And having first drunk it in 1996 when not only my tastebuds, but also the expectations of the majority of other drinker's were different then, am happy to say that I still love it. I have also loved everything brewed at St Mars of the Desert in Attercliffe and they have often used Waimea and Citra in their excellent output, so this, along with firm favourite Columbus, persuaded me that I would enjoy this combination perfectly. Yet the beer was lacking any identifiable hop punch, and the fruitiness came out as a dry sweetness in the aftertaste. It seemed that it was a beer aimed, on the basis of this tasting, at a more traditional drinker. So overall I found it underwhelming.
I did think that this outlook may be explained away at once by the excellence of boohar produced by the firms listed above, but after receiving my second delivery, from Archer Road Beer Stop yesterday, featuring a gamut of the excellent Gamma, along with wonderful Abbeydale Voyager, I had to accept that I really appreciate smooth, cloudy, fruity and citrus bitterness, and that the ease of drinking in all such products inescapably satisfied my needs. Last night I finished my daily session on a can of Gamma Beep Boop Session IPA at 4% and found it had a simultaneously overwhelming but joyous hop and citrus mouthfeel. It was so easy to drink that I had to go to bed.....
I know that differences in appreciation of drinks are a natural response, and I have admittedly mocked myself for hardly ever drinking clear beers below 5%, but these two latest deliveries showed me the amazing abilities of different micro breweries and the possible intent of their produce. Am not criticising the ideas and intentions or indeed the output of Little Critters at all, and I hope nobody thinks that, instead am simply acknowledging that their current beer styles seem to lack the punch and mouthfeel of others. And that is fine, whilst also showing me the benefits of brewers such as the impeccable Gamma, producing quite incredible brews from their brewery in Denmark.
One of the few advantages of this lock down has been my available time and willingness to see what else is available online, as well as from excellent Sheffield stores and pubs to take out. Am thinking now that my choices have reassured me that some excellent beers are still available.
Lets hope that we can get back to the excellent pubs in Sheffield soon, in order that we can enjoy this and similar beers together in sunny beer gardens once again.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
so far in the last week I have received two large orders of tasty canned and bottled boohar. And although I still have plenty left I have to say that so far this experience has shown me the difference between the qualities and attributes of what I would describe as standard more mass marketed output, along with the delightful soupy happiness that I so enjoy.
I have, admittedly, never made the phrase in the title by the way - but I am well aware that although Asda near me sell a few good beers from BrewDog, FourPure, Vocation, Thornbridge and Harbour, the majority of their output is, as a large retailer, of cheap mass produced beers which people guzzle without any particular interest in how it is made or what it contains. I should point out as well that this is fine - I know that in the beer universe there is plenty of criticism of some people's choices - but that is not an issue that am explaining here. What am here to say is that my choice of beers this year especially, has shown me the benefits of the styles that I like, and alerted me to features in more traditional style beers that I like much less.....
I should first of all point out that I still like draught Bass and Marstons pedigree, especially if they are gravity dispensed from the cask. And when it comes to smaller breweries the list of favourites is never ending. In this case I should confirm that I have always liked Little Critters brewery beers in Sheffield. I know that some folks don't, and I admit that I have not really got on with their standard bitters, but their single hopped C Monster beers at 6% or similar, along with their excellent stouts and porters at 6.5 - 7%, have never disappointed. So whilst ordering a large number of brews from Dronfield Beer Stop recently I chose a can of Little Critters Incubus Series Vol 9, a pale ale at 5.6% made with Columbus, Citra and Waimea hops. Along with the other hoppy delights I had purchased from Turning Point, Pentrich, Pomona Island, Brew by Numbers, Northern Monk and the excellent Kernel, I fully expected this to be a cracking brew. But I noticed a specific difference in the hops, overall flavour and crucially the type of fruit and type of bitterness in the Incubus 9. And I realised that I was appreciating the outputs of other UK brewers far more....
I have recently tried a lot of other Sheffield brews by the way - including the wonderful Abbeydale Moonshine in a can. This is ironic because despite it's renowned lagery pale appearance, as well as it's excellent hoppiness, arguably in Abbeydale's portfolio this is one of the more traditional beers in their range. And having first drunk it in 1996 when not only my tastebuds, but also the expectations of the majority of other drinker's were different then, am happy to say that I still love it. I have also loved everything brewed at St Mars of the Desert in Attercliffe and they have often used Waimea and Citra in their excellent output, so this, along with firm favourite Columbus, persuaded me that I would enjoy this combination perfectly. Yet the beer was lacking any identifiable hop punch, and the fruitiness came out as a dry sweetness in the aftertaste. It seemed that it was a beer aimed, on the basis of this tasting, at a more traditional drinker. So overall I found it underwhelming.
I did think that this outlook may be explained away at once by the excellence of boohar produced by the firms listed above, but after receiving my second delivery, from Archer Road Beer Stop yesterday, featuring a gamut of the excellent Gamma, along with wonderful Abbeydale Voyager, I had to accept that I really appreciate smooth, cloudy, fruity and citrus bitterness, and that the ease of drinking in all such products inescapably satisfied my needs. Last night I finished my daily session on a can of Gamma Beep Boop Session IPA at 4% and found it had a simultaneously overwhelming but joyous hop and citrus mouthfeel. It was so easy to drink that I had to go to bed.....
I know that differences in appreciation of drinks are a natural response, and I have admittedly mocked myself for hardly ever drinking clear beers below 5%, but these two latest deliveries showed me the amazing abilities of different micro breweries and the possible intent of their produce. Am not criticising the ideas and intentions or indeed the output of Little Critters at all, and I hope nobody thinks that, instead am simply acknowledging that their current beer styles seem to lack the punch and mouthfeel of others. And that is fine, whilst also showing me the benefits of brewers such as the impeccable Gamma, producing quite incredible brews from their brewery in Denmark.
One of the few advantages of this lock down has been my available time and willingness to see what else is available online, as well as from excellent Sheffield stores and pubs to take out. Am thinking now that my choices have reassured me that some excellent beers are still available.
Lets hope that we can get back to the excellent pubs in Sheffield soon, in order that we can enjoy this and similar beers together in sunny beer gardens once again.
Cheers!
Wee Beefy
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