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Beer

Wetherspoon’s International Real Ales Festival 17th October 2014 Beer List

Not sure why they don’t just post a list of all the beers instead of using a PDF or pageturner 🙁

beer list from Spoons website

1. IAN RAMSAY’S VILLAGE ELDER3.8% ABV
NEW ZEALANDIan Ramsay has returned to EverardsBrewery, in Leicester, to brewhis second beer especially for aWetherspoon real-ale festival. Thiswell-balanced copper-coloured sessionbeer is brewed with English pale maltand a generous quantity of caramelmalt, plus New Zealand hops foraroma and English hops for bittering.

2. BATH PROPHECY3.9% ABVThis crisp, light, pale ale has a fruity(yet pine-like) aroma, whose notescontinue into the flavour, resulting in adry, bitter and complex character anda finish to fulfil all your expectations.

3. SHEPHERD NEAME WHITSTABLEBAY PALE ALE3.9% ABVThis pale ale has glorious grapefruitand pine aromas, leading to a sweetmaltiness, balanced by a subtlebitterness imparted by late-hoppingduring brewing. This results in athirst-quenching character.

4. BREW MOON ANTIPODEAN ALE4.0% ABVBelinda Gould has travelled to Hook
NEW ZEALANDNorton Brewery, in Oxfordshire,to brew this beer especially for thisWetherspoon real-ale festival. Thisgolden beer has a lemon and citrusaroma, from the New Zealand hopswhose notes continue into the flavour,with moderate bitterness, balancedby rich flavours from the English maltsused. The addition of wheat malt leadsto a full head and pleasing mouthfeel.

5.EXMOOR ANTLER
4.0% ABVThis popular beer made its nationaldébut at our 2009 autumn real-alefestival. It is dark amber in colour,with hints of popcorn and softtoffee on the aroma, a balance ofnuts, toffee and tropical fruits in theflavour and a dry, grainy malt finish.

6.BLACK SHEEP REAPER
4.1% ABVThis frighteningly good red rye aleis brewed using a complex blendof hops, imparting a hoppy, citrusaroma and balancing the roastedmalt flavours, before supplyinga sharp, crisp aftertaste.

7. MARSTON’S OYSTERSTOUT4.1% ABVThis rich, dark and exceptionallycreamy stout has a fruity, floraland spicy character, derived fromEnglish aroma hops, balancedby a roasted malt bitterness.

8. BANKS’S BOTANICAL BEER4.2% ABVThis beer harks back to a time whenale was brewed without hops, usinggruit – the medieval term for aherb & spice blend. It is copper incolour, with the gruit complementingthe hops used, resulting in floral,spicy, citrus and peppery notes.

9.INNIS & GUNN EDINBURGH PALE ALE
4.2% ABVThis light golden ale, availableexclusively in cask at this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, has a floral aroma,with orange notes, followed bya rich and luscious flavour, withmalt sweetness, balanced by ahop bitterness bite in the finish.

10. JW LEES JOHN WILLIE’S 1004.2% ABVThis new beer, named after oneof the first tanks used in battle,commemorates the start of the WorldWar I. It is mahogany in colour, witha floral, spicy aroma, the spicinesscontinuing into the flavour, beforeresulting in a pleasing, rounded finish.

11. LIBERATION AMERICANBROWN ALE4.2% ABVThis new beer, exclusive to thisWetherspoon real-ale festival, isbrewed using amber and brownmalts to produce a smooth,nutty flavour, while the Americanhops blend supplies an excellentbalance and full hop aroma.

12. MORLAND OLD HOPPY HEN4.2% ABVThis golden beer has been madeavailable again in cask form, especiallyfor this Wetherspoon real-alefestival. Pale and crystal malts givebiscuit and toffee notes, with ryeadding a touch of spiciness, while thehops impart fresh grapefruit, citrusand tropical fruit characteristics.

13. THEAKSTON MASHAMFOUR & TWENTY
4.2% ABVThis golden-coloured ale has asubtle hop character from itsdelicate combination of hops, withthe finest Yorkshire malted barleygiving a full-bodied balance, resultingin a memorable, satisfying ale.

14. BATEMANS COLONEL’S WHISKERS4.3% ABVExclusive to this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, this is a 21st-centurycrafty higher-strength rework ofthis brewery’s award-winning mild.Dark, rich and creamy, with a full-
bodied, velvety subtle hop character,its style is somewhere between atraditional mild and a modern stout.

15. BUTCOMBE CRIMSON KING4.3% ABVThis new red beer is brewed usingrye malt to give distinctive spicy,dry flavours, while the hop varietiesused combine to deliver a fresh,fruity aroma and refreshing flavourbursting with hop character.

16.COTLEIGH UNCLE SAM HOP BURST
4.3% ABVThis new beer has been developedespecially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, using a new Americanhop variety, in collaboration with hopmerchants Charles Faram. This deepgolden beer has powerful, zesty fruityhop notes in the aroma, plus hintsof grapefruit, citrus and lychees.

17. ROOSTER’S UNION GAP4.3% ABVThis new pale beer, brewedexclusively for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, showcases three hopvarieties from America’s northwestand is named after a town in theYakima Valley. Expect a full hopcharacter, with aromas and flavoursof lemon peel and orange.

18. EVAN EVANS ARTISANCLUSTER NUT4.4% ABVThis new mid-coloured seasonal alehas an inviting floral hop aroma, leadingto a spicy hop character, balancedby a smoothness from the torrifiedwheat, with a lasting fruit finish.

19. STRATHAVEN FIERY CAULDRON4.4% ABVThis light amber seasonal alehas a distinctively spicy gingeraroma, leading to a complex,richroasted character, from the firsttaste to the finish – balanced bysubtle, underlying hop notes.

20. TRING HAZY HOEDOWN4.4% ABVThis has been brewed specially forthis Wetherspoon real-ale festivalas a collaboration between TringBrewery and Michaela White ofUpstairs Brewing, duty manager atWetherspoon pub The Masque Hauntand a qualified part-time brewer. Itis in the style of an American wheatbeer, pale and naturally hazy inappearance, with a full aroma leadingto a refreshing character, imparted byits blend of wheat and hop varieties.

21. TWO BIRDS GOLDEN ALE4.4% ABVJayne and Danielle have travelledto Banks’s Brewery, in the West
AUSTRALIAMidlands, to brew this beer especiallyfor this Wetherspoon real-ale festival.It uses ale, wheat and Vienna maltsto provide the rich golden colourand light honey character, whilethe hop varieties provide melonand apricot notes in the flavour.and citrus aromas, leading to spice

22. HARVIESTOUN OLD ENGINE OIL4.5% ABVThis midnight-black porter iswickedly smooth, with hints ofdark cherries, roasted malt andcoffee on the nose, leading toa rich palate of dark chocolate,coffee, toast and sweet caramel,balanced by a bitter, hoppy finish.

23. MAXIM THESIMCOE KID4.5% ABVThis new golden ale, brewedexclusively for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, has a tropicalfruitaroma burst, leading to pleasingbitterness, with plenty of citrus notes,resulting in a long, refreshing finish.

24. OKELL’S IPA4.5% ABVThis light-coloured beer has asurprisingly full-bodied taste, with aninitial sweetness offset by generoushopping, resulting in an overallroundness, with plenty of spicy,lemony notes and a fine, dry finish.

25. VALEThis straw-coloured beer, brewedMETAMORPHOSIS 4.5% ABV
exclusively for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, is crafted from ablend of American, English andNew Zealand hops, imparting afruity, citrus aroma, pleasing hoppyflavour and clean, fresh finish.
fine pale malt and a touch of wheat,while its hops impart the rich fruityflavour and fruity, citrus finish.

26.WHITE HORSE CAMARILLO 4.5% ABVThis new, pale, seasonal beer derivesits colour

27. ARUNDEL AUTUMN BREEZE4.6% ABVThis new seasonal beer is brewedin the style of a dark old ale, with apleasing roast malt aroma continuinginto the flavour, combining withberry fruit and chocolate notes,resulting in a smooth, fruity finish,with some hop bitterness.

28. BROUWERIJ’T IJ ISA4.6% ABV
NETHERLANDS Roel Wagemans has travelled to Caledonian Brewery, in Edinburgh, to brew this beer especially for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. This India session ale is deep gold in colour, with its New World hops offering a floral, bitter character which develops into a tropical citrus finish, enhanced by the addition of lime and underlined by a firm malt base.

29. MOORHOUSE’S BLACKCAT RESERVE4.6% ABVThis dark beer is a stronger versionof this brewery’s award-winning mild,intense in character, with complexnotes of roasted coffee, chocolateand mocha balanced by hints ofdark cherry and blackcurrant.

30. ADNAMS 1659SMOKED RUBY BEER4.7% ABVThis new light brown beer, exclusiveto Wetherspoon in cask, has a subtle,sweet, smoky aroma, with its smokyflavour containing hints of raisins, datesand coffee, along with a restrainedbitterness, leading to a dry finish.

31.HOOK NORTON CHINOOK GOLD
4.7% ABVThis new pale-coloured beer, brewedexclusively for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, has a sweet citrusnose, with emerging hints of grapefruit,leading to further citrus notes in thepredominantly hoppy flavour, resultingin a delicate, smooth, bitter finish.

32. THWAITES HOBNOBBER4.7% ABVThis beer is available on anoccasional basis only, brewed againespecially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival. The flavour isdominated by a malty moreishness,while the biscuit notes continuethrough to a pleasing nutty finish

33. BANKS & TAYLOR’SHITCHIN OLD DARK4.8% ABVThis new black porter has beenbrewed exclusively for thisWetherspoon real-ale festival. Ithas a strong malty aroma, leadingto a rich flavour, enhanced bysubtle chocolate undertones andleading to a long, nutty finish.

34. BIRRIFICIOLAMBRATE LIGERA4.8% ABV
ITALYFabio Brocca and Mattia Bonardihave travelled to Marston’s Brewery,in Staffordshire, to brew this beerespecially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival. This amber-colouredbeer has initial notes of mandarinand orange (imparted by theAmerican hops), leading to citrusnotes which balance the delicatetaste of malt, resulting in a moderatebody and pleasing dry finish.

35. OAKHAM GREATGUSTAV4.5% ABVThis new, pale golden ale hasbeen brewed exclusively for thisWetherspoon real-ale festival,packed with generous quantitiesof German hops to give zesty fruitaromas and a refreshing flavour,balanced by a subtle sweetness.

36. COACH HOUSE TOFFEE BITTER5.0% ABVThis pale, straw-coloured beer is oneof the most popular of this brewery’ssuccessful range of flavoured ales, witha pleasing toffee note evident in thenose and palate, complemented by agood balance of malt and hop flavours.
 
37. EVERARDS TIGERTRIPLE GOLD5.0% ABVThis popular seasonal brew isusually brewed only for Everards’own pubs, yet has been brewedespecially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival. It is deep copper incolour, with a malty, spicy nose anda well-balanced fruity flavour, leadingto a clean and refreshing finish.38. LONG MAN GOLDEN TIPPLE5.0% ABVThis deep-golden-hued beer, brewedagain especially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, has aromas of lime,fruit and pineapple, leading to ahoppy flavour, with hints of citrus andlemon, plus a full, medium-dry finish.

39. MORDUE AMERICANA5.0% ABVThis new beer has been brewedexclusively for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival in the style of anAmerican brown ale, with a citrusand orange pith aroma, leading to afull, balanced flavour, with hints ofchocolate and roast grains emergingto impart a memorable character.

40. 10 BARREL O.G. IPA5.0% ABV USATonya Cornett has returned, this time toWadworth Brewery, in Wiltshire, to brewthis especially for this Wetherspoon real-
ale festival. Wheat beers and IPAs aregenerally considered to be on oppositesides of the spectrum, but 10 Barrel begsto differ. Brewed with 50% wheat malt,this smooth, deep golden IPA balances aslight tartness from the wheat malt withdistinct grapefruit citrus hop notes, thanksto the use of Australian Galaxy hops.

41. TITANIC HOP ABROAD5.0% ABVThe Titanic was built to travel the world– and this beer, breed exclusively forthis Wetherspoon real-ale festival, doesso all in one glass. With its abundance ofhops from every corner of the globe, itis light and refreshing, with a myriad hopnotes sailing out of the aroma and flavour.

 

42.WADWORTH HEATHER AND HONEY5.0% ABVThis rare golden-coloured beer hasbeen brewed again, exclusively for thisWetherspoon real-ale festival, withheather added during the boiling andfermentation processes and honey fromthe lavender fields of the Mediterranean,creating a distinctive, strong-flavouredhoney ale, with a hint of lavender.

 

43. OAKLEAF BLAKE’S GOSPORT BITTER5.2% ABVThis deep mahogany beer, not brewedsince November 2012, has been broughtback especially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival, with its smoky liquoricearoma leading to a roasted treacleflavour and a long, bitter finish.

 

44. BREWSTER’S BREWERS DOZEN5.5% ABVThis rare beer has been brewed againexclusively for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival. It is rich amber incolour with a pleasing roasted maltbase, complemented by plenty ofresinous and citrus hop notes.

 

45.CALEDONIAN TROJAN HORSE5.5% ABVThis new beer is so named as it is abeer within a beer (an IPA within aschwarzbier), black in colour, with afloral and herbal aroma, leading to asuperb balance of bittersweet darkmalt and citrus hop characteristics.

 

46. SIXPOINTBKLYN BITTER5.5% ABV USAHeather McReynolds has travelled toAdnams Brewery, in Suffolk, to brew thisbeer especially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival. The abundance ofAmerican hops in this light amber beerimparts a floral, citrus aroma and notesof grapefruit, orange and spice in theflavour, leading to a thirst-quenchingbitterness balanced by a malty backbone.

 

47.WOODFORDE’S PHOENIX IPA5.5% ABVThis new seasonal beer uses Norfolk-
grown Maris Otter malt as the base forits flavour, then is boldly hopped withEnglish hops to give balance, while thelate addition of the American Amarillohops gives a lasting citrus finish.

 

48. ABBAYE DU VAL-DIEU ABBAYE BLONDE6.0% ABV BELGIUMVirginie Harzé has returned from thisbrewery (based in the abbey grounds)to Shepherd Neame Brewery, in Kent,to brew this beer especially for thisWetherspoon real-ale festival. Thisis pale yellow in colour and slightlycloudy in appearance, with a beautifullyperfumed, slightly piquant aroma.Its flavour is initially sweet, beforedeveloping a refreshing bitterness andfruitiness, resulting in a hoppy finish.

 

49. ELYSIAN NIGHT OWL PUMPKIN ALE6.5% ABV USADick Cantwell has returned to brewhis second beer especially for aWetherspoon real-ale festival, this time atWychwood Brewery, in Oxfordshire. Thiscopper-coloured ale is spiced with ginger,cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice,together with pumpkin concentrate,providing a distinctive, complex flavour,with a subtle, underlying bitterness.

 

50. WICKED WEED FREAK OF NATURE7.5% ABV USAWalt and Luke Dickinson havetravelled to Batemans Brewery,in Lincolnshire, to brew thisbeer especially for this Wetherspoonreal-ale festival – their second timeover here to brew for us. This goldenbeer is brewed in the style of a classicwest coast double IPA, with hugeamounts of hops giving strong, citrusand tropical fruit aromas, leading toa big, deep flavour, with a moderatebitterness and dry finish on the palate.

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Beer

My top Five Welsh Beers

The nice people (former colleagues) over at Walesonline asked me to come up with a list of great Welsh beers – they were in no particular order so

Here are my Top Five from the list I have had this year – there seems to be a lot of variants on stouts/porters – and no surprise Tiny Rebel come top – 90% of their beers this year have been amazing

1) Dirty Stop Out, Tiny Rebel: A stunning smoked oat stout which rightfully was Champion Beer of Wales 2013. ABV: 5%

Tiny Rebel Beer : Dirty Stop Out

2) Hadouken, Tiny Rebel: A perfect example of an IPA ABV: 7.4%

3) Shining Tsar, Brains Craft: One of the many excellent ‘craft’ beers from Brains – strong but very drinkable ABV: 7.5%

4) O6 Porter, Otley: Very good porter – also look out for the excellent mOtley Brew. ABV: 6.6%

5) Boilermaker, Brains Craft: A hoppy beer matured with Penderyn whisky-infused oak chips in Penderyn casks. Great on keg or bottled. ABV: 6.5%

of course I’m sure you have had others – so feel free to list your top five in the comments 🙂

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Beer

First day at GWBCF 2012 it’s not about Otley odessa at all – shut up what a beer but not for normal beer drinkers

Otley Odessa

Ok it was the battle of the ABV I thought it was.

But Otley brewery have brought their milkshake to the yard as Kelis once said no not about milk stout – their silly Odessa – which has waited in quiet in the  Penderyn Whisky casks for the last 18months has stormed the Great Welsh beer and cider festival- Iam not saving it could be Welsh beer of the year but it could be Welsh beer of the year!

Otley Odessa
It;s his fault - Nick Otley

This year I hoped it was not just about strengh as there are so many new pretenders to the flavour throne – Tiny rebal, Pixie Spring and even Welsh beer stalwarts Brains with their craft beer collection.

But again the ponty brewery has shaken things up with their 9.7 ale which is full of flavour the chocolate and ginger afertaste brings you out of the alcoholic stupor,  but has the Welsh brewery gone into the level of overly strong beers to prove a point, maybe? but it does taste so good 🙂

My brewery of the festival is Tiny Rebal

They stood out not just because the take the brew dog approach to their adertising but can actually deliver on every beer even though they are from Newport! – they were pride of place at the entrance to the GWBCF – where as in the past it was the likes of Otley, Brains with the marketing money clout .

But Tiny rebel have definitely delivered – even if they use a gadget like their hop rocket that looks like it was build in their shed (ok that has not changed my view) but it did add something to their Fubar

Tiny rebel Hop rocket

Their other ales went down a storm with the chaps I was with – and I personally liked the Dirty Stop Out.

of course this is all ho ha – the main reason for my day in the CIA as it was (the Motor pint arena) – was to make up the numbers in the cider judging- you know it’s serious when beer writers writer and Cider convert Peter Brown is on the other team.

Cider

But I could lie to say the cider was up to their with the quality of the ale – but alas the batch we had to judge only had one stand out cider (and as of time of writing I no idea what it was) – maybe it’s an issue getting ale fans to judge the mighty apple.

the thing that made me smile was the gang from the Goat Major pub on their staff day trip – I left them just as they were getting on the strong beers – so Cardiff look out.

Goat major gang

so if you are going to the largest pub in Wales over the next 2 days – you will have a great time.

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Beer

What are you doing in Cardiff on the 7 till the 9th June? hint may involve beer

Well you will mostly find me at the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Hope to see you there – I will be the bloke with the I love sheds tshirt on – I have a few so not wearing the same one each day 😉

anyway here is Provisional List of Breweries and beers

I was looking forward to my first pint of Bullmastiff Welsh Black since last year – but it’s not on 🙁 but the Brains Strong Ale was nice last time and Saltire Triple Chocoholic is a festival fav, and great to see a full range of newport’s Tiny Rebel beers – as only tried two so far.

Abbeydale Absolution 5.3
Abbeydale Moonshine 4.3
Acorn Barnsley Bitter 3.8
Acorn Gorlovka Imperial Stout 6.0
Acorn IPA 5.0
Big Bog
Brains All at Sea 5.2
Brains British Summer 4.1
Brains Dark 3.5
Brains SA 4.2
Brains SA Gold 4.7
Brains Strong Ale 6.5
Brains Barry Island IPA 6.0
Brains Jack Black 4.3
Brains Organ Morgan 4.0
Brecon Beacons to the sea 4.1
Brecon Bright Beacons 4.5
Brecon Bronze Beacons 3.9
Brecon Diamond Beacons 4.3
Brecon Genesis 1.ii The Prophet’s Porter 5.6
Brecon Gold Beacons 4.2
Brecon Twilight Brecon 4.0
Brecon Wandering Beacons 5.0
Breconshire Ramblers Ruin 5.0
Bryncelyn Buddy Marvellous 4.0
Bryncelyn Holly Hop
Bryncelyn Oh Boy 4.5
Bullmastiff Son of a Bitch
Bullmastiff Welsh Red
Celt Experience Bleddyn 5.6
Celt Experience Bronze
Celt Experience Golden 4.2
Celt Experience Native Storm 4.4
Celt Experience Silures 4.6
Cerddin Cascade 4.8
Conwy Beechcomber Blonde 4.2
Conwy Cwrw Mel 4.5
Copper Dragon Black Gold 3.7
Copper Dragon Challenger 4.0
Copper Dragon Golden Pippin 3.9
Elland 1872 Porter 6.5
Elland Bargee 3.8
Elland Nettlethrasher 4.4
Facer’s Clwyd Gold
Facer’s Dave’s Hoppy Beer 4.3
Facer’s Landslide 4.9
Felinfoel Double Dragon 4.2
Gloucester Dockside Dark 5.2
Gloucester Gloucester Gold 3.9
Gloucester Mariner 4.2
Gower Gold 4.5
Great Orme Celtica 4.5
Great Orme Welsh Black 4.0
Grey Trees Rechabites Bitter 4.0
Heart of Wales Aur Cymru
Heart of Wales High as a Kite
Heart of Wales Irfon Valley 3.6
Heart of Wales Welsh Black 4.4
Ilkley Best 4.0
Ilkley Black 3.7
Ilkley Mary Jane 3.5
Jacobi Light Ale 3.8
Jacobi Red Squirrel 4.0
Kelham Island Kelham Best 3.8
Kelham Island Pale Rider 5.2
Kelham Island Riders on the Storm 4.5
Kingstone 1503 4.8
Kingstone Stout 4.4
Kite Cwrw Haf 4.1
Kite Gold Wing 4.2
Kite Thunderbird 4.5
Kite
Kite
Leeds Leeds Best 4.3
Leeds Midnight Bell 4.8
Leeds Yorkshire Gold 4.2
Llangollen Grange No1 3.2
Monty’s Midnight Stout 4.0
Monty’s Mischief 5.0
Monty’s Sunshine 4.2
Nant Mwnci Nell 5.5
Neath Black 5.5
Neath Gold 5.0
Ossett Silver King 4.3
Ossett Yorkshire Blond 3.9
Otley Croeso 4.2
Otley Motley Brew 7.5
Otley O Garden 4.8
Otley O1 4.0
Otley O3 Boss 4.4
Otley O4 Columbo 4.1
Otley O5 Gold 5.0
Otley O6 Porter 6.6
Otley O7 Weissen 5.0
Otley O8 8.0
Otley Oxymoron Black IPA 5.5
Otley Thai Bo 4.6
Pixie Spring
Plassey Mild 4.2
Preseli Baggywrinkle 4.5
Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose 4.6
Purple Moose Glaslyn 4.2
Purple Moose Snowdonia 3.6
RCH East St Cream 5.0
RCH PG Steam 3.9
RCH Pitchfork 4.2
Rhymney Export 5.0
Rhymney Gold
Rhymney Hobby Horse 3.8
Rudgate Battleaxe 4.2
Rudgate Ruby Mild 4.4
Rudgate Viking 3.8
Saltire Raspberry Blond 4.0
Saltire Triple Chocoholic 4.8
Sandstone Edge
Snowdonia
Swansea Deep Slade Dark 4.0
Timothy Taylor Dark Mild 3.5
Timothy Taylor Landlord 4.3
Tiny Rebel Cwtch 4.6
Tiny Rebel Dirty Stop Out 5.0
Tiny Rebel Doc Brown 3.8
Tiny Rebel Fubar 4.4
Tiny Rebel Full Nelson 4.8
Tiny Rebel Hadouken IPA 7.4
Tiny Rebel Urban IPA 5.5
Tomos Watkin Brewery Bitter 4.0
Tomos Watkin Chwarae Teg 4.1
Tomos Watkin Cwrw Haf 4.2
Tomos Watkin OSB 4.5
Tomos Watkin
VoG Cwrw Dewi
VoG Wheats Occurrin 5.0
Waen Blackberry Stout 3.8
Waen Chilli Plum Porter 6.1
Waen First of the Summer Waen 3.9
Wentworth Bumble Beer 4.3
Wentworth Oatmeal Stout 4.8
Wentworth Rampant Gryphon 6.2
Wye Valley DG Lager
Wye Valley DG Stout 4.2
Wye Valley HPA 4.0
York Centurion’s Ghost 5.4
York Guzzler 3.6
York Yorkshire Terrier 4.2
Zero Degrees Mango 4.5
Zero Degrees Pilsner 4.8

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Beer

How long is a delivery from brewdog? ask the lost dog

I have been drinking brewdog beer for a few years after being introduced to them by my mate and all-round beer know it all Rob way back in 2009 and I love their interesting hoppy beers and was even moved to buy some shares the first time round (to get the reduction on further beers bought online mainly to cover the silly postage price).

Now this is my problem.

It always takes two or three times longer for my beer to arrive than I think it should (and every other beer company ever does)

The longest I have waited was 4 weeks and thought they had sorted out issues, fair enough on one occasion when two bottles were broken – they sent new ones within two days.

Most recently I took up their shareholder offer of Lost Dog + Paradox Jura Pack

Lost Dog & Paradox Jura

Paradox Jura is a one off limited release 15% imperial stout aged in Jura whisky casks. Lost Dog is our collaboration with Lost Abbey – a 11.2% Imperial Porter aged in rum casks and comes in a stunning presentation box.

Iam a big fan of Jura whisky – so thought I would give it a go

When i bought it was quoted as

Shareholder only exclusive offer.*
*Please note this is being shipped from Brewdog HQ, and no other items from the shop can be added to this pack as a result. It will also take longer to ship, as a result. We are aiming for 2-3 business days for these awesome craft beers to be delivered to you. It is our way of ensuring you get your paws on these awesome beers. Enjoy Scamps!

2-3 business days – not bad I thought – a new record for them.

 

I ordered on Thursday 16/02/12 19:51:10 – so maybe wednesday I would get my beer – I emailed them on thursday and got the reply “Should be delivered today or tomorrow at the latest.” – no tracking no reason why.

I got the beer on the 28th Feb – but with no explanation why from brewdog customer service

maybe it’s because I get it delivered to the outpost that is Central Cardiff (Rob seems to get stuff sent to Newport quicker than me)

I know they won’t give a shit about this post as they are too busy being punk and filling sperm whales with beer in collaboration with Watney Combe & Reid or what ever their new marketing ploy is

anyway Iam writing this drinking one of their beers – so Iam the fool really.

Bramling X

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Beer

Bridge End Inn in Ruabon, North Wales is Camra pub of the year

From Camra.

The Bridge End Inn in Ruabon, North Wales, was bought in 2009 by Peter McGivern after it was closed for six months, and is now a thriving local, selling beer from the family’s microbrewery as well as ale from more than 100 local and regional breweries.

Real ale campaign group Camra, which gave the award, said the pub was one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of its annual competition – and the first Welsh winner.

Judges said the inn had everything that makes a great pub – atmosphere, decor, service, value for money, customer mix, a warm welcome, and excellent beer.

Mr McGivern said he decided to take on the pub after retiring as a local teacher, and to give an outlet for a microbrewery run by his son Matthew.

Asked how he coped with switching from the classroom to a bar, he told the Press Association: “It’s terribly similar really. It’s all about interacting with people.

“We are a family business and the pub has been a real labour of love.

“What we strived to do was create a pub not focused on food that we would enjoy visiting, putting the product first and offering a wide range of traditional beer styles. As a result we’ve built up a mixed trade of locals and beer lovers from all over Britain.

“We are delighted with this national award, particularly as we were told when first taking on the pub that there was little demand for real ale in the area.”

The Bridge End Inn beat three other finalists to claim the award – the Engineers Arms in Henlow, Bedfordshire, the Front in Falmouth, Cornwall, and the Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton, Lancashire.

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Beer

City Arms Cardiff – Beer of the Week : Butcombe OLD VIC PORTER – and Meet Buster the Brewer

This week the beer of choice at the City Arms Cardiff – has been the excellent OLD VIC PORTER (4.7% ABV) from Butcombe brewery.

a great example with top aroma – could drink this all day – shame it’s just run out 🙁

on another note the City Arms is having another of it’s tuesday night Meet the Brewer evenings – this time with Buster from Brecon Brewing on 28th feb 7ish – formerly head brewer at Breconshire

Established in 2011 by Buster Grant, one of Wales’ best known brewers, Brecon Brewing have created a range of beers full of flavour and character inspired by the dramatic locality, working with the local community and reigniting interest in Brecon.

so should be a good night.

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Beer

How much is the price of a pint of Real Ale in London – ÂŁ2.40 if you are an MP

The torygraph did a story on the subsidised food and drink for our elected members of parliament

The taxpayers’ subsidy for the bars and restaurants in the Houses of Commons has risen to £5.8m a year, despite promises by parliamentary official to cut public funding for politicians’ meals and drinks.

They did not mention the price of a pint, but after a quick search of the parliment website (hat-tip @arfurD)

The Strangers bar (where MP can bring guests) sells Guest Ales/ Cellarman’s reserve £2.40 a pint.

You can view the full list here.

Or the other prices for the various outlets that we subsidise.

 
Maybe I should have gone into politics instead of sheds.

I wonder how many pints get quaffed in a year by our MPs at their bars?

Categories
Beer

Wetherspoon Real Ale & Cider Festival October 5 – 23 October Beer List

There is talk of American craft ale in the spoons upcoming Autumn fesitval. Here is the full list

 

1
BRAINS DARK 3.5% ABV
Brains Brewery, Cardiff. Est. 1882
2
HARVIESTOUN NUMBER OF THE BEAST 3.6% ABV
Harviestoun Brewery, Clackmannanshire. Est. 1985
3
BATEMANS XB 3.7% ABV
Batemans Brewery, Lincolnshire. Est. 1874
4
EVERARDS WHAKATU 3.7% ABV
Everards Brewery, Leicestershire. Est. 1849
5
JW LEES THE GOVERNOR 3.8% ABV
JW Lees Brewery, Manchester. Est. 1828
6
BANKS & TAYLOR’S ALBION ALE 4.0% ABV
B & T Brewery, Bedfordshire. Est. 1981
7
KALAMAZOO BLACK SILK 4.0% ABV
Bell’s Brewery, Michigan, USA. Est. 1985
8
SALOPIAN VAPOUR TRAIL 4.0% ABV
Salopian Brewery, Shropshire. Est. 1995
9
THORNBRIDGE BROTHER RABBIT 4.0% ABV
Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire. Est. 2005
10 WADWORTH OCTOBERZEST 4.0% ABV
Wadworth Brewery, Wiltshire. Est. 1885
11
COACH HOUSE WHIPLASH 4.1% ABV
Coach House Brewery, Cheshire. Est. 1991
12
SHEPHERD NEAME WHITSTABLE BAY 4.1% ABV
hepherd Neame Brewery, Kent. Est. 1698
13 WELLS NAKED GOLD 4.1% ABV
Wells & Young’s Brewery, Bedfordshire. Est. 2006
14
BUTCOMBE RARE BREED 4.2% ABV
Butcombe Brewery, Somerset. Est. 1978
15
COTLEIGH COMMANDO HOOFING IPA 4.2% ABV
Cotleigh Brewery, Somerset. Est. 1979
16
DOUBLE MAXIM ANDERSONS BEST SCOTCH 4.2% ABV
Double Maxim Brewery, County Durham. Est. 2007
17
TRING PUDDING PORTER 4.2% ABV
Tring Brewery, Hertfordshire. Est. 1992
18
ROOSTER’S LAST STAND 4.3% ABV
Rooster’s Brewery, North Yorkshire. Est. 1993
19
VALE LONG DARK NIGHTS 4.3% ABV
Vale Brewery, Buckinghamshire. Est. 1995
20 WOODFORDE’S KETT’S REBELLION 4.3% ABV
Woodforde’s Brewery, Norfolk. Est. 1980
21
OAKLEAF 10 LITTLE ACORNS 4.4% ABV
Oakleaf Brewery, Hampshire. Est. 2000
22 WHARFEBANK TREACLE TOFFEE STOUT 4.4% ABV
WharfeBank Brewery, West Yorkshire. Est. 2010
23
BOX STEAM PISTON BROKE 4.5% ABV
Box Steam Brewery, Wiltshire. Est. 2004
24
MORDUE RED RYE RIWAKA 4.5% ABV
Mordue Brewery, Tyne and Wear. Est. 1995
25
OKELLS SAISON 4.5% ABV
Okells Brewery, Isle of Man. Est. 1850
26
STONE SAN DIEGO SESSION IPA 4.5% ABV
Stone Brewery, California, USA. Est. 1996
27
TITANIC FIT-OUT 4.5% ABV
Titanic Brewery, Staffordshire. Est. 1985
28 WYCHWOOD GINGER BEARD 4.5% ABV
Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 1983
29
EVAN EVANS 1767 4.6% ABV
Evan Evans Brewery, Carmarthenshire. Est. 2004
30
HEREFORD WYVERN WARRIOR 4.6% ABV
Hereford Brewery, Hereford. Est. 2000
31
HILDEN TWISTED HOP 4.7% ABV
Hilden Brewery, County Antrim. Est. 1982
32
ST PETER’S GOLDEN ALE 4.7% ABV
St Peter’s Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1996
33
ADNAMS AMERICAN STYLE IPA 4.8% ABV
Adnams Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1872
34
BEND ECLIPSE CASCADIAN DARK ALE 4.8% ABV
Bend Brewery, Oregon, USA. Est. 1995
35
BREWSTER’S AMERICAN CHOPPER 4.8% ABV
Brewster’s Brewery, Lincolnshire. Est. 1998
36
EXMOOR HART 4.8% ABV
Exmoor Ales, Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Est. 1980
37
BELHAVEN ST ANDREWS ALE 4.9% ABV
Belhaven Brewery, East Lothian. Est. 1719
38
FAT HEAD’S YAKIMA SUN 5.0% ABV
Fat Head’s Brewery, Ohio, USA. Est. 2007
39
MOORHOUSE’S PENDLE PORTER 5.0% ABV
Moorhouse’s Brewery, Lancashire. Est. 1865
40
RCH FIREY LIZ 5.0% ABV
RCH Brewery, Somerset. Est. 1982
41
ST AUSTELL PROPER BLACK 5.0% ABV
St Austell Brewery, Cornwall. Est. 1851
42
THWAITES DANIEL’S HAMMER 5.0% ABV
Thwaites Brewery, Lancashire. Est. 1807
43
TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH ALES TAKING THE PITH 5.0% ABV
Traditional Scottish Ales, Stirlingshire. Est. 2005
44
HOOK NORTON FLAGSHIP ALE 5.3% ABV
Hook Norton Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 1850
45
ODELL 90 SHILLING 5.3% ABV
Odell Brewery, Colorado, USA. Est. 1989
46 WHITE HORSE HORSE RUSTLER 5.4% ABV
White Horse Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 2004
47
BRAKSPEAR TRIPLE 5.7% ABV
Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 1983
48
BEARTOWN WOJTEK 5.8% ABV
Beartown Brewery, Cheshire. Est. 1994
49
CALEDONIAN COSSACK IMPERIAL RUSSIAN STOUT 6.0% ABV
Caledonian Brewery, Edinburgh. Est. 1869
50
MORLAND OLD CRAFTY HEN 6.5% ABV
Greene King Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 179
Categories
Beer

Bunch of Grapes Bottled Beer Festival (October 14th – 16th)

Some interesting Belguim beers but nothing untested in the past at the Otley brewing flagship pub when they have a Bottle Beer Festival – no prices mind.

The current count is eighty-eight bottles! Due to be topped up with a few more of our favourites as we get closer to the festival.

American

Anchor Brewing – San Fransisco
Steam Beer – 4.8%
Liberty Ale – 5.9%
Porter – 5.6%

Brooklyn Brewery – NYC
Brown Ale – 5.6%
Black Chocolate Stout – 10.0%
East India Pale Ale – 6.8%

Flying Dog Brewery- Maryland
Doggie Style – 5.5%
Road Dog Porter – 6.0%
Raging Bitch – 8.3%
Tire Bite – 5.1%

Goose Island – Chicago
312 Urban Wheat – 4.4% (as served in the White House!)
Honkers Ale – 4.3%
India Pale Ale – 5.9%

Sierra Nevada
Pale Ale – 5.6%

Belgian

De Koninck – 5.0%
Duvel – 8.5%
Kwak – 8.4%
La Chouffe – 8.0%
Mc Chouffe – 8.0%
Houblon Chouffe – 9.0%
Vedett Blonde – 5.0%
Vedett White – 4.7%
Belgoo Magus – 6.6%
Van Honsebrouke Brigand – 9.0%
Van Honsebrouke Kasteel Blonde 7 – 7.0%
Van Honsebrouke Kasteel Brune 11 – 11.0%
Cantillion Geuze – 5.0%
Cantillon Kriek – 5.0%
Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus – 5.0%
Cuvee Des Trolls – 7.0%
Delirium Tremens – 8.5%
Duchesse de Bourgogne – 6.2%
Mongozo Coconut – 4.5%
Rochefort 8 – 9.2%
Rochefort 10 – 11.3%
Saison Silly – 5.0%
Brasserie Dubuisson Scaldis Ambre – 12.0%
Urthel Hop It – 9.5%

Abbey & Trappist

Chimay Red Cap – 7.0%
Chimay White Cap – 8.0%
Chimay Blue Cap – 9.0%
Karmeliet Tripel – 8.4%
La Trappe Blonde – 6.5%
La Trappe Tripel – 8.0%
Maredsous Blonde – 6.0%
Maredsous Brune – 8.0%
Maredsous Triple – 10.0%
Orval – 6.2%
Westmalle Dubbel – 7.0%
Westmalle Tripel – 9.5%

For the Full list go here.