My first visit to one of the beer festivals that take place at this wonderful venue and the choice didn't let me down.
Beers available included :
* Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild
* Blue Monkey Guerilla
* Thornbridge St Peterburg
* Tower Black Stout and Fros Brook
* Mallinson Oat Meal Stout
* Brown Cow Bowlocks Stout (sip)
* Milltown Mild
* Bass Bitter
* Woodlands Mild
* Bristol Beer Factory Sunrise
* Enville Ginger and Dragons Den
* Teme Valley Blond and North Down
* Oakham Baja 1000 and Xterminator
* Wem Cherry Bomb (not on)
* Leatherbritches Ginger Spice (sip - Lemon Grass Beer)
* Brewdog Hardcore
* High House Matten Magpie Ale
* Quartz Grun Gold
* Thornbridge Jaipur (sip) and Halcyon Epic
* Castle Rock Warbler
* Hopback English Hop Medley
The biggest challenge however wasn't deciding which beer to have next, rather it was deciding when was safe so we could dodge the flying blades used by the Ryknild Rabble rapper (sword and clog dancing) ensemble.
Friday, 13 November 2009
21st October - Burton Civic Society Talk - "Taste of Brewing"
Along with a small group from the Burton Beer Circle I joined some 30 interested people for a talk, hosted by the Burton Civic Society, by Dr Paul Hegarty who is the Head of Communications for Molsun Coors here in the UK.
Paul's talk covered :
In Elizabethen times there was an allowance of 2 gallons of beers per day for a woman.
Finally that whilst the duty on beer and whisky increases as the strength does this is not true for e.g. cider or wine.
After the talk, our party moved to the Coopers in a failed attamept to try some of the beers due on for the festival starting the next day but alas to no avail (except one!). Sampled there were Milton Mild from Howard Town brewery, as well as Guerilla from Blue Monkey.
Paul's talk covered :
- how beer is made -he included a tale that the company received complaints after they started emphasising that they only used 100% British grain in their beers despite the fact they always had. He noted that areas where grain for beer making is grown are carefully chosen to be where there are low levels of rain fall as this help prevent problems during growing and harvesting. We were then offered round samples of different malts to get our teeth into to show the different types of grain (how they varied in colour, taste, etc) that are commonly used in British beers. Paul mentioned the brewing grew up in areas with good local water suppies e.g. Burton where the high levels of gypsum adds to the flavour associated with Burton and gave a water suited to brewing ales (as against soft water on the continent which is good for lager , etc.) Interesting that the water drawn from the wells around Burton originates in rain falling in the Matlock area and is estimated to take 20 years to find itas way to Burton. despite Burton being upon Trent they use well water and so were unaffected by the recent poison scare in the river.
- tasting beer / health benefits- many of the different flavours we get in beers are down to the yeast that is chosen. Beer is likened to liquid bread and some interesting statistics are to be found on Milksucks.com including that 1l of beer provides 10% of daily protein requirements, 20% ish of the fibre. As ABV increases so do the calories but an average beer is only 19o calories as against 300 for a packet of crisps for example. It isn't the beer that make you fat, it what you eat with it (Ed's note - why does it make you hungry?)
- Coors Light - an American light ale
- Golsch - a continental lager
- Kasteel Cru Rose - an Alsace lager made with champagne and flavoured with Elderflower and Elderberries
- White Shield - their classic IPA
- Blue Moon - an Amercian craft beer (wheat beer) produced by The Blue Moon Brewing Company
In Elizabethen times there was an allowance of 2 gallons of beers per day for a woman.
Finally that whilst the duty on beer and whisky increases as the strength does this is not true for e.g. cider or wine.
After the talk, our party moved to the Coopers in a failed attamept to try some of the beers due on for the festival starting the next day but alas to no avail (except one!). Sampled there were Milton Mild from Howard Town brewery, as well as Guerilla from Blue Monkey.
17th October - Burton Auction and Bottle Swap
This was the inaugural get together for a subset of fellow members of the Midlands CBA. Early meetings of the CBA had included a chance to swap bottles but this practice was discontinued due to a range of issues not least of which was carrying them around the various pubs after the meeting. Whilst we do taste beers at the CBA meetings, it is often difficult to get an overall impression based on a small sample and it was felt better to experience a full pint and report back. Also taking the beers away for later sampling removes the problem of others' comments affecting one's own judgement. More details on the beers I'm judging (if that's the word - its not a competition after all) will follow in later entries.
On to the rest of the day.
The main reason for choosing this date was that it coincided with the national breweriana auction. I chose to arrive even earlier and sample the breakfast in Big Macs café. Choosing the Brunch option at £4 plus a large mug of tea at 70p appeared the best option and indeed filled the gap well (must try the monster option at some stage.)
On to the auction arriving shortly before viewing was due to commence and a quick tour in exchange for the £2.50 catalogue was in order. A large range of lots was on offer but nothing that fitted the joint requirements of (1) being desirable and (2) easily transportable on the train.
Time to meet up and arriving shortly before opening at the Devonshire I was met by Mike and thence the others. Inside beers sampled were Burton Bridge Porter (makes a change for me in Burton!) followed by their Golden Delicious.
We also discussed various beer related matters (see to do section at end.)
We then moved on to the Coopers where I had time to sample Tatttnang Red from
Downton.
I off-loaded (sold) the auction catalogue to a colleague and time to go to start the process of watching some paint dry.
To do
1) Ernie - what's the name of the olde worlde pub near Ashbourne - Answer Yew Tree At Cauldon (ST10 3EJ)
2) Also for Ernie - list of pubs in Walking distance of Burton railway station.
3) Identify dates for similar event in February (Saturday) for Greg
On to the rest of the day.
The main reason for choosing this date was that it coincided with the national breweriana auction. I chose to arrive even earlier and sample the breakfast in Big Macs café. Choosing the Brunch option at £4 plus a large mug of tea at 70p appeared the best option and indeed filled the gap well (must try the monster option at some stage.)
On to the auction arriving shortly before viewing was due to commence and a quick tour in exchange for the £2.50 catalogue was in order. A large range of lots was on offer but nothing that fitted the joint requirements of (1) being desirable and (2) easily transportable on the train.
Time to meet up and arriving shortly before opening at the Devonshire I was met by Mike and thence the others. Inside beers sampled were Burton Bridge Porter (makes a change for me in Burton!) followed by their Golden Delicious.
We also discussed various beer related matters (see to do section at end.)
We then moved on to the Coopers where I had time to sample Tatttnang Red from
Downton.
I off-loaded (sold) the auction catalogue to a colleague and time to go to start the process of watching some paint dry.
To do
1) Ernie - what's the name of the olde worlde pub near Ashbourne - Answer Yew Tree At Cauldon (ST10 3EJ)
2) Also for Ernie - list of pubs in Walking distance of Burton railway station.
3) Identify dates for similar event in February (Saturday) for Greg
14th October - Burton Beer Circle
The would turn out to be the first of four beer related trips to Burton in just over 1 week, and on this occasion was for the October get together of the Burton Beer Circle. Traditions went out of the window with the Devonshire not doing food so I found myself on a bench near the college eating some rather wonderful fish and chips.
Meeting up in the Coopers I went for Hopback Entire Stout. Other beers available that night included Bass, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Worthington E and Red Shield but the rest of the evening was taken up with samples of the member's attempts at cloning Thornbridge Jaipur most of which were wonderful beers but all so different.
SH who was chairing advised us that there was a talk the next week on the tastes of brewing so some of us decided we would attend (see later entry.)
On the way back to the station, there was time for a shift half of Burton Ale in the Roebuck (Burton Ale House.)
Meeting up in the Coopers I went for Hopback Entire Stout. Other beers available that night included Bass, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Worthington E and Red Shield but the rest of the evening was taken up with samples of the member's attempts at cloning Thornbridge Jaipur most of which were wonderful beers but all so different.
SH who was chairing advised us that there was a talk the next week on the tastes of brewing so some of us decided we would attend (see later entry.)
On the way back to the station, there was time for a shift half of Burton Ale in the Roebuck (Burton Ale House.)
9th October - New Real Ale venues around Birmingham City Centre
"I'll save time" I thought on arrival at New Street Station and purchase a Centro Day ticket to enable me to join the rest on their trip to Tipton - should have (re-)read the e-mail as...
... on arrival at the Fox by Birmingham's Chinese Quarter GP informs me that they were staying around Birmingham (in line with the email) to sample beers in some pubs that have recently improved in the real ale stakes (but at least he was kind enough to buy the ticket off me.) In the Fox it was two halves of the guest beers (they also had St Austall Tribute which although an excellent beer isn't that uncommon.) This enabled a side by side comparison of Backyard Brewhouse's Hobs Hole at 4.2% against Churchyard Bob from Warwickshire which although stronger at 4.9% didn't taste like it.
Next onto the Victoria in John Bright Street. Although they had Hook Norton's Hooky Bitter, Ridley's Witch Finder and Purity's Mad Goose I spied and went for Butty Bach from Wye Valley.
Now for one of the most interesting pubs, Baccus Bar near New Street Station, the décor has to be seen to be belived (which is my way for saying I'm not sure how to describe it but think Castle in the Elizabethan style with a gothic twist and you won't be far wrong). One real ale available (although I nearly went for the Erdinger Wheat beer) so we opted for Timothy Taylor's Golden Best which is that rare offering these days of the Yorkshire Light Mild.
Further up the road to the Yard of Ale (one of the pubs that suffered in the 1974 pub bombings then known as the Tavern in the Town.) These days it’s a typical city centre pub that in keeping with other places in the area you have to descend a flight of stairs to get in. There were three real ales available with Jennings Little Gem being my choice (other options were Ringwood 49er , and Banks's Bitter.)
Onwards to the (in the style of Wetherspoon's) Crown near Aston University where the beer of choice was Morrisey Fox Spooky. The taste cause a lot of debate, just what was it it? Then JF hit the nail on the head describing it as American Cream Soda.
Round the corner to Jekyll and Hyde where Wye Valley HPA was on offer. The poster on the wall of a Haynes manual style drawing of an old VW Camper got me thinking back to a time when I was younger and wanted to be a draughtsman.
Into Edmunds in Edmund Street for a swift half of Wye Valley HPA and finally Church Street next for a pub previously known as the Cathedral Tavern , but now called Utopia where Enville's Honey Ale was selected and just before the homeward trek there was the posh appearing Pub du Vin also in Edmund Street. Purity Mad Goose was the choice (other options included Sharpes Doom Bar, Kinver Light Railway a pleasant touch (I suppose) was the freely available dry roast nuts nibbled whilst we gazed at the impressive drinks cabinet.
I'm too old for this many pubs!! but a great night all the same - nice one GP and more next time please!
... on arrival at the Fox by Birmingham's Chinese Quarter GP informs me that they were staying around Birmingham (in line with the email) to sample beers in some pubs that have recently improved in the real ale stakes (but at least he was kind enough to buy the ticket off me.) In the Fox it was two halves of the guest beers (they also had St Austall Tribute which although an excellent beer isn't that uncommon.) This enabled a side by side comparison of Backyard Brewhouse's Hobs Hole at 4.2% against Churchyard Bob from Warwickshire which although stronger at 4.9% didn't taste like it.
Next onto the Victoria in John Bright Street. Although they had Hook Norton's Hooky Bitter, Ridley's Witch Finder and Purity's Mad Goose I spied and went for Butty Bach from Wye Valley.
Now for one of the most interesting pubs, Baccus Bar near New Street Station, the décor has to be seen to be belived (which is my way for saying I'm not sure how to describe it but think Castle in the Elizabethan style with a gothic twist and you won't be far wrong). One real ale available (although I nearly went for the Erdinger Wheat beer) so we opted for Timothy Taylor's Golden Best which is that rare offering these days of the Yorkshire Light Mild.
Further up the road to the Yard of Ale (one of the pubs that suffered in the 1974 pub bombings then known as the Tavern in the Town.) These days it’s a typical city centre pub that in keeping with other places in the area you have to descend a flight of stairs to get in. There were three real ales available with Jennings Little Gem being my choice (other options were Ringwood 49er , and Banks's Bitter.)
Onwards to the (in the style of Wetherspoon's) Crown near Aston University where the beer of choice was Morrisey Fox Spooky. The taste cause a lot of debate, just what was it it? Then JF hit the nail on the head describing it as American Cream Soda.
Round the corner to Jekyll and Hyde where Wye Valley HPA was on offer. The poster on the wall of a Haynes manual style drawing of an old VW Camper got me thinking back to a time when I was younger and wanted to be a draughtsman.
Into Edmunds in Edmund Street for a swift half of Wye Valley HPA and finally Church Street next for a pub previously known as the Cathedral Tavern , but now called Utopia where Enville's Honey Ale was selected and just before the homeward trek there was the posh appearing Pub du Vin also in Edmund Street. Purity Mad Goose was the choice (other options included Sharpes Doom Bar, Kinver Light Railway a pleasant touch (I suppose) was the freely available dry roast nuts nibbled whilst we gazed at the impressive drinks cabinet.
I'm too old for this many pubs!! but a great night all the same - nice one GP and more next time please!
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Saturday 19th September - To and From Hayes - Low flying planes, and unlubricated sofas
Well, we've gone upmarket with this post. Gone are the boring but functional solely text postings, now we've got pictures!
Hayes and Yeading football club, which I suppose sounds a bit like a musical double act, was the destination for today's jaunt and brief look at the excellent map on their web site revealed they are very close to Heathrow and even better the same map revealed a pub, the White Horse in the village of Longford which if the airport ever expands even a few feet that way will probably need to be expunged from the records.
There was clear evidence of the pub selling real ale from their web site and knowing that t'other half likes a bit of plane spotting it seemed like a good stopping off point.
Off down the M40 we set, past 10, no 20, no 40 Smart cars of various models and after a brief stop at High Wycombe services with a wonderful example of a Sydney Armstrong parked up there, we arrived shortly after noon.
Its a Saturday so the on street parking was free and we settled down in the road side seats with Marston's Pedigree in Hand to watch the flying machines come in accompanied by the pub's dog.
Unfortunately whilst the pub is indeed close to the airport, surrounding buildings make it not well placed for photographic purposes and having spotted The Kings Arms a few hundred yards away we decided to head there and see what that could offer. From the outside it looked worst but on closer inspection we were rewarded in our efforts with an excellent view across the Terminal 5 and a close up view of the aircraft coming in to land. (The photo below was taken with a compact camera and not a super long telephoto lens). Alas the beer choice was not great - there was evidence of real ale being sold but not today so it was coke for me.
So that's the low flying bit of the title dealt with, but what I hear you cry, of the "unlubricated sofa" - don't fear - read on.
Thence off to the match, thence the homeward leg and the plan this time was to stop in a village in Oxfordshire hopefully to include food. My aging copy of the GBG revealed a likely candidate in the shape of the King's Head at Fritwell with its choice of ales and "traditional food served daily." Sure enough we soon found our way there and opted for a beer from Hook Norton (alas not noted) and asked about food. "We're not doing any today" came the reply, "but we do have a bbq on" so out we tramped and indeed there was a bbq that although had been going for some time they were still offering excellent burgers and indeed free sausages once we revealed we had come from Tamworth.
T'other half tends to pick up vibes about people and was soon quietly pointing out that the cook was a bit camp.
Whilst sitting there a trailor was dragged to the front of the pub containing a 3 piece suite which some friends of the familtyowners then needed to get up a steep narrow staircase at the side of the pub. After much grunting and groaning from those involved they managed to get the two chairs up and in. Then came the sofa. I didn't think you could carry a sofa that many ways. Eventually amidst the chorus of friendly if unhelpful but well intentioned comments, the cook piped up with "If you put some lubrication on it it will slip in easier" - success and thence we left as t'other half burst into fits of laughter.
Hayes and Yeading football club, which I suppose sounds a bit like a musical double act, was the destination for today's jaunt and brief look at the excellent map on their web site revealed they are very close to Heathrow and even better the same map revealed a pub, the White Horse in the village of Longford which if the airport ever expands even a few feet that way will probably need to be expunged from the records.
There was clear evidence of the pub selling real ale from their web site and knowing that t'other half likes a bit of plane spotting it seemed like a good stopping off point.
Off down the M40 we set, past 10, no 20, no 40 Smart cars of various models and after a brief stop at High Wycombe services with a wonderful example of a Sydney Armstrong parked up there, we arrived shortly after noon.
Its a Saturday so the on street parking was free and we settled down in the road side seats with Marston's Pedigree in Hand to watch the flying machines come in accompanied by the pub's dog.
Unfortunately whilst the pub is indeed close to the airport, surrounding buildings make it not well placed for photographic purposes and having spotted The Kings Arms a few hundred yards away we decided to head there and see what that could offer. From the outside it looked worst but on closer inspection we were rewarded in our efforts with an excellent view across the Terminal 5 and a close up view of the aircraft coming in to land. (The photo below was taken with a compact camera and not a super long telephoto lens). Alas the beer choice was not great - there was evidence of real ale being sold but not today so it was coke for me.
So that's the low flying bit of the title dealt with, but what I hear you cry, of the "unlubricated sofa" - don't fear - read on.
Thence off to the match, thence the homeward leg and the plan this time was to stop in a village in Oxfordshire hopefully to include food. My aging copy of the GBG revealed a likely candidate in the shape of the King's Head at Fritwell with its choice of ales and "traditional food served daily." Sure enough we soon found our way there and opted for a beer from Hook Norton (alas not noted) and asked about food. "We're not doing any today" came the reply, "but we do have a bbq on" so out we tramped and indeed there was a bbq that although had been going for some time they were still offering excellent burgers and indeed free sausages once we revealed we had come from Tamworth.
T'other half tends to pick up vibes about people and was soon quietly pointing out that the cook was a bit camp.
Whilst sitting there a trailor was dragged to the front of the pub containing a 3 piece suite which some friends of the familtyowners then needed to get up a steep narrow staircase at the side of the pub. After much grunting and groaning from those involved they managed to get the two chairs up and in. Then came the sofa. I didn't think you could carry a sofa that many ways. Eventually amidst the chorus of friendly if unhelpful but well intentioned comments, the cook piped up with "If you put some lubrication on it it will slip in easier" - success and thence we left as t'other half burst into fits of laughter.
Thursday 17th September - Burton Beer Festival
Burton's branch of CAMRA typically hosts two festivals every year and in the past, the plan was usually to attend on the Friday night. This plan however is often flawed due to the sheer number of people attending, and the more interesting beers having sold out priot to our arrival. Not so this year as we arrived shortly before opening for the initial Thursday night session. Whilst we waited we chatted to a nice chap who had come all the way from Aberdeen.
At 7 pm sharp (-ish) the door were flung open and in we went.
"Hmmm" was my intial reaction, somethings changed here, the beer range looks more interesting than in previous years. Our normal plan is to spend some time at the festival and thence a couple of pubs, - not this time as our stay till 10.15 soon passed.
Along the way the following beers were sampled:
At 7 pm sharp (-ish) the door were flung open and in we went.
"Hmmm" was my intial reaction, somethings changed here, the beer range looks more interesting than in previous years. Our normal plan is to spend some time at the festival and thence a couple of pubs, - not this time as our stay till 10.15 soon passed.
Along the way the following beers were sampled:
- Brewdog - Edge - the description of a mild drinking far above its strength was spot on - although only 2.8% - you'd have thought it was stronger. A good example of the "people's beer" that CAMRA has proposed.
- Time for something unusual. I had spied Dark Star's Espresso, a 4.2% black beer made with freshly ground espresso. This should be a beer for the beer drinker who like a little coffee, alas it came across as a glass of cold coffee for the beer drinker. Not a beer I'd drink again on purpose and a half was a lifetime's supply for me (but then beer is so subjective.
- Back to the Brewdog section. I've followed the development of the double and triple IPA styles from their early days (then known as Baltic IPAs in some parts) so the chance to sample a British brewery's attempt in the form on Hardcore IPA was one I jumped at (the note in the programme that this 9% was the most bitter of british beers added to the attraction (must be the beer drinker's equivilent of why to mountaineers climb mountains?)) Sure enough the nip that I sampled had an intense hoppiness that you either love or don't. I think in a blind tasting it would be difficult to divide this from a Shiraz style wine. What ever I could still feel the numbness some days later!
I was almost tempted by the 13.4% Falstaff Supernova, but the knowledge of meetings the next morning put paid to that. - So, onward from a large hopping to a very small hopped Milk Stout (4.5%) from the Bristol Beer Factory. A revival of an old Bristol recipe, this is a good example of the style I felt. If I'd have had a flat cap and closed my eyes I could quite easily imagine sitting in a pub in Bristol (except for the slight problem that I've never been to Bristol let alone drunk in a pub there).
- Sticking to the Bristolian Stout theme but wanting more body next came Arbor's Oyster Stout (4.6%). Not one for the vegatarians as this does contain oysters.
- Further into Cornwall, for Crowlas Bitter from Penzance. A simple 3.8% offering which answered my call for beer flavoured beer.
- Closer to home next, I'd been speaking to Robert Greenway from Blythe Brewery earlier in the evening so it was only fittin g to sample one of his. Three beers were on offer, all new to me, but I chose Hamstall Hop a 4.2% beer on the basis that he had ustilised Fuggle hops growing at the brewery and I have previously say under the said hop bine. Good beer sums this one up nicely.
- time for one more, Swedish Nightingale from Malvern Hills seemed a good choice and indeed was my conclusion over this 4% offering.
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