Burton (again) but this time with a couple of thoee I visit various places around Birmingham once a month or so for a joint birther day - mine and DPs.
Met by the station after I'd spent some time in a junk shop offering ex pub junk and pictures for sale and we proceded to the Alfred. for me it was Burton Bridge Bramble Stout (nice but a bit heavy to start a afternoon session on maybe).
Moving on it was the Cottage and this time chose Oak Ale from the Cottage Brewing Company.
The Oak and Ivy folowed. A new pub for me and worth a visit for the guest beer (Wychwood Wild One). DP's partner noted that the cider here was "splendid."
Taxi ride followed across to the Burton Bridge Brewery's tap when I had the Burton Porter.
We then strolled up to the Wetherspoon's Lord Burton for some Pedigree.
Finally to the Coopers for Vanilla Porter (didn't note the brewery) plus PG Sips from the Blue Monkey brewery.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
9th July -Happy 274th Anniversary Mr and Mrs Johnson
Spent today in Derby mainly atttracted by the 32nd Derby beer festival. The theme this time was the 300th birthday of Doctor Samuel Johnson of dictionary fame and so many of the beer and festival specials were appropriately named. The day of our visit coincided with the day of his wedding toTetty Porter, hence the title of this posting.
Onto the drinking. First up was Leatherbritches Dr Johnson (a 4% bitter which tasted as though they had aimed to brew in the style of the Doctor's day). I've been to the pub where the brewery is housed a few years ago and details of it are here.
Next we headed out of the Great Hall and into the Darwin room for Earl Soham's Ganet Mild, followed by Ashford, a mild from the Thornbridge brewery (previously mention on here).
Time for lunch and sitting on the many free chairs between the two rooms made it easy to venture into the great hall for Amber brewery Chocolate Orange Stout - I'd have tapped and unwrapped but then I'd have spilt some so I didn't.
Porter's a style of beer I've come to enjoy so next up it was Derby brewery's Penny's Porter and thence Tetty Porter from the Full Mash brewery.
The afternoon session was drawing to a close so we ventured into the streets of Derby and a favoriate of mine, the Flower Pot (a festival in iteslf with something like 30 beers on offer and which lead me to decide not to record every beer in every pub). I spied Durham White Amerillo which brought back memories of the trip to Durham at the start of the year and is the first posting on this blog.
Next to one the Wetherspoon offerings, the Standing Order for Falstaff's A Fist Full of Hops (I think it could do with a few hops more maybe but who am I to criticise?).
Onward to the Brunswick for their Black Sabbeth Mild which we'ed thought about having back at the festival but didn't as we'ed end up here anyway.
Approaching the station we dived into the Victoria for a quick half of Bass and then bak to Tamworth for the Curry special in the Bole Bridge accompanied by Pedigree.
Onto the drinking. First up was Leatherbritches Dr Johnson (a 4% bitter which tasted as though they had aimed to brew in the style of the Doctor's day). I've been to the pub where the brewery is housed a few years ago and details of it are here.
Next we headed out of the Great Hall and into the Darwin room for Earl Soham's Ganet Mild, followed by Ashford, a mild from the Thornbridge brewery (previously mention on here).
Time for lunch and sitting on the many free chairs between the two rooms made it easy to venture into the great hall for Amber brewery Chocolate Orange Stout - I'd have tapped and unwrapped but then I'd have spilt some so I didn't.
Porter's a style of beer I've come to enjoy so next up it was Derby brewery's Penny's Porter and thence Tetty Porter from the Full Mash brewery.
The afternoon session was drawing to a close so we ventured into the streets of Derby and a favoriate of mine, the Flower Pot (a festival in iteslf with something like 30 beers on offer and which lead me to decide not to record every beer in every pub). I spied Durham White Amerillo which brought back memories of the trip to Durham at the start of the year and is the first posting on this blog.
Next to one the Wetherspoon offerings, the Standing Order for Falstaff's A Fist Full of Hops (I think it could do with a few hops more maybe but who am I to criticise?).
Onward to the Brunswick for their Black Sabbeth Mild which we'ed thought about having back at the festival but didn't as we'ed end up here anyway.
Approaching the station we dived into the Victoria for a quick half of Bass and then bak to Tamworth for the Curry special in the Bole Bridge accompanied by Pedigree.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Friday 12th June - Warwick
Friday night outing with GP and co (for co read DL this time as the rest were otherwise engaged.) Oriiganally there had been talk of going to Solihull but DL thought better of it and so after a bit of research have declared a change for Warwick and an excellent choice it was as well.
Anyway, we met at the Joint Stock (here) by Birmingham Cathedral. I used to like this place but the £3.10 a pint, combnined with the slightly heath robinson serving arrangments whilst their cellar was being seen to makes me wonder if that's still sound judgement. There was a reduced choice this time as a result and it was either London Pride or my choice Seafarers Ale which although having George Gale on the pump clip is actually produced by Fullers'. GP pointed out the cost for a 3.6% beer and made me wonder as above but later research (see here) made me feel a little better as I had in a small way been charitable (I reckon 4.03p headed the charity's way as a result of my purchase.)
Off to Snow Hill for the train, well I headed over there as I had to buy my ticket, GP and DL had already got their's and so headed for a swift half to the Old Contemptables.
I hung around the concourse for a while then DL showed and we waited and waited and assumed that GP had been for a quick jimmy riddle (see previous posting as to why this isn't actually possible in the Old Comtemps) and eventually he appeared via the lift - several seconds leg pulling about use of the lift followed by which time we found ourselves spread out on the nearly full Londion service.
Eventually we arrived at Warwick and set off for The Bowling Green (here) a rather pleasant Charles Well pub which whilst in the town centre had a cosy village pub feel to it. We could have had Eagle, or Bombidier but I chose Waggledance. A pleasant conversation on book shops, beer festival trips and the like followed in the garden which featured a Boules area.
Next we stode out in the approaching but not quite there yet dusk, past a council workman trying to get a paving slab flat with the biggest rubber mallet I've seen for some time and eventaully ended up on the far side of town at the one pub I've previous experience of in Warwick, The Old Four Penny Shop (here). A reasonable choice with RCH Pitchfork, Deuchers IPA, Warwickshire Market Beer, Archers Special and Brains SA was to be had whilst we continued the conservation in the garden (see picture on above web site), As you'll see, its not actually a garden it tables and chairs around the car park and what appears to be recently added accommodation area which makes it feel more of a motel than a hotel, still a pleasant evening so can't complain.
Onwards to The Zetland Arms. As seen on TV, whoops Youtube, here they offer Black Shep, Pedigree or my choice Adnams Broadside.
Final stop was atthe Great Western (see here). Enroute past the council workmen just packing up. As can be seen on the photos on that web site, it looks as though as some stage the surrounding ground was higher than today. Limited choice but its close to the station and whilst I could have had Curage Directors, I opted for some San Miguel (well you sometimes have to remind yourself how poor the world would be without real ale.)
Back on the station in good time for the return journey, getting off at Moor Street for several in the Anchor in Digbeth (web site here). As always a good choice and mine were Rudgate Ruby Mild and Kelham Island Park Life. Other choices that night were Acher's Golden, Everards Old Original, O'Hanlons Storm Stay, Westerham Summer Perle, Holts Mild, Dent Golden Fleece, Everards Sunchaser, Acorn Quantum, Newmans Mount Snowden PA andMilestones Coach and Horses.
Time to go, don't worry, we'll take the rear entrance to new street said GP, no we won't its shut so up the next rear entrance (don't come this way at night alone warns GP) but anyway back in good time for the train homeward.
Anyway, we met at the Joint Stock (here) by Birmingham Cathedral. I used to like this place but the £3.10 a pint, combnined with the slightly heath robinson serving arrangments whilst their cellar was being seen to makes me wonder if that's still sound judgement. There was a reduced choice this time as a result and it was either London Pride or my choice Seafarers Ale which although having George Gale on the pump clip is actually produced by Fullers'. GP pointed out the cost for a 3.6% beer and made me wonder as above but later research (see here) made me feel a little better as I had in a small way been charitable (I reckon 4.03p headed the charity's way as a result of my purchase.)
Off to Snow Hill for the train, well I headed over there as I had to buy my ticket, GP and DL had already got their's and so headed for a swift half to the Old Contemptables.
I hung around the concourse for a while then DL showed and we waited and waited and assumed that GP had been for a quick jimmy riddle (see previous posting as to why this isn't actually possible in the Old Comtemps) and eventually he appeared via the lift - several seconds leg pulling about use of the lift followed by which time we found ourselves spread out on the nearly full Londion service.
Eventually we arrived at Warwick and set off for The Bowling Green (here) a rather pleasant Charles Well pub which whilst in the town centre had a cosy village pub feel to it. We could have had Eagle, or Bombidier but I chose Waggledance. A pleasant conversation on book shops, beer festival trips and the like followed in the garden which featured a Boules area.
Next we stode out in the approaching but not quite there yet dusk, past a council workman trying to get a paving slab flat with the biggest rubber mallet I've seen for some time and eventaully ended up on the far side of town at the one pub I've previous experience of in Warwick, The Old Four Penny Shop (here). A reasonable choice with RCH Pitchfork, Deuchers IPA, Warwickshire Market Beer, Archers Special and Brains SA was to be had whilst we continued the conservation in the garden (see picture on above web site), As you'll see, its not actually a garden it tables and chairs around the car park and what appears to be recently added accommodation area which makes it feel more of a motel than a hotel, still a pleasant evening so can't complain.
Onwards to The Zetland Arms. As seen on TV, whoops Youtube, here they offer Black Shep, Pedigree or my choice Adnams Broadside.
Final stop was atthe Great Western (see here). Enroute past the council workmen just packing up. As can be seen on the photos on that web site, it looks as though as some stage the surrounding ground was higher than today. Limited choice but its close to the station and whilst I could have had Curage Directors, I opted for some San Miguel (well you sometimes have to remind yourself how poor the world would be without real ale.)
Back on the station in good time for the return journey, getting off at Moor Street for several in the Anchor in Digbeth (web site here). As always a good choice and mine were Rudgate Ruby Mild and Kelham Island Park Life. Other choices that night were Acher's Golden, Everards Old Original, O'Hanlons Storm Stay, Westerham Summer Perle, Holts Mild, Dent Golden Fleece, Everards Sunchaser, Acorn Quantum, Newmans Mount Snowden PA andMilestones Coach and Horses.
Time to go, don't worry, we'll take the rear entrance to new street said GP, no we won't its shut so up the next rear entrance (don't come this way at night alone warns GP) but anyway back in good time for the train homeward.
Wednesday 10th June - Burton Beer Circle - Strange things happen on the way to...
... Heaven - well no - There is mention of Stairway to Heaven below but anyway it was a bit of a strange evening so this is the best link I could come up with.
Ok, so as you'll have gathered from a previous post, I don't only enjoy drinking the stuff, I like making it as well. To this end I've been with the Burton Beer Circle since its conception 3 or so years ago now and every eight weeks or so we meet at the Coopers Tavern in Burton and discuss / sample our latest brews.
Tonight started off with the traditional pre-meeting eat / drink in the Devonshire with GP and JF and as tends to be the case it was Burton Bridge Porter for me (other beers available from Burton Bridge being Golden Delicious, Burton Bridge Bitter and Stairway to Heaven). They also had a guest which I briefly samply in the shape of Barleymole from Moles Brewery. One of these days I'll try a different beer here.
Over the Coopers and we have a problem. Our meeting room has been taken over for a book launch of all things. We were there just in time to hear Pete Brown tell us about his new book "Hops and Glory" which descibes "one man's search for the beer that built the British Empire."
Amongst the gathered crowd we noted Steve Wellington from the Museum brewery (see Day in a Brewery posting earlier). As part of the research Pete has been brewing a special Calcutta IPA type beer at the Museum brewery and which would be available from the bar later.
We "slummed" it in the lounge instead of the back room we usually use and sampled various beers. I supplied a bottle of White Shield and perhaps surprisingly the group weren't overly impressed (mind you they do make some exceedingly good beer this lot.)
In between times there was the regular Castle Rock Harvest Pale, Bass, Amber Ales Scary Dark Mild, Bewdley Brewery's Senior School Bitter, Titanic Lookout and Tower's Forti-Fived to sample in addition to the Hop and Glory as above.
Anyway the theme for the night's beers was Jaipur IPA (so I suppose my offering sort of fits in) and there were four samples to try, all from the same recipe but produced by different members and what a difference between them! Still we agreed in a blind tasting on the winner. So what is so strange? Well half way through we get introduced to Lynsey, the brewer from Thornbridge who produces Jaipur (and who was also impressed by the winner). Thanks to GP for this pointer to the brewery's web site and this one for their blog including a photo from the book launch (see their entry called "H Also I found the author Pete Brown's blog here.
Ok, so as you'll have gathered from a previous post, I don't only enjoy drinking the stuff, I like making it as well. To this end I've been with the Burton Beer Circle since its conception 3 or so years ago now and every eight weeks or so we meet at the Coopers Tavern in Burton and discuss / sample our latest brews.
Tonight started off with the traditional pre-meeting eat / drink in the Devonshire with GP and JF and as tends to be the case it was Burton Bridge Porter for me (other beers available from Burton Bridge being Golden Delicious, Burton Bridge Bitter and Stairway to Heaven). They also had a guest which I briefly samply in the shape of Barleymole from Moles Brewery. One of these days I'll try a different beer here.
Over the Coopers and we have a problem. Our meeting room has been taken over for a book launch of all things. We were there just in time to hear Pete Brown tell us about his new book "Hops and Glory" which descibes "one man's search for the beer that built the British Empire."
Amongst the gathered crowd we noted Steve Wellington from the Museum brewery (see Day in a Brewery posting earlier). As part of the research Pete has been brewing a special Calcutta IPA type beer at the Museum brewery and which would be available from the bar later.
We "slummed" it in the lounge instead of the back room we usually use and sampled various beers. I supplied a bottle of White Shield and perhaps surprisingly the group weren't overly impressed (mind you they do make some exceedingly good beer this lot.)
In between times there was the regular Castle Rock Harvest Pale, Bass, Amber Ales Scary Dark Mild, Bewdley Brewery's Senior School Bitter, Titanic Lookout and Tower's Forti-Fived to sample in addition to the Hop and Glory as above.
Anyway the theme for the night's beers was Jaipur IPA (so I suppose my offering sort of fits in) and there were four samples to try, all from the same recipe but produced by different members and what a difference between them! Still we agreed in a blind tasting on the winner. So what is so strange? Well half way through we get introduced to Lynsey, the brewer from Thornbridge who produces Jaipur (and who was also impressed by the winner). Thanks to GP for this pointer to the brewery's web site and this one for their blog including a photo from the book launch (see their entry called "H Also I found the author Pete Brown's blog here.
Monday, 18 May 2009
16th May 2009 - Midlands Craft Brewers Meeting
For the first time for a few years, attended the CBA meeting which this time took place at the Bartons Arms in Newtown, Birmingham.
Ahead of, and after, the meeting took chance to sample several of the Oakham beers available there. During the meeting several craft brewed beers including my own Taking a Liberty beer were sampled (its a clone supposedly of Oakham JHB but with different hops). Well received and GP tells me it tasted better now that when breqwed about a year ago (been stored in a shed through the winter so must have lagered).
An interesting part of the meeting was a blind tasting of 7 beers made to same recipe but with hops added at different times. Amazing the different tastes that resulted! One thing it showed was what the difference between bitterness and flavour when it comes to beer.
After the meeting, back into town for a quick one in the Wellington (on this occasion went for Banbks and Taylor's Mild.
Ahead of, and after, the meeting took chance to sample several of the Oakham beers available there. During the meeting several craft brewed beers including my own Taking a Liberty beer were sampled (its a clone supposedly of Oakham JHB but with different hops). Well received and GP tells me it tasted better now that when breqwed about a year ago (been stored in a shed through the winter so must have lagered).
An interesting part of the meeting was a blind tasting of 7 beers made to same recipe but with hops added at different times. Amazing the different tastes that resulted! One thing it showed was what the difference between bitterness and flavour when it comes to beer.
After the meeting, back into town for a quick one in the Wellington (on this occasion went for Banbks and Taylor's Mild.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
13th May - Day at a brewery
Thanks to Luke of the Burton Beer circle, today finds myself and GP helping at Mulson Coors brewery in Burton where we helped their German student brewing a batch of White Shield.
Lunch was spent at the Coopers where we sampled Castle Rock Harvest Pale.
En route to the station for the train home it was into the Burton Ale House (AKA the Roe Buck) where my chice was Burton Ale (Bass, Pedigree and Abbot Ale were the other possibilities).
Lunch was spent at the Coopers where we sampled Castle Rock Harvest Pale.
En route to the station for the train home it was into the Burton Ale House (AKA the Roe Buck) where my chice was Burton Ale (Bass, Pedigree and Abbot Ale were the other possibilities).
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