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OK, so I'm childish and out from under the managerial thumb for a little while. But feel free to post your thoughts on lovely ales and such.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 12:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah go on. You know you want to.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 12:57 (twenty-two years ago)

if I lived in England I would join CAMRA and drink real ale all the time and become all chubby but amiable at the same time.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 12:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah, fragrant ale. 'Tis but a mere 24 days till I can experience your divine taste once again.

― RickyT (RickyT), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 13:04 (twenty-two years ago)

I like a bit of Timothy Taylor Landlord, which I first had at the real ale festival at Warwick Uni and have been looking for ever since. It's such an honest pint!

On entirely the other side of the specturm, I'm developing a real thing for draughtflow Tetley. I *know* it's the antithesis of a real ale, but I just love the floral overtones!

Something I keep meaning to do is visit the museum part of Youngs Brewery, which is only a couple of miles from my house. Anyone fancy coming with me?

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 13:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Robinson's Best from Stockport.

Booze trip - yep, I'd be up for that. I love brewery tours.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 13:47 (twenty-two years ago)

a country pub sesh on old peculier after a day on the hills=my idea of heaven.

― michael wells (michael w.), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 13:55 (twenty-two years ago)

My father and my step-mother run a pub in Ironbridge, Shropshire. They were the CAMERA pub of the year in 1995 and would have been in following years if not for CAMERA politics (the ones I've met seem like an odd bunch). They've been on American travel programmes too, although don't ask me which ones. So, yes, The Coalbrookedale Inn, go there, now.

(end family business advert)

― Anna (Anna), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:11 (twenty-two years ago)

CAMERA - The Campaign for Extremely Real Ale. What a concept...

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Ooops.

(I have a hangover)

― Anna (Anna), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:18 (twenty-two years ago)

I like a bit of Timothy Taylor Landlord, which I first had at the real ale festival at Warwick Uni and have been looking for ever since. It's such an honest pint!

I like it too! You can get it all the time in Oxford, Mark C, speshly at Far from the Madding Crowd, an odd little pub tucked away down an alley called Friars Entry next to Borders. The only problem with this beer is ordering it. It feels v. odd asking for a pint of the Landlord!

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:23 (twenty-two years ago)

It's around in London too... it's always on at the Old Bell in Fleet Street, yum.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, I had it recently in a little pub just near the Chandos off the Strand - can't remember the name. I too like Old Peculier, especially when they were doing a 6 bottles for £4 deal a few months ago in the local Thresher.

The last real ale I had was so sulphurous I almost couldn't drink it. Is that supposed to happen?

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm not sure if I'd know if something tasted *sulphurous*.

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Robinson's best is a really good pint and the boozer in Stockport just down from the brewery (Quenn Elizabeth?) must be about the cheapest in the UK. £1.17 a pint!!

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:33 (twenty-two years ago)

MarkC: I bet that pub was the Harp, and I bet your sulphurous pint was off.

Billy: do you know whether the Spread Eagle in Stockport (surrounded on 3 sides by the brewery) still there? Are the mirrors with piccies of Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe still there? What a good pub.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:35 (twenty-two years ago)

It's the Queen's head, just under the bridge at Little Underbank.

It also has the smallest gent's in the UK too.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:36 (twenty-two years ago)

What's that? A bucket?

I've been told that the cheapest beer in Britain can be purchased in Blackpool.

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:37 (twenty-two years ago)

BD: is that the place which used to be the Spread Eagle (actually part of the brewery buildings)?

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Tim, no the Queens Head is different. I think the Spread Eagle is the one on the hill, next to the brewery.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes! I want to go back to Stockport. It seems that that nice Carlton Palmer is in the process of arranging for me to have an excuse for the trip.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 14:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Was at Stockport for the game against Brizzle City in December - was presenting them a signed AFCW shirt on da pitch. I was great. Spent all day in a Robbie's boozer up from the ground and was so drunk I got beaten by a 7 year old at Darts.*

* - Normally, you have to be at least 12 to beat me. At darts, that is.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Robinson's is indeed a fine brew, shame it's from Stockport.

Mark, Landlord can be bought by the bottle from Morrisson's supermarkets. There's one in Chingford.

There was some lovely beer in the Turf last time I was in there with Hopkins, Vicky and Ptee. can't remember the name of it though.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Hm I had the zyder as I recall, proper job.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

I like ale. I'm not sure if it's 'real' or not. What's the definition again?

― Archel (Archel), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:24 (twenty-two years ago)

ooh yeah, cloudy zyder, thems the business.

Real = weird name, thick consistency, strong. Overexposure leads to Folk music abuse.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Archel, I answered this question on ILx many moons ago:WTF is CAMRA. It comes down to this:

real = fizzing with live fungus
unreal = beer equivalent of UHT milk.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh right. Yeah, I like that stuff. Harveys of Lewes be my local brewery and fine it is too.

― Archel (Archel), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:30 (twenty-two years ago)

It must contain lots of natural ingredients, like Donkley scrotums and farmers fingernails. A few nails too.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes they serve Harveys in at least two of my fave pubs in London.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think I've had it, point me in it's direction.

Apple tree has the Caledonian 80 shilling back on, num num.

The Village is back to it's bog standard 4 proper beers with nothing unusual at the moment.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:35 (twenty-two years ago)

unreal = beer equivalent of UHT milk = bog standard?

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Really Tim? I sometimes get their 'bright' beer in a FLAGON thing from the brewery shop; it has no preservatives or anything and you have to drink it in 48 hours. Yay!

― Archel (Archel), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Chris: http://www.fancyapint.com/thepubs/pub1228.htm

Nice place, fine beer (Harveys-owned). Don't try it at the weekend though.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Bright beer? I think I'm likely to prefer stupid beer.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:39 (twenty-two years ago)

You get minimal hangover because it's so PURE, maybe that's why it's called that.

― Archel (Archel), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

what abt RED beer (e.g. Cameron Strong Arm)?

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I've walked past that pub a few times but never been in, this will have to change.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 16:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Favorite tipples:

Timothy Taylor's Landlord Pale Ale (Keighleigh)
Kelham Island Pale Rider (Sheffield)
O'Kells Mild (Douglas IOM)
Adnams SSB (Suffolk)
Black Sheep Rigwelter (North Yorks)

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 18:42 (twenty-two years ago)

oh and McEwans 80'

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 18:43 (twenty-two years ago)

A Bunch Of Grapes in which I worked in Bristol won an award for its Directors bitter from CAMRA, so we had a fair few of these people in there. They tended to be upper class, often rather tweedy, and most of them seemed to drink sherry.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 19:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I used to really like Directors when I was little. Not long ago I had some horrible beer with bumble bees in its logo. What I liked best was Bass. Lightweight but true.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 20:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Is that the bunch of grapes in denmark street or the one in king street martin?

― chris sallis, Tuesday, 4 February 2003 20:41 (twenty-two years ago)

I live opposite the merchants arms in hotwells, bristol. It is a fine pub and I am presently enjoying a bottle of Gem bought from the very same establishment. Cheers!

― chris sallis, Tuesday, 4 February 2003 20:42 (twenty-two years ago)

King Street, Chris. This was long ago: about 1980, '81 I believe.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 4 February 2003 21:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Your old boss wouldn't have been David Coulther/Blythe by any chance?

― chris sallis, Tuesday, 4 February 2003 22:54 (twenty-two years ago)

If anyone's in Brighton pop into The Evening Star (just a stone's throw from the station) and try Hophead or any of their other superb beers. It is the only pub (as far as I know) of the Ansty brewery. There is also another great micro-brewery pub a little way into Kemp Town called the 'Hand in Hand' which is also grebt, but with a really scary front-room-like bar.

I originally come from Suffolk as well, home of Adnams which make the excellent Broadside (two varieties, strong draft version and ultra strong bottled version)

Also, do not ignore Belgium beers, my favorites are the Chimay ones, but pour carefully otherwise you'll get sediment in your expensive beer. Also in Brighton we have the Quadrant next to the clocktower which sells Leffe by the pint, but I'm not sure whether they are classified as "real" or not as they are brewed on a pretty large scale. They also do a 'lambic' beer, which is basically sour beer flavoured with fruit syrup, yum!

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 04:27 (twenty-two years ago)

b-but you're actually *supposed* to drink the sediment, Chewshabadoo. They do in Belgium, anyway. Adnams Broadside is top stuff, tho I haven't tried the bottled Adnams.

Also search: Bateman's Victory (in its "patriotic" bottle)
Black Sheep
Highgate Dark Ale (tho I've only ever drunk it at the Head of Steam, Euston - if I find a pub that serves it in Oxford I'll be v. happy)

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 08:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Timothy Taylor Landlord's owns this thread - and is available at the Ship Inn, Lathom, ten minutes in a taxi...I have the afternoon off....
Also honourable mentions to Pendle Witch and Orkney Dark Island, and St Austell Ales mighty Wreckers

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 14:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Wreckers is a grebt name for a Cornish ale. The takeover of the Morrells estate by Greene King has seen a welcome increase in the incidence of Ruddles County round these parts and a corresponding unwelcome increase in the incidence of Abbot.

Greene King IPA = all right I s'pose.

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 14:46 (twenty-two years ago)

IPA = reliable at least, and better than a lot of the crap around!

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 14:53 (twenty-two years ago)

You may be supposed to drink the sediment, but you're supposed to pour it into a separate glass (or do what I do and leave it in the bottle and drink it last)

What's wrong with the mighty Abbot? My grandad's favorite and high up my list too (it's either that or Broadside before the football when I'm back in Ipswich.)

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Doesn't "bright" mean clear in a beer context? Free from sediment, fined, with egg white or isinglass? (Tasty sturgeon's air bladders, num). I seem to recall a brewer's expression about beer "falling bright".

The Abbot at Cabbage's birthday FAP was horrible, not fanciable at all. Normally it is much nicer. I should have had the IPA instead.

― Mooro (Mooro), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 20:06 (twenty-two years ago)

bright is a different quality to clear. Beer can be clear but not bright. Bright beer almost sparkles.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 21:04 (twenty-two years ago)

The Abbot at Cabbage's birthday FAP was horrible

There is nothing more annoying than going to a clueless pub with no idea of how to serve beer, and the problem is that at a pub like that you know that all their draft will be awful and you're forced to buy expensive bottled stuff (or if possible go somewhere better, annoying your friends in the process.)

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 21:54 (twenty-two years ago)

The IPA at Chris's birthday FAP was fine though.

If you get a bad pint then complain. I'm good at complaining about beer. even good landlords can't get it right 100% of the time.

― Vicky (Vicky), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 22:15 (twenty-two years ago)

there's nothing worst than a stale pint.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 5 February 2003 22:17 (twenty-two years ago)

If I get a bad pint at a usually otherwise good pub I will complain, but you must know the kind of place where you will get a dud pint half the time, thankfully I go to places like that less and less these days. I'm talking about the kind of chain pub geared towards 'yoof' here, thankfully moving away from a large provincial town into a compact cosmpolitan city means I now have a decent choice of pubs these days.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Thursday, 6 February 2003 05:31 (twenty-two years ago)

good landlords will usually look at the beer after they'v poured it and say "hmm, that doesn't look quite right", tell you "Sorry, that's off" (turning round the sign on the pump so it faces them, or attaching a cardboard sign to that effect and then recommend somethign else. Good landlords will also allow the barrel to settle prior to serving. I've never had cause to complain about a dodgy pint, except on one occasion, when I was celebrating finishing my finals at the Highbury Vaults in Bristol. A friend pointed out some hoppy bits in my pint of Smiles Exhibition which looked for all the world like Daphnia.

When I took a sip my/his worst fears were confirmed. Back I went to the bar and got something else (prolly Smiles Best). Now they normally *did* know how to keep the beer, so I assume the bad pint was on a/c of (i) how busy the pub was (ii) we were SCUMBAG STUDENTS - ha!

― MarkH (MarkH), Thursday, 6 February 2003 08:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Hi Chewshabadoo, I'm in Brighton too. My Harveys addiction means I tend to gravitate towards the Harveys pubs, or better still trek to Lewes, but I do like the Evening Star. I had chocolate flavour stout there once, mmmm :)

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 6 February 2003 09:54 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

Hey Archel,

Were you in The Evening Star on Friday? Someone who looked like your picture came in, but I was too shy to ask if it was you.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Monday, 2 August 2004 08:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Mmmm, beer. I am very much looking forward to the GBBF this week.

― Ricardo (RickyT), Monday, 2 August 2004 08:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Waaah! This is this week? I haven't organised to go, as always.

― Sarah is weeping, Monday, 2 August 2004 08:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't go to the GBBF on principle (CAMRA politics) but manage some regional ones - I may get to Peterborough at the end of the month?

This weekend I have mostly been drinking the fine bottled beers by the Meantime Brewery, mainly the strawberry and chocolate ones.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Monday, 2 August 2004 08:33 (twenty-one years ago)

that chocolate beer from meantime is the nicest choccy beer I've found, they usually just taste of marmite!

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 2 August 2004 08:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I am there on Saturday

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 2 August 2004 08:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I find that its impossible to drink an entire pint of that Meantime choccy beer. Its still larvely though - but could someone explain why they call it a lager?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 August 2004 08:47 (twenty-one years ago)

no idea, I'm trying to convince Vic that a trip is needed ion Saturday pre-birthday booze

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 2 August 2004 08:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I have my first hangover in seven months!

― Ricardo (RickyT), Friday, 6 August 2004 08:16 (twenty-one years ago)

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