The Real Ale thread

[Red Firecracker]

Harveys Christmas Ale (December) ABV 8.2%

Christmas Ale is a strong barley wine brewed to a strength similar to the beers produced by the Tudor brewers in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. This dark, heavily hopped seasonal brew is perfect to drink during the festive season. The alcohol content is 8.2% by volume.



Ideal for slipping into a comfortable coma on the afternoon of Christmas Day!

[anonymous-user]

Just found a new ale and its well worth giving it a try! Its calle "Old Crafty Hen" a relative of "Old Speckled Hen" (been drinking the "Hen" since moorland was independant), Its an Oak barrel ale and is quite rich with a malty finish, its quite stron at 6.5 % but its very drinkable! I know its Green King and I know its in a bottle but its bloody good! I bought 4 today and im on 3 already (its that good) Let me know what ya think!

[Forthright MC]

MonkeyMatt said:

Just found a new ale and its well worth giving it a try! Its calle "Old Crafty Hen" a relative of "Old Speckled Hen" (been drinking the "Hen" since moorland was independant), Its an Oak barrel ale and is quite rich with a malty finish, its quite stron at 6.5 % but its very drinkable! I know its Green King and I know its in a bottle but its bloody good! I bought 4 today and im on 3 already (its that good) Let me know what ya think!

is Crafty Hen bottle conditioned?
if you like the variants of OSH, have a look for Hens Tooth next time, similar strength, but Bottle Conditioned so it is Real Ale in a bottle

i got to try some Kelham Island Easy Rider this evening, a lovely well balanced pale golden ale of 4.3% with citrussy flavours and biscuity maltiness galore!
a brew for those who like flavours over full bodied-ness definetely

Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 15th January 20:04

[anonymous-user]

I'll definately try that one out Forthright! Hens tooth is a bit of a favourite of mine! as for the the "Old Crafty Hen" its conditioned in oak barrels, a little like Innis & Gunn, but not so syrupy or oaky!

[hugh_]

Where do you get that from Matt, might give it a go myself.

While not quite in line with the threads origins I'm currently enjoying a Leffe which I rediscovered at new year, and is a bit different from my normal tipple

[navier_stokes]

MonkeyMatt said:

I'll definately try that one out Forthright! Hens tooth is a bit of a favourite of mine! as for the the "Old Crafty Hen" its conditioned in oak barrels, a little like Innis & Gunn, but not so syrupy or oaky!

Talking of Innis & Gunn, Tescos have got them on offer at £1 a bottle... so I picked up a few lovely stuff, drink up!

[hugh_]

There's a new variant of it too which is Rum casked; it's certainly different but I didn't particularly enjoy. Also £1/bottle in Tesco's at the moment.

[muppetdave]

hugh_ said:

cymtriks said:

Old Rosie Cider (OK not an ale but if any real ale types ever fancy a cider try this one)

Oh well as Cider has been mentioned I may as well continue the theme. If you get the chance to try "Rattler", personally I think its fantastic but it seems to be a love/hate thing .

If you like Rattler (which I did), then Healey's do a vintage cyder which is far far better than the Rattler.

In terms of the beers, the Spitfire is always a good safe bet

[Forthright MC]

MonkeyMatt said:

I'll definately try that one out Forthright! Hens tooth is a bit of a favourite of mine! as for the the "Old Crafty Hen" its conditioned in oak barrels, a little like Innis & Gunn, but not so syrupy or oaky!

interesting stuff, Innis & Gunn did nothing for me either TBH, really didn't like the woody, almost spirit like flavour/taste of the stuff!

maybe they should produce one of their beers in cask conditioned form perhaps...

i think brews like I&G plus Old Crafty Hen and even that Strong Suffolk Ale GK produce in "bottle only" (although, IIRC they did do a cask version of SS as a seasonal one year, not too sure about that though)form could do quite well in cask format, even if its just as a special or a seasonal offering just to test the waters maybe...

Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 15th January 22:18

[anonymous-user]

Hugh, I got the ale from Sainsbury's, its a new line I think! as for the rum cask Innis and Gunn, fabulous stuff! Im always on the lookout for a new bottled ale as I collect the bottles! (empty of course) sad I know but its better than stamps or rare bird eggs!

Currently drinking and Innis and Gunn blonde! think I better stop after this one and go to bed! Haha

Edited by MonkeyMatt on Thursday 15th January 22:19

[Smiler.]

I was gifted a case of Trade Winds for Christmas. This, might just, be the best IPA ever brewed.

I give you:




http://www.cairngormbrewery.com/index.php?app=gbu0...

[Furyous]

Right, Im a noob as far as ales go. Been a cider drinker fro many many years.

However, a mate has been nagging me to try some brown beers, so Ive had a go.
Which is tricky, and is not many places have a good selection it would appear.

Prefer a darker brew, with a bit of strength to it.

Have tried so far -
Bishops Finger - Not bad, bit light in body though, good strength.
Bombardier - Like this, quite dark and nice flavour
Old Peculiar - My fave so far, good all round pint
Broadside - strange, thought it was almost sticky sweet.
Innis & Gunn - not bad, only had a half, so not decided.

What am I missing out on Ph massive ?
Recommend me some dark brews.

[Gold]

Furyous said:

What am I missing out on Ph massive ?
Recommend me some dark brews.

Brain's Dark

[jet_noise]

Dear furyous,

draft or bottled?

Jennings Sneck Lifter
Cauldron Snout - bit obscure this, only brewed for the High Force Hotel but if you're there...
Fullers 1865
Smiles Heritage
Old Hooky
Black Cuillin
Traquair Jacobite

Try any Porter e.g. Meantime, Fullers,

regards,
Jet

[Furyous]

jet_noise said:

Dear furyous,

draft or bottled?

Jennings Sneck Lifter
Cauldron Snout - bit obscure this, only brewed for the High Force Hotel but if you're there...
Fullers 1865
Smiles Heritage
Old Hooky
Black Cuillin
Traquair Jacobite

Try any Porter e.g. Meantime, Fullers,

regards,
Jet

Cheers Jet, will have a look. Should have said, I meant bottled.

[smiller]

Furyous said:

Recommend me some dark brews.

Some starters for 10:

Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout
Beowulf Dragon Smoke Stout
Hobsons Mild
Hook Norton Hooky Dark
Budweiser Budvar Black (honestly!)
Marstons Owd Rodger (bottled)

[Forthright MC]

don't forget Milds either (dark and light) some cracking examples of the style available for you to find

heres a few from me including a few milds,

Potbelly Beijing Black
Buntingford Pargetters
Batemans DM

Batemans Salem Porter
Nethergate Umbel Magna (Corriander Porter)
Elgoods North Brink Porter

Hopback Entire Stout
Oldershaw Grantham Stout
Titanic Stout

[Black Sport 160]

smiller said:

Furyous said:

Recommend me some dark brews.

Budweiser Budvar Black (honestly!)

That is a great beer, better still if you can find it on draught as opposed to bottles.

Another fantastic one of very similar style is Koestritzer.

[HeavySoul]

Furyous said:

Bombardier - Like this, quite dark and nice flavour

If you like stong, darker ones - try and pick up Bombardier Satantic Mill.

Like Bombardier but more potent and darker in colour. Very nice.

[smiller]

Black Sport 160 said:

smiller said:

Furyous said:

Recommend me some dark brews.

Budweiser Budvar Black (honestly!)

That is a great beer, better still if you can find it on draught as opposed to bottles.

Another fantastic one of very similar style is Koestritzer.

I'll keep an eye out for that. Is it bottled or draught? I've never heard of it. The only reason I mentioned Budvar Black is because (honestly) our local serves it draught alongside Budvar blonde, and Black knocks blonde into a cocked hat.