The Real Ale thread

[Smiler.]

A couple of weeks ago, I had a brew call Holy Joe from the Isle of Wigit, the Yates' brewery. Best thing I've tasted in years. This was at the Royal Oak in Wantage.

Really worth seeking out.

http://www.yates-brewery.co.uk/beers.html#

Anyone going to the GBBF this week?

[mph.52]

Not very politically correct I know, but this will be the 5th year that we have combined a classic and sports car gathering with a Beer festival and family day. Held in the picturesque hilltop village of Brill between Oxford and Aylesbury it just has to be worth a visit! It is very informal - just come and go as you please - there is free entry - free parking and a great atmosphere.as well as laser clays, go karts, funfair the odd steam engine picnic on the mound etc.visit www.brillbeerfestival.co.uk to get a flavour. No need to book just turn up. ( although we will reserve a parking area if you let us know you are coming as a group)- What better way to spend a bank holiday Sunday!

[Forthright MC]

good luck with the above, sounds like a good do!

i've been very much enjoying a few good pints of this just recently,



a summery seasonal offering from Elgoods of Wisbech, a lovely dark copper coloured 4.4%'er with a very satisfying fruity flavour and aroma, easily quaffed down!

[GTO Scott]

TimmyArt said:

Just been to Cornwall - Ginger Tosser was at the bar in both senses! one on tap as an ale and a climber walked into the pub, with big curly ginger hair and sat in front of the tap with his mate I didnt try any actually so cant give feedback. I had a different St.Austell ale - Tribute I think

Edited by TimmyArt on Tuesday 29th July 11:52

Ginger Tosser - good stuff, though I prefer Keel Over (4.2%)



or Cornish Knocker (4.5%)

.

Nice when it's on tap 300yds away in my local (and it always is)

www.skinnersbrewery.co.uk

[dinkel]

What epic labels!

[junder]

Burton Bridge Bitter

http://www.burtonbridgebrewery.co.uk/

[TimCrighton]

Its all about a pint of 'Knocker - Although I'm quite a fan of Betty Stoggs.

My local is run by Triple FFF brewery - Moondance is awesome - and the chap that runs it is into cars apparently. http://www.triplefff.com/Brewery/index.htm

[Forthright MC]

another fine brew found on me travels,



Bear Ass.......childish i know, but a fine brew!

described as a light mild (quite bitter tho') but looks like a dark Mild (dark ruby in colour) absolutely bursting with hoppy character and a nice pleasant finish, easily enjoyed at 4% too

big to the very nice pint of Brewsters Hophead i enjoyed the other afternoon too

Edited by Forthright MC on Sunday 24th August 21:43

[anonymous-user]

After last night I can highly reccomend Ruddles County Ale



http://www.ruddles.co.uk/

[SB - Nigel]

Symbolica said:

http://www.ruddles.co.uk/

You're either young or new to real ale or both - it'll be interesting to see the comments to this link

Ruddless - arrr, what a great beer that used to be - in the '70s

[anonymous-user]

SB - Nigel said:

Symbolica said:

http://www.ruddles.co.uk/

You're either young or new to real ale or both - it'll be interesting to see the comments to this link

Unfortunately it's not the former. Still, it tasted fine to me, I'm not snobbish about such things.

Too many old codgers around here

[SB - Nigel]

Symbolica said:

SB - Nigel said:

Symbolica said:

http://www.ruddles.co.uk/

You're either young or new to real ale or both - it'll be interesting to see the comments to this link

Unfortunately it's not the former. Still, it tasted fine to me, I'm not snobbish about such things.

Too many old codgers around here

I'm not saying you shouldn't enjoy it, in fact when I went to GK brewery best tasting beer there was Ruddles Best which unfortunately ran out before my tour group got to the bar but my wife (who had the presence of mind to nip in with the first tour party) saved me some so I would know what I had missed - not sure if it was a nice thing to do for me or not - such is marriage

And of course you're right to many old farts and I'm one

BUT

James isn't -

Happy 21st James (Forthright MC)

for today, Sunday 7th September

[Forthright MC]

SB - Nigel said:

[And of course you're right to many old farts and I'm one

BUT

James isn't -

Happy 21st James (Forthright MC)

for today, Sunday 7th September

many thanks (again!) Nigel!

and of course i enjoyed a few pints of some very interesting brews when i went out for the birthday buffet last night!,



a nice straw coloured golden ale with a pleasant floral hop flavour/aroma and a short bitter aftertaste



a commerative brew from the same brewer ^^ a brown hued, fairly malty tasting beer with just a hint of fruity hoppiness on the finish



this was my fave of the evening, another appertising well balanced golden summery beer with a a very fruity hop flavour throughout, found it very quaffable indeed!

also sampled some good Buntingford Highwayman IPA too

Edited by Forthright MC on Monday 8th September 17:32

[dinkel]

Loving the Comet!

[b2dan]

Rather enjoy a nice bottle of "Black Sheep Riggwelter"

or Son Of A bh from Bullmastif Beer.

I usually enjoy a good selection from the local though by the time I've finished i'm too inebriated to remember the name

b2

[DBSV8]

Symbolica said:

After last night I can highly reccomend Ruddles County Ale



http://www.ruddles.co.uk/

ahh Ruddles .................gives you Puddles

[Forthright MC]

had a great evening sampling a few excellently kept brews at a nearby CAMRA rated pubs 3rd beer fest (quick plug for the pub - http://www.lordjohnrussell.co.uk/ Hunts dirtrict most improved pub '07 and features in the previous and current editions of the Good Beer Guide)

heres the main lineup,



a great selection of regional and micro brewed real ales cleverly laid out too, darker beers on the top rack and light coloured bitters on the bottom complimented with a few tubs of fresh real Cider and a Perry too

heres my sheet and ticks for tonight,





fully intending to get back tomorrow and sample the rest of the darker beers (excellent examples of Mild, Stout and Porter available) but i will rate Ossett Fine Fettle very highly after tonights tasting, a lovely citrus hop aroma with a nice malt presence throughout finishing sweet and hoppy, most agreeable!

Edited by Forthright MC on Friday 26th September 21:42

[AngryApples]

As featured above, Butcombe gold's a good 'un for me


Also very partial to Bath Ales Gem:



and if feeling venomous towards my gut its

Thatchers



(hence the screen name)

Edited by AngryApples on Sunday 28th September 16:21

Edited by AngryApples on Sunday 28th September 16:24

Edited by AngryApples on Sunday 28th September 16:25

[Forthright MC]

the Butcombe Gold was very much enjoyed here too, the Adnams-esque dry finish was very nice

the back of the tick sheet (without Batemans beers) is completely full now!
went back and tried the rest of the darker beers, Holdens Black Country Mild (deep ruby red hue, with nice hints of roast barley and malt throughout) and Derventio Barbarian (bit of a hybrid, a very dark 5.5%'er not quite a Porter or Stout in taste and flavour and too heavy to be a true Mild, but very drinkable for its strength none the less!) were two that stood out for me
also for Mauldons Moletrap, Springhead Puritans Porter and Dark Star Festival too
Ossett Fine Fettle was my fave of the fest tho', a fine brew indeed IMO

Edited by Forthright MC on Sunday 28th September 23:22

[Forthright MC]

if you thought GK's already rather potent Abbot Ale couldn't get any more powerful, head along to your nearest tied house and have a look for some of this!,



yeap, 6.5%!, yet it tastes just as mellow and full bodied as the regular 5% brew and just as drinkable with it
i had a pint at lunch today and it went straight to me head, best handled with caution!

at the other end of scale this rather tasty offering might be available too,



as featured in Roger Protz' "300 Beers To Try Before You Die!" book, a classic Porter from GK/Ridleys, a lovely roasty yet quite subtly hoppy jet black Porter that is emminently drinkable, a true classic of the style!