In praise of Microbreweries

[Marshy]

Got dragged out to a place called Zero Degrees in blackheath last weekend for a pint and a spot of grub, to find that it's a microbrewery.

Sampled a pint of their black lager, and by god, it's fantastic. Was driving, so didn't sample more. However, they sell it by the keg, so I stuffed five litres in the boot by way of compensation.

Am drinking it again now. Mmmm, luvvery.

Does anyone know if there are any of these in East Anglia? Closer to Cambridge than London, say?

Edit: FECK! Wrong forum. Was meant for General Gassing, not General TVR.

>>> Edited by Marshy on Thursday 19th June 23:00

[wedg1e]

Well, I'll reply to you anyway: can't halp you on the Microbrewery point, but I'd just like to say to those who think that the UK brews the best booze: BOLLOCKS.

I've just returned from hols with a bootful of Belgium's finest, and I defy anyone to present me with anything tastier (or stronger!! ) than the Trappist offerings; to wit :-
Chimay (7% abv), Grimbergen (6.7%), Hoegaarden Grand Cru (8.7%), Forbidden Fruit (8.8%) and not forgetting the Dutch offerings Kwak (8%) and Amsterdam Navigator (10%). As I'm starting to resemble a fat bastrad, I thought I'd keep the Peres Trappistes in business and got serious with the Leffe: Blonde (6.6%), Brune (6.5%), Triple (8.4%) and Radieuse (8.2%).
Oh yes, there's also some Pelforth Brune (yum - and 6.5%), 1664 Brune (6.3%), for glugging whilst gardening I got some '33 Export' (a wimpy 4.5%) and the essential 1664 for me Julie (5.9% - and that's before she has a drink )
Absolutely HAD to get a few bottles of that old favourite of mine Belzebuth (a HUGE 13% ). Also just found The End Of The World (8.4%) brewed in Canada - not tried it yet, will report back if I ever sober up...
So... to return to a TVR vein...... how many bottles of Leffe Radieuse d'ya think I'll be able to squeeze into the 390's boot next trip...?

Ian

[Marshy]

Mmm, Chimay. Wonderful stuff.

In moderation.

Once got w@nkered on it... the next day was painful to say the least.

Mental note: next paycheque, booze cruise, including lunch somewhere random within 50 miles of Calais.

[sagalout]

Timmy Taylor Landlord
Jennings Cumberland
Shepherds Neame Spitfire
London Pride (unfortunate name)
Butterknowle Concilliation (RIP)
Black Sheep Special/Rigwelter
Durham Magus
Some of the Mordue Brewery Beers
All of the Wylam Brewery Beers!
(disappears off into a dream world where the beer is free and the barmaids all loverly)

[beast]

Ooooh Landlord - yes pls

reminds me of barrel at family barby in Lincoln last year with barrel of the stuff.....heaven

[bikerkeith]

For a comprehensive list of all the microbreweries get a copy of The Good Beer Guide. (Declares interest, member of Camra).
Agree about Belgian beer, nobody else in the world brews such a huge range of different styles of beer. Time I had a trip across the Channel to top up my supplies.

[Podie]

Adnams
Ridleys
Crouch Vale

[mervynp]

Podie said:

Adnams Ridleys Crouch Vale

Podie! A man after my own heart, especially if you add Archers...

[Le TVR]

wedg1e said:

(or stronger!! ) Ian

Campbells Scotch Ale, nearly 20% if I remember (but I doubt you'd remember anything after 2 )

Funnily enough, could only find it in Belgium.

[rev-erend]

Yes - agree,

You really cannot beat Belgian lagers...

Down in deepest Sussex in Plumpton, the local
Rector brews his own beer and sells it locally
- the profits go towards the church roof.

Now that really is a micro brewery !

[Rower]

beast said:

Ooooh Landlord - yes pls reminds me of barrel at family barby in Lincoln last year with barrel of the stuff.....heaven

[Rower]

beast said:

Ooooh Landlord - yes pls reminds me of barrel at family barby in Lincoln last year with barrel of the stuff.....heaven

[tuffer]

wedg1e said:

Well, I'll reply to you anyway: can't halp you on the Microbrewery point, but I'd just like to say to those who think that the UK brews the best booze: BOLLOCKS. I've just returned from hols with a bootful of Belgium's finest, and I defy anyone to present me with anything tastier (or stronger!! ) than the Trappist offerings; to wit :- Chimay (7% abv), Grimbergen (6.7%), Hoegaarden Grand Cru (8.7%), Forbidden Fruit (8.8%) and not forgetting the Dutch offerings Kwak (8%) and Amsterdam Navigator (10%). As I'm starting to resemble a fat bastrad, I thought I'd keep the Peres Trappistes in business and got serious with the Leffe: Blonde (6.6%), Brune (6.5%), Triple (8.4%) and Radieuse (8.2%). Oh yes, there's also some Pelforth Brune (yum - and 6.5%), 1664 Brune (6.3%), for glugging whilst gardening I got some '33 Export' (a wimpy 4.5%) and the essential 1664 for me Julie (5.9% - and that's before she has a drink ) Absolutely HAD to get a few bottles of that old favourite of mine Belzebuth (a HUGE 13% ). Also just found The End Of The World (8.4%) brewed in Canada - not tried it yet, will report back if I ever sober up... So... to return to a TVR vein...... how many bottles of Leffe Radieuse d'ya think I'll be able to squeeze into the 390's boot next trip...? Ian

Worked with some "Belgiumites" in Sarajevo and they got a whole load of beer sent over for some celebration weekend (probably the festival of boring chocolate makers or some such), anyway beer was brilliant (but then again all beer is)and hangover was horrendous. Also got seriously KWAK'ed in Am-Dam once, and ended up in a very dodgy nightclub

[jev]

Not all microbreweries are good. The one at Plagne 1800 (French Apls) is almost undrinkable. (but it does contain alcohol - hence the disclaimer "almost")

Thanks for the tipe Marshy, will certainly stock up next time I am south of the river.

Currently enjoying a drink called Soju - worth travelling for but its a long way south of the river. Missing the TVR though...

Jev (in Seoul)

[wolosp]

mervynp said:

Podie said: Adnams Ridleys Crouch Vale Podie! A man after my own heart, especially if you add Archers...

...and Wadworth's.
Ah, Ridley's...I named my cat Ridley...sad ain't I ? !!!

[icamm]

bikerkeith said:

For a comprehensive list of all the microbreweries get a copy of The Good Beer Guide. (Declares interest, member of Camra).

Me too mate. Do you work at any Beer Festivals? I normally work at reading, Stockport and GBBF and do the odd other random ones here and there. Plus puntering at some others.

bikerkeith said:

Agree about Belgian beer, nobody else in the world brews such a huge range of different styles of beer. Time I had a trip across the Channel to top up my supplies.

Agree, but Belgian beer is brewed differently to good British beer so it's not an easy comparison.

There are many very good British small breweries now. Just check out the bottled beer section of your local supermarkets for a small selection. Most will sell direct to the public if you ask. My local one supplied me with two "nines" (nine gallon barrels) and one 30 litre polyin for a BBQ I had a couple of years ago. It definately went down better than the cans people brought with them. (None of the real beer left and most of the cans were ).

Edited 'cos Ted has changed the way quotes work.

>> Edited by icamm on Friday 20th June 17:12

[wedg1e]

Mmmmm... I didn't say I don't like British beers, but then I want beer, none of yer poncy Savvern lager p155.
Now Riggwelter, that's yer actual BOOOOOOZE....



Ian

[RCA]

Marshy, There is one in Oakham, Rutland which would be a nice drive for you!!, East Anglia, Just up the A1 to Stamford then across!! Its called the Grainstore

[Don]

wedg1e said:

but then I want beer, none of yer poncy Savvern lager p155.

Interesting. I discovered beer I could drink when I moved South. I will admit what was obtainable in in North Wales at the time was Robinson's etc. Utter ferret wee. But in the South - proper brown, nutty, rich, flat ales. Yum.

Northen beer (at the time) was fizzy. Yes even the "bitter". Vile. And the "larger" was foul.

wedge1e said:

Now Riggwelter, that's yer actual BOOOOOOZE....

Totally agree. And if this is what we can come to expect of Northern brews in the future I will mostr certainly be tempted back into drinking more of them...

Have any of you tried any Scottish beers? Very interesting. Fraioch Heather Ale etc.

[Marshy]

RCA said:

Marshy, There is one in Oakham, Rutland which would be a nice drive for you!!, East Anglia, Just up the A1 to Stamford then across!! Its called the Grainstore

Mmm, the road from the A1 to Oakham. Fun fun fun, and beer at the end of it. Marvellous