The Real Ale thread

[Matt172]

Forthright MC said:

Matt172 said:

had a bottle of Snecklifter last night Waitrose have just started selling it 4 for 3

Edited by Matt172 on Monday 30th June 14:46

enjoy, but is it REAL ale?....

dunno how would you class it as REAL ale? if you mean was it straight from the barrel, then no

[Forthright MC]

Matt172 said:

Forthright MC said:

Matt172 said:

had a bottle of Snecklifter last night Waitrose have just started selling it 4 for 3

Edited by Matt172 on Monday 30th June 14:46

enjoy, but is it REAL ale?....

dunno how would you class it as REAL ale? if you mean was it straight from the barrel, then no

unless its bottle conditioned it isn't Real Ale IMO, as BC beer goes through fermentation in the bottle due to the yeast sediment in the bottom, non BC beers are filtered and pasteurised so keg beer in a bottle really

SB-Nigel has strong thoughts on this issue too, you might find a few of his thoughts a few pages back!

i used to drink bottles, but they all pretty much tasted the same to me and i soon realised that they have nothing on pub/brewery fresh beer so i use a plastic jug to take beer fresh from the tap/cask if i want to drink at home now

Edited by Forthright MC on Monday 30th June 21:55

[LaSarthe+Back]

Forthright MC said:

Matt172 said:

Forthright MC said:

Matt172 said:

had a bottle of Snecklifter last night Waitrose have just started selling it 4 for 3

Edited by Matt172 on Monday 30th June 14:46

enjoy, but is it REAL ale?....

dunno how would you class it as REAL ale? if you mean was it straight from the barrel, then no

unless its bottle conditioned it isn't Real Ale IMO, as BC beer goes through fermentation in the bottle due to the yeast sediment in the bottom, non BC beers are filtered and pasteurised so keg beer in a bottle really

SB-Nigel has strong thoughts on this issue too, you might find a few of his thoughts a few pages back!

i used to drink bottles, but they all pretty much tasted the same to me and i soon realised that they have nothing on pub/brewery fresh beer so i use a plastic jug to take beer fresh from the tap/cask if i want to drink at home now

Edited by Forthright MC on Monday 30th June 21:55

you can afford to drink the pub beer at home and also take it home intact in a less than sober state??

[Forthright MC]

LaSarthe+Back said:

you can afford to drink the pub beer at home and also take it home intact in a less than sober state??

only if its really good!

the only problem is finding a place to store it at the right temperature tho'(have heard that placing the jug in a suitable container filed with cold water can be quite good) its way better than bottles tho' IMO

[SB - Nigel]

(off subject a bit I know)

I'm hoping the likes of young Matt will be able to answer this -

(apart from the Malt Shovel, much improved beer quality since the manager left and the owner took over)

are there many pubs selling Leffe on tap?

(I know the Loddington restraunt/pub has it on the bar but it's far too dear to buy)

Plus I've only ever seen Kwak on tap at one serious real ale bar Harboro Hotel, Melton Mowbray

[Matt172]

SB - Nigel said:

(off subject a bit I know)

I'm hoping the likes of young Matt will be able to answer this -

(apart from the Malt Shovel, much improved beer quality since the manager left and the owner took over)

are there many pubs selling Leffe on tap?

(I know the Loddington restraunt/pub has it on the bar but it's far too dear to buy)

Plus I've only ever seen Kwak on tap at one serious real ale bar Harboro Hotel, Melton Mowbray

only one I can think of in town that sells it is Corkers

[Matt172]

had a couple of nice pints last night



one called 'you cannot be serious' which I didn't like much, but can't remember what brewery it came from


and finished with a few pints of Idle's Idle Landlord very dark with a reall caramel/coffee aftertaste to it, was yum

[SB - Nigel]

Corkers - I've found via intraweb thingy - in with the designer curry restaurant that Mrs Beer sometimes frequents

Good drinking above Matt, Welland Valley Mild not bad but not a patch on Beijing Black (but I would say that) reminds me that I was told the Welland Valley Beer Festival was extra busy this year

[Forthright MC]

bump for the real beer drinkers time again!

been sampling a few interesting beers in a few interesting pubs recently including,



a fine straw coloured 4.6%er golden ale from the multi award winning Ketterin' Potbelly brewery, lovely balance of flavours (sweet with a fairly bitter finish) and so drinkable!



had a good quality half of The Great Bear (Locomotive Edition, bottom right on the above diagram) only this afternoon, golden, full bodied, quite hoppy, luverly!



"Copper in colour with a substantial perfume like hop aroma and taste, sweetness leaps to a long hop bittersweet finish."

an easy drinking 5%er bursting with flavour

sampled fine pints from Elgoods and Wadworth recently as well!

Edited by Forthright MC on Saturday 26th July 00:10

[Forthright MC]

wheres the real beer drinkers gone? down the pub?!

more good stuff from Potbelly,



all East Anglian Ale fans you must keep a look out for this and badger your local to get it in as a guest if possible!
i've been enjoying Inner Daze recently, yer the above is just sublime! (Nigel, you were right!) light golden in colour with a lovely balanced aromatic nose and a sweet-ish fruity flavour, easily one of the nicest 4-4.5'ers i've had!

Edited by Forthright MC on Monday 28th July 13:24

[anonymous-user]

Currently liking a bit of Jennings Cumberland Ale



http://www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk/cumberland_ale_pr...

I could do with a few recommendations for some light summer ales actually, what with the temperature rising rapidly down my way

[TimmyArt]

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



Scuppered I had on the isles of scilly too - was nice

Edited by TimmyArt on Tuesday 29th July 11:52

[Forthright MC]

Symbolica said:

I could do with a few recommendations for some light summer ales actually, what with the temperature rising rapidly down my way

lets see then, looks like you spend time in 2 areas with some interesting micro breweries and a few big brewers that turn out good beers too...
first off, if you haven't got a copy of the "bible" yet, you need to get down the bookshop ASAP!,



it will prove to be indispensable! (only a tenner on the CAMRA web shop too)
all the best ale pubs in every county listed and a very comprehensive breweries and beer section in the back

heres a few brews to look out for,



"A golden beer whose aroma is dominated by hops that give characteristic citrus notes. Hops and fruit on the palate are balanced by malt and a bitter base. Dry hoppy finish with soft fruit flavours"

3.8% with a great blend of flavours!



needs no introduction here! perhaps the original summer ale?...



sampled this at a beer fest recently and it was lovely, soo drinkable, lovely hoppy flavour/aroma to it and quite malty too IIRC, an excellent beer to sit outside with on a warm evening IMO



my fave from the range beside Rev James, a very summery brew, golden in colour with a wonderful range of flavour and aroma, a very easy drinking beer!

Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 31st July 11:39

[smiller]

Hop Back "Summer Lightning"

Great stuff, but not what I'd call a session beer, unless they've rolled back the volts!

[anonymous-user]

Forthright MC said:

lets see then, looks like you spend time in 2 areas with some interesting micro breweries and a few big brewers that turn out good beers too...

Your advice is much appreciated

But the one thing you don't need to tell me about is Brains I've had more S.A through my kidneys than any other alcoholic drink, though I'm not so fond of S.A Gold. For slightly lighter drinking I find that either Rev James or standard Brains Bitter are both perfectly acceptable.

[Forthright MC]

Symbolica said:

Forthright MC said:

lets see then, looks like you spend time in 2 areas with some interesting micro breweries and a few big brewers that turn out good beers too...

Your advice is much appreciated

But the one thing you don't need to tell me about is Brains I've had more S.A through my kidneys than any other alcoholic drink, though I'm not so fond of S.A Gold. For slightly lighter drinking I find that either Rev James or standard Brains Bitter are both perfectly acceptable.

no worries

i love Brains too, SA is nice, but i loved the elevated flavours in the Gold, a really decent brew is that IMO!
Rev James tho'... i sampled 2 pints on gravity at a beer fest recently and it was lovely, no over bombardment of any particular flavour, really well balanced
that was a good fest that one as i was drinking the Rev alongside Adnams Regatta too!...

i found another really nice summer themed beer whilst out tonight,



Midsummer gold - 4.0% ABV
June, July and August

"A light golden, crisp and sparkling Ale brewed with East Anglian malted barley. The presence of First Gold hops gives this summer beer a refreshing finish and character."

really enjoyed a good pint of it, very flavoursome indeed and much recommended!

Edited by Forthright MC on Friday 1st August 21:18

[SB - Nigel]

smiller said:

Hop Back "Summer Lightning"

Great stuff, but not what I'd call a session beer, unless they've rolled back the volts!

Still 5% (and feels more) - had my first good pint (well pint and a half) of Summer Lightning for years, last month on gravity and fresh it went straight to my head so no reduction in volts

[smiller]

SB - Nigel said:

smiller said:

Hop Back "Summer Lightning"

Great stuff, but not what I'd call a session beer, unless they've rolled back the volts!

Still 5% (and feels more) - had my first good pint (well pint and a half) of Summer Lightning for years, last month on gravity and fresh it went straight to my head so no reduction in volts

Happy days, then!

[SB - Nigel]

smiller said:

Happy days, then!

Yes and I used to drink it regularly when it first came out - I'd no idea at the time it was a new brew and the first(?) of the yellow beers that I now prefer

I also drank Exmoor Gold but alas another beer altered or at least reduced in strength (it used to be a 5%)

[Forthright MC]

SB - Nigel said:

smiller said:

Happy days, then!

Yes and I used to drink it regularly when it first came out - I'd no idea at the time it was a new brew and the first(?) of the yellow beers that I now prefer

I also drank Exmoor Gold but alas another beer altered or at least reduced in strength (it used to be a 5%)

i think both those brews you mention there Nigel were the first proper summer/golden ales back in the day
Exmoor was reduced in gravity too IIRC, still can be a lovely pint though IMO (sampled 2 very decent gravity pints at the last LJR beer fest!)

my first ever decent pint of Real Ale was Summer Lightning, lovely stuff indeed and i still hold it in very high regard!

i hear Crouch Vale Brewers Gold is rather nice too...