Ale

[Lost Leopard Spot]

oh, and couldn't help myself... Just popped back to add 4x Thornbridge's new summer ale called Reverend & the (beer) Makers. Brewed by the lead guitarist! in association with Thornbridge, as opposed to in his shed.

Mmmm. Not very impressed with the Reverend and the Makers - the citrussy flavour is too artificial for my liking (more essence than actual citrus). Stick to Kipling would be my recommendation.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

A word of warning...
Thornbridge have bought out a new beer called Wye...

It is described as "A delicate Pale Ale lightly hopped with the unique and refreshing aroma of cucumber".
Unique, correct; Refreshing, not too sure about that. If you really want to explore what fizzy cucumber tastes like, go for it, otherwise, *thought not*.
It is named after the River Wye which runs through Bakewell where it is brewed. It should be more appropriately named "Why" after the question that is on most people's lips once the first mouthful has been spat out.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Found a box with some Marstons in it under the stairs today whilst looking for something. My joy was quickly soured when I saw they were very out of date

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Found a box with some Marstons in it under the stairs today whilst looking for something. My joy was quickly soured when I saw they were very out of date

Good for slugs though. Not that you'll have many of those in the desert!

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Found a box with some Marstons in it under the stairs today whilst looking for something. My joy was quickly soured when I saw they were very out of date

Good for slugs though. Not that you'll have many of those in the desert!

No slugs. If snakes and spiders like beer then I'll either have to risk drinking it or get it down the drain quick smart!

[bean]

Wetherspoons near had a badly served selection the other night - actually quite unusual for it. That said, a very nice tap of Adnam's Gunhill was on so I didn't object too much

[Armchair Wanderer]

Picked up some Brahma the other day from Asda, can't remember if it's any good but it might remind me a little of slightly more exotic places.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Well I've crossed Ty Coch Inn off of my must visit places. Beer in plastic glasses, uggh. Thin, flexible, cloudy plastic glasses, on a beach in warm sunsine making the beer warm. Third best beach bar in the world, pah.

[General Mannerheim]

and they dont even do chips.

[General Mannerheim]

any of yon London scoundrels been in the Craft Beer Company near Farringdon?

[clapton is god]

Whilst in The Lakes yesterday I took the opportunity of calling at The Manor Arms in Broughton in Furness. I call here as often as I can but that's only three or four times a year when passing. Smashing pub with fantastic beer! Never less than six guest beers on offer.

http://www.manorarmsthesquare.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bruce Rioja]

A colleague of mine called in a pub in Bury. He can't remember the exact beer name of the ale that he was drinking but he remembers this;

It was by Thwaites, it said Festival Strength 5.8% on the pump, it was "bloody lovely".

Any ideas?

[General Mannerheim]

Trackside

[Bruce Rioja]

Trackside

Nice one, General. Have you partaken? If so, is it as good as my colleague claims? If it is I'll recco it to t't' Lannerd o't' local.

[William the White]

Trackside

Nice one, General. Have you partaken? If so, is it as good as my colleague claims? If it is I'll recco it to t't' Lannerd o't' local.

if it's the one on the former railway station, it's a real ale belter... But would your mate not have realised it was a station platform bar he was drinking in?

[Burnden Paddock]

Trackside

Went in there for the first time recently, it was rammed. A most pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I believe they've opened another at Rawtentall, called the 'Last Stop'.

[Bruce Rioja]

But would your mate not have realised it was a station platform bar he was drinking in?

Possibly, had he not been drinking it in the Eagle & Child.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I'm getting confused are we talking Trackside the bar or Trackside the ale?

[Bruce Rioja]

I'm getting confused are we talking Trackside the bar or Trackside the ale?

Well, I started off talking about this amazing ale which, apparently, is called Trackside - but I've since been violated.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I'm getting confused are we talking Trackside the bar or Trackside the ale?

Well, I started off talking about this amazing ale which, apparently, is called Trackside - but I've since been violated.

Well, whether he was in the Trackside or the Eagle & Child, what he ws drinking was Big Ben from Thwaites - a cask ale that is usually 4.5% ABV

They do special editions of it for beer festivals at 5.8% and sometimes ship it out to preferred pubs on an ad hoc basis. That's what he was probably drinking.
I've never had the Festival Strength stuff, but I've had ordinary Big Ben. I'm not a fan of Thwaites at the best of times, and Big Ben is towards the dark tangy old fashioned end of the spectrum, whereas I prefer lighter Golden IPA types - so personally speaking it wouldn't be a recommendation, just a you'll need to try it if you like dark heavys.

PS
Big Ben is one of Thwaites seasonal ales: the full range is:
spring. TBC 3.8% [to be avoided like the plague, a truly nondescript beer]
summer. Little Bewdy 4.2% / fruity hoppy (I'd recommend that one )
autumn. Crafty Devil / ruby 4.3%
winter. Big Ben / dark 4.5%