Ale

[Prufrock]

I got that desperate down in this that London the other day (the beer, generally, is shite - all random 'uns that are at best OK, and even if you find one you like it wont be served any where fecking else) that I tried a pint of 'Yorkshire Lager'. Out of a keg. I thought, they can't well have just put flat lager in a keg and pulled it through as ale. They bloody well could.

[Bruce Rioja]

I've still got about a dozen to 18 mixed bottles of Belgian beers under the stairs that I'd forgotten about. Most of them are quite strong, 9%ers and whatnot. They've been there about 18 months. Will they still be alright for supping?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I've still got about a dozen to 18 mixed bottles of Belgian beers under the stairs that I'd forgotten about. Most of them are quite strong, 9%ers and whatnot. They've been there about 18 months. Will they still be alright for supping?

Generally yes. You're very unlikely to get salmonella or anything... though one or two might be beyond best and taste dull, flat or rank.

[bedwetter2]

I've still got about a dozen to 18 mixed bottles of Belgian beers under the stairs that I'd forgotten about. Most of them are quite strong, 9%ers and whatnot. They've been there about 18 months. Will they still be alright for supping?

The higher the strength, the longer they last.
All the well known ones like Chimay or Duvel keep for ages.

[Bruce Rioja]

Cheers Chaps. I'd better get stuck into 'em at weekend then.

[Il Pirate]

Today my wife & I went to the Fishermans on Shanklin beach. First time for a few years. Had a wonderfull pint of 'Undercliff' from the Yate's brewery, 4.7abv. (St Lawrence, local). If you ever see it at a festival, it's well worth the fee......

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I discovered a really good pub when passing through Sussex the other day. It's in a little place called West Hoathly, which I've never been through before. I know most of you will never pass through, but if you are in the area it is worth a diversion. Good ale excellently kept in fine 16th century free house surroundings with real fire in a huge open grate in the main bar = The Cat Inn.

[Enoch]

A pint of Harvey's Sussex Bitter is one of my favourites.

Don't go on Monday the 8th of April though, they're shut!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

A pint of Harvey's Sussex Bitter is one of my favourites.

Don't go on Monday the 8th of April though, they're shut!

good job it's already Friday the 12th then Enoch

[Montreal Wanderer]

Apparently American beer is no longer a joke.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21541887" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Enoch]

A pint of Harvey's Sussex Bitter is one of my favourites.

Don't go on Monday the 8th of April though, they're shut!

good job it's already Friday the 12th then Enoch

Is it April already! How time flies.

[Enoch]

Apparently American beer is no longer a joke.

Now that is funny, a likely story.

[Bruce Rioja]

Apparently American beer is no longer a joke.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21541887" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I worked in the drinks industry some 15 or so years ago, Monty, we launched, or at least tried to, an American craft beer called Apollo from the Big Bang Brewery in the US. It was a lager that was brewed in oak casks. I and my friends absolutely loved it as did patrons in the same trendy London drinkeries to which the article refers. Beyond that the feedback received from the trials we ran told us that it was too complex for the en-masse Budweiser drinkers and wasn't deemed trendy enough due to basically zero above the line marketing. The real ale enthusiasts treated it with enormous scepticism.
Despite the claims of your article about craft beer being produced by what we call micro-breweries, the only one that I ever seem to see when I'm in the US is Blue Moon. Brewed, of course, by Coors!
Great shame really.

[Relentless09]

Ale isn't particularly popular in Northern Ireland but I had a few Smithwicks last night, anyone else drank it before ? Not sure on its popularity outside Ireland

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Ale isn't particularly popular in Northern Ireland but I had a few Smithwicks last night, anyone else drank it before ? Not sure on its popularity outside Ireland

I've never come across it over here, but I've imbibed it in Cork (Canty's Bar). It doesn't travel very well is the kindest review I'd give it (supposedly creamy but very thin tasting, no hoppiness evident, with a slightly rancid aftertaste. Described as ruby red on the pump clip but was more like a dirty brown colour - not the best pint I've ever had. I had to go back to my 2006 beer tasting notes for that one - it might have improved since then).

[Bruce Rioja]

^ Spot on. Bit like Marston's Pedi in that the closer to the brewery you are, the better it is. And when it's good it's fecking nectar, but when it's bad.......oh boy!

[Montreal Wanderer]

Ale isn't particularly popular in Northern Ireland but I had a few Smithwicks last night, anyone else drank it before ? Not sure on its popularity outside Ireland

Smithwicks is sold on tap here in Montreal. I guess it comes over in large galvanized barrels. Claims to have originally been brewed by monks or something. It's not bad.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Following a quick check of Wikipedia I note:

In 1993, Smithwick's Draught became Canada's leading imported ale. As of autumn 2010, Smithwick's continues to be brewed in Dundalk and Kilkenny with tankers sent to Dublin to be kegged for the on trade market.

[Beefheart]

Apparently American beer is no longer a joke.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21541887" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I worked in the drinks industry some 15 or so years ago, Monty, we launched, or at least tried to, an American craft beer called Apollo from the Big Bang Brewery in the US. It was a lager that was brewed in oak casks. I and my friends absolutely loved it as did patrons in the same trendy London drinkeries to which the article refers. Beyond that the feedback received from the trials we ran told us that it was too complex for the en-masse Budweiser drinkers and wasn't deemed trendy enough due to basically zero above the line marketing. The real ale enthusiasts treated it with enormous scepticism.
Despite the claims of your article about craft beer being produced by what we call micro-breweries, the only one that I ever seem to see when I'm in the US is Blue Moon. Brewed, of course, by Coors!
Great shame really.

I tried Blue Moon when I visited Cheers in Boston. I think it was served with a slice of Orange in it, though that might have been one of the others they had. We ended up trying them all after a kind drunk called Bruce (who claimed to have lived in Peterbrough for 8 years as the head of Hotpoint) insisted on paying for all of our drinks.

[bedwetter2]

Had some Danish Monster, 6.2%, at the local yesterday. I can't remember who brews it and can't even speculate on any Danish connection as it is a strong, darkish ale. Anyway, a word of warning....don't. It's foul. The flavour is somewhat akin to what you would imagine the waste water from boiling tramps underpants to be like with added overstrong citric hops.