Beer thread

[Pretty Boy]

There's been a couple of threads like this before but you can't beat a good discussion about beer.

Currently a huge fan of:

William Bros Seven Giraffes
Timothy Taylor Landlord
Brewdog JackHammer
Cairngorm Trade Winds
Stewart Pentland IPA
Fallen Smokehouse Porter
Peroni Gran Riserva
Pretty much everything by Harviestoun.

Anyone else got any favourites at the moment?

[hibsbollah]

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

When I first started drinking, American beers over here were all pretty similar bland light beers from the multinationals... changed times.

[Wembley67]

Fix - a dark Greek beer that recently (to my knowledge) has been appearing sporadically in a few off licences.....sexy as hell.

Also, March of the Penguins...don't know much about it apart from it's well tasty

[Colr]

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Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

When I first started drinking, American beers over here were all pretty similar bland light beers from the multinationals... changed times.

Rolling Rock was nice when they imported it. Really refreshing. Then they started brewing it under license in burton-on-Trent and it tastes like all the other slop that comes out of that town.

[Sylar]

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Rolling Rock was nice when they imported it. Really refreshing. Then they started brewing it under license in burton-on-Trent and it tastes like all the other slop that comes out of that town.

This is becoming quite a problem for many beers. Finding beers that are genuine imports from Europe or North America is getting increasingly difficult. One of my favourite beers has always been Leffe, but I noticed the 4 pack x 330ml bottles have started being brewed under license in the UK and there's a notable difference in taste.

I've always been a sucker for Czech lagers, but again, finding a genuinely produced Staropramen or Budvar from Czechia is becoming increasingly difficult. Pilsner Urquell remains superstar tier for me, and thankfully that still seems to be genuine import still...

The craft beer revolution that swept the US happened about the time I started drinking and we used to get all sorts of truly lovely stuff readily imported from the US, but the options have been significantly throttled in recent years - even finding previous staples like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn is becoming harder - even then, I think both Sam Adams and Brooklyn are both UK produced!

It all comes down to the water - the chemistry of the UK's water sources is completely different to that which produces beers in Belgium, Germany, East/West of the USA, so you can replicate the brewing process to the letter, but with a change in the base ingredient, you're never going to properly recreate these beers.

[Pretty Boy]

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This is becoming quite a problem for many beers. Finding beers that are genuine imports from Europe or North America is getting increasingly difficult. One of my favourite beers has always been Leffe, but I noticed the 4 pack x 330ml bottles have started being brewed under license in the UK and there's a notable difference in taste.

I've always been a sucker for Czech lagers, but again, finding a genuinely produced Staropramen or Budvar from Czechia is becoming increasingly difficult. Pilsner Urquell remains superstar tier for me, and thankfully that still seems to be genuine import still...

The craft beer revolution that swept the US happened about the time I started drinking and we used to get all sorts of truly lovely stuff readily imported from the US, but the options have been significantly throttled in recent years - even finding previous staples like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn is becoming harder - even then, I think both Sam Adams and Brooklyn are both UK produced!

It all comes down to the water - the chemistry of the UK's water sources is completely different to that which produces beers in Belgium, Germany, East/West of the USA, so you can replicate the brewing process to the letter, but with a change in the base ingredient, you're never going to properly recreate these beers.

Definitely.

You even see it when beers move to different regions of the UK. McEwans was never going to win many plaudits from the beer aficionados but 70 and 80 were solid cask and latterly keg beers when brewed in Edinburgh. Since moving down south they are markedly different and not for the better imo.

With foreign beers there is almost an element of deception to it. A beer like Madri takes that to the extreme but even among beers that were originally imported the 'brewed under license in the UK' information is usually so small and tucked away that you need a magnifying glass to see it. All the marketing alludes to them still being an imported and genuine product and they just aren't.

[Wembley67]

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There's been a couple of threads like this before but you can't beat a good discussion about beer.

Currently a huge fan of:

William Bros Seven Giraffes
Timothy Taylor Landlord
Brewdog JackHammer
Cairngorm Trade Winds
Stewart Pentland IPA
Fallen Smokehouse Porter
Peroni Gran Riserva
Pretty much everything by Harviestoun.

Anyone else got any favourites at the moment?

Landlord I put up with John Smiths....bogging stuff!

[Hiber-nation]

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There's been a couple of threads like this before but you can't beat a good discussion about beer.

Currently a huge fan of:

William Bros Seven Giraffes

Stewart Pentland IPA

Anyone else got any favourites at the moment?

These 2 definitely and most Williams Bros beers, Ceaser Augustus, Birds and Bees are both barry for the summer...

[Sylar]

Discovered a lot of nice local ales since moving down to Surrey including Hogsback T.E.A, Hamerpot, Hambledon bitter which are all nice enough.

Was recently in Belgium with work and discovered a real love for both draft Juliper and Leffe - beautiful beers.

Before moving from Scotland, our local pub in Dundee had a great range of beers on tap including Brooklyn, Anchor Steam, Fraoch, Kelpie, Sierra Nevada and Mikkelour.

[Scouse Hibee]

I used to be a fan of real ale but sadly I just find it's not served cold enough for my liking so never bother with it anymore.

[Calvin]

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Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

When I first started drinking, American beers over here were all pretty similar bland light beers from the multinationals... changed times.

Despite having tried hundreds and hundreds of craft beers over the last couple of years, I think that if I could only drink one beer for the rest of my life then Sierra Nevade Pale Ale would be a genuine contender. So consistent, so refreshing and balanced, and despite Sierra Nevada being such a big brewery now, they have not compromised on quality.

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Before moving from Scotland, our local pub in Dundee had a great range of beers on tap including Brooklyn, Anchor Steam, Fraoch, Kelpie, Sierra Nevada and Mikkelour.

Was it Duke's that you drank at?

Funnily enough I'm wearing my Mikkeller t-shirt today. I was out at his bars on Copenhagen in May - just simply phenomenal.

On Wednesday it was Brodie's Haggis Basher takeover in Edinburgh. Really good to get an extensive selection of Brodie's stuff up here. His Fruits of the Forest sour is just immense. Was very impressed with the Kiwi PA too.

I had my very first Pliny the Elder by Russian River last week. I can see why it has the reputation it does. Still not sure that it beats Stone Ruination for me if you're after an imperial though.

On the Scottish side of things, everything coming out of Cromarty just now is excellent.

[Sylar]

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Despite having tried hundreds and hundreds of craft beers over the last couple of years, I think that if I could only drink one beer for the rest of my life then Sierra Nevade Pale Ale would be a genuine contender. So consistent, so refreshing and balanced, and despite Sierra Nevada being such a big brewery now, they have not compromised on quality.

Was it Duke's that you drank at?

Funnily enough I'm wearing my Mikkeller t-shirt today. I was out at his bars on Copenhagen in May - just simply phenomenal.

On Wednesday it was Brodie's Haggis Basher takeover in Edinburgh. Really good to get an extensive selection of Brodie's stuff up here. His Fruits of the Forest sour is just immense. Was very impressed with the Kiwi PA too.

I had my very first Pliny the Elder by Russian River last week. I can see why it has the reputation it does. Still not sure that it beats Stone Ruination for me if you're after an imperial though.

On the Scottish side of things, everything coming out of Cromarty just now is excellent.

It was, aye. They're probably the best bar in Dundee as far as I'm concerned with the array of beers (both craft and more well known) they have and they regularly rotate them.

I've not heard of a lot of the ones you've just ran off so it gives me some new ones to seek out

[Calvin]

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It was, aye. They're probably the best bar in Dundee as far as I'm concerned with the array of beers (both craft and more well known) they have and they regularly rotate them.

I've not heard of a lot of the ones you've just ran off so it gives me some new ones to seek out

All of the Fuller Thomson pubs are really quite good. They had Lagunitas IPA on in their Edinburgh bars this week which suited me well - first time I've seen it for a wee while.

It's Edinburgh Independent Beer Festival this week. Probably the best week of the year to be in Edinburgh.

[Future17]

I'm a massive fan of Innis & Gunn - both the taste and its local origins.

I love all the flavours I have tasted so far and have just noticed there is a Scottish Pale Ale variety which I have yet to sample.

[Scouse Hibee]

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I'm a massive fan of Innis & Gunn - both the taste and its local origins.

I love all the flavours I have tasted so far and have just noticed there is a Scottish Pale Ale variety which I have yet to sample.

I concur I love Innis & Gunn, mostly bottles I drink but I have had the odd pint of draught.

[Hibbyradge]

London Pride is a lovely pint.

Rarely seen it here though.

[Golden Bear]

Belhaven Black is by favourite beer right now.

Dark, rich and most hellish tasty.

[Holmesdale Hibs]

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London Pride is a lovely pint.

Rarely seen it here though.

Agree. My drink of choice. My fridge is well stocked and live in London so get it in a few locals.

Bombardier and Black Sheep also deserve a mention. Old Hookey is good as well.

I'm beginning to see Deuchars down south a bit more although the way some of the southerners pronounce it is hilarious: Doo-shaars, doychers... I've even been corrected by a bar maid for pronouncing it properly.

[Future17]

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I concur I love Innis & Gunn, mostly bottles I drink but I have had the odd pint of draught.

Have you found anywhere that sells full pints? Anywhere I have seen it on draught, it's always half pints - I presume because of the strength.

[Scouse Hibee]

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Have you found anywhere that sells full pints? Anywhere I have seen it on draught, it's always half pints - I presume because of the strength.

Pretty sure I had a pint in the Canon's Gait though that was a couple of years back.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I'm not a big real ale drinker, but, do enjoy a nice porter type pint now and again.

Don't get involved much during the summer, but, I do enjoy Orkney Dark Island, Black Paw Dark Seam, Mordue Workies Ticket and Batemans 4XB. Not had Batemans for years though, not sure it still exists.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

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I'm not a big real ale drinker, but, do enjoy a nice porter type pint now and again.

Don't get involved much during the summer, but, I do enjoy Orkney Dark Island, Black Paw Dark Seam, Mordue Workies Ticket and Batemans 4XB. Not had Batemans for years though, not sure it still exists.

Oh aye and Orkney Skull Splitter too, quite an apt name if imbibed to excess!

[Haymaker]

Had sierra nevada last night, brilliant pint.

[degenerated]

My fridge is typically full of warsteiner, bitburger, jever, augustiner, paulaner or something like that. You can't beat the crisp refreshing taste of a German bier on a hot summers day.
On the beer side of things I like a red cuillin, innes and gunn beers, the punk or hardcore ipa's by brewdog and most of the Williams bros stuff I've tasted.

[Pretty Boy]

Had an Espresso Stout from some Japanese brewery last night.

Very pleasant.

[Mr White]

Not that you'd think it from my avatar but I'm a big fan of tryst beers just now. Their hop trial varieties over the last couple of years have been fantastic. Other than that if I had to pick my top 3 favourite craft brews just now it would be kernels table beer, black isles yellowhammer and oakhams citra.

[Mr Grieves]

Regularly drink-
Brewdog Punk IPA
Black isle blonde
Innis and gunn

There are some excellent Scottish beers around just now. As part of my job I occasionally test beer and had one in recently that was quite tasty, Knops Californian something or other, think it's a new brewery and I've not seen it around yet.

[Mr White]

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Regularly drink-
Brewdog Punk IPA
Black isle blonde
Innis and gunn

There are some excellent Scottish beers around just now. As part of my job I occasionally test beer and had one in recently that was quite tasty, Knops Californian something or other, think it's a new brewery and I've not seen it around yet.

Californian common, was a style developed during the gold rush I think. They've been around a while but bob knops has just moved out to new premises at archerfield after previously brewing at TSA.

[Mr Grieves]

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Californian common, was a style developed during the gold rush I think. They've been around a while but bob knops has just moved out to new premises at archerfield after previously brewing at TSA.

That's the one! I hadn't heard of them before, nice beer.

[Mr White]

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That's the one! I hadn't heard of them before, nice beer.

Musselburgh broke and black cork are decent beers too, I think they're looking to expand now that they've moved to their own premises so id expect to see more of their beers appearing out and about now.