I've had an incidence of that too. Mentioned earlier in this thread, my favourite beer of all time is Wadworths Old Timer, but only on draught. Out of the barrel it is a thing of sheer beauty. I could talk about it all day. I have a story of being in the Lake District, and after coming down off the mountains, me and my mate went to the pub situated a short distance away from our camp-site in Great Langdale. We went up to the bar and asked for the strongest, tastiest pint in the pub. The landlord assured us that the dark ale he was pouring us would be an education in terms of taste and condition. So we took a big pull at this dark ale we'd been served. And it was watery crap. We downed our pints in seconds and bought big whisky chasers to return any sense of pleasure to the visit to the bar. Ever since, I have had the same response. Southern beers are way better on average, and sometimes they are truly awesome. Old Timer is just the pinnacle of a very high standard, but it is only available over winter, so the other beers from Wadworths, or St Austells, or Ringwood, or Shepard Neame, or significant others, micro or otherwise, who I have forgotten, pass my lips too. And that golden Welsh beer I spoke about was quite nice too.
We had the Wessex Beer and Cider Festival in Chilcompton a couple of weeks back and there were some spectacular ales on show. The best two I tried were from Arbor Ales in Bristol, who had a New Zealand style ale called Why Kick a Moo Cow at 5.5%, which was only bettered by their IPA using American hops called Yakima Valley. That weighed in at a rather silly 7.0%. Beers like those explain why they only have half pint glasses at the festival!
7% is fine if you're having one quiet pint, especially at home; it's not the sort of stuff for a full evening at your local, though!
I have been forced to retire from a long and seldom illustrious drinking career. But back in the day, I'd say a pint of Gales HSB from The Bay Tree pub in Pound Tree Road was almost impossible to beat.
Of course, Gales are sadly no more. Or at least they might as well be under the ownership of Fullers. HSB was one of those great beers that would pass my lips if Old Timer was out of season. If you've never had a pint of OT then you have missed something truly memorable in beer. And yes, I'd have an odd pint of HSB in The Bay Tree too, when in town. Probably on my way to The Spaghetti and Steak House, on the corner of St Mary's St and Northam Road, if I'm not mistaken.
"Was" being the appropriate word. I used to live in Horndean in the days when a north-easterly breeze would waft deliciousness across my road and a pint or two of HSB at the brewery tap was fantastic. Sadly, when they moved production up the smoke, the taste changed completely and it's just not the same. But reading this thread, I'm now determined to sample Old Timer as, somehow, I seem to have missed that one. Had a couple of Ringwood Old Thumper at a festival a month or so ago, and decided that's a very decent pint, but OT I must try!!
My dad took me to the pub for my first pint of beer on my 18th birthday. That pint was the one and only time I have drunk the horrid stuff.
Crikey, Godders! So it's just a small, dry, sherry for you at the Not606 Christmas party, then, is it?
Ah, only if you go over the top. Stuff like that I'll take just a couple thanks. Not a session beer for me that one! #lightweight
Trouble is, one isn't enough, and two is one too many. And before you suggest it, I don't do halves. Unless I hand the pint I'm drinking over to the bartender and ask "Can you put a half in there, please?" BTW, change the subject... Where's Fran.?
Has to be a single malt for me. So many to choose from and which one I like depends on my mood. If I'm in a deeply pensive mood, it is a smoky, peaty Islay such as Lagavulin or (if I'm feeling really bold) Laphroaig. Otherwise, a Highland or Speyside one. At the moment, I'm particularly liking the Blair Athol I bought a few years ago, especially since my good friend told me that her family can trace their heritage back to the 1200s and her ancestor was the Laird of Blair Athol! You should come down on your travels, Fats, and we could talk whisky - I'm surprised you didn't notice my collection when you were here for the golf!!
Ah OK, Dave. It's that usually, no more than a few seconds goes by without a Fran post. I was about to inform the mods that it might be an idea to stand down the back-up server.
