Fine Literature and Fine Living
With well over 250 beers on offer, we couldn’t quite manage to try them all. We did try, which is why these notes have only just come to light some time after the event, which we found scrawled in mustard on the back of a peeled-off bottle label. So, here are some of the beers that left an impression on our minds and taste buds.
Beardface, a milk stout brewed by Brains Craft in collaboration with Chris Rowlands, is reviewed by Craig Heap.
Citra, the first in a new beer range from Brains Craft Brewery, is reviewed by Craig Heap.
ALTBeer, from the Artisan Brewery, is reviewed by Chris Hall.
“The conditioning really is fantastic, at least as good as the famously well-bottled stuff coming from Hardknott.”
Berrow Topsy Turvy, from Towle’s Fine Ales, is reviewed by Chris Hall.
“…like a rugby team of bakers on their fourth pub of the night…”
Old Smiler, from Towles’ Fine Ales, is reviewed by Chris Hall.
“In Orwellian terms, it’s doubleplus okay.”
Illusion, from Moor Beer, is reviewed by Craig Heap.
“Illusion is very quaffable, masking its 4.7% and pretending to be something weaker to convince you that the morning is a fine time of day to take on this 660ml bottle.”
Ctr Alt Delete, the Altbier from Nils Oscar, is reviewed by Chris Hall.
“…a 330ml bottle serving won’t last you long. If more is not available, you will find yourself grimacing, insulting your sofa and shouting at passers-by…”
Newsome Noel, from Great Newsome Brewery, is reviewed by Steve Crotty.
“…a damn fine heavy drink that allows you to briefly forget the abhorrent weather conditions outside…”
Innis & Gunn Winter Treacle Porter is reviewed by Chris Hall.
“This is a beer clearly made for a single bottle gift purchase (textbook Dad present), and whilst it poses no threat to more ambitious porters and stouts of this strength, it’s a very accessible and enjoyable beer for what it is.”
Wild Swan White Gold Pale Ale, from Thornbridge Brewery, is reviewed by Chris Hall.
“This is what people get jobs for, so they can have one of these after a day of it.”
Destiny, made by Brains Craft Brewery in collaboration with Marverine Cole, The Beer Beauty, is reviewed by Craig Heap.
“Black IPAs are strange beasts, but Destiny knocks you off course from the first mouthful.”
Fruits of our Labours, from Brains Craft Brewery in collaboraton with Melissa Cole, is reviewed by Craig Heap.
“From first to last the mouthfeel is really pleasing; it has a fresh clarity brought on by a citric rind zest.”
Black Kolsch, from Tyne Bank Brewery, is reviewed by Ruari O’Toole as part of Oktoberfest 2012.
“…it still looks the business, like an angry dwarf of some dark medieval legends.”
India Brown Ale (yes, really) from the Kernel is reviewed by Chris Hall.
“Brown ale it may be, but this is a dark, broody beast.”
