Expect something roasty, toasty from St Austell’s man with the Midas touch, Roger Ryman. An advocate of Cornish barley – he’s now sourcing over half his needs from Cornwall – Roger has created a feisty dark brew. It’s been aged in Tomintoul whisky casks lured down from Banffshire, before being finished in the bottle Champagne-method […]
Not so much a drink this one, but the final element in our Ultimate DrinkBritain Case: a chance to meet the UK Winemaker of the Year, Sam Lindo, on one of Camel Valley’s popular afternoon tours. You’ll have to make your way there under your own steam, but it is in a delightful spot, so well […]
Made by the pioneering Julian Temperley of the Somerset Cider & Brandy Company, this is the junior of the family (there’s also a ten year old, 15 year old and the recent addition of a 20 year old). It may only be five years old, but what it lacks in age, it more than makes up […]
With this cider, it’s easy to see why Thatchers has such a good reputation. There’s a really great level of carbonation which just lifts the flavours. A hint of caramelisation plus notes of elderflower make for a complex flavour map. The finish is long, with braeburn and apple snow.
It’s wonderful the number of Rent-a-Vine schemes cropping up around the country. One of the ones I was most impressed with recently is Ancre Hill’s in Wales – but maybe that’s because I’m a greedy guts! You see, I like the way they structure your visit: try a few wines, have a Welsh Ploughmans, try the rest of the range, […]
The ultimate present for the passionate apple lover has to be a Somerset Hamper from Julian Temperley at Somerset Distillery on Burrow Hill Farm. With elegant sparkling cider, his ground-breaking complex brandies, the delightful Kingston Black Apple Aperitif – a blend of brandy and apple juice to sip á la sherry – plus many other […]
Named after a notorious critter – a stuffed squirrel – that used to preside over the Driftwood Spars bar, this is full of flavour with a good balance between seasoned malt, a moreish bitterness and an enthusiastically hoppy finish. No wonder if was crowned the 2012 Winter Ale of Britain. CAMRA judges describe this as […]
We tried this Harveys beer before we were aware of its illustrious history – a beer that sailed the waves to the Imperial Russian Court before falling into obscurity post-World War Two. Having consulted The friendly Oxford Companion to Beer, we find out that, luckily for us the Yanks were intrigued, so much so they commissioned top British […]
The Bristol Beer Factory may be best known for its way with malts – the 12 Stouts of Christmas series is pure genius – but don’t let that fool you into thinking the Southville posse don’t appreciate the odd hop or two. This award-winning brew – SIBA south-West Bottled Beer Champion 2011 since you ask – packs a fab […]
A resolutely dark colour with a rich malt flavour, Barnsey is the new name for what was Bath Ales‘ Barnstormer.Named originally in honour of Bath Ales founder Roger Jones’ good friend and ex-Bath and England rugby player, Sky Sports presenter Stuart Barnes, the rechristening “continues to reflect our considerable admiration for Stuart, known affectionately as Barrel Barnsey”. As […]
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