Admittedly I’m relatively new to the beer scene, but I don’t recall ever seeing such a fab array of books out there about beer in all its guises. From beginners to connoisseurs via trivia hunters and London bar-hoppers, its a great time to be reading the spoken word while supping a pint. While CAMRA’s Good […]
For some of us, beer never went away. But for others, what many consider Britain’s national drink got overtaken by the fruits of the vine, aka wine. So to witness the story of its recent phoenix-like revival, don’t miss this Tuesday’s Great British Food Revival programme, dedicated – yes – you guessed it – to […]
o forth and act like locusts.” So said our commander, the bomber-jacketed Peter Haydon, as we began picking hop shoots in delightfully dry conditions on Friday. Thus the first phase of Operation Hop Shoot Festival began: the picking of several dozen bags of hops to share among 18 London pubs and restaurants that evening. Peter, […]
Fascinated about beer and want to explore that bit further? Amidst the 100s of beer-related projects on Kickstarter is the one from Master Brewer, Beer Sommelier, and all-round nice guy Alex Barlow, to turn his web-based All Beer Finder into an App. Now, what Alex doesn’t know about flavour and beer could probably fit on […]
We’re in traditional rosé country here, with Plumpton’s Dean Blush NV. Wild salmon pink in colour, it has a steady stream of fine bubbles. On the nose there’s aromas of roasted peach and tinned strawberry. Light to medium in body with redcurrant and raspberry flavours, this has a good, dry, fairly lengthy finish. With its […]
Oliver’s Perry has intriguingly delicate aromas, as is often the way with Perry, light citrus – lemonade – through to a mellow tropical fruit – melon/guava/pineapple. Even elderflower. Light to medium body, this has a little sweetness and light texture from the tannins. One to enjoy on its own or with light fish dishes.
Now this is what apple juice should taste like. A moreish blend of tart and sweet, Killerton Estate Apple Juice taste..
Bitters are very much in vogue. Their distillation of myriad specially chosen botanicals into a liquid that can transform a drink, soft, spiritual or otherwise, with just a splash, are finally being appreciated. This little brown bottle, which looks decidedly antiquated and medicinal, contains some home-grown bitters crafted by enterprising bartender and drinks consultant Alex […]
Smart and celebratory – and hand-labelled by the brewers and their team – Chiltern’s Jubilee Sparkling Ale is amber in colour, with tropical banana notes on the nose, plenty of apricot and peaches, and a pleasant earthy finish. In a limited edition of 1000 bottles, serve lightly chilled in either champagne flutes or wine glasses. I was lucky […]
From a wee Edinburgh brewing company, this is a traditional Scottish ale, brewed with an eye to older styles of beer rather than the currently trendy hop monsters. Knops use four different malts in brewing Musselburgh Broke, which is named for the racecourse at Musselburgh, just east of Edinburgh. The nose is gentle and malty, […]
