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[Closed] A lifetime search for the best beer. Only sold in Scotland. Argh

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 hora
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How cruel is this? The only ale/beer etc that really really hits the spot.

And its only sold in bonny Scotland. Calledonian 80/- you ****ing beauty.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 6:22 pm
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It's really not that good. It has a typical "old school Scottish" over-sweetness.

Pretty sure it's also available in bottles.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 6:26 pm
 hora
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I love the flavour. Just right.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 6:28 pm
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The only ale/beer etc that really really hits the spot.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 6:36 pm
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Interestingly this is the mental image I've always had of hora ^^


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 6:39 pm
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I don't suppose Buckfast also happens to be your favourite wine?


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 6:54 pm
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I thought you meant Innis and Gunn!!!


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 6:58 pm
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I thought you meant anything from [url= http://www.brewdog.com/beer ]Brewdog!![/url]


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:02 pm
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Buntingford Polar Star, nothing comes even remotely close,
it is THE GRAIL.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:21 pm
 bigG
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I have a similar geographically challenged desire for Wadworth 6X that I've never managed to buy anywhere other than the South West of England. Which is about 450 miles from where I live.

Cally 80 is a cracking pint right enough.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:22 pm
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Brewdog? Trading on name only, nowt special and definitely not worth the cost.

Cally 80 is pretty good, surprised you can't get it in Morrisons as they stock it up here IIRC and do a decent selection.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:29 pm
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It's a sweet-ish Scotch ale, right? That being the case then a darker Belgian beer f should go down pretty well, usually one or two of those in a decently stocked supermarket/offy.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:36 pm
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Look out for beer from the Top Out brewery based just outside Edinburgh. Had one called Smoked Porter that tasted of bothies. That is a compliment btw. Probably the most deeply bodied beer I have ever tasted.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:46 pm
 Spin
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Brewdog? Trading on name only, nowt special and definitely not worth the cost

Why do they feel the need to print such a lot of guff on their bottles? It's a beer not a lifestyle.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:46 pm
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[url= http://www.speyvalleybrewery.co.uk/speystout.html ]Spey Stout[/url]


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:56 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 7:59 pm
 Spin
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I'll tell you what really is shite and also depressingly ubiquitous: most of the Cairngorm Brewery's output.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:02 pm
 Spin
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Scotroutes, where is that Spey stuff on draught? I've never seen in the wateringholes I frequent down Spey way.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:04 pm
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I'm drinking a Spey Valley Stillman's IPA at the moment, should go rather well with my stir fry later.

Also got a Thrappledouser from Inveralmond as above for later ^

Check out Aldi, they have a very decent real beer/ale section as that's where the above two came from.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:07 pm
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Spin - Member
Scotroutes, where is that Spey stuff on draught? I've never seen in the wateringholes I frequent down Spey way.
Spey Valley Brewery products are almost always in the Mash Tun in Aberlour and in the Richmond Arms in Tomintoul. Other outlets tend to do it as a short-term guest beer.

Aldi had some bottled stuff on sale recently as part of their "Beer Festival". I've three cases of SVB stuff in my garage at the moment 🙂

Spin - Member
I'll tell you what really is shite and also depressingly ubiquitous: most of the Cairngorm Brewery's output.
I'm very partial to a Trade Winds, though I'm currently drinking a Caillie that was given me as part of a gift set for sorting out someones bike.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:11 pm
 Spin
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I'm very partial to a Trade Winds

It was because of Trade Winds that I included the 'most' in my post although even it is quite variable on draught.

I really shouldn't complain, I remember the bad old days in Scotland when your choice was lager or heavy.

I'll keep my eye out for SVB.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:16 pm
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Well 80 bob is OK but...

Oh and I recall having Cairngorm Wildcat up north some years ago and thinking it was jolly good.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:18 pm
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Red isle from Orkney? Or a dark isle. Om nom!


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:19 pm
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A lifetime's search and Caley 80's the best you cann come up with? Seriously?
Deuchars IPA


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:21 pm
 Spin
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Oh and I recall having Cairngorm Wildcat up north some years ago and thinking it was jolly good.

I'm probably just a bit pissed off with finding it everywhere and getting substandard pints.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:22 pm
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A lifetime's search and Caley 80's the best you cann come up with? Seriously?

Deuchars IPA

Seriously?


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:24 pm
 Spin
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Deuchars IPA is nothing special but a good session ale.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:28 pm
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Chubby, please see my gif posted above.

Oh, and enough with the boring Scotchish beers, people!

Mikkeler Monk's Elixir, oak barrel cranberry version
Oakham Green Devil
Hop Back Summer Lightning
Agatop Farm Beer*

*My home brew. 😉


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:29 pm
 Spin
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Mikkeler Monk's Elixir, oak barrel cranberry version

Fruit and beer? Get thee behind me satan.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:34 pm
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Oh,and Speedway Stout.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:38 pm
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Mikkeler Monk's Elixir, oak barrel cranberry version,……what?….Oh you mean Christian Kiddy Sucker, sweet dribbling monk-juice beer?.

I'm sure it's nice if you like that sort of stuff…………. 😉


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:44 pm
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Deuchars IPA is nothing special but a good session ale.

Quite. Available and reliable.
oak barrel cranberry version

PMSL - does it ome with an umbrella and a cherry ?


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:50 pm
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Tonight I had Brains British Summer - very nice!


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:54 pm
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From the other end of the UK
[img] [/img]

That's what we call a proper job 😉


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 8:59 pm
 nbt
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I am a big fan of Cairngorm Brewery's Blessed Thistle. Only ever seen it in Scotland, and only in bottles: would like to try some on draught.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 9:00 pm
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Some interesting thoughts on here

Re 6x -when we lived in Devizes the more popular beverage was IPA

And for Scottish beer, Williams brewery from Alloa....


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 9:00 pm
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another fan here of Deuchars IPA as reliably good. Not that I'm going to find it in yorkshire. And I guess it could have turned to pish in the last 15 years, but I used to like it. Maybe best to ignore me...


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 9:09 pm
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Thornbridge Jaipur
Lovely lovely beer

Available south of the border


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 9:13 pm
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Williams Caesar Augustus is a lovely drop


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 9:24 pm
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@ Athgray "Tastes like bothies" oatcakes and mouseshit bound together by a pale waxy substance that is all over the table 🙂 another vote for Innis and Gunn -whisky beer or Deuchars IPA


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 9:40 pm
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Tesco carries Deuchers IPA down here in Sussex.
Innis and Gunn was set up by the people that set up the Caledonian brewery before the sold it to one of the bigger ones.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 9:58 pm
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Quite like [url= http://standrewsbrewingcompany.com/beers/ ]St Andrews Brewing Company[/url] selection these days.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 10:06 pm
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[quote=riddoch ]
Innis and Gunn was set up by the people that set up the Caledonian brewery before the sold it to one of the bigger ones.
IIRC, they use beer to season whisky barrels before using them for cask-conditioning stuff like 80/- but they used to pour the "seasoning" brew away. Then someone had the idea of selling it.....


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 10:09 pm
 jimw
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An teallach ale or beinn dearg from the An Teallach brewery at Dundonnell is well worth trying if you are ever in Wester Ross.
If you like Caledonian 80/- you'll like the An Teallach ale in particular
The best kept pint of the above was from the Melvaig Inn, well worth a visit (and the food is good too)


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 10:13 pm
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gordimhor 🙂 True picture, but I was thinking more of a couple of blocks of dry peat on the wood burner.
Give it a go, it is nice believe me. I prefer bog standard I&G to the whisky or rum one. Another small brewery with quality output is Traquair. Also for a summer drink Atlas Latitude is good.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 10:23 pm
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Has to be Red Kite Ale from Black Isle Brewery. Or one of the specials they do at Christmas in smaller bottle.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 10:26 pm
 igm
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I'm partial to a little [url= http://www.williamsbrosbrew.com/beerboard/bottles/fraoch-heather-ale ]Fraoch[/url] if you want a Scots brew.

Nothing like 80/- though.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 10:44 pm
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Red Cuillans from isle of Skye brewery. Williams bros of alloa pretty much all of their output is good.
Deuchars is my go to beer.


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 10:52 pm
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Harviestoun Schiehallion is yummy. And their other stuff as well.

http://harviestoun.com/


 
Posted : 13/06/2014 11:17 pm
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Deuchars is quite good, on hand pull poured with no sparkler.
Red Kite Ale my fave, good malty body on it.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 4:46 am
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I love Deuchars.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 5:24 am
 hora
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Tescos Manchester has Deuchars too


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 5:38 am
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Williams brothers stuff is good. Loads in Aldi usually.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 5:57 am
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Windswept's APA and Tornado ales are loverly and along with Spey Valley Brewery's David's Not So Bitter are probably my three favorite ales atm. Yum yum


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 5:58 am
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If you can get any Arran Brewery stuff I recommend Red Squirrel. Apparently they make the apprentices brew their own beer before they can be considered trained, that's one result, very nice (even nicer if you can get it on tap).


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 11:36 am
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southern bay hop bazooka.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 11:59 am
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Any body tried the Torrid-one from An Teallach brewery only ever seen it in the hotel in Torridon.
Also liking the Williams brothers beers


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 12:31 pm
 Drac
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Well you can never account for other people's palates but Calledonian 80/ is far from the best beer and shameful to say it's better than Brewdog beers.

I agree with Cairngorn Brewery beers too they always seem promising but come across very average, yup Spey is much better.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 12:36 pm
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I don't think I've had a duff Williams bros. Massive range and all good.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 1:05 pm
 kcal
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Like: Cairngorm stuff (esp. Trade Winds); Spey Valley Brewery: did use to like a Deuchars but haven't tried it in a while; surprised no-one's mentioned the need to get 80/- from the diggers arms in Gorgie.; Orkney Brewery (Northern Lights); Innis & Gunn (the stock stuff)..

dislike - Black Isle Brewery for some reason, stuff I've tried always seemed to have over metallic taste.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 1:12 pm
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Discovered last weekend at Glencoe Mountain en-route to Ft William.
[URL= http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/RobCooksley/IMG-20140608-012102_zps5f7b346e.jp g" target="_blank">http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/RobCooksley/IMG-20140608-012102_zps5f7b346e.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Never come across Oban Brewery before yet I live in Argyll.
Also try something from the guys at [url= http://www.fyneales.com/ ]Fyne Ales[/url], especially this...

[img][URL= http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/RobCooksley/VitalSparkupload_zps4a12e9b6.jp g" target="_blank">http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/RobCooksley/VitalSparkupload_zps4a12e9b6.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]

Just up the road from us and going from strength to strength.

Rob


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 1:29 pm
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I'm partial to a little Fraoch if you want a Scots brew.

Aye tae that. And aye tae that anaw.

Harviestoun Schiehallion is yummy. And their other stuff as well.

http://harviestoun.com/
br />

For a reasonable sum you can pick up Hobgoblin from Lidl which is nice for the price.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 1:39 pm
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tandemwarriors - Member

Just up the road from us and going from strength to strength.

Is it not Fynefest this weekend? My brother'll probably be passed out in a ditch as we speak


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 1:53 pm
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A bit OT, but is still beer related, has anyone had the sixpoint brewery 'mini kegs' ( although they are just cans) that wetherspoons sell. I though i'd never fall for a beer in a can but i have to say they are very nice, especially the sweet action. Well worth a try IMHO.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 2:15 pm
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Caledonian 80/ is a classic style of Scottish ale that's becoming ever rarer. It's a wonderful pint of beer on draught.

Deuchars is a modern classic that if anything paved the way for breweries like Brew Dog, making more hoppy light ales, for the kids. It used to be everywhere in the early 2000's but I never seem to see it very often these days.

I'd still take a pint of Calleys over anything Brew Dog have ever made though.

Whenever I've had Brew Dog beer, it tasted like Bud light with a handful of hops thrown in. Hoppy, yes, but watery, without any true taste or body, bar the hops.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 2:34 pm
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On the harviestoun front I don't know if it's available down south but they brew a craft lager for Sainsbury's that is rather pleasant.

As for Brewdog, well some of their beers are pretty good, 5am saint is one that I like, but I agree that the marketing is a bit of a turn off.

Williams brothers beers are generally better and with far less marketing to go with it.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 2:47 pm
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Is it not Fynefest this weekend? My brother'll probably be passed out in a ditch as we speak

Yep sure is. We had planned to spend the weekend there but mrs tandemwarriors had to do family duties so I'm at home fettling the VW instead.
Been a beautiful day here by the Holy Loch until the rain arrived about an hour ago. Cairndow is 30 mins up the road so probably a midge-fest now unfortunately. Still, after a few Vital Sparks & a few Highlanders you'll never notice the little blighters 🙂
Rob


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 3:39 pm
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Pint of Deuchers in The Goblet if you're ever around Kelvinbridge. Only bar I've ever been refused service in with a compromise of a half pint (that I never even asked for).

Feeling the notion of being underwhelmed by Cairngorm, never something that leaves me feeling satisfied. Inveralmond can be a bit hit and miss as well tbh.

If you like Fraoch you'll probably like it's seaweed based cousin Kelpie as well.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 4:14 pm
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If you like the Whisky beers, try Tullibardine 1488. It's not easy to come by but is very definitely the finest beer I have ever tasted.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 8:20 pm
 hora
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In a pub tonight with a water Whisky tap on the bar top 🙂


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 10:01 pm
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Fyne ales do make some rather fine beers.


 
Posted : 14/06/2014 10:03 pm
 iolo
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http://www.purplemoose.co.uk/

Next time you guys are in Coed y Brenin head to Porthamdog to the purple moose brewery.
They make some fantastic ales.


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 6:26 am
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I am a relatively new convert to real ale but love a pint of Butty Bach.


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 12:32 pm
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Butty Bach.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 5:57 pm
 hora
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😆


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 5:58 pm
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bigG - Member
I have a similar geographically challenged desire for Wadworth 6X that I've never managed to buy anywhere other than the South West of England. Which is about 450 miles from where I live.

I've seen it in That London, but it generally doesn't travel too far from Devizes.
CaptainFlashheart - Member
Chubby, please see my gif posted above.

Oh, and enough with the boring Scotchish beers, people!

Mikkeler Monk's Elixir, oak barrel cranberry version
Oakham Green Devil
Hop Back Summer Lightning
Agatop Farm Beer*

*My home brew.


Funny you should mention Hop Back, my local has HB's Bob on at the moment, along with Doom Bar and Courage Best*, and next week, once the Bob has gone they'll have Summer Lightning on.
New people running the pub, they've just been recognised by CAMRA, and the Bob seems to be weaning the regulars who will only drink Courage off of it.
If they can sell another 100 pints a week, they can get a fourth pump going.
*Its ok, but I wouldn't make a habit of drinking it.
😀
iolo - Member
> http://www.purplemoose.co.uk/

Next time you guys are in Coed y Brenin head to Porthamdog to the purple moose brewery.
They make some fantastic ales.


Damn right they do!
I tried some at the Chippenham Beer Festival last year, and kept going back for more!
Lovely brew, that.


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 6:46 pm
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Enville Ale
Salopian Oracle

After 30 years of sampling hundreds of real ales these are the as yet undefeated winners of my taste buds, and some 🙂

(re Fyne Ales - a good friend who I used to work/brew with works there - he's an awesome brewer it has to be said - but not been up there yet so look fwd to sampling some in the summer!)


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 8:38 pm
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Deuchars IPA does it for me. Great session beer.


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 9:20 pm
 DrJ
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IIRC, they use beer to season whisky barrels before using them for cask-conditioning stuff like 80/- but they used to pour the "seasoning" brew away. Then someone had the idea of selling it....

They should have stuck to Plan A. Vile stuff 🙁


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 9:47 pm
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Scapa Special, Dark Munro, Dark Island, Orkney Mist, White Wife... damn I miss the northern brews.


 
Posted : 15/06/2014 10:10 pm
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