Peter Kay & Sheffield Tap

This weekend saw my long awaited trip to see Peter Kay in Sheffield. Arriving by train I caught a glimpse of the Sheffield Tap on the opposite platform. If I could time it right we might have time for a quick pint before catching the train home.

Peter Kay was fantastic, if you like his comedy and get the chance to see him, go. New material & great production make for an enjoyable evening.

After battling our way out of the Arena, onto a tram, into a taxi we eventually arrived back at the station and on to the Tap. Thornbridge Jaipur, Thornbridge Halcyon, Brewdog Edge & There's no Santa were all consumed and enjoyed by all. I think their 2 pint takeaway service is awesome, 2 pints of Jaipur for me and 2 pints of Edge for the Mrs made for an enjoyable train ride home!

Great company, great comedy, great beers. Could you ask for any more?

Historic Beers

I was recently given these beers by a relative, they were clearing their loft and saved these from the skip for me.

I drank a bottle of the Bass 1977 & the Ansells 1977 a few weeks ago. Both had inherited a sherry like flavour during their 33 year storage. The Bass 1977 Ale was still full of life, it was hard to believe it was brewed so long ago. The Ansells was slightly 'duller' with a very strong sherry flavour, almost too much at times!

I haven't tried the Ind Coope Strong Ale, The Bass Princess Ale or the Heritage Christmas Old Ale, and I'm not sure i ever will. Unless a suitably special occasion arises!

In light of this weeks Royal Engagement I'm sure many a brewery will be planning a run of Celebration Ales, Its just a shame Bass (as it was in 1977) and Ind Coope are not around to brew alongside them!

Marble Manchester Bitter

This bottle was plucked out of my recent myBrewerytap case with gusto as Richard had recommended it and I had recently visited the brewery on the Manchester Twissup.

A 4.2% abv Golden Ale, a nice floral aroma, well balanced with a hoppy, bitter aftertaste. A thin head lasted all the way down the glass. This one is best drunk lightly chilled, too cold and you lose the flavours.

It was great to finally get to visit the Marble Brewery after hearing so many good things, greeted by a fresh glass of Dobber and a tour of their brewery, snuck away under an arch. Really humble guys making some great beers! Then it was off to the aptly named 'Marble Arch' for many more Marble Beers with The Ormskirk Baron & Aletalk.

Get yourself some Marble Beers here and follow them on Twitter here

Kelly Ryan

I was lucky enough to meet Kelly at the recent Twissup in Manchester. He was happy to chat about his impending move, my relatives and the up and coming Craft Beer scene in Christchurch.

Had I not tasted Thornbridge Jaipur some 18 months ago I wouldn't have drunk some of the great beers I have done since then. It opened my eyes & mouth to different tastes & flavours and shaped my drinking habits today.

Good luck with the move Kelly, I'm glad to have met you!

Supermarket Beers

In the last week I have managed to pick up these beers from my local supermarkets. There has been a lot of chat on Twitter & blogs regarding the Tesco American Double IPA brewed by Brewdog and the positives/negatives of  it being released as Hardcore IPA in disguise. In my opinion I couldn't really care what bottle it comes in, what label is on said bottle as long I get some in my glass! It really is a fantastic beer! That goes for the others too!

I've got a couple of bottles of the 'TADIPA' and will post my full thoughts later.

I'm lucky to get Jaipur in my local Tesco Express, the smallest Tesco in the area, on the route home from work. No longer must I settle for anything else during that mad rush home on a Friday, I can nip in and buy one of my favourite beers almost on my doorstep!

If putting these beers in the major supermarkets gets more people drinking great beers then it can only be a good thing, can't it?