The Beer Thread

[ElCece]

Personally I love hoppy beers as well Kaz. Anything to look out for in your opinion?

[Kaz Hayashi]

Fucking hell mate, where to start.

 

Actually, my fav beer for the last year is a Norwegian IPA called Nogne 0.

It's 7.5%, very hoppy, very sediment heavy beer, with a very faint hint of citrus zest at the back end of the taste.

If you are having 3-4 pints, finish on this, don't start on it as it could overpower the flavor of what's to come.

It's a very ginger, cloudy looking pint, smells great.

I've only seen it in 500ml bottles so far and costs £7... yep, I know.

However, it's a speciality that I will vouch for as being one of the best.

Defo pop in to a pint glass and take in its magic.

 

Don't be scared of sediment at the bottom of a bottle, lovely stuff. It's like fucking protein.

Edited August 26, 2016 by Kaz Hayashi

[ElCece]

I've had a couple that are very sedimenty and think it adds to the enjoyment. I'm grabbing a couple nice beers tommorrow so will look to pick that up. Thanks mate

[Abe_Knuckleball_Schwartz]

 

 

I know it's mentioned a page or so back but I'm still relatively new to the drinking world. Huge fan of Sam Adams over here on tap and similarly Brooklyn larger on bottles, although both not really sold much round here. Can anyone recommend anything else that shares a similar taste that I may find more widespread in pubs?

Luckily there's a few decent American style lagers that are becoming more common now, but if you like them you'll probably like American style IPAs.

Sierra Nevada and Blue Moon will probably be easiest to find, most decent pubs offer at least one in bottles. Goose Island is becoming more readily available as well and has a few varieties. Supermarkets should stock all 3 if you want to give them a try.

Also, if you get the chance, try Neck Oil and Gamma Ray by beavertown (UK/London based brewery), probs mentioned earlier in the thread but if I take someone out for a drink who isn't used to more craft based pints, I tend to get either of these in, bloody glorious.

Not sure about the rest of the UK, but there's at least 5 pubs in Newcastle that have either or both in on tap.

Cheers for these fellas, presuming Kaz was also responding to my question. I've tried Blue Moon (they serve it with a slice of orange, which seems gimmicky, with limited effect to the beer) but enjoyed it from the tap, found it significantly different to Sam Adam's, but in a good way, Sam always comes across as being the nearest thing to an ale, without it being an ale, (sounds silly I know) Blue Moon tasted like a spin on the usual lager we get over here. We've just had a coast-to-coast restaurant open near us down here in Southampton, foods shite but it's all American based as is the bar, so Sam Adams, Blue Moon both on tap as with Budweiser. Budweiser from the tap tastes a million miles better to me than out the bottle, not sure if that's just me but tastes like your drinking a decent beer rather than piss water.

Need to keep an eye out for Nevada, haven't heard of before. Just started drinking IPAs find them really enjoyable and don't leave me with a shitty aftertaste of soap I seem to get with more darker ales, so I'll keep an eye out for American based ones.

 

If you ever get the chance, try Samuel Adams Octoberfest absolutely wonderful drink.

[SiMania]

Cloudwater do some excellent IPA and double IPAs. I've not had a bad one yet.

[Kaz Hayashi]

Indeed Si, Mosaic is lush.

 

 

Anyone a fan of Magic Rock, specifically the salty kiss gose (pink can)?

Another cracking 'last drink' if you like.

It has obvious gooseberry kicks to it, cracking way to finish off a round.

High wire is probably more well known and while a good pint is as good as any other citrus pale ale, I've unfortunately had 1 or 2 sketchy pints of it.

 

I've noticed I've started doing it much more this last year, have X amount of drinks, but then finding out a nice drink to finish on. It just settles everything and for me, Nonge 0 or any gose, much like salty kiss, does the job perfectly.

Edited August 26, 2016 by Kaz Hayashi

[SiMania]

I've not had the gose, there's not much British sour that I've had other than wild beer co stuff.

 

Magic rock canonball is lovely, hoppy and stronger than it tastes. I had the black art recently which was thick and had hints of chocolate and liquorice. Did they do the 8 ball rye pale ale?

 

Where do you buy your carry outs? I get stuff in brick shops when I go to a booths in Cambria or use beer heroes online. It can get pricey so I'm still brewing my own and using inspiration from what I buy in the shops for my own recipes.

[Kaz Hayashi]

Beavertown do a red rye called 8 ball, but that's an IPA. They also did a double neck oil for a short time, goodness me!!

 

Good to hear you're home brewing, I've never bothered yet but should give it a go someday.

 

There's a couple of specialist shops in Newcastle, both are quite pricey though, nice selections that change monthly, but due to this, they still charge an average of £3.50-£5.00 per 330-500ml bottles.

 

These days when in the house, I'll stick to generic decent drinks. As I mentioned earlier, hobgoblin gold is a lovely drink, and I can get 3 X 500ml for £5 in my corner shop.

 

M&S have also stepped up their craft range too over the last 6 months... some believe it's a snobby shop, well fuck that, some cracking Ales at decent prices from my recent experience, not just their own in house anymore either.

 

Also, if any of you get to York for the day, go to a shop/bar called house of trembling madness (or similar).

It's a bottle/booze shop downstairs with a nice but busy bar upstairs.

The booze selection is incredible, prices are pretty decent, annnnnddd... there's end of stock/sell by date offers.

 

I got a 6 pack (330 ml cans) of Dark Star revelation for £4. 1 month before its best before date. That's daft prices, one of my local bars sells it for £4.20 a can each.

Edited August 26, 2016 by Kaz Hayashi

[Gus Mears]

 

 

You in the South-West Lister? I'd tend to agree on the pub thing, but they seem to generally serve it well in places in Bath (unsurprisingly) which makes the fact they are dicking about with their two Bath Ales pubs even more irritating.

Yep, I'm in Bristol. TBF, I really can't complain about the quality of beer as a whole round here -- it's pretty much a craft mecca. That said, my absolute favourite brewery is Tiny Rebel in Newport (with a bar in Cardiff as well) which does a Marshmallow Porter that's insanely good.

May have to go when I inevitably lose my passport again and need a replacement from the Newport office. That sounds a delightful winter drink and basically any time after the clocks go back is stout and porter time for me.

 

I'm an absolute hop whore at the moment too. Camden Ale IPA and the like is wonderful in this meltworthy weather. Had a cracking beer called Beatnik last night which was bringing the hoppage.

Edited August 27, 2016 by Gus Mears

[Kaz Hayashi]

Is beatnik a golden style pale ale, pretty crisp in taste? if it's the one I'm thinking of its really tasty. Shy of 4% meaning you can drink several without losing the plot.

[Gus Mears]

Yeah, that's the ticket. Think it's at 4% or slightly less.

[Tommy!]

I've not had the gose, there's not much British sour that I've had other than wild beer co stuff.

 

Liverpool Organic did some good stuff in a kriek and gueze style a couple of years back. Not sure if they still do, but they were lovely.

 

That said, my absolute favourite brewery is Tiny Rebel in Newport (with a bar in Cardiff as well) which does a Marshmallow Porter that's insanely good.

I finally got to try Stay Puft in Peterborough on Tuesday and it lived up to the hype. I'd been wanting it try it since Derby at the start of the year.

 

It's no Chocolate Gorilla though.

[Merzbow]

Just had a proper nice pint of mild at Twisted Barrel Ale Brewery in Cov, I'm not the biggest beer aficionado but it must be worth going out of your way to visit the place.

[Kaz Hayashi]

Might as well put this here. It's obviously a beer thread and some have shared info about the haunts they frequent. If enough can be arsed to do similar we may have a decent directory, or you know... google and that.

 

So, based on that, here is my 'top of the hops' (if it's not, it needs trademarking) list of places to go to in the Newcastle area. If you're from out of toon and like craft, or not run of the mill ales, I hope this helps. I'll also pop the website and 'area' so you can stick to an area and walk between the better quality pubs with ease.

 

 

5) - The Cluny

 

I felt this place needed to nip in to my top 5. It offers something different from the others on my list and is in a different location, both actually good things though.

So, it's essentially a venue, an established one at that which manages to attract some well known artists, such as 70's prog rock legends focus, to hip hop genius Gift of Gab, to 90s indie darlings Space, in its 400'ish capacity hall. But what is unique is it's setting and it's Ales on offer. Established venues tend to sell shitty tuborg etc for £4 a pint, if you're lucky... yak. But because the Cluny aren't owned by a massive brewer, (actually part of the head of steam group, as is tilleys) they get in what they want, similar rules to a free house really.

They have 10-12 on draught, several large fridges with lots of bottles. Plenty of choice, regular change overs/guests and because I haven't been in a couple of months, I'm not sure what the have in. However, I'd say there is a fair share of lager in that mix so at best, 5-6 are probably ales. Still, a decent selection. Also, the main bar is in a different room, to the venue and it's still a cool place to go whether you're there for music or not.

They offer good standard fresh pub grub, however, there's one or two places close by that are known for having very good food (see alvinos bottom of page, along with Cumberland for Sunday lunch), so it's not really my choice as an eatery, although it's definitely in the 'good' range.

The thing is, if it wasn't a venue it would have been pipped by another pub as this is really based on drinking houses, but the fact it's a venue with decent ales and food, along with its vibe and being the heart of the ouzeburn it had to rank.

Selling point - established live music, setting, decent array of ales, good food.

Area - ouzeburn.

https://www.thecluny.com/venue-information

 

 

4) - The Forth/Town Wall

 

I've cheated here and doubled up, but to be fair they are so close that if you spill a pint in one pub, people will look on in disgust from the other.

We'll start with the forth. It's been here forever, was the first pub I went to when I came to Newcastle 12 years ago and has always done me well. Decent gourmet burger type food, 6-8 ales on draught and serves typical and pretty well known ales such as Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn, etc. It has 2-3 guest ales which change every couple of months. Bottle selection is pretty small but it covers all tastes. It's one of the better 'let's start here pubs' in the city. Bar staff are friendly, never any bother that I've seen in 12 years, it has a nice vibe about it and you could happily stay there for the duration if you find a pint to stick with, but not really a place to try an array due to limited choice.

The town wall is in front if the forth on pink lane, a big old square building which has the same open plan feel inside (bar in the middle). 10-12 on draught, Brooklyn, Camden are standards, with lots of guest ales that change regularly. Lots of cans and bottles in the fridges too, some great choices. There's a blackboard above the door telling you what's on and the %. Similar food to the fourth in terms of burgers etc and the Sunday roast is spot on.

Both are about a 1 minute walk from the train station, over the road, pink lane is between subway and Gregg's, both are up there. (Note: Be careful not to walk past and enter another pub called raffertys, it's a shit hole.)

Town wall doesn't have the vibe that the forth has, it's a little bit 'finished work in a shirt' but makes up for that with beer selection.

As I said, brilliant starting points for a couple before heading on.

Selling point - very close to the station, decent selection of beer and environmental if you treat them as one and the same, decent enough food.

Area - station

Forth - http://www.theforthnewcastle.co.uk

Town Wall - http://www.thetownwall.com

 

 

3) - Tilleys

 

On Westgate Road, easy enough to locate, 5-10 min walk from the train station. 3-4 mins from forth/town wall. Around 6-8 on draught, half of which are standard/regular, the rest change frequently. However, it has one of the biggest fridge collections in the town. It also has a clipboard with every bottle it sells divided by style (IPA, Stout, Etc). This also states the £ and % of each bottle. It gets fairly busy but not rowdy.

Staff are pretty sound, friendly and seem to have a decent knowledge of products.

It's been there for ages but has transformed in the last 1-2 years, very much for the positive.

Selling point - large selection of booze, easy to find, close to several other great pubs, it sells Nogne O (my fav).

Area - station

http://www.theheadofsteam.co.uk/pub?pub=2

 

 

2) - Hop and Cleaver

 

When this place popped up around 3 years ago I was blown away. Arguably the trend setter and bench mark for craft and meat in the north east.

It's a smoke house and the food is divine if you like Pulled Pork, Brisket, Ribs, Slaw etc. Cracking selection of beer with around 12 on draught, regular changes but there's usually always a beavertown, Camden, Brooklyn etc as standard.

Decent bottle fridges... lots of choice for drinks.

The food and the drink are probably the best combo in Newcastle (again if you like craft and meat). There are similar places, some very very good, but this one nails it.

It's also the first place I've seen in the city that does a 'special guest night'. I recently went to a Brooklyn night in which you pay £25, get a 3 course meal, it's paired with non-typical beers by Brooklyn, get to sample a couple of other beers and it's hosted by someone who talks about Brooklyn in between courses. Good fun with other craft snobs. It's a pretty busy place and for food, probs worth booking a table on Fri/Sat nights.

Selling point - amazing smoked food, great selection of beer, theme/guest nights, close to other decent pubs.

Area - quayside.

http://www.hopandcleaver.com

 

 

1) - The Bottle Shop.

 

It's about a 5-10 min walk from the train station, 2 min walk from Tillys and is pretty hidden. General public won't know it's there, but it's behind an Indian restaurant called Akbar's, which is pretty well known.

They change 9 guests every month or so and have a blackboard list telling what's on now and what's coming soon.

On top of that they have 5-6 regular draughts, including Neck Oil and Gamma Ray by beavertown.

It's arguably, the soundest pub in Newcastle, the bar staff are top notch, always friendly, frequently pop around the pub saying 'try this' and give you a 1/4 pint of whatever is new in.

It's stylish with leather couches etc and has good food.

The only issue (which is also a blessing) is that it's usually dead. When I pop in at around 5.30 after work, it's not unusual to be the only one in, and it's a pretty big place. I fear it won't be open if that continues as in my opinion, it's the best boozer in the toon.

Selling point - staff, environment, beer selection, fresh/gourmet food, special offer app.

Area- station

http://bottleshopbar.co.uk

 

 

A few more that were close contenders along with the area. The area means each pub in that area is in very close proximity, a 5 min walk max from other pubs mentioned, usually a lot closer.

 

Bierrex - central

Dat bar - central

Alvinos - central

Free trade - ouzeburn

Tanners - ouzeburn

Cumberland - ouzeburn

Tyne - ouzeburn

Ernest - ouzeburn

Trent house - stadium

Earl of Pit street - stadium

Bar Loco - stadium

Bridge Tavern - quayside

Red House - quayside

Crown Posada - quayside

 

My list, add your own.

[patiirc]

Preston is awash with decent Real Ale Pubs and has been for some time

 

In no order 

 

1.) Guild Ale House, Lancaster Road. a converted charity shop it's not long open but has a wide range of ales and ciders and seems to be establishing it's self very well in terms of sales and reputation

https://www.facebook.com/Guild-Ale-House-862032483883107/

 

 

2.)The Black Horse Friargate. Robinson's tied but famous in Lancashire for it's ale quality. Has a horse shoe shaped bar, all of its original features, and is as far as i am aware one of the only pubs in the world to have entrances and exits on three different streets

 

https://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/pubs-inns-and-hotels/find-a-pub/a-e/blackhorse

 

 

3.) The Conti- South Meadow Lane.  Situated off Avenham Park, next to the River Ribble, this pub had a bad reputation until it closed in around 2003 and many though that was that. forward to about 2008 and the pub reopened, under the guise of a real ale, arts and food based pub, Has several ale festivals a year and bands, poets, film screenings and pretty much everything in between. Lovely pub and the Ale Festivals are always a hoot. 

 

http://www.newcontinental.net/

 

 

4.) The Moorbrook, North Road. Part of the same group as the Conti, another closed pub that has reopened to much delight, always has a decent selection of ales and ciders as well as wood fired pizaz and a lovely beer garden with wood fire or someone on a guitar. very chilled and relaxed place to go

 

https://www.facebook.com/themoorbrook?rf=139288149449496

 

 

5.) The Ferret.Fylde Road  Used to be an Indian takeaway and then over the years has evolved from Timesquare to the Mad Ferret to just the plain old Ferret. Famous for it's Glaston Ferret Festival each yeah and it's ridiculously sumptuous burgers, The ales are ever changing and has allsorts on tap as well as pretty much single handedly keeping Preston's non cover band music scene alive

 

http://theferret.info/

 

 

6.) The Ale Emporium,Fylde Road Next door to The Ferret, this used to be a social club called Strettles and over the years evolved into a real magnet for Real Ale fans in Preston. First under the guise of Bitter Suite, where the Landladies would go out of their way to put some weird and wonderful casks on much to the delight of the clientle. After the retirement of the Landladies, it's changed it's name to the Ale Emporium.

 

http://aleemporium.co.uk/

 

 

7.) Ye Olde Blue Belle, Church Street. Sam Smiths based pub, just been refurbished, but is in the wrong part of town and as such it's client base is 'different'. Always great ales, my mates mum was relief manager a few years back, which lead to some very very drunken nights!

 

http://samsmiths.info/forum/index.php?topic=150.0

 

 

8.) The Wheatsheaf, Docks. Oldschool dockers pub, certainly one of the roughest pubs in Preston has great live music and a selection of real ales and tasting boards mind

 

https://whatpub.com/pubs/LAW/5114/wheatsheaf-preston