Ale, Beer, Stout appreciation

They are being a bit political and cagey about it, it's weird to just close immediately.

Jealous but equally thankful I'm not having to get through them all! #weekenddrinker

Yeah, if it was really a case of "oh, it's not making us any money and we've decided to shut down" then you'd think they'd have a blowout closing down celebration kind of thing rather than "bye, shut now". Maybe someone's not paying the bills or it was sold out from under them or something and they had to move quick?

Why exactly. Something to do with hipsters? Cool before cool?

I'm a bit surprised that they didn't sell it when they moved onto concentrating on the brewery but the immediate close seems somewhat suss.

Why is it closing? Dunno but their explanation is a bit pissweak. I quite liked it, the few times I made the annoying journey out there.

It's one of the few places where I've not been able to finish my meal

Shock Horror! I never had this problem.

Agreed, it is/was in the arse end of no where

Fuck sake I loved that place. Not to sound like one of those annoying people who say things used to be better, but it did. Not the food or the beer - that actually got better over time, but it didn't justify the rate of increasing cost. When I first went (about 7 years ago?) you'd be looking at around £25 a head. Within a few years you would be looking at north of £35 for essentially the same meal.

What's odd is that it was always busy - which had started to put me off it. Despite its location as mentioned, it was difficult to get a booking unless it was way in advance. They'd massively increased the number of covers in the same space over time. Gangs of people would pile out of cabs from Liverpool St and pack in. It was uncomfortably tight in there in peak hours. That being said, I haven't been for at least a couple of years. Anyone been recently and noticed it struggling?

Belgium in a box Xmas order placed, thanks for the heads up. Gone in on sour/kriek and Rochefort 10.

I am excite. #beersofcaz

I last visited on 6th October, a group of us go twice a year every year and always had a great time, we booked 6 weeks in advance, had a table at 9pm, left at about 12.15 and it was still busy

Since I'd never had them at the same time I thought it was time to do a head to head.

I was quite a few beers in already so this review is probably accurate for my usual level of brain function.

1. Abt 12
   
2. Rochfort (I was right about preferring it over Abt12)
   
3. Surprise winner the Straffe Quad
   
   

I really like Abt12, certainly more than Rochefort. Agree r.e. Straffe though, I love that beer.

They're all great beers, but side by side Rochey every day... until I tried the Straffe Quad.

I also had their "wild" beer but I didn't actually find out what it was, presume it's natural yeast?

duckduckgos

Also had a 13% Lervig 3 grain stout?? last night to really seal the deal on all of us being fucked today.

It worked.

But it was also a bloody lovely stout.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/268/110453/

Straffe Hendrik Wild is a “wild” version of the famous Straffe Hendrik Tripel. The traditional triple beer is re-fermented with a wild “Brettanomyces” yeast, that creates unusual fruity aromas in harmony with the rich use of aromatic hop varieties. The bitter hop aromas will be- come softer, whereas the wild Brettanomyces yeasts will continue working and creating hints of fruit and wine.

Yes it's open fermented for two years I think.

Not had that I will check it out. I've been collecting loads of Imperial Stouts and Porters for the Christmas break, not sure how that's going to work with Festive 500!

I've held off so far since I'll be traveling again this year. Not sure I can be bother doing the 500 either, given I'll be working in the gap I have between trips.

South London people, we have the London Brewers Market at the Horniman tomorrow evening alongside our Christmas craft market. 17:30 -21:30

Line up
Brick Brewery SE15
Bianca Road Brew Co
The Brockley Brewing Company
Bullfinch Brewery & Tap Room
Canopy Beer Company
The Five Points Brewing Company
Big Smoke Brew Co
Partizan Brewing
Southey Brewing Co
Mondo Brewing Company

I had the Lervig/Evil Twin Big Ass Money Stout a year ago. That was one of the worst beers I've ever tasted.

The other Lervig beers I've had have been quite nice though, their Trolltunga collab with Buxton was very nice.

That sounds banging.

I've not tried that. I'll keep an eye out for a taster opp to see if it's as bad as you say :)

There was a box of them in the window at Lowlander so I had to see if they had one to try.