Ale, Beer, Stout appreciation

Was excited about Pressure Drop's Strictly Roots as I bloody love Dandelion and Burdock. It was a bit of a let down, tasted very earthy/weedy and just a bit horrid really.

This, however, is lovely lemoney goodness

But you agree that the elitism at least exists in wine?

One of the things which I love about beer (or cider) is that anyone can drink it, and nothing has to be formalised. The sort of thing that scares me is when I hear of people dropping into a craft beer pub, asking for a lager and then having the bartender's nose turning up at them. This does happen. I can remember at the GBBF being told by a bartender that I was "wasting my time" after asking for something light and dry. Fuck them, that's what I wanted! Give me a soda water if you want.

Elitism exists in all sort of crafts, including wine and beer drinking. Even if you order a coke you will have the guy giving you crap because it's not in glass bottle from the 60'.

I am sorry but I don't quite get why you have this consideration of beer as a non-subject-to-elitism drink. There are horrible, bad, good and awesome beers, and the same about wine, and you should be free to drink whatever you want, without caring about what the bartender thinks of your order.

I just don't see how you could be motivated to drink beer just because you think it's exempted from elitism. You can't fight that..

Also, this discussion would be perfect while sipping some beer 4-5 liters of beer!

I think I agree with what you are saying. My issue is that the whole craft beer thing is potentially towards a form of elitism. What ever was wrong with just bar snacks?

My personal opinion, as someone who loves food and cooks daily, is that most beer doesn't go brilliantly with food anyway. Possible exception could be something light and cleansing, but otherwise, no thanks.

http://www.craftbeer.com/attachments/0000/0533/beerandfood.pdf

^ what a load of pap. It's like the stuff they write on the back of wine bottles. All cheap wines should just say "good for getting fannied" rather than the usual nonsense of pretending that it might actually go well with something which you are inevitably not going to be eating.

^^ I am actually drinking right now, but only because I'm on a train.

I love cooking and cook daily too, but once again I disagree with you my friend. A light and pungent food would go brilliantly with a belgian dark beer for example, while a greasy and juice one could be perfect for a hoppy american IPA instead.

Also cooking with beer can sometimes get as interesting and sophisticated as cooking with wine. I can recommend this book (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beer-Food-Flavor-Tasting-Pairing/dp/1616086793), it's a good read and introduction to this little explored culinary branch (compared to wine pairing).

I am sitting at my desk, wish I was having a beer now..

I am sitting at my desk, wish I was having a beer now..

i hear you, brother

Wharfe Bank Brewery, Oberon session IPA
4.2 %. High on taste, plenty of hops but not too bitter and overpowering. Not as syrupy as some of the higher abv options out there. #approve

banks's bitter, 99p a bottle #approve

Morrisons are expanding their selection. They've always had Trooper but never seen Pistonhead there before

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I tried that at a Belushi's the other night. Cat piss.

This lady got me drunk tonight. Very good hefeweizen!

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Yep.

I like it

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Your selection here indicates you have some taste buds so I'm not sure why would make that claim. ;)

.

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Jaipur X once more. Hic.

Before I moved back to London, I had the chance to discover this:

http://www.botanic.co.uk/catalogue/Featured+Products/Botanic+Ale+-+Ventnor+Botanic's+Own+Cold+Filtered+Beer/219
Probably the best ale I've ever had.
In other news, I started home brewing :)

PS: If anyone is interested, I can go buy a few crates of botanic ale when I go next, £35/12beers.

I don't want a case but if you do bring some back and don't shift them all I'll take a couple of bottles.

cool, I'll dish them out at £4 each collected from Hackney which is supermarket price on the IOW.

Only thing to be seen drinking on the Kapelmuur this April...

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You'll be waiting a long time for a bike race...

Cheap German beers..
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/national-deal/gg-sim-buy-14-2/59295840

I would like some bottles of that. Any UK distributors?