The Ale Thread.

[Turbo]

It doesn't. Just this:


"Wojtek was a magnificent 500 pound Syrian bear who served in WW2 alongside a unit of Polish Soldiers. Believing he was a man, Woytek shared their beer, their cigarettes and eventually, their fate."


Then the blurb of what the beer tastes like.

[AnnihiSlateR]

Beartown Brewery is situated in the Cheshire town of Congleton which acquired the nickname of "Beartown" from and infamous incident in it's history. After being granted borough status in 1272 one of the most senior positions within the borough was that of the Bear Warden whose job it was to oversee the Bear Bating which took place at the fairs within the town.

Story Has it that sometime around 1632 the serving Bear Warden has insufficient funds to purchase a bear, so rather than face the wrath of the local merrymakers it was decided to buy a bear with the money that had been put aside to buy a new bible for the town hall.

A rhyme from the day recounts the tale, "Congleton rare, Congleton rare, sold the bible to buy a bear".

A Bear, a Cheshire Wheatshef and an Ale Cask feature on both the borough coat of arms and the brewery logo.

I thought it was quite interesting.

[Turbo]

Yeah! Just seen a picture of the town area. Doesn't look like the sort of place where bear baiting would ever be acceptable practice, but yeah different times!

[malicious_bloke]

As previous. Problem i've had with northern ales is usually explainable by travelling.

I assume it's the same for anyone who's ever tried a pint of Jail Ale outside the westcountry. It's delicious if you get it on tap in the Plume of Feathers in princeton (literally in sight of the brewery), once it gets to Plymouth it's palatable. I assume it's rank by the time it hits Bristol.

Really not worth the effort once it's bottled either

[Noodle]

This weekend I shall be in Masham. Black Sheep isn't really high on my favourites list. Theakstons will be high on my priority though.

[Noodle]

Masham was brilliant. Had the sweetest (and free) half pint of Old Peculiar I've ever had at the Theakstons brewery, and discovered that there is a Black Sheep beer that I do like after all when we visited their brewery. Riggwelter is rather nice (and strong), and their autumn one is very drinkable and slightly spicy. Can't for the life of me remember what it's called though

[Czech's Mate]

It being October, Hobgoblin feels appropriate and is going down really well.

[Noodle]

Village pub has a cider on called Picker's Passion. First sip is horrid, as if it's gone off or something. After that, it's a sweet cider. Almost too sweet. Better than a lot of apple juice I've had though. It even has bits of apple mush floating in it.

Oh shush, Cornwall. We're not used to that kind of thing.

Also, finally getting to the end of my polypin of Boxing Dog I took with me to Bloodstock. Still drinkable, although the tang has about gone.

[MetalBeast]

Going to Nottingham Beer Festival tomorrow afternoon (after a job interview in the morning).

[Turbo]

Still never ever been to a beer festival. I was going to go to the Solihull one but I couldn't be fucked after driving back from Bristol on the day. Probably hook myself up with one when I am over in Germany. Not going to say Oktoberfest because its quite deer to get in a hotel. I think I read somewhere its about 200€ which is nearly £12.50.

[MyDomainofDecay]

Yeah! Just seen a picture of the town area. Doesn't look like the sort of place where bear baiting would ever be acceptable practice, but yeah different times!

You'd be surprised. I'm from Congleton originally and while the Beartown Brewery is certainly a plus point, stocking many local pubs as well as the local 'Spoons (on a side note, one of my mates Dad was one of the founders) Unfortunately most people there spend their hard slackered benefits on Fosters instead. It's basically a dormitory town with nothing to do, very little industry of its own and high unemployment. As soon as I got the chance I buggered off to Leeds for Uni and have barely been back since.

[Noodle]

I went past Congleton once.

True story.

[MetalBeast]

Interview's out of the way. Went better than I expected.

Now to get seriously fucking "refreshed".

Also, Blue Monkey did awesomely at the Midlands SIBA competition:

http://www.siba.co.uk/events/regional-competitions/midlands/2012-2

Ape Ale got Gold in Bottled Bitters Over 5% AND the overall Bottled Beers competition.

Big Blue and Fat Ape took Gold and Silver respectively in Premium Strong Beers

Ape Ale and Black Howler took Gold and Silver respectively in Strong Bitters

Big Blue and Ape Ale got the overall Gold and Silver respectively.

I told 'em Big Blue was a potential award winner!

Excellent going when you consider they were up against Thornbridge in two of those categories.

I hope Big Blue will go on to win this year's Beer of Britain.

[welshrune]

Hope they change from Hobgoblin next year. Its a decent pint, but presents itself poorly at BOA and given the huge range of real ales around, another would be good.

Decent cider too please - Thatchers or similar.

[Czech's Mate]

I was drinking Duck Dastardly by Green Duck. A dark porter with liquorice and blackcurrant flavour, seems much stronger than 4.5%. Recommended if you like dark, heavy beers. From somewhere in the West Midlands.

That sounds really nice....but the west midlands is a bit of a trek for a beer!