 #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 70
Beer: 01_18 Off Tempo DIPA The Brewer: Bad Co Ok, so it's day 80 of 80 and I'm sitting down with double IPA to wrap up #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers. Here goes... The beer Unsurprisingly, there’s a strong smell of hops that hits you as soon as you open the can. The taste is really powerful and a touch harsh, but it settles down and te aftertaste is far more pleasant than that first hit. Unfortunately it seems for a while like every mouthful is the same, so if that first hit isn’t to your taste, it’s something you’re going to have to put up with to get that delayed gratification. But then your palette adjusts and gets used to it. That "pow" moment feels less jarring and it settles down and becomes a more enjoyable, rounded beer. Overall, it’s not my favourite Bad Co beer, but if you’re sipping away on a Sunday night, you can do a lot worse. Where in the North? Ok, so this is an unusual one. The brewery is based at Dishforth Airfield, an RAF/Army station in North Yorkshire. Hard to imagine the pilots or soldiers going into battle after a few Wild Gravitys. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dishforth_Airfield Fun fact: Dishforth was the first base to receive the Apache helicopter and had 16 of them, divided between two squadrons. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
0 Comments
 #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 79
Beer: Champagne Sorachi Ace The Brewer: Caps Off / McColl’s Brewery collaboration Ok, so this is the third evolution of the Sorachi Ace from this collaboration. The beer It’s easy to see where the ‘champagne’ element comes in. It has the fizz of a bottle of bubbly, which combines with the powerful banana that I’d been expecting. It’s less cloying than the other two, but as someone who doesn’t like banana I’m still not taken with it. But millions of people love banana and I know I’m probably in the minority. Where in the North? Bishop Auckland is the town I live in, and it’s a town on the rise in many ways. Thanks to inward investment from a hedge fund company boss, Jonathan Ruffer, the town’s centrepiece Market Place and Auckland Castle are the heart of current and future tourism highlights. The castle itself is beautiful, but we now have the amazing summer Kynren events, while there is also a new art gallery dedicated to mining, and a new viewing tower and Spanish Gallery are under development. Never heard of Bishop Auckland? You’re missing out. https://www.thisisdurham.com/explore-durham/durham-towns/bishop-auckland Fun fact: Stan Laurel, one half of legendary comedy double act Laurel and Hardy, lived in Shildon as a youngster. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Facebook and Instagram.  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 78
Beer: Mojo The Brewer: Robinsons Brewery Into the final three... The beer It smells like pick and mix! And it has a slightly sharp taste on the tongue. The aroma mixes with the taste and, even though you know you’re being fooled by your nose, makes you think the beer is a little sherbetty. Unusual. Not unpleasant. I’m undecided. Where in the North? Seven miles from Manchester city centre, Stockport is a large town that has a proud history of manufacturing, from hemp to hats! That history actually makes for a really visually interesting landscape, thanks to the centuries of industrial architecture. The town was birthplace to a huge array of musicians, TV presenters and actors, my favourite being Tim McInnerny of Blackadder fame (Lord Percy, Captain Darling). Pass me a pint of Robinsons, Darling... https://www.visitmanchester.com/visitor-information/stockport-tourist-information-centre-p24071 (They don't seem to have a site for tourists - shame) Fun fact: Whilst being part of Manchester, Stockport is actually where the River Mersey forms with the merger of two other rivers, the Tame and the Goyt. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 77
Beer: Ruby Revolution The Brewer: Three Brothers Brewing Company As dark a red as I’ve ever seen (if you ignore the fact Guinness is actually red). The beer. Plain and simple, this is a nice red. It has a lovely burnt flavour that holds for a nice aftertaste. There’s definitely toffee in there (and in the aroma too). I mentioned Guinness earlier and there’s almost an element of a smoky porter to this, as well. Only a touch lighter. Good stuff! Where in the North? Stockton on Tees is a borough that sits between Darlington and Middlesbrough and is actually quite an innovative place. Why? Well, its people co-funded the Stockton and Darlington Railway*, the world’s first passenger railway. *Not the “Stockton TO Darlington Railway”, as many mistakenly call it. It actually ran between Stockton and collieries near Shildon (my home town). It was named because of the towns from which the funding came. http://www.thisisstockton.co.uk/visit Fun fact: As well as the railways, the friction match was invented by a chemist from Stockton! Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 76
Beer: True Wisdom simcoe sour The Brewer: StuBrew It's a style I don't recall having encountered before, so here goes... The beer It's a very light coloured beer, with a citrusy odour - lime, maybe? The first tentative taste is extremely sour and I don't expect to enjoy the rest. However, it's elss so in a slightly more adventurous second mouthful and it becomes an easier drink as I go on. This wouldn’t be my first choice, but it’s something different and I may return to it one day. It just shows that the first taste isn't always a great indicator. There's some true wisdom for you. Where in the North? Well, once again we are in Newcastle. Newcastle’s a great place for anyone who likes to explore a few different beers in a nice, easily walkable route. Here’s a quick route suggestion that my friends and I have tried a couple of time. I’ve missed out places to eat, but do remember to grab a bite (there are plenty Greggs around to grab a pastie or three on the go). Starting as you come out of the railway station, cross the road and you have three options to begin with: The Victoria Comet (also known at the ‘Get Carter pub’) is directly opposite, or you could slip up Pink Lane and start at The Forth or the Town Wall. After that, Tilley’s Bar on Westgate Road is just a short walk away and is part of the Head of Steam group. From there, you can take a slightly longer trip across to the Grey Street area and Pleased To Meet You, DAT Bar, Bacchus, and Lady Grey’s, before wandering down Grey Street, crossing the road to where it becomes Dean Street for BrewDog, then carry on down and round the corner to the Bridge Tavern. Come back up towards town from there, stopping in at the Crown Posada (if you fancy a quirky little ‘old man’s’ beer pub) and then you can come back round towards the train station and there’s another Head of Steam close to the train station. If you missed out the Victoria Comet at the start, you can always drop in there to finish if you have time before your train home. https://www.newcastlegateshead.com/ Fun fact: “The city of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne was founded at the lowest place the Tyne could be easily crossed. In 1080, the Normans built a wooden fort to safeguard the crossing, they also erected a wooden bridge. “The ‘new castle’ was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century.” Source: http://www.newgenerationflooring.com/facts-about-newcastle/ Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 75
Beer: Tyneside Brown The Brewer: Hadrian Border Brewery A brown ale? From Newcastle? No. Not that one... The beer A good old fashioned beer smell. This is matched by the taste, but while it does taste traditional, it is clearly quality beer. The North East is well known for its brown ales, one in particular. But while that particular beer brands itself “the one and only” it’s certainly not the only brown ale in town. Where in the North? The vibrant city of Newcastle is not only a great place to head for a drink, whether you’re looking for great beer pubs or enjoying a stag or hen do, it’s full of culture and a heart of innovation. William Armstrong, ancestor of TV’s Alexander, was responsible for many inventions, including the hydraulic crane, and his technology is used to power many things, including the Swing Bridge across the Tyne, and London’s Tower Bridge. https://www.newcastlegateshead.com/ Fun fact: Mosley Street was the first street in the world to be illuminated by electric light. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 74
Beer: Glug M'Glug The Brewer: Black Sheep The first time I had a Glug M’Glug, I really loved it. It’s been a while (so many beers!) The beer. It’s a dark IPA, so not what you’d normally imagine from an IPA. And when you take a taste it has all the things you love from a good IPA, but something extra special. It has a lovely burnt taste that gives it a different character. It occurs to me that something that’s been sadly all too rare through the last few weeks has been a good smoky beer. It’s nice to return to this one as we enter the final week. Where in the North? The Yorkshire town of Masham punches above its weight I terms of breweries. Alongside Black Sheep, there is the Theakstons Brewery, and the small market town has its fair share of great pubs (complete with very locally sourced product). Not bad for a population of around 1,400 people. And if that’s not enough, the likes of Ripon, York and Harrogate are all close by, but visitors are unlikely to need them, with more than you might imagine going on in Masham itself. http://www.visitmasham.com/ Fun fact: Masham has its own Druids’ Temple, in the Swinton Estate. Having just discovered this, it’s leapt to the top of my “to do” list. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers day 73: Mango and IPA aren't two things you'd normally put together...9/2/2018  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers - day 73
Beer: Mango IPA Brewer: Tyne Bank Brewery An exceptionally lively pour. To the extent it’s a bit of a pain, if I’m perfectly honest. However, having sampled other summer can offerings from Tyne Bank Brewery recently, I assure myself that it’s going to be worth the wait. Good things come, or so they say. The beer: There’s a fruitiness to the smell as I prepare to take a first taste. The beer itself is very smooth. There is only the tiniest trace of any bitterness and plenty of sweetness coming through. It’s a very easy drink and, when I think of some of the more challenging drinks I’ve had over the last 73 days, that have come in 500ml bottles, it’s a shame this one’s only a 330ml can. I could definitely have enjoyed more. Where in the North? The vibrant city of Newcastle is not only a great place to head for a drink, whether you’re looking for great beer pubs or enjoying a stag or hen do, it’s full of culture and a heart of innovation. William Armstrong, ancestor of TV’s Alexander, was responsible for many inventions, including the hydraulic crane, and his technology is used to power many things, including the Swing Bridge across the Tyne, and London’s Tower Bridge. https://www.newcastlegateshead.com/ Fun fact: Newcastle was the setting for the 1971 film Get Carter and the pub Carter enters after alighting the train in the city is still there, right over the road from the station’s main entrance. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 72
Beer: Scarborough Fair IPA The Brewer: Wold Top A light IPA for a Saturday afternoon. The beer A fresh, light smell, hints at, rather than screams, IPA. Nice, hoppy taste. Not too strong on flavour, if not a touch watery, if I’m honest. It feels like it sits between a fresh pale and your normal IPA, but don’t let that fool you. At 6% it still needs taking seriously. Overall, an enjoyable beer. Where in the North? Driffield is a market town to the East of York, but I’d like to indulge myself and talk about one of my favourite places in Yorkshire, Scarborough (it’s still relevant, and not too far from Driffield). I’ve been going to Scarborough since I was a child and, moving into adulthood, it was a regular haunt for a lads’ weekend away, with its £1-a-bottle bar pleasure steamer boats (lager, but we’d already indulged), a host of bars and, back in the day, a few cheesy nightclubs. It also has two beautiful beaches, activities for all ages, and can be used as a great jump-off point to visit places like Whitby. It’s also home to my favourite band of all time, Little Angels. You can do a lot worse than a weekend in Scarborough. http://www.driffield.co.uk/ https://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/scarborough/ Fun fact: As well as this beer Scarborough Fair has also been immortalised in song, or a number of variations of a song. While many consider it a Simon and Garfunkel song, it predates them considerably. In fact, the first commercial version was recorded a decade before theirs. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  #AroundTheNorthIn80Beers – Day 71
Beer: Leeds Best The Brewer: Leeds Brewery I’ve decided not to think too much, and to just drink this one. The beer It’s branded a “classic Yorkshire bitter”, but it smells and tastes a touch fruitier. That’s overlaying everything you would expect from a Yorkshire bitter. No nonsense, great quality beer. I think in a world where we are so spoiled for choice, a great bitter gets forgotten about. Cheers! Where in the North? Leeds is another cracking city that offers so much in terms of entertainment, sport, night life, shopping and so much more. If you’re looking for a central city from which to base yourself on a visit to the North of England, this is probably the one. I say that in the full knowledge that it is towards the southern end of what I would call “proper North”, but with its transport links, you can easily get to pretty much anywhere from Berwick to Liverpool without hassle and in decent time. Or you could stay in Leeds, have a nice beer and just enjoy a great city. https://www.visitleeds.co.uk/ Fun fact: Whilst looking up facts about Leeds, I decided I couldn’t pick just one. Could I leave the hippos out and keep the rooftop sheep in? Did I choose The Who over Houdini? In the end, I thought I would just share this with you: http://www.wow247.co.uk/2016/01/22/20-facts-about-leeds/ Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. |
AuthorI’m 42, I don’t have a beard (partly because when I try it is patchy, has gaps, with ginger and grey bits) and don’t take a clipboard to the pub. So, I’m not the stereotypical real ale fan of old, in the style that I was always told to look out for...read more Archives
September 2018
Categories |
RSS Feed
Powered by
