What is the most important factor in choosing your real ale?

Search This Blog

Pages

Monday 27 February 2012

Clearwater -Devon Dympsy

Clearwater -Devon Dympsy

5 lovely little numbers now in stock from Clearwater Brewery in Devon.

Wednesday 1 February 2012

thank god for winter

I don't know about everyone else but i look forward to winter for one main reason. The snow? long winter nights in front of a log fire.....crisp beautiful mornings?
Well, yes to all of the above as it happens but mainly it's for the beer.
I do love a winter ale. A dark, spicy, strong and luscious winter ale.


As I own a beer shop I do tend to be spoilt. It also means that i tend to stick to the local brews as much as possible so here, in no particular order of favoritism, are my top 5 West country winter brews.

1) R.C.H. Brewery -Ale Mary: A dark, rich, spicy bottle conditioned beer with a warm sweet aroma of cloves, coriander and ginger. Touches of rum on the palate. 6.0% ABV

http://www.westcountryales.co.uk/epages/es119866.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es119866_shop/Products/053

2) Moor Beer -Old Freddie Walker: Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2004, and one of Roger Protz's "300 Beers To Try Before You Die". One for the connoisseur! A rich, dark, full - bodied old ale that really has to be tasted to be appreciated. This beer is usually the first to sell out at beer festivals, thanks to its blend of Pale, Lager, Crystal, Wheat and Black malts that are fermented with an English yeast. Liberty hops are added in abundance to provide a healthy dose of bitterness. Bottle Conditioned. 7.5% abv, 660ml

http://www.westcountryales.co.uk/epages/es119866.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es119866_shop/Products/120

3) Bristol Beer factory -ULTIMATE STOUT - 7.7% ABV This is Belgian style dark beer. An Ultimate Stout, strong black, unctuous and delicious. Hints of coffee, chocolate & dark fruits, made using a Belgian yeast & roasted malts. This beer is the Ultimate after-dinner treat, drink from a brandy snifter, sat in your most comfortable chair, preferably by a roaring fire, & savour the aromas & flavours.

http://www.westcountryales.co.uk/epages/es119866.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es119866_shop/Products/4006

4) Arbor Ales -Oyster Stout 4.6%: multi-award winning Oyster Stout is brewed with ten different grains, including oats, wheat and a few specialty malts. Fuggles, East Kent Golding and Bramling Cross hops are added during the boil along with fresh oysters, shells and all, during the last fifteen minutes. 4.6%abv 500ml

http://www.westcountryales.co.uk/epages/es119866.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es119866_shop/Products/7638

5) Cheddar Ales - Totty Pot: a rich, dark porter with a deeply satisfying roasted malt character and subtle hop highlights. It is brewed using the best quality Maris Otter, wheat and dark malts and hopped with a blend of English whole hops. 4.5% abv 500ml

http://www.westcountryales.co.uk/epages/es119866.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es119866_shop/Products/091