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

Moor Beer Amoor (peat porter)

Moor Beer Amoor (peat porter)

formerly peat porter, now renamed Amoor. one of my favourite porters...probably of all time! Back in stock.

Real Ale in Somerset

Cheddar Gorge Festive Night!
Friday -2nd December 2011

Ever popular and a real opportunity to grab some bargains. We’ll be having some case deals in-store on both cider and beer, as well as a nice drop of mulled wine (while it lasts!) to warm your cockles on the night.
All sorts of things to do, plenty for kids and grown ups and it really is worth popping down for the evening, not least to support your local businesses! Open till late......

West Country ales will be offering discounted real ale and cider cases on the night

Butts Brewery -Le Butts Biere

Butts Brewery -Le Butts Biere

whole new range of bottle conditioned and organic beers!

Cheddar Ales Bitter Bully

Cheddar Ales bitter bully new in bottles.Cheddar Ales –Bitter Bully New World style pale ale. Big, citrussy hop character with a refreshing dry finish. The latest addition to the Cheddar Ales bottled portfolio!

Beer online

I sell beer online. it should be a fairly easy process......should be. But for the bloody couriers. I'm on my third one now and it they seem to adhere to the industry standard of 'deliver three....break one'.
Why would anyone want to use beer for a football?

Beer Snobbery

You know one thing that still annoys me? Even after years of being in the beer trade? Beer Snobbery.

What to drink. When to drink it. How to drink it. What glass to drink it from. Must be bottle conditioned. Must be room temperature.....and so on, ad nausiam.

As far as i'm concerned it's all down to personal likes and dislikes. Sure there are guidelines but nothing I would say to stick to rigidly. Personally I prefer to drink my beer either at room temp or slightly chilled. Yes, for certain beers I believe that the glassware can enhance the experience but in no way would I attempt to lecture or God forbid convert someone else to what amount to my own personal preferences!
You like drinking stout at 4c. Fine, up to you. You don't like bottle conditioned beers...fine as well. i can understand that. I've tried some truly dreadful bottle conditioned beers in the past that, if they'd been drunk twice by someone then i'd have to question that person's sanity (or tastebuds).
Anyway, rant over. I'm going to drink a Moor Beer Fusion...from a brandy glass...at room temperature........and it'll damn well taste good!