Downt'pub: Burnt Pig's First Birthday

Back about a year ago I said that I would have to make the Burnt Pig a proper local haunt and go there more often. It took me over six months to make good on that but I have now been going approximately every week for a while now (long enough to build up some posts that I haven't yet published). So it stood to reason that I would go and sample what was on offer on the Birthday Party some time around 4pm.

From Pubs Galore - it was wonderfully sunny and dry, also busy
when I went.

As to the rest of the posts, I shall be attempting to publish those over the coming week to get this place back up to date and operative again. We shall see. Would you like to know more?

Beer Re-Review: Double Chocolate Stout

I've had this before, but it was a very long time ago. A good colleague of mine gave me this one as a gift and so it follows that I would have it and review it - and today has been lovely and warm so it seemed fitting to have it in my garden. I am, of course, referring to Young's Double Chocolate Stout and that's always a good thing. Stout. And chocolate. I am also going to be watching Starship Troopers because it is a good film and the source of my little in-jokes when I get round to using them.

Ahem, let's get on with business shall we? Would you like to know more?

Beer Review: Lagunitas IPA

I've seen this one around a lot in the beer reviewing circles on Google+ and it always gets a good treatment, and so, not for the first time, I am trying an ale based on the recommendations of other good people. And this recommendation is for Lagunitas IPA, which is from, uh... Lagunitas. All the way from California! I have to say I have been looking forward to trying it too!

Without further ado, then, would you like to know more?

Beer Review: Cocker Hoop

Another day, another chance for an ale of an evening. Can't say I've been too busy, but the chance to kick back and have some of the malted stuff is always welcome. And now seems like the best time for it. So, tonight, without further ado I plumbed for something a little lighter than most of my shelf of ill-gotten gains and went with Cocker Hoop by Jennings. About the closest I'll ever get to a home-team, I suppose, in the beer brewing world. All that and I have a moderately bad back.

So, we come again to this point and we know where we are going next. My blog is nothing if not predictable and consistent. So, would you like to know more?

Beer Review: Bad King John

I've been waiting to try this for almost three years. My colleague at work who is awesome, whom I shan't name but she knows who she is, brought the bottle in as a means of starting conversation with a Year 7 class - there may have been more to the story, this is the bit that resonated with me - and it's been sat there, on her desk, ever since. And, ever since, I see it every time I go in the room. She thinks I'm there on official business but no, I'm lusting after this dang ale. I finally saw this on sale in the local supermarket and bought it almost without thinking, it's one of the more expensive bottles I've bought at £3!

What can this wonder-ale be? Well, here's the saddest part, it's Bad King John and there's nothing that special about it, so I'm reliably informed. And I don't really care whether it's special or not, it's been taunting me for nearly three years and now I get to complete that quest and maybe even unlock an achievement or something. Who knows, right? So, onward! For victory!

I know very little French and even less Medieval English, so would you like to know more?

Downt'pub: Light up the fire

Another chance to sample the delights that my locals have to offer. I'll be honest, I expected to stay in one place this evening but ended up traipsing around between two local offerings. I have to say that the welcome was excellent, as always, in the Burnt Pig and the staff were very indulgent of a half-cut hairy beast in the local JDW: The Observatory. Also, this was all at the encouragement of my wife and I can't really pass up an opportunity to go out and get some halves in on the suggestion of someone else, can I?

Come, fair web-traveller, join me on a journey twixt two public houses so to sample the ale-libations and delights that are contained therein. Would you like to know more?

Beer Review: Distiller's Cask Range

Ever since its appearance when drinking with a friend of mine over by the Major Oak (see this review) I have been hankering after this one. It had been produced with much fanfare by my drinking colleague as being acquired at the brewery itself as a limited edition. We both agreed on the evening that it was a good ale and worth having again, and I have been on the look out for it ever since. Imagine my surprise and happiness, then, when I found it on offer at 80p a pop!

I know, I couldn't quite believe it either! I bought eight. Drank them all. Bought a nice round dozen and then distributed some to my work colleagues and then realised that I hadn't actually got round to reviewing it on its own yet. Well, far be it from me to do such a thing! Thus we move onto this evening's entertainment: Distiller's Cask Range from Theakston's. And a lovely brew it is too.

And, yes, that is the glass I acquired from my first beer festival earlier in the year, yes. I do rather like it, almost fits the full 330ml in a single glass without looking too silly. Would you like to know more?