Blog Tracker
01-01-2019, 12:12
Visit the Tandleman's Beer Blog site (http://tandlemanbeerblog.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflecting-on-2018.html)
It has been a very quiet year for the blog for many reasons. I have had the passing of my mother to contend with, been very busy with beery things here in Rochdale, Oldham and Bury and latterly in Manchester for Manchester Beer and Cider Festival. But I don't think it the main reason. I just couldn't be bothered. Little inspired me frankly. Some things interested me, but overall, just all a bit flat. Like a London pint.
I suppose as I get older I feel pretty detached from much of the new beery scene. I was reminded of this in no uncertain terms when I read my good friend Matt's run down of his favourite beery moments from 2018:
Always good to tick off things I've never heard of which is almost everything until you got to the Harp. Beer Bubble indeed. 😬
— Tandleman (@tandleman) December 21, 2018 (https://twitter.com/tandleman/status/1076037563637469184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)Maybe that's it. I am just past it for any meaningful interaction with a younger and trendier beer scene that frankly seems pretty alien to me. I don't seek out these oddball beers, I don't usually like modern bars with their chick chick bass 'music', crazy prices and fizzy beers that rarely live up to hopes - plus a feeling - usually because I raise the average age by 20 years - that I don't really belong there.
Where I do belong though is still very much beer related. I'll be in the pub with my pals soon, drinking excellent cask beer. I'll be continuing my commitment to CAMRA, to real ale and to socialising in pubs with a mixed clientele. That's what I enjoy.That's why I brought the New Year in with gin and tonic rather than some fancy pants special beer. They are rarely for me.
I know what I am happiest with and don't grudge others their liking for something different. By and large though I'll be sticking to beer by the pint. Cask conditioned, sparkled and in a proper pub. That will be (mostly) what I write about this year. Oh and lager. Don't forget lager. That too. I like lager. And people. Don't forget them.
On that note and being glad I've got it off my chest, Happy New Year to all.
I think it was Steve Bell of the Guardian, whose penguin strip cartoon character allegedly pished on fish oil was told "Fish oil is an accompaniment to fun -not fun itself." I think with modification the same can be said about beer.
Wonder if there's any Plum Pudding left at the Tavern? If not straight onto the Bohemia Regent. Practice what you preach.
Oh and best beer of 2018? Rat Brewery White Rat. By a mile.
More... (http://tandlemanbeerblog.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflecting-on-2018.html)
It has been a very quiet year for the blog for many reasons. I have had the passing of my mother to contend with, been very busy with beery things here in Rochdale, Oldham and Bury and latterly in Manchester for Manchester Beer and Cider Festival. But I don't think it the main reason. I just couldn't be bothered. Little inspired me frankly. Some things interested me, but overall, just all a bit flat. Like a London pint.
I suppose as I get older I feel pretty detached from much of the new beery scene. I was reminded of this in no uncertain terms when I read my good friend Matt's run down of his favourite beery moments from 2018:
Always good to tick off things I've never heard of which is almost everything until you got to the Harp. Beer Bubble indeed. 😬
— Tandleman (@tandleman) December 21, 2018 (https://twitter.com/tandleman/status/1076037563637469184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)Maybe that's it. I am just past it for any meaningful interaction with a younger and trendier beer scene that frankly seems pretty alien to me. I don't seek out these oddball beers, I don't usually like modern bars with their chick chick bass 'music', crazy prices and fizzy beers that rarely live up to hopes - plus a feeling - usually because I raise the average age by 20 years - that I don't really belong there.
Where I do belong though is still very much beer related. I'll be in the pub with my pals soon, drinking excellent cask beer. I'll be continuing my commitment to CAMRA, to real ale and to socialising in pubs with a mixed clientele. That's what I enjoy.That's why I brought the New Year in with gin and tonic rather than some fancy pants special beer. They are rarely for me.
I know what I am happiest with and don't grudge others their liking for something different. By and large though I'll be sticking to beer by the pint. Cask conditioned, sparkled and in a proper pub. That will be (mostly) what I write about this year. Oh and lager. Don't forget lager. That too. I like lager. And people. Don't forget them.
On that note and being glad I've got it off my chest, Happy New Year to all.
I think it was Steve Bell of the Guardian, whose penguin strip cartoon character allegedly pished on fish oil was told "Fish oil is an accompaniment to fun -not fun itself." I think with modification the same can be said about beer.
Wonder if there's any Plum Pudding left at the Tavern? If not straight onto the Bohemia Regent. Practice what you preach.
Oh and best beer of 2018? Rat Brewery White Rat. By a mile.
More... (http://tandlemanbeerblog.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflecting-on-2018.html)