A pub is for life not just for Christmas
Hopper, in the Head of Steam in Sheffield. Didn't note who it was by though!
Good week for me, largely based on a long overdue return visit to Huddersfield.
North Riding - Mosaic.*
Stancill - Viceroy.
Empire - Moonraker's MILD.*
Kent - Pale.
Revolutions - The Colour of Spring.
Five Towns / Mill Valley - Joe The Lion.
Magic Rock - Ringmaster.*
Orkney - Northern Light.*
Lords - Chosen Man.
Timothy Taylor's - Dark MILD.
Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby MILD.*
Oakham - The Experimentals.
Kirkstall / Verdant - Break Even.*
Wishbone - Base Ten.
Wilde Child - Mutiny Rising.*
Brewsmith - Nelson Sauvin.
Pomona Island - Stout.
Orkney - Raven.
As is usually the case in Huddersfield, the quality and choice of beers was excellent. However, the one that really stood out for me was the Break Even, a lovely juicy APA, sampled in The Grove.
'And where he supped the past lived still. And where he sipped the glass brimmed full' John Barleycorn, Carol Ann Duffy.
A visit to Glasgow and Perth gave this Scottish slant :-
Stewart Jack Back 3.7%
Fyne Ales Everyone Loves Mandarina 3.8%
Loch Lomond Southern Summit 4.0%
Brewdog Indie Pale (keg) 4.2%
Bellfield Lawless Village IPA 4.5%
Brewdog Instamatic IPA (keg) 4.5%
Knops California Common 4.6%
Brewdog Jet Black Heart (keg) 4.7%
Law Weekender Pils 5.0%
Electric Bear Whirly Bird 5.2%
Northern Monk Faith (keg) 5.4%
Brewdog Punk IPA (keg) 5.4%
Cromarty Rogue Wave 5.7%
Thornbridge Jaipur IPA 5.9%
Oakham Green Devil IPA 6.0%
Northern Monk Neapolitan (keg) 6.2%
Northern Monk Haze-Le-Nut (keg) 6.7%
Brewdog Death Of Spring (keg) 7.3%
The winner is the Oakham Green Devil as tried int the excellent State Bar (£3.70) and equally as good across the road in the Hengler's Circus JDW (£2.25). Of the keg options I would go for the Jet Black Heart which looked just like Guinness but tasted a whole lot better.
BOTW Oakham Green Devil
Soho , Stone and Stoke on Trent.
Fuller's -- London Pride
Magic Rock -- Saucery Session IPA * (can)
Brew Dog -- Lost Lager * (can)
Lymestone -- Foundation Stone
Titanic -- Forgotten Gold
Titanic -- Raspberry Wheat *
Titanic -- Iceberg *
Standout BOTW was Titanic Raspberry Wheat on excellent form in the Royal Exchange.The initial raspberry sweetness gives over to a balanced bitterness and then a beautiful dry finish which just demands another.Similar affect as Plum Porter ,which I always feel is a great winter drink,but the Raspberry Wheat is better suited to hot weather IMHO,has the 4.7% body to satisfy and is certainly my BOTY so far.Another big winner from Titanic.
Next week end month sessions which look quite crafty.
"Good people drink good beer" Hunter S Thompson