Beer of the Week (w/e 25 September 2011)

[ROBCamra]

trainman: Wentworth Chilli Choc Stout
Wittenden: Orkney Dark Island
PaulOfHorsham: Magic Rock High Wire
Thuck Phat: Oakham Bishops Farewell
aleandhearty: Tyne Bank - Southern Star (New Zealand IPA)
ROBCamra: Tyne Bank - Southern Star (New Zealand IPA)
Oggwyn Trench: Brown Cow - Mell-Sheaf Gold
Al 10000: Nottingham Extra Pale Ale
Bucking Fastard: Mordue Autumn Tyne
Pubsignman: Yeovil Lynx Wildcat
Alesonly: Three Castles Knights Porter
RogerB: Keltek King

[trainman]

Intrigued by John McGraw's description, at Craft Beer Co, of Magic Rock's Curious being 'one of the best beers I've ever tried', I was delighted to find it at the same venue on Friday night, very nice too. I then traded up to High Wire from the same brewery and, after signing over the deeds to the house, managed a second pint. I don't want to consider the relative price that a&h paid in Wakey last week.

My botw, though, goes to a style which I occasionally enjoy as a counterbalance to that hoppy fruity style and, indeed, was supped in halves next to pints of Hophead in Croydon's Green Dragon yesterday - Wentworth (I think) Chilli Choc Stout - slowly warming and rather splendid.

[Wittenden]

We enjoyed our first Saturday afternoon in the pub for ages-Carpenters Arms, Windsor-no work,kids out, just eating ,drinking and conversation.Good beer choice:the three I tried were OrkneyDark Island,Itchen Valley Godfathers, and a wild card, Mordue Newcastle Coffee Porter.All good stuff.St Austell's new Trelawneys tasted, found it dull. My BOTW-Orkney Dark Island, a lovely dark friuty christmas pudding of an old ale, witha tantalising hint of the unknown sourness of late autumn.

[PaulOfHorsham]

I've decided to join in this week as, coincidentally, I've also had a pint of Magic Rock High Wire and enjoyed it immensely. The Southampton Arms is somewhat cheaper (though rather gloomier) than Craft, especially for the stronger ales.

[Thuck Phat]

Nothing as exciting as Magic Rock to sample this week sadly.

Joshua Tetley Nags Head
Crouch Vale Summer Breeze
Triple fff Moondance
St Austell Tribute
St Peters Ruby Red Ale
Oakham Bishops Farewell

All these were in good condition and the Moondance was especially quaffable but BOTW goes to the outstanding Oakham Bishops Farewell in The White Horse, Welton.

[aleandhearty]

I don't want to consider the relative price that a&h paid in Wakey last week.

...a counterbalance to that hoppy fruity style and

I could be cruel here, but I won't!

I hear what you're saying about counterbalance. I'm a confirmed hophead, but after so many pale beers I have to switch to a stout or porter. Usually, that dark roast malt hit is wonderful.

St Austell's new Trelawneys tasted, found it dull.

Glad it's not just me, I was very disappointed. Could hardly believe it was from the same people who produce Proper Job and Black Prince.

[Moonraker]

St Austell's new Trelawneys tasted, found it dull.

Yes, I had a pint at The Harbour Inn in Porthleven. Hard to believe it comes from St Austell, yet another bland golden coloured ale of which there are many. I believe St Austell brew Dartmoor Best Bitter, which I also found insipid.

[RogerB]

A week behind as usual. Wasn't the most diverse week but the ailway in Blackheath did muster up a nice pint of Keltek King which was good enough for my nomination!

[ROBCamra]

My botw, though, goes to a style which I occasionally enjoy as a counterbalance to that hoppy fruity style and, indeed, was supped in halves next to pints of Hophead in Croydon's Green Dragon yesterday - Wentworth (I think) Chilli Choc Stout - slowly warming and rather splendid.

Currently on at The Baum and the pint I had last night was very good.