The opening evening of The Havelock, Nairn, beer festival and some absolute stonkers on!
I stuck to dark ales tonight, as they are generally my preferred flavours. There were excellent examples. Thornbridge, Lord Marples, followed by Brew York, Milk Stout, got things off to a grand start.
But this Cinder Toffee, from Blue Monkey, was exceptional, the underlying stout coming through an obvious, but not overwhelming, flavour of honeycomb toffee; not unlike Cadbury’s Crunchie!
I have been wanting to try these beers for sometime; I first read about them in Pellicle, a magazine.
Then I heard that they opened a tap room in Stroud; so off I went for a lunchtime pint. There are three beers on tap, a kombucha, and a good selection by bottle. I’m not a big fan of saison, but I thought the Plzen was worth a taste. It’s worth the trip, and at 5% not so demanding. On my next visit I must ask about the connection to the musical instrument.
The next drink I tasted was unexpected: a hop kombucha. Who knew this was a thing? Apparently it’s popular in Canada. Once you get past the sulphurous nose it’s very refreshing - perhaps it’s my favourite zero alcohol drink?
Before Thom and I went for a walk along the canal in search of coffee I had to try the saison on offer: Bière de garde. At 5% it won’t attack you, but a glass was enough, and I would try it again. For a session I would stick to the Plzen.
Second visit to The Havelock Autumn ale festival yesterday.
I sampled some of the pales, with mixed success. Campervan brewery, Nomad, was ok but I seem to recall it being better last time I had it in Edinburgh. Ginger Dream, from Salopian, had an interesting ginger finish and was pleasant enough. The pale highlight was Oakham’s, Magic Carousel, a proper IPA.
The Orca Stout from Orkney is a brand new beer, making its cask debut at the festival. It was excellent and a fitting end to the evening. I didn’t sample the Dark Island reserve, having had it previously. Although superb, at 10%abv it’s not a beer for drinking if you have things to do the next day!
Sampled a pub new to me, The Queen’s Arms on Victoria Street in Liverpool. Owned by the 1836 Pub Company who have refurbished a number of outlets in the city centre. Dark Mild was well kept
After visiting the Stafford Railway Circle exhibition called into the Bird In the Hand near the railway station. Black Country Ales always worth sampling. BFG was superb
Sunday’s beers at The Havelock ale festival (I had to skip Saturday as we were at a gig). After a busy day installing vapour barrier and plasterboard in my wife’s office build, she told me to get to the pub and she would pick me up at 21:00. It would have been rude to say no…
Time for a pint before catching the train home after a day out in Birmingham. Tim Taylor’s Landlord Dark in the Bacchus Bar on Stephenson Street opposite New Street station. Very handy bolthole when waiting for a train at what many consider to be Britain’s worst railway station.
Elsie Mo from the Castle Rock brewery in Nottingham. Visiting the Severn Valley Railway Autumn Diesel Gala and the pint was served at the Railway man’s Arms on Bridgnorth station
Meeple - a red rye IPA (4.8%) made by Ignition Brewery in Sydenham, London. Much lighter in body and flavour than the picture would suggest - very enjoyable. Drunk at their taproom (the beer, not me)
