Beer

[Newbridge Wolf]

Fursty Ferrets nice too, I can't remember trying the others but they tend to brew some really nice ales - enjoy

 

[Stan Hullis]

Now this may seem a strange question but as I never usually buy ales is it best to chill them down first in the fridge or just crack on and drink it?

 

[Langers]

Room temperature mate. Don't put them in the fridge.

 

[Stan Hullis]

This is what I was thinking.

 

[arklowolf]

I've drunk golden champ and golden glory in the past, both good, one of them - think golden glory has a pleasant flowery taste, and although ales should really always be room temp. I have actually been sacriligeous and put an odd golden glory in the fridge in the summer, it still has a good crisp flavour.
Any views on 'old speckled hen'? I used to like it but for some reason have gone right off it? don't know if it's me or has it changed? Seems very thin and gassy last few times I've had it.

 

[Langers]

I find Speckled Hen to be very plain indeed. Not a big fan. Same with Bishops Finger, Black Sheep, Pedigree etc.

 

[arklowolf]

They're all a bit on the 'thin' side but I prefer Pedi to the other three, Bishops 2nd choice.
The only others I can get in bottles over here are London Pride and Spitfire which fall into the same category really. Beggars can't be choosers I suppose. I'm gonna give the Inis and Gunn a whirl, until I'm North of the border again and I can restock with something better.
Had a bottle in a place in Dublin last weekend from Waterford brewery, think it was called Copper ale or something like that, it was very good. Was gonna have a second until I saw they'd charged me 6 euro 75 cent for a 500ml bottle. Outrageous.

 

[arklowolf]

Just Googled 'em; Dungarvan Brewery Waterford. Copper Coast ale.

 

[Penk Wolf]

This is what I was thinking.

Chill.

 

[Murphy]

That wasn't part of the promotion unfortunately.

I have Golden Glory, Golden Champion and Fursty Ferret. I will give them a try tonight with my pancakes!

Golden Glory is a little fruity (peachy IIRC). The other two are great try and get Hopping Hare (my favourite) you are in for a treat IMO the best beer that can be drunk at home.

 

[Stan Hullis]

Tonight will be a treat then

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

They're all a bit on the 'thin' side but I prefer Pedi to the other three, Bishops 2nd choice.
The only others I can get in bottles over here are London Pride and Spitfire which fall into the same category really. Beggars can't be choosers I suppose. I'm gonna give the Inis and Gunn a whirl, until I'm North of the border again and I can restock with something better.
Had a bottle in a place in Dublin last weekend from Waterford brewery, think it was called Copper ale or something like that, it was very good. Was gonna have a second until I saw they'd charged me 6 euro 75 cent for a 500ml bottle. Outrageous.

Were you in Temple Bar mate? Cos thats really bad if you weren't....
Definitely give the Innis & Gunn a try, you will be thanking me later on this thread. I've never tasted a beer like it, they finish it in old whisky casks to give it a smokey, toffee style flavour, its truly epic ale.
On your other points, I know exactly your predicament. Ireland is lacking in good ales, and has a minimal selection from the UK. Although in Dublin you can get some nice Wychwood stuff, Hobgoblin is decent and they have another Honey flavoured one which goes down easier than an American chick after 3 glasses of wine.....

Have you tried Smithwicks Pale Ale? Its fairly new, not available everywhere, but decent enough if you fancy something other than Guinness or Lager in a boozer....

 

[Stan Hullis]

Currently enjoying the Fursty Ferret very nice as well!

 

[Murphy]

Currently enjoying the Fursty Ferret very nice as well!

Make sure you go back tomorrow and find Hopping Hare.

 

[North West Wanderer]

Like an Old Perculiar when the Barley has it on

 

[HAzelGroveWolf]

It may have changed now but CAMRA used to be more interested in collecting money from landlords than promoting good ale. When my dad ran a pub (M&B - Mild and Bass were the only real ales that he served) he used to have a visit each year fromq CAMRA and was delighted to pass the test. Right now you've passed the test can we have X amount of cash please so that we can put your pubs name in the Good Beer Guide. Being in the guide may not necessarily be down to the landlords quality of ale but down to his ability to pay.

That is complete bollocks and libelous. The integrity of the selection process for the GBG is paramount. Local branches use statistical data from beer score cards as well as subjective debate at the annual selection meeting, no money changes hands. The process is as democratic as it gets, it has to be.
CAMRA branches will however seek advertising revenue for local newsletters and guides without bias. Local guides will feature every pub although a single line of "no real ale" will say it all.

CAMRA life member and member since 1987.

 

[arklowolf]

That is complete bollocks and libelous. The integrity of the selection process for the GBG is paramount. Local branches use statistical data from beer score cards as well as subjective debate at the annual selection meeting, no money changes hands. The process is as democratic as it gets, it has to be.
CAMRA branches will however seek advertising revenue for local newsletters and guides without bias. Local guides will feature every pub although a single line of "no real ale" will say it all.

CAMRA life member and member since 1987.

I don't know about the process, but all I would say is that The Good Pub Guide and CAMRA are useful only as a guide and I have drunk in 'CAMRA' pubs where the beer was crap 'Good Pub Guide' pubs where the beer and pub were crap. But as I say It's a useful guide.

 

[Nando]

St Austell's Proper Job is fabulous, I got to sample Golden Glow for the first time a few weeks ago and they're pretty similar.

 

[arklowolf]

Were you in Temple Bar mate? Cos thats really bad if you weren't....
Definitely give the Innis & Gunn a try, you will be thanking me later on this thread. I've never tasted a beer like it, they finish it in old whisky casks to give it a smokey, toffee style flavour, its truly epic ale.
On your other points, I know exactly your predicament. Ireland is lacking in good ales, and has a minimal selection from the UK. Although in Dublin you can get some nice Wychwood stuff, Hobgoblin is decent and they have another Honey flavoured one which goes down easier than an American chick after 3 glasses of wine.....

Have you tried Smithwicks Pale Ale? Its fairly new, not available everywhere, but decent enough if you fancy something other than Guinness or Lager in a boozer....

Hi DDW this is the third time I've replied to your quote, I'm not sure if it's the Innis And Gunn or the poxy coverage I've got here? probably the former! Really is good stuff, smokey and sweet and I will be buying more. Yeah the other day with the Copper Coast I was just off Grafton Street so I suppose it's what you'd expect. Try the McEwans Champion if you can get some and haven't already done so. I'll look out for the Smithwicks P.A. but assume it's a keg beer? or is it bottled?

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Its only on draught at the moment Arklow. You know yourself.....ales are limited as it is....
I have many mates working at Diageo and they tell me that Smithwicks barely manages to break even, let alone make a profit so you can forget them bottling it.

You still haven't told me where you were charged €6.75 for a bottle? Thats fookingmadness, i wouldn't even pay that for a pint bottle of Bulmers in High summer and thats saying something!