I’m a huge fan of real cask ales; ranging from the pale, strongly hopped ales through the daker bitters and (far too rare) milds, right to the darkest of porters and stouts. I’ve always been turned off by fizzy, bland lagers and the smooth flow bitters that have become ubiquitous on all British bars. I also have great love of Belgian beers; deep complex trappists and the sweet and sour world of fruit and lambics beers. The USA has also recently caught my attention with some great craft brews. I started out at my very first proper drinking session at 13 (naughty) on Newcastle Brown Ale, while all around were losing their heads on cheap, fizzy, flavourless lager and cider. Growing up in the cask wilderness that was North East England in the late-1990s, I never got to experience much variety. Luckily some shops had a godd range of bottle conditioned ales which opened my eyes to what was out there. I now live in the Steel City of Sheffield and it has an awe inpiring real ale culture with local brews common in even trendy bars. Following illness for much of 2010, I seemed unable to drink a great deal and felt like I was forcing down everything I tried; it seemed like my love affair with beer was going to be all too short. Then it all kicked back in, with a severely curtailed tolerance level. I’ve thrown myself back into the world of real ale and have finally done what I’d always promised myself and joined CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). [ less ]

I’m a huge fan of real cask ales; ranging from the pale, strongly hopped ales through the daker bitters and (far too rare) milds, right to the darkest of porters and stouts. I’ve always been turned off by fizzy, bland lagers and the smooth flow bitters that have become ubiquitous on all British bars. I also have great love of Belgian beers; deep complex trappists and the sweet and sour world of fruit and lambics beers. The USA has also recently caught my attention with some great craft...
[ more ]