Craft Beers

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 1:57 pm

Hello fellow Clarets, Life without football is pretty poor, I'm bored and just got to thinking about my drinking habits, usually like a glass of red or a bud and now and then a dram, I want to try these so called craft beers, anyone tried the brew dog range, I work for Tesco and these seem very popular... can I pick your brains guys for some recommendations

CleggHall · Post by **CleggHall** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:00 pm

Craft beer/real ale is better served on draught and drunk in a pub rather than bottled.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:05 pm

CleggHall wrote:Craft beer/real ale is better served on draught and drunk in a pub rather than bottled.

Definitely true! Had a bottle of Brew Dog IPA in the pub at Chelsea. Was ok but not a patch on draught. Also, was £5.80!!!

Tw@ · Post by **Tw@** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:16 pm

You need to try Life and Death from Vocation brewery at Hebden Bridge.
Sold in supermarkets and much more consistent than Brewdogs bottles, I have experienced a few poorer tasting Punk IPA's recently.

cblantfanclub · Post by **cblantfanclub** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:31 pm

Dead Pony is a good session beer and displays all the characteristics of a modern brew favouring American hops giving it a hoppy fruity finish. That's a sharp citrus finish more grapefruit .

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:34 pm

Tw@ wrote:You need to try Life and Death from Vocation brewery at Hebden Bridge.
Sold in supermarkets and much more consistent than Brewdogs bottles, I have experienced a few poorer tasting Punk IPA's recently.

Absolutely love Vocation Beers. Life and Death in particular.

starting_11 · Post by **starting_11** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:39 pm

Brewdog is ****.

Get to Morrisons for some Samuel Adams Rebel IPA or down to 'spoons for a Sixpoint Resin.

Winstonswhite · Post by **Winstonswhite** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:52 pm

Another vote for Life and death! It's the only craft beer worth bothering with at Tesco tbh. I've tried them all. Gone off brewdog recently.

Booths has a few more. Beavertown and Magic Rock for instance. And whalley wine shop always has Cloudwater. But decent craft beer (kegged) not cask ale is really hard to find around here.

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:54 pm

Vocation have their own outlet in Hebden in what used to be the Moyles Hotel.
It's well worth a visit.

JohnMcGreal · Post by **JohnMcGreal** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 2:56 pm

Tw@ wrote:You need to try Life and Death from Vocation brewery at Hebden Bridge.
Sold in supermarkets and much more consistent than Brewdogs bottles, I have experienced a few poorer tasting Punk IPA's recently.

The quality and the consistency of Brewdog's beer has been crap for a while now. I'm not sure if it's just because they're producing much more of it these days, but it's a million miles away from what it used to be.

Life and Death by Vocation is superb stuff. Big fan of Gamma Ray by Beavertown, too.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 3:01 pm

My son bought some of Sainsburys own proper Moorish at £1,50 a bottle!!

Squarepusher · Post by **Squarepusher** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 3:31 pm

Of stuff that you can often get in supermarkets these days, I'd say keep an eye out for names like Beavertown, Northern Monk and Magic Rock. All ridiculously consistent and often available in places like Asda, Tesco and M&S.

Tw@ · Post by **Tw@** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 3:35 pm

I think Brewdog is turning into something too big, it's going to suffer from its success and the beers they produce are going to end up more like factory produced rubbish.
It's going against the original ethos of why the company started!
The ales at their Manchester bar are always spot on though, would be bad if they weren't to be fair!

Squarepusher · Post by **Squarepusher** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 3:38 pm

Yeah, I think Brewdog are going to find it much harder to retain their independent ethos as they continue to get bigger. But, as you say, they're still producing some great stuff. I particularly enjoyed the New England IPA they brewed with Cloudwater recently. Tried a couple of their new prototypes at thier Liverpool bar a couple of weeks ago, and they tasted great as well.

BarstewardsEnquiry · Post by **BarstewardsEnquiry** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 3:48 pm

Try a few from the Red Willow Brewery based in Macclesfield they do some seriously nice ales. They even have their own bar if you are down that neck of the woods.

Tw@ · Post by **Tw@** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 3:51 pm

Lord Beamish wrote:Vocation have their own outlet in Hebden in what used to be the Moyles Hotel.
It's well worth a visit.

I have a visit penciled in for the near future, Lord Beamish

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 3:52 pm

Scarborough Fair IPA isn't bad for a bottle - not found it over my way on draught yet.

I'm not much of a fan of the brew dog stuff. Landlord, Saltaire Blonde and plenty others are far nicer.

BabylonClaret · Post by **BabylonClaret** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:10 pm

Saltaire brew a lot of nice beers. Ilkley brewery's good too

TBH any of the beers you'd get from the "craft" ranges will likely be better than standard cans of bitter or lager. Good shouts for Vocation, Magic Rock (hudderfield), Northern Monk (leeds) - also North brewery protoype is great (not seen that in cans or bottles though)

aggi · Post by **aggi** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:17 pm

I'd suggest hopping on a train to hebden bridge and going to Drink? Plenty to choose from there and you can have a chat with the guy on the counter for some recommendations.

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Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:20 pm

Love brew dog. Elvis juice is superb.

Spoons have a couple of nice West coast ipas, treason has already been mentioned but thwaites thirteen guns is also good, both 2 quid for a 330ml can

Walton · Post by **Walton** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:35 pm

Another shout for Vocation's Life & Death, it's my favourite beer by a mile these days.

Others I pick up without hesitation are Stone's Go To IPA, Founder's All Day IPA, Brewdog's Elvis Juice, Thornbridge's Jaipur, and as others have said, anything from Magic Rock or Beavertown. Add Kernel to that too.

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:36 pm

Beavertown Gamma Ray is also delicious

Claretprinter · Post by **Claretprinter** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:40 pm

Eagles Crag Brewery in Todmorden do some nice ones. They have one in the Kettledrum but I can't remember what its called.
Eagle has Landed and the Golden Eagle are my favourites

Squarepusher · Post by **Squarepusher** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:58 pm

Claretmatt4 wrote:Beavertown Gamma Ray is also delicious

They've got some fantastic beers in their standard range. Gamma Ray, Neck Oil and the 8-Ball Rye IPA are all favourites of mine, but my absolute favourite of theirs is the Bloody 'Ell blood orange IPA. Absolutely perfect beer for a sunny day.

whentheballmoves · Post by **whentheballmoves** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 5:03 pm

Plenty of good suggestions here. Am an equity for punks brewdog supporter, and agree they've gone down hill probably due to size.

I'd also like to add a couple of Manchester brewers to the list: Marble and especially Cloudwater, who are awesome.

Others would be Tiny Rebel from south Wales, Moor from Bristol, The Kernel from London, Mad Hatter from Liverpool and a new stand out one for me, Verdant from Cornwall or Devon.

I'm sure I've missed some...

Happy drinking!!!

cblantfanclub · Post by **cblantfanclub** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 5:09 pm

ABC Brewery in Manchester do some interesting stuff. Charlie don't Surf in cans well worth a try. If you really want to discover new brews get along to the Indy Man beer festival at the end of this month at the Victoria baths in Manchester. It always gets fantastic press.
.

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 6:48 pm

Just popped to Morrisons and they have Oakham Green Devil 1.50 a bottle. Also sneaked in a SN India Pale Ale, Ghost Ship, Shipyard IPA, Moorhouses Blond Witch. Decent haul today.

Tw@ · Post by **Tw@** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:14 pm

Anybody who goes over to Manchester who likes decent beers needs to visit the Marble Arch pub just down the road from Shudehill area.
They have their own brewery and the IPA's are top notch, definitely needs trying out!

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:29 pm

aggi wrote:I'd suggest hopping on a train to hebden bridge and going to Drink? Plenty to choose from there and you can have a chat with the guy on the counter for some recommendations.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Drink_H_Bridge" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Try Calan's, The Night Jar, Vocation, and Drink. All within about five minutes of one and other and all really good. There's also the Old Gate in the middle of them all, too.
If you fancy a walk out of the town centre, there's the Fox and Goose by the traffic lights on the way in from Burnley.

Jenna · Post by **Jenna** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:46 pm

If you can get hold of any try Appleby Brewery's range: http://www.applebybrewery.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (there's a list of places that stock them on there)

They're a small, family-run brewery (my mate's dad) and they currently have 5 beers including a stout, a bitter and some IPAs.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:55 pm

starting_11 wrote:Brewdog is ****.

Get to Morrisons for some Samuel Adams Rebel IPA or down to 'spoons for a Sixpoint Resin.

You managed to mention my worst brewery and my best brewery all in one.

Resin is in my top 3 beers in the world

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:56 pm

Anything from Magic Rock brewery is good.

Landlord is my fav pint on draft and has been for a while.

Adnams Ghost Ship is the best generic ale I've tried from supermarkets and it comes in cans which is convenient where I live because they don't collect bottles

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:59 pm

Mary Jane from Ilkey brewery is a very good session ale available in a lot of supermarkets around here

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 8:08 pm

Tonight I'll be drinking a selection of: Thornbridge Jaipur, Goose Island IPA, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Maltsmiths IPA (4 for £6 in Morrisons) and Leeds Brewery Monsoon IPA.

claretabroad · Post by **claretabroad** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 8:19 pm

Try making your own. It is relatively easy and the results are often much better than anything bought as you have control over the quality of the ingredients.

starting_11 · Post by **starting_11** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:59 pm

CharlieinNewMexico wrote:You managed to mention my worst brewery and my best brewery all in one.

Resin is in my top 3 beers in the world

Have you had rebel IPA?

It's very good

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 12:08 am

Anyone who sups 'Bud' will not like proper ale.

starting_11 · Post by **starting_11** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 12:46 am

I like bud light.. mainly cos when im sat by the pool in 'Lando, I can drink about 12 of them and feel fine for the night session

RingoMcCartney · Post by **RingoMcCartney** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 12:59 am

Tw@ wrote:Anybody who goes over to Manchester who likes decent beers needs to visit the Marble Arch pub just down the road from Shudehill area.
They have their own brewery and the IPA's are top notch, definitely needs trying out!

Was in there tonight. Sampled 5 halves of their finest. Not a bad beer amongst 'em!

They used to brew on site, but brewing elsewhere has definately not diminished their standards!

Not cheap. But top notch.

Squarepusher · Post by **Squarepusher** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:50 am

Tw@ wrote:Anybody who goes over to Manchester who likes decent beers needs to visit the Marble Arch pub just down the road from Shudehill area.
They have their own brewery and the IPA's are top notch, definitely needs trying out!

Definitely a good shout. Port Street Beer House is another of my favourites in Manchester.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 7:29 am

starting_11 wrote:Have you had rebel IPA?

It's very good

I have. It's really raw. They also brought out a Rebel with grapefruit in it. Literally added grapefruit flavor at the end instead of brewing it in. Sam Adams just wants to make a quick version of everyone else's good craft beer. (Rebel being an an attempt at Ballast Point's Sculpin and Grapefruit Sculpin).

Resin I could literally drink till the day I die and never fail to be amazed at the flavor.

Burt · Post by **Burt** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 8:14 am

TheFamilyCat wrote:Tonight I'll be drinking a selection of: Thornbridge Jaipur, Goose Island IPA, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Maltsmiths IPA (4 for £6 in Morrisons) and Leeds Brewery Monsoon IPA.

Great choices, I would add Lagunitas IPA ( standard or day time ), Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA ( my fav beer ) and maybe a Thornbridge Chiron

I find Asda have the best range at the moment, only place I can get Lagunitas other than Majestic which tends to be expensive without offers

M&S have a pretty good range too

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 9:08 am

You guys in Lancs are blessed with some fine ales. So pleased recently to see Aldi doing Pride of Pendle down this way. Never seen it so far south. Anyone down this way in Warwicks way-Hooky Gold from the Hook Norton Brewery and Purity (mad Goose), Think the bottom line is wherever you are in the UK you are now not far away from a good ale

50 shades of Grey · Post by **50 shades of Grey** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 9:28 am

Pride of Pendle, St Austells Proper Job, Whitechapel Porter, Whitstable Bay Red, Saltaire Cascade, Worsthorne Red Man, George Wright Northern Light.

Bring 'em on !! So many beers, so little time.

BarstewardsEnquiry · Post by **BarstewardsEnquiry** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:46 am

My general rule of thumb is on tap only, nothing in a can or bottle. Nothing from a supermarket. Nothing brewed south of Nottingham

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 12:57 pm

BarstewardsEnquiry wrote:My general rule of thumb is on tap only, nothing in a can or bottle. Nothing from a supermarket. Nothing brewed south of Nottingham

I agree BS with the exception of your last point which I think might be down to personal taste.

TractorFace · Post by **TractorFace** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:40 pm

Booths have a very decent selection of craft beers.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 4:37 pm

BarstewardsEnquiry wrote:My general rule of thumb is on tap only, nothing in a can or bottle. Nothing from a supermarket. Nothing brewed south of Nottingham

Kentish ale £1.50 a bottle at sainsburys produced by the country's oldest brewer shepherd neame,1698.they must be doing something right south of Nottingham!

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 5:15 pm

The Hop and Buffer Stops in Rawtenstall have some cracking ales on. Also two more micro breweries due to open soon will help the East Lancs Railway ale trail be even better!

Barrowfordclaret · Post by **Barrowfordclaret** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 5:22 pm

Blonde/white Witch £1.29 at Aldi my favorite