• Moorhouses goes Craft

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 2:15 pm**

Moorhouses have announced a rebrand, and are also launching a craft keg range, with a pale ale and an American pale.

They're also launching some lower alcohol cans.

I've tried other traditional breweries' attempts at newer styles and I'm not sure they've nailed them. It feels as though it's bandwagon jumping when they don't have the specific expertise.

I hope Moorhouses can crack it though, because on form their main range is good stuff. I had a Blond Witch yesterday and it was still top notch.

http://www.moorhouses.co.uk/moorhouses- ... spotlight/

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:10 pm**

I look forward to trying those.

Not sure that "bandwagon jumping" is a fully fair term. Craft beer is increasing in popularity, probably at the expense of real ale which has enjoyed a renaissance over the years. I think Moorhouses are just making sure they adapt to survive.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:21 pm**

Really looking forward to trying these. As you say, their core ales are all top notch.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:47 pm**

TheFamilyCat wrote:I look forward to trying those.

Not sure that "bandwagon jumping" is a fully fair term. Craft beer is increasing in popularity, probably at the expense of real ale which has enjoyed a renaissance over the years. I think Moorhouses are just making sure they adapt to survive.

Real ale is 'craft' beer. Craft beer is a nonsense marketing term that was created to differentiate between hop forward, progressive beers and 'old man' ales brewed only with fuggles.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:59 pm**

Craft beer = real ale for lager drinkers.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:18 pm**

I got a Moorhouses tour as a Christmas present, which I still haven't made use of. Think I might have timed it well.

The bandwagon jumping I refer to comes after trying Black Sheep's very poor effort, and also seeing attempts by Robinsons and Lees which I won't waste my money on.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:56 pm**

There are a lot of brewers doing fairly bog standard "craft beers" which are pretty poor (Greene King springs immediately to mind). From the descriptions and the strengths I fully expect that Moorhouses' attempts will fall into this category and are just attempts at widening their portfolio.

They do tend to sell, and generally with a higher price, so it probably is a wise move from Moorhouses to try and capitalise.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:09 pm**

I'd wiped Greene King from my memory. I bought a 4 pack of their IPA to have in a hotel the other year. Drank a quarter of the first one, poured the rest of it down the sink and left the other 3 cans for the cleaners.

Absolutely rank.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:21 pm**

Timmy Taylor’s have done the same with Knowles Spring. It’s alright but not a patch on Landlord. Moorhouses Blonde Witch is a nice pint.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:30 pm**

Walton wrote:I'd wiped Greene King from my memory. I bought a 4 pack of their IPA to have in a hotel the other year. Drank a quarter of the first one, poured the rest of it down the sink and left the other 3 cans for the cleaners.

Absolutely rank.

Greene King IPA is shocking.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:37 pm**

It's not just that IPA, they have a whole variety of colourful, sub-standard "craft" beers

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:37 pm**

Good to see Timmy Taylors trying to develop new beers.
The Knowle Spring can be good, but not towards the end of the barrel.
Tried Cook Lane IPA last week which was poor, but really like their Poulter's Porter - more of a winter ale.

I do like the aeration that hand pumps give the beer rather than directly from the cask. This seems to be less popular at the moment.

Cheers UTC!

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:45 pm**

Hbclaret007 wrote:Good to see Timmy Taylors trying to develop new beers.
The Knowle Spring can be good, but not towards the end of the barrel.
Tried Cook Lane IPA last week which was poor, but really like their Poulter's Porter - more of a winter ale.

I do like the aeration that hand pumps give the beer rather than directly from the cask. This seems to be less popular at the moment.

Cheers UTC!

Taylors know how to make a dark beer. I used to work in the Staff of Life when it would always have 4 TT beers on, with one of them being Ram Tam/Porter, dependent on season.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 6:50 pm**

Hand pumped real ale an absolute no no for me due to terrible flatulence.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 7:16 pm**

I refuse to drink anything with the word "craft" in front of it..........a real pet hate

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 7:33 pm**

If you're out and about, give Kirby Lonsdale Brewery a visit. Check out the link below.

I visited the brilliant Orange Tree pub in the glorious sun yesterday and tried the "Ruskin's", but wasn't too sure.
So I decided to visit the Brewery, just down the road, and try another one - it was excellent.

http://www.kirkbylonsdalebrewery.com/the-regulars.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.theorangetreehotel.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 7:55 pm**

Craft beer in the US has become almost synonymous with massively over hopped IPAs

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:43 pm**

Funkydrummer wrote:If you're out and about, give Kirby Lonsdale Brewery a visit. Check out the link below.

I visited the brilliant Orange Tree pub in the glorious sun yesterday and tried the "Ruskin's", but wasn't too sure.
So I decided to visit the Brewery, just down the road, and try another one - it was excellent.

http://www.kirkbylonsdalebrewery.com/the-regulars.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.theorangetreehotel.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kirby Lonsdale Brewery tap is brilliant!

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:54 pm**

Dark Cloud wrote:Kirby Lonsdale Brewery tap is brilliant!

Yes very good.

I've not had any of Copper Dragon's swills for a while.

Anyone know if the Black Lane Ends at the top of Colne still serves their brews?

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:56 pm**

Dark Cloud wrote:Kirby Lonsdale Brewery tap is brilliant!

I can but agree entirely, excellent place to while away an hour or so with
some excellent ales on offer.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:00 pm**

Bin Ont Turf wrote:Yes very good.

I've not had any of Copper Dragon's swills for a while.

Anyone know if the Black Lane Ends at the top of Colne still serves their brews?

I had Copper Dragon in the Talbot recently and I think it's a regular there. It is very good stuff tbh.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:04 pm**

I've not been in the Talbot for years.

Looks like it's due a visit before the next home game then.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:11 pm**

Walton don't underestimate Moorhouses - they brought Marshall Burke in to help them sort themselves out - he has vadt experience.
On the subject of Craft - not for me but you know one man's meat........

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:13 pm**

Dark Cloud - Copper Dragon, etc is a virtual Bright Beer.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:15 pm**

basil6345789 wrote:Dark Cloud - Copper Dragon, etc is a virtual Bright Beer.

I reckon to know a bit about me real ales, but what the hell is a "virtual bright beer"?

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:20 pm**

Dark Cloud wrote:I reckon to know a bit about me real ales, but what the hell is a "virtual bright beer"?

He's trying to suggest that it's no different to this craft stuff, which he's wrong about.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:21 pm**

Bright beer has no active yeast in it - not real ale. Copper Dragon etc has a negligible amount as it is all but removed in a latter stage in the brewery, such that if a landlord runs out and needs to stick a barrel on to serve immediately he will "get away with" chucking one like Copper Dragon or, for example, 1 version of EPA on - it drops bright mega fast. I'm afraid you've been fooled.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:24 pm**

Bin Ont Turf wrote:He's trying to suggest that it's no different to this craft stuff, which he's wrong about.

Well yes, Copper Dragon has been around for ages, long before this "craft" thing came along. So to me it's genuine real ale.
TBH I personally don't have an issue with the craft beer branding anyway unless it's just lager being flogged under a more trendy banner and I wonder if this is creeping in. Some of the genuine craft ales are very good.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:26 pm**

Who else thinks Copper Dragon isn't real ale???

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:32 pm**

There's room for all of them. I don't like all the marketing gimmicks in the business; Magners Irish Cider (made from Spanish apples),Proseco (a cheap Spumante - remember Asti? and now all manner of Gins. They all rocket in price (although Magners has shot it's bolt and Spoons are giving it away in comparison with it's earlier pricings) and this seems to rub-off on all beer/ale prices. Would be bettter if the women stayed at home.
Enjoy your slurp Dark Cloud - UTC

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 10:55 pm**

Dark Cloud wrote:Who else thinks Copper Dragon isn't real ale???

Depends on whether you're a CAMRA dinosaur or someone who just wants his beer to taste nice.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 10:58 pm**

basil6345789 wrote:Walton don't underestimate Moorhouses - they brought Marshall Burke in to help them sort themselves out - he has vadt experience.
On the subject of Craft - not for me but you know one man's meat........

That was a long time ago before the current MD and I'm not sure "sort themselves out" is accurate. They brought him in to help them push their sales to new levels.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:18 pm**

Long time ago???

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:21 pm**

Prize winning bottles of Massey's Pale Ale: now that was a long time ago.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:23 pm**

Walton wrote:I'd wiped Greene King from my memory. I bought a 4 pack of their IPA to have in a hotel the other year. Drank a quarter of the first one, poured the rest of it down the sink and left the other 3 cans for the cleaners.

Absolutely rank.

Can we chuck Marstons into that group too?

I had one of their "trendy" IPAs and it tasted like shandy with some hops in. It was absolutely ******* disgusting.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:04 am**

Copper Dragon no longer exists. Their financier pulled the plug and they went into administration and had their site and equipment bought off them for £100k. HMRC refused a CVA on the back of the previous owners of the brewery having gone bust.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:44 am**

That's why I referred to it as Copper Dragon, etc, to include offdshoots; Greyhawk or whatever. Same brewery or process?

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:00 pm**

basil6345789 wrote:Bright beer has no active yeast in it - not real ale. Copper Dragon etc has a negligible amount as it is all but removed in a latter stage in the brewery, such that if a landlord runs out and needs to stick a barrel on to serve immediately he will "get away with" chucking one like Copper Dragon or, for example, 1 version of EPA on - it drops bright mega fast. I'm afraid you've been fooled.

You don't know what 'Bright' beer is do you

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_beer

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:19 pm**

I sure do and didn't have to look it up. I said it was virtually bright if you look back. Whatever, there's precious little active yeast in it, that's why you can put it on tap almost immediately.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:43 pm**

basil6345789 wrote:Long time ago???

He joined Moorhouse's in 2013.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:00 pm**

I didn't know all that had happened with Copper Dragon. I loved Golden Pippin.

Re Marstons, I've always found that their Old Empire is a decent fallback bottle when a shop doesn't have anything else in. They also brew own-brand beer for Aldi and Sainsburys among others, and they're alright for £1.25 or whatever.

Ringwood's stuff for Lidl is alright too.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:02 pm**

Went back to them on 1 year fixed contract (before retirement) about 3 months ago.Business being re-modelled, an end to the far and wide philosophy and a concentration on local/ North West.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:06 pm**

Golden Pippin tasted nice - think it survives to this day as just "Pippin" ?

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:18 pm**

UpTheBeehole wrote:Copper Dragon no longer exists. Their financier pulled the plug and they went into administration and had their site and equipment bought off them for £100k. HMRC refused a CVA on the back of the previous owners of the brewery having gone bust.

Cheers (as they say), I didn't know all that.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:28 pm**

basil6345789 wrote:Went back to them on 1 year fixed contract (before retirement) about 3 months ago.Business being re-modelled, an end to the far and wide philosophy and a concentration on local/ North West.

I rarely see their beers outside of Burnley. So far and wide clearly wasn't a philosophy they're good at.

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:21 pm**

Cheers everyone UTC

Posted: **Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:18 pm**

Walton wrote:Taylors know how to make a dark beer. I used to work in the Staff of Life when it would always have 4 TT beers on, with one of them being Ram Tam/Porter, dependent on season.

Timmy Taylor's Porter at The Staff....one of the finest pints I've ever been served.
Sadly I'm not sure that Taylor's brew Porter anymore.

Posted: **Wed Mar 28, 2018 1:59 am**

Not for England, maybe for export but not here. I had a pint of American single hop pale and it wasn't up to much. It's for the Europeans in England. I went to the 'Eagle Has Landed' Luftwaffe headquarters in Kent yesterday and it was that kind of stuff on draught.

Posted: **Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:18 pm**

Billyblah wrote:Timmy Taylor's Porter at The Staff....one of the finest pints I've ever been served.
Sadly I'm not sure that Taylor's brew Porter anymore.

It was nectar, I loved it.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2018 9:00 am**

Prikolnyj.

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