It is on these shores anyway. I've never seen it, but here we have a bottle of Lees Harvest Ale, Sherry Version. It was brewed in 2008, though the one in the picture was brewed in 2004. ( I can't bothered photographing it so this was nicked from the webosphere). I was given it by a mate, though it came from the brewery, not from abroad.
Not sure when I'll drink it, or who with, but I've been promised one of the Calvados versions too.
Anyone ever seen these on UK shores other than as a personal import?
Not me. It's one of those annoying beers brewed only for export.
ReplyDeleteI've seen them in America but not here, which is a shame. I get the draw of the export market but why not at least make some available in the UK?!
ReplyDeleteToo strong for you lot.
ReplyDeleteI encountered it in a greasy, dingy old wood cask in Portland a decade or so ago. It was leaking sugar.
Sherry Cask Harvest Ale is also on sale at the Manchester Winter Ale House in the Albert Square Christmas Market.
ReplyDeleteJohn. Ssh. That's where mine came from. A mate runs it.
ReplyDeleteIt was the 2002 and 2007 version I picked up from the Tuckers Maltings Beer Shop when I was down in that part of the world earlier this year, they had a few others but those were the ones I bought.
ReplyDeleteThe time I saw it before that it was a very rare beast of Harvest Ale bottled from a cask supplied to a place in Kent.
I've got a few of the various types swopped with a friend in New York. I believe the problem was always with HM Customs & Revenue. I'm no expert but any increase in strength picked up from the spirit residues in the casks attracts a stiff rise in duty payable. I know this delayed Fullers with the release of their Reserve brews and am interested to know how they resolved this problem.
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