tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post4532502309033513194..comments2024-03-23T04:23:48.076+00:00Comments on Tandleman's Beer Blog: Draught BassUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-15522912898593749302016-06-27T12:04:45.041+01:002016-06-27T12:04:45.041+01:00The best Bass I can remember in recent years (post...The best Bass I can remember in recent years (post Union Sets) was in The Strugglers in Lincoln, where the publican always ensured it had been 'blessed by the sabbath'. Sadly, today's Draught Bass is a shadow of its former self. The irony is that it is brewed by Marstons who still have Union Sets but only use them for Pedigree. What an opportunity missed!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15305316376004450838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-85259301751912982472014-01-07T22:19:45.113+00:002014-01-07T22:19:45.113+00:00I too have fond memories of Draught Bass back in t...I too have fond memories of Draught Bass back in the mid to late 1970's. I also drank more than a few pints of it in the Unicorn, whilst a student at Salford Uni.<br /><br />My first job, after graduating, was working for Bass, in their wine & spirits division (Hedges & Butler), in London's East End. Myself and a colleague managed to wangle a trip to Burton, and had our own private tour round the Number 2 Brewery, where we saw the Burton Unions in action, and were then able to sample the finished product in the sample room. Pure nectar - I can still remember it now!Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-75955500096513004912014-01-04T21:12:10.762+00:002014-01-04T21:12:10.762+00:00Bass was never sour. It was one of the best beers ...Bass was never sour. It was one of the best beers available in the UK during the 1970's. When at Birmingham University doing my M.Sc in Brewing Science and the a PH.D. I spent many evening in the Bass brewery Sample Rooms and got a great taste for Bass. Brewed of course in the Burton Unions thenMikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01039022381749059323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-75190182261508363362014-01-03T18:11:16.206+00:002014-01-03T18:11:16.206+00:00I remember Bass as smelling of odds, having a malt...I remember Bass as smelling of odds, having a malty sourness and keeping you regular. I had a pint last year in a Derby GBG pub where Draught Bass served by jug from the cellar was the best seller. It was bland.Birkonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02797631050700297107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-7466863286827787482014-01-03T17:32:28.639+00:002014-01-03T17:32:28.639+00:00Blimey. Even the great MJ gets it wrong!
Serious...Blimey. Even the great MJ gets it wrong!<br /><br />Seriously though, I don't ever associate sour with Bass.Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-10917204282123259362014-01-03T16:57:54.364+00:002014-01-03T16:57:54.364+00:00From Michael Jackson's Pocket Guide to Beer (1...From Michael Jackson's <i>Pocket Guide to Beer</i> (1986 edition, signed by the author): "Its distinctive fruitiness is slightly sour and its body gentle for the gravity, yet these negative -sounding features make for a unique character, irresistible to its admirers." At its best, I always thought it was one of the great subtle beers.Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-30861896243265924192014-01-03T16:01:16.631+00:002014-01-03T16:01:16.631+00:00I wrote on this subject nearly three years ago. It...I <a href="http://rednev-rearm.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/higsons-and-bass.html" rel="nofollow">wrote on this subject</a> nearly three years ago. It's an acceptable rather than wonderful beer nowadays; my local puts it on quite frequently. The revived Higsons I refer to in my post is still brewed by Liverpool Organic Brewery, but as their right to use the Higsons name has expired, they've renamed it <a href="http://rednev-rearm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/goodbye-higsons-again-hello-bier-head.html" rel="nofollow">Bier Head</a>.Neville Grundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10923209266005338452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-37110558211685610772014-01-03T15:23:51.701+00:002014-01-03T15:23:51.701+00:00Mudgie: Bass has never had any lactic sourness by ...Mudgie: Bass has never had any lactic sourness by intention as far as I know. Going back to Burton Union days (1977 GBG) it was described as "Lightly hopped and delicate". Much later in 1988 it became fruity. Burton snatch which I remember isn't mentioned until it became brewed in conicals.<br /><br />There is a good long description of it again in 1990 which mentions sweetness, fruit and sulphur.Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-11049433438513264982014-01-03T14:50:09.968+00:002014-01-03T14:50:09.968+00:00The keg, canned and bottled versions are entirely ...The keg, canned and bottled versions are entirely different beers produced in a different brewery (IIRC the cask is brewed by Marston's, the others at the InBev plant at Samlesbury).<br /><br />There have even been occasional spottings of a 3.6% ABV Extra Smooth version in the UK.Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-73076264184403714672014-01-03T14:43:43.616+00:002014-01-03T14:43:43.616+00:00I've only had it on cask a few times in the la...I've only had it on cask a few times in the last 5 years or so, and have enjoyed it well enough. Never thought much of the kegged stuff we got in Minnesota 20+ years ago, not to mention the bottled. I'll have a go at it again next time I see it.Erlangernickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09564871714656285737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-81916120175178792222014-01-03T13:56:53.282+00:002014-01-03T13:56:53.282+00:00For whatever reason it does retain a strong follow...For whatever reason it does retain a strong following in the West Country. I think what Bailey is referring to is a slight sour note which is meant to be there and isn't a sign of being off.<br /><br />I've always liked it and it's still something I'll usually go for in preference to most of the other widely-available "premium ales".Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-12337607507434407872014-01-03T12:24:59.448+00:002014-01-03T12:24:59.448+00:00Nothing is like it used to be. Once all this inter...Nothing is like it used to be. Once all this internet milarky was just fields.Cooking Lagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830924433230427226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-65929917777909488262014-01-03T10:40:20.051+00:002014-01-03T10:40:20.051+00:00Ah, well, we've got a theory about that sweet ...Ah, well, we've got a theory about that sweet spot between 'properly ripened' and 'off'. Only reason we can come up with for why cask ale *does* often seem to taste better than keg, all other things being equal. Adds complexity.Baileyhttp://boakandbailey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-75394247207800368962014-01-03T10:31:20.029+00:002014-01-03T10:31:20.029+00:00Bailey. That Orval like funkiness is more likely t...Bailey. That Orval like funkiness is more likely to be knackered beer!Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-73384309467846810932014-01-03T10:31:07.155+00:002014-01-03T10:31:07.155+00:00Bailey. That Orval like funkiness is more likely t...Bailey. That Orval like funkiness is more likely to be knackered beer!Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-50811287592342303592014-01-03T09:42:35.161+00:002014-01-03T09:42:35.161+00:00The Unicorn is quite variable. Sometiems there isn...The Unicorn is quite variable. Sometiems there isn't much on at all, even Bass. It really does depend on how nusy they've been. Of course it used to be home to the Honourable Order of Bass Drinkers where you paid a fixed fee (£10 last time I went 6652542) and you could sup into the wee small hours. Sat In A Pubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08123038980796000837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-33654664698869023512014-01-03T09:30:46.526+00:002014-01-03T09:30:46.526+00:00I drink in the Unicorn regularly (it's where m...I drink in the Unicorn regularly (it's where manchester Jazz Society meets) and have always found the Bass to be in good condition. And you're right, it's one of the few proper working-class boozers left in the city centre.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09310220100267028274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629758183547510158.post-77967531226743157762014-01-03T09:27:30.199+00:002014-01-03T09:27:30.199+00:00We drink it fairly regularly. There are two pubs i...We drink it fairly regularly. There are two pubs in Penzance recommended for their excellent Bass in the 1978 Good Beer Guide, and both still sell it. At its best, it's really interesting -- that slight Orval-like funkiness -- and generally a drier, crisper pint than many other big brand bitters.Baileyhttp://boakandbailey.comnoreply@blogger.com