Fyne by Me

It isn't that usual to come across Fyne Ales beers in this neck of the woods, but last week in the redoubtable Baum I did. Funnily enough when scanning the pump clips I somehow overlooked the Fyne Ales offering, no doubt because I immediately honed in on Mallinsons Europa. (Trust me on this one, Mallinsons are never a bad choice for the lover of pale hoppy beers.) Nonetheless the lovely E is much more considered in these matters and spotted Fyne Ales Hurricane Jack lurking at the end of the bank of pumps and after enquiring after its colour, duly procured a half, remarking as she did that if it was half as good as Jarl, she was in for a treat. Now the Mallinsons was lovely, as they usually are, but the Hurricane Jack was a revelation. A beautifully balanced, hop coated, mouth filling beer of immense drinkability.  When my Mallinsons was done, I immediately procured a pint.  Gorgeous.

So another two top tips from me. Mallinsons and Fyne Ales.  You can't go wrong with either, unless unlike me, you are driving and have to leave after two, when really what was required was a session.

A Couple of New Beers

We had a CAMRA meeting last night and it gave me the opportunity to try two beers I've never had. First was Saltaire Republika, a strawberry infused blonde beer which was surprisingly good, with a whiff of fresh strawberry on the nose and a good bitter finish with strawberry again evident. Interesting and different, but I dare say it will appeal to some more than others.

More promising, as they always are, was a new beer from Mallinson's of Huddersfield. St George's Square is pale, full bodied, spicy, with a long bitter finish. It was really excellent and was my beer of choice for the rest of the evening. The Baum, our hosts and our current Pub of the Year lived up to its reputation. The beer was on top form and as a bonus, though some won't approve no doubt, they offer 40p off a pint to CAMRA members.

Both Saltaire and Mallinson's are tremendous breweries. Seek them out.

Return to Flavour

I was entirely knackered on Friday on my return home, but after a few hours kip, I was fit enough to pick E up from the station. We went to the Angel to talk over our respective weeks. Catching up is always better over a pint is it not? Two beers on offer. Lancaster Blonde which was a little sweet, but very drinkable after Efes - and Mallinson's TR7 which was pale, easy drinking, with a very pronounced hop nose.

A National Winter Ales Fest meeting meant a trip to Manchester on Saturday, so I kicked off with the reliable Copper Dragon Golden Pippin. Later in Micro Bar, more TR7 followed by a bottle of Brew Dog's 77 - described as an "artisanal rebel pilsner" - which was hoppy and rather ale like really. I've said it before, but this really is a delightful little bar and well worth going to.

Our final stop at the Marble Arch gave me three more beers with more than a nod to excellence. First up Ashford New World Brown from Thornbridge which did exceed my expectations with a lingering hoppy, bitter finish in a very brown body. (You couldn't get them under the Trades Description Act.) Another Thornbridge beer, Kipling, followed which was again in top form. It was nice to see such a hyped up brewery delivering the goods, which is a compliment, not a swipe. One final beer completed a beery day. On E's recommendation, back to basics with a superb pint of Manchester Bitter. We left overbeered. It was good to be home.

Why is the desire for a curry so overwhelming when you've had a few?

Doing What it Says on the Tin

Readers of this blog will know I am a big fan of Mallinson's beers. After picking E up from the station last night, we called in to the excellent Angel for a couple

I immediately spotted a new Mallinson's beer. Hooray - that's usually pretty good news. P.A.H. stands for pale and hoppy. It is. And it is bloody good too. The barmaid loved the name. We loved the beer. If you click the link above it will take you to their web site. It's called www.drinkmallinsons.co.uk.

That's very good advice indeed.