h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I went to the Bass Museum Of Brewing, in Burton On Trent yesterday. A very good museum, even if you only get 1/2 pint free at the end.
The most amusing part had to be one of the mission statements of the museum, it was something along the lines of helping keep the brewing tradition, and as a good brand outlet for Bass Beers. Bass is currently in talks to sell it's brewing division and become a retail and leasure company only.

When they do go, only Scottish Courage (for better or worse) will be the UKs mega brewer (Whitbread finally sold their brewing operations a few weeks ago )

But look at the advantages. Lots of micro-brewers producing beer. This *has* to push the quality up, due to levels of competition..

Necr

Well possibly, but there is also the disadvantages of multi-national brewing companies dominating the market (and it used to be just the nationals who dominated in the UK). All the usual tricks, discounts and the like. It'll still be hard to get good real ale in a good pub

Tell me about it. In Australia there are 2 majors that pretty much control the entire market As soon as one brings out a new beer the other one will just happen to bring out one exactly the same...

Thankfully my local gets Coopers dark ale brought in for me specially

You'd have to be a friend of the landlord of a really small pub in England for that to happen here.

Necr

Well it is a bit of a locals pub

Obviously i spend way too much money there !!!

Is that possible?

Good point, you can certainly never spend too much time there........

Good point, you can certainly never spend too much time there........

Well, I can safely state that Al Wadia Home Brew is NOT one of the best beers ever. While it may only be a pound a pint, you get a three day hangover. I think it is the heat that makes you drink it

Welcome back Munchkin. I'll remember that if I ever am in the unlikely situation of being in Al Wadia

Boy have I neglected this forum lately, but with one thing and another...

I think the best beer I've tried recently was called Damsonfly (I think) by Youngs (I'm pretty certain). It was a lager that had been infused with elderflower Other than that there was Ushers White Ale, around 6.5% but drinks like a very tasty shandy. Lots of flavour, smooth body, delicate nose, KILLER HANGOVER!

Most ale pubs will order a beer in if you request it. If they can get hold of it that is. It does also help to know the landlord

Talking of beer, off to the shops

A couple of good ones I've had recently (bottled variety) are Blandford Fly, from the Badger Brewery. This was an ale which had a small amount of ginger added. It really did a subtle little something to it.
Corn (or is it Crop) Circle. This is an organic ale from Hobgoblin. Very good it was too.

Has there been some competition about organic ales as I seem to have seen loads recently, whereas even last year all you could get was Golden Promise from Caledonian.

Thanks for making me jealous again, talking about all these wonderful sounding beers that never make it down under.

I suppose we should compile a definitive list of all the beers that have been mentioned in this neverending story..........er, i might leave for someone else to do Pastey

BTW....should we start a new thread?

http://www.h2g2.com/forumframe.cgi?forum=24381&thread=55005

There you go chaps! The bar's been wiped clean, and it's waiting for you!

I had another excellant beer last night, Clouded Yellow. It's brewed by St.Austell for Tesco. It's a wheat beer flavoured with vanilla

On a small side note, I don't know about everywhere else, but down here in Ipswich Tesco's are doing all their bottled ales at £1.50 each, regardless of strength