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

Due to the fact that almost all of the H&G regulars are in my lounge, we're having a beerfest in about three minutes. Details on the main page.

Woo! I'm there!

B

Double Drop:

Nice autumnal beer, this one. Found the smell a little too light, but it's good a good, intense, developing flavour that really captures the season. Very good

Double Drop:

Big toasted malt

2legs:

Smells a bit of good-quality skunk

Gosho:

Smells like skunkweed (allegedly)

Beatrice:

Really enjoyed the smell, reminded me of visits to breweries (!) Taste not that exciting

Rio Blanco Pale Ale

2legs: Sweaty rodeo leather trousers and a bit of freshly-unpacked computer desk.

Gosho: Beer affected by regular chilling and warming. Not well travelled. I know what it takes like in Texas, so

Me: Nicely rounded, pleasant aroma - not bad for a pale ale, but not exceptional.

B: Not travelled well. Overtures of lager

Beatrice: (makes a face) Struggling to finish it

Piddle In The Hole

2legs: Looks a bit cloudy. Smell of rubber on hard floors in sports halls. Herby

Gosho: Nice and interesting. Licorice and aniseed with a hint of fennel; excellent but lacks body.

Me: Superb colour and pleasant enough; a little light for me, but still very good

B: Papery, nice and dry. Reviewed before

Beatrice: Sappy and woody, good colour and smell, roaring fire good telly and some of this would make a great evening. Would definitely buy (pending further samplings).

Badger First Gold

Had some of the Badger ales before, but not this one.

Nice and pleasantly palatable. Fresh, clean and not too heavy - with an inch of tang. Is that a pint gone already? I'll have to have another!

Yeah I know it's not what you guys are having, but I had to join in! Bottom's Up! (oh and a to all there)

Sierra evade Anniversary

2legs: Very beery beer; session beer. It's a beer not much beer body beer beer beer beer beer. No hint of vodka in the after-taste

Gosho: Sierra don't make a bad beer. Nuff said

Me: Good and rich with a strong after-taste and very, very summery. I could drink this all day

B: Can I have a flake? Tastes of vanilla - bit like eating ice cream, this. Hay on the aftertaste. A cricket beer

Beatrice: Sweetness on the smell. Looking distinctly unimpressed over there on the sofa

(All: Smells of Opal Fruits!)

'ello Matt! The general consensus here is that your beer sucks

My beer may suck, but my home made meatballs rock! So ner!

Shepherd Neame Late Red

2legs: Smells like garden greenery. Could quite happily drink it all day. When do I get my slap?

Gosho: Powerful minty. Good body and nice mouth feel

Me: Hoppy and pleasant enough, but lacks character and I wouldn't know it from anything else

B: I prefer drinking piddle. Doesn't stand out from the crowd, not much flavour. Missing a finish <ale

Beatrice: Nice, but no USP. Unremarkable

Wells Bombardier

An old favourite of mine, easy to drink. A fresh 'christmassy' smell, light and hoppy with a nice deep malty taste that doesn't leave your tongue feeling coarse. Nothing amazing, but and it's much nicer from the tap.

Oh, well, we can't win 'em all!

Sierra Nevada Harvest

2legs: Really moreish, golden syrup

Gosho: Sierra just don't make a bad beer. Look at that lacing

Me: Caramelising sugar hits you in smell and flavour; full of character and really stands out. Not my usual taste, but, this is absolutely wonderful

B: Toffee and caramel hits you straight away on the roof of the mouth. Aftertaste goes on and on and on... bit like 2legs.

Beatrice: Toffee flavours really develop in the cheeks

Sorry, we drank all the Bombardier last night, or we'd have joined you!

yeah, it is easy to drink!

I'll have to remember what I partook of at the RObin Hood BEer Festival a me castle, some Shropshire Lad, a bit old Elsie Mo, some Tucks Nipple and a few other things I have trouble remembering because I was on me ear!

Milk Stout

2legs: Smells of tempura batter. Dark chocolate. The pinnacle of dark excellence

Gosho: Ena Sharples used to drink stuff like this because it's not very heavy. If Ruffles were flavoured with strawberry instead of raspberry, this would be a ruffle

Me: Absolutely wonderful stout. A by-the-fire stout

B: [Odo: Smells of dark beer] Incredibly smooth. Strawberry milkshake qualities. Doesn't do anything for me at all. Too sweet

Beatrice: Smells of cherries. Very smooth, really silky, regretting having just a small glass. A revelation - I'll go and find this. Absolutely wonderful - so smooth... [descends into cooing]

Oaked Arrogant Bastard

2legs: I'd drink this for breakfast. Didn't like, began to like it, loved it, had babies with it, retired to a ranch in the country with it

Gosho: At 7.2%, one for finishing the evening with. <ale

Me: Something in here I don't like. It seems to grow on me - I think I'd really enjoy this after a couple of pints. I could probably get too into this after a while

B: Northern fighting beer - Newcastle Brown stock. First taste is very spicy, but fades.

Beatrice: Washing-up liquid. Gave it to 2legs