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

Suffolk, isn't it? I seem to remember it's rather nice.

Strongbow's about $25.00 for a case of 24 twelve-ounce bottles. Aspall's is $62.50 for twelve 16.9oz bottles. Quite a difference. Right now is probably not the time to be beefing up our range of premium drinks.

That's a hell of a difference.

Sheppy's Dabinett:

Also 7.2%, but has none of the qualities of its predecessor. The apple flavour is actually richer and more prominent, but it is awfully sweet and the flavours don't really meld together particularly well. Edging over into the pretentious rather than traditional, I think. Shame - it could have been so much more

Riggwelter next?

B

Ooo this is an interesting one...

Very crunchy, but fades quickly to a rich creamyness, very grainy and yet very smooth, creamy, like butter, or cheese, with a tangyness and then a kind fo weetness Oh, ahng on its a bit of wholemeal baguette with butter cheese and pickle

Is this a new beerfest activity? 'What's 2legs eating now?'

Riggwelter it is. I need to wash the taste of that cider away.

I just felt left out : no beer in, well there may be a bottle of hobgoblin in the cupboard, but I'm feeling a bit too to really fancy beer, had a glass of earlier but I've been sticking to water and coffee last few days, I may have... over knackered myself a few days back

Yes, I've been reading about your Casanova-like exploits

Riggwelter.

A congealing-type head doesn't really appeal, but by the time it's been left to settle, there's a crystal-clear sienna pint. What I can only describe as a miserable flavour - it's all leather and coffee and bitter malts. There's a pleasant creaminess at the back of the throat which helps to redeem the pint somewhat. Black Sheep tend to specialise in this sort of gloomy Yorkshire Moors beer, and I can't say it does anything for me at all.

/5

B

Riggwelter:

This is more like it! Verging on a porter, this one; rich, slightly burned, very tasty. Little aroma, though, and not much aftertaste. The powerful mid-flavours make up for it, and it's a good, solid, pleasant winter beer.

I'm too old for it all now.. my body can't keep up
Riggwelter: sounds vaguely familiar

I'm going back to the Old Rascal, just to take away the disappointment of that last Sheppy's. I'm still a bit annoyed about it, to be honest.

I like Aspall Dry Premier Cru - Aspall Cyder, Suffolk. It is worth every penny here is what I think...

Cider 7.0% by volume

Aspall Cyder has been produced by the family since 1728, thats 8 generations, and these chaps have acheived perfection. A dry cider with a sharp subtile bite and a clean bright taste. A fine golden colour with a very smooth taste mildly sweet after taste, made with fine Suffolk apples, fermented for 4 weeks, allowed to stand for a further 2 weeks and matured for up to 2 years. This gives it a very special flavour that is very hard to define.

Recommended for a relaxing pint good with any meal and at any time, but at its best with fresh crusty bred and a strong vintage cheddar cheese. If out of your area try your supermarket, make the effort one of the best bottled ciders available, look for it you will be rewarded with a fine drink.

Sampled from the bottle. Note the bottle is 7.0%.

cider 9.8 out of 10

Thatcher's Old Rascal:

Not bad, and a more bearable ABV. A medium-sweet cider, middling flavour, slightly sparkling, fairly tasty. I have no idea what makes this an Old Rascal and not a Gold - there's no difference that I can discern. Still, it's inoffensive enough, and much better than any big-brand ciders.

Good evening, Bob - marvellous to see you

And you things ok

Yeah, not bad. Busy as ever. Very appropriate that you're here - I have a Tanglefoot coming up next

me too

Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA

Almost too pale to be a pale ale, this one isn't far from wheat-beer levels of yellowness. Acceptably hoppy, some bite on the tongue, but nothing that will linger in the memory.

/5

B