The Brew House-What's happening?

[SteelCityAle]

 

Ok fella

 

getting drunk is not a target... but it is an occupational hazard!

[jemson]

It's not just about the beer though. It matters more to me what the place is like. I can think of plenty of bars and pubs I like that don't sell any real ale at all. There are also lots of cask ale mecca type places that I can't abide.

 

On the basis of one visit I like this place and will return. It sells cask ale (several in fact) but that's not the most important thing.

 

For me, I think the beer is most important and then service and pub are considerations.

 

And I`d not bother drinking on a train with just stella, smooth and cider to chose from. What`s the point in drinking something you don`t like? (Getting drunk is never my aim tbh).

[DnAuK]

Completely with Jemmo and SCA here. There are times when alcohol actively gets in the way of enjoyment. I'd drink beer of double figures ABV every night if it didn't make me fall over. And if I could afford it obviously...

 

Last night for example I was faced with a woeful choice of beer whilst watching the game in a local bar. The ONLY reason I bagged an Estrella was because I accepted a challenge to have as many beers from different nations in the World Cup and possible (15 and counting) and there isn't really anything much better from Spain. But at £3.90 a pint and having only sslightly more taste than my own saliva, I wish I hadn't bothered.

[SteelCityAle]

The ONLY reason I bagged an Estrella was because I accepted a challenge to have as many beers from different nations in the World Cup and possible (15 and counting) and there isn't really anything much better from Spain. But at £3.90 a pint and having only sslightly more taste than my own saliva, I wish I hadn't bothered.

 

does the challenge require the beers be consumed in a pub, or a given pub? Hop Hideout have some Nomada beers, which are excellent. They're expensive, but arguably better value than 4 quid for yellow bubbly water!

 

for the record, Catalunya is one of the fastest-growing beer scenes in Europe, every time you blink there's a new brewery. Now just got to work on getting them over here... (I'm just back from a beer festival near Barcelona which featured 200 craft (shudder...) beers, 80% Spanish with the rest from Britain (mostly Yorkshire!), Belgium, France and Denmark)

[Andy C]

OK, 'You are the (CAMRA) Ref' - imagine you are on a long boring train journey with the hours stretching ahead and you fancy a beer. The buffet or trolley only has cans of Stella (and no other alcoholic beverages). As a paid up camraman what do you do? (a) Drink Stella, or (b) Not drink any beer at all because there is no cask ale available and you must never imbibe the fizzy stuff.

 

Same goes if you are in a football stadium/arena gig/working mens club/wedding in a duff venue/any bar anywhere else in the world.

 

Yes the 1970s and 1980s were horrendous for the loss of breweries and cask ales but it's in danger of going too far the other way now. In a blind scientific test I doubt most drinkers could tell the difference between a lot of beers of a similar type.

 

If it was a choice of beer I know I won't enjoy or tea/coffee/pop I would go for the soft drink - sat on a train with a coffee, music in the earphones and something to read or scenery to look at is quite civilised. Not only do I have standards but I'm not an alcoholic.

 

As to the previous points, I agree we are sometimes guility of taking beer way too seriously or being snobby. Whilst the choice of pubs and bars are varied and offer different ambiences, they are all about relaxing and/or socialising, about enjoyment, The beer is a key part of that and therefore beer is about fun or enjoyment. However there is still nothing wrong with having standards.

[taxman]

OK, 'You are the (CAMRA) Ref' - imagine you are on a long boring train journey with the hours stretching ahead and you fancy a beer. The buffet or trolley only has cans of Stella (and no other alcoholic beverages). As a paid up camraman what do you do? (a) Drink Stella, or (b) Not drink any beer at all because there is no cask ale available and you must never imbibe the fizzy stuff.

 

Same goes if you are in a football stadium/arena gig/working mens club/wedding in a duff venue/any bar anywhere else in the world.

 

Yes the 1970s and 1980s were horrendous for the loss of breweries and cask ales but it's in danger of going too far the other way now. In a blind scientific test I doubt most drinkers could tell the difference between a lot of beers of a similar type.

 

I'd not have a beer.

 

Occasionally, very occasionally I used to go to meeting in pubs where the only beers on offer were creamflow type rubbish. Rather than waste my money buying something I actively disliked (as opposed to, say Guinness, which I don't choose to drink but will do at a push) I chose not to drink anything at all, and pledged never to set foot through the door of that establishment ever again.

 

We like to go on weekend breaks to various British cities and one of the things we like to do is visit pubs. A quick glance through the window or door will usually distinguish those with hand pumps on the bar to those without. We only choose the former.

 

There may be a bar with the most luxurious sofas, artwork on the walls, a pianist and bow tie wearing waiters but if all they served was Stella or Creamflow then I ain't going in.

[DnAuK]

does the challenge require the beers be consumed in a pub, or a given pub? Hop Hideout have some Nomada beers, which are excellent. They're expensive, but arguably better value than 4 quid for yellow bubbly water!

 

for the record, Catalunya is one of the fastest-growing beer scenes in Europe, every time you blink there's a new brewery. Now just got to work on getting them over here... (I'm just back from a beer festival near Barcelona which featured 200 craft (shudder...) beers, 80% Spanish with the rest from Britain (mostly Yorkshire!), Belgium, France and Denmark)

 

Nah they don't have to be in a pub. I paid a visit to Beer Ritz in Leeds last weekend to stock up on some slightly more unusual beers. But still didn't notice anything from Spain - I have to admit that is news to me!

 

Spent Easter in Rome as I knew the Italian craft beer scene was booming but found no evidence of the same in Spain. Will do a bit more research for the next trip as i really like Barcelona. Thanks for the info. :c)

 

By the way - just in case you're interested in the worst country I've had so far... Honours go to Argentina where the only thing I could find was Quilmes. This basically tastes like Bud Light. Avoid.

[the fonz]

Im interested to know how far people will take this fastidiousness.

 

Each to their own obviously but at an event, like a wedding, or stag due, or any party where you cant get what you want do you just give up and go home, or do you take whats on offer and have a good time?

 

I understand and appreciate having what i want where i want it is better but its often just not realistic, how do you all cope?

[Jonny5]

Im interested to know how far people will take this fastidiousness.

 

Each to their own obviously but at an event, like a wedding, or stag due, or any party where you cant get what you want do you just give up and go home, or do you take whats on offer and have a good time?

 

I understand and appreciate having what i want where i want it is better but its often just not realistic, how do you all cope?

These things tend to be pretty boring affairs and so are the only time when I drink to get tipsy. I have to resort to spirits or wine although I don't have an aversion to lager (even Bud:hihi:). I can drink it and ignore it.

 

I find that any mainstream beer is actively unpleasant to drink and I just wouldn't bother.

 

But generally I agree with SteelCity. When I go to the pub I buy a drink for the flavours. I'd still drink beer if it had no alcohol. No question.

[belperite]

Im interested to know how far people will take this fastidiousness.

 

Each to their own obviously but at an event, like a wedding, or stag due, or any party where you cant get what you want do you just give up and go home, or do you take whats on offer and have a good time?

 

I understand and appreciate having what i want where i want it is better but its often just not realistic, how do you all cope?

 

If I'm with friends (they pretty much all like good beer in cask or keg), we'll always go to the places that do these, and miss out any that don't.

 

If I'm with the missus or anyone else I generally won't argue, as I'm capable of drinking wine or cocktails.