International Beer Day

August 05, 2015

This Friday celebrate International Beer Day (the first Friday of August) by drinking lots of beer! In recent months our beer range has multiplied quicker than Daily Mail headlines about house prices, we now have beers from places as diverse as Italy, Switzerland, Nigeria, and Japan so we urge you on International Beer Day to try something a bit different. This weekend if you buy 6 beers from 6 different countries (we’re counting the UK as one) you’ll get 15% off. To get you started we’ve all picked our current favourite beer-

Ed- Bellerose Bière de Gard 6.5% £2.39

Bière de Garde (literally Beer for Keeping) were historically brewed in farmhouses in either the winter or spring, and then kept for the following summer (apparently the yeast was a little temperamental in the heat). They’re usually quite golden in colour with a rich palate and more often than not, fairly strong (I knew there was one reason I liked them). As you’d expect for an historic form of food or drink in France there is indeed an AOC for it, but this beer deliberately ignores it. Using hops from 3 different continents not only exempts it from the AOC, but gives more tang to the palate, approaching IPA levels. Absolutely lovely and great with carrot cake.

Lucas- Rochefort 10 11.3% £4.85

A quadruple beer, dark red- brown colour full of flavour, strong plum raisin and blackcurrant on the palate. Not for the faint hearted.

Adam- Liverpool Tart, 4.2%, Mad Hatters Brewery £2.89

According to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy the best drink to exist, is the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster, the effect of which is like having your brains smashed out with a slice of lemon, wrapped around a large gold brick. Replace the word brain with taste buds and my (latest) favourite beer is probably not a far cry from this. A liverpudlian take on a gose (a slightly soured German style of lager) crossed with the treat that is a Liverpool Tart. Face scrunchingly, sour, sharp, tart, citrus and sweet, with a good dose of subtle salinity and a creamy texture that coats your teeth on the finish, don’t panic, this is a fantastic and immensely enjoyable mad beer!

Chris chose to write a poem to his- Padstow Mayday 5.0% £3.29

 The sun rains down, reflecting off the azure sea;, 
Emerge from the water with just enough strength to carry your board back to the abandoned clothes, 
Dust off the sand, the taste of salt water lingers, 
“Watch out, there’s a seag…” too late, the chips are now mid-flight.

 Red Lion – “Pint of Mayday”
Pint of aroma hopped ecstasy,
“Did you see me catch that big one?”
Felt like the King of the World.
Pale hued, citrus flavoured, Goddess of bitter,
“King of the world Ma!”

 Given the increase in artistic endeavour, Francis chose to express his choice, Brooklyn Summer Ale 5.0% £2.29, through interpretive dance...

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