Ale and Beer

South African craft brewer threatens to ‘shake up’ UK beer scene

South African craft brewery Devil’s Peak Brewing Company has threatened to “shake up” the UK’s craft beer scene with its King’s Blockhouse IPA.

Source:South African craft brewer threatens to ‘shake up’ UK beer scene

Husband-and-wife team celebrate food accreditation

A husband-and-wife team have celebrated their success after scooping numerous awards for their two Cotswold pubs.

Source:Husband-and-wife team celebrate food accreditation

East End Brewing

Brewery
Date and time reviewed: Sun, 30 Oct 2016 9:37:33 EDT

Overall Score: 78.3
Selection: 3.25 | Service: 4.25 | Atmosphere: 4.25 | Food: N/A

Reviewer: Curmudgeon

On our sojourn across country in 2016, wife Persimmon and I stayed with a good friend in Pittsburgh for a week and, thanks to her recommendations, were able to experience a few of the breweries in and around town.

East End Brewing was nearby in what’s known as the Larimer neighborhood. (By the way, there are 50+ “neighborhoods” all known as Pittsburgh but have their own handle; Morningstar, Highland park, Squirrel Hill North AND South so just saying “Pittsburgh” could cause much concern for the un-initiated…like me!) — But this was not an easy find.

Pittsburgh (see the above paragraph!) has alleys galore, side streets – most one way, but NOT the way you want to go – and they are narrow! Very narrow. If you drive down the street and meet a bird flying the other way, YOU need to back up!

After getting to the designated street, not finding the place, going around the block twice…it suddenly appeared. There was no parking on the street…no parking lot nearby….so, like other like-minced Pittsburgh-ites, we parked on the sidewalk. When in Rome….

The brewery entrance is through their “beer garden” which appears to be a re-conditioned parking lot, now with picnic tables and benches. Not many were sitting this day; a cool, cloudy late October afternoon.

Inside, three people were drinking, another three waiting at the bar for a growler fill.

The bartender (Jeff) was pleasant; the beer can only be described in similar terms. Nothing spectacular but nothing “skunky” either. Several IPA’s still available (of course!) along w/a 3/7% brown, the requisite Bud rip-off, a Cream ale (which didn’t taste like cream anything) and a whopping big alcoholic strong ale that was over-powering.

A barleywine was available but only in bottles or cans and since nothing on tap jumped out at us, we decided to pass. They did have the ability to fill what they call “crawlers”; a 16-oz. aluminum can that a customer can fill with any beer then sealed to take home later to “pop.” The can costs $1 so easier to fill & to dispose, keeps the beer fresher than a growler; down-side, it of course must be drunk in one sitting.

The Pittsburgh Post-Dispatch has praised East End as a “force in the beer market” but all in all, we were under-impressed. Not one brew could be characterized as unique for Pittsburgh-arians but neither were they “bad.” Another example I suppose to trying to please all the Pittsburgh-eans all the time.

Bigger market, more cash…but not much style.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Source:East End Brewing

The best of Halloween on social media

With Halloween just behind us, The Morning Advertiser takes a look over social media to see how pubs pulled punters in throughout the scary season.

Source:The best of Halloween on social media

Marston’s £1m beer modernisation to attract younger drinkers

Marston’s has overhauled some of its key beer brands, including Pedigree, as part of a £1m programme to bring its image in line with the modern beer market and to attract younger drinkers.

Source:Marston’s £1m beer modernisation to attract younger drinkers

How to make: John Dory with creamed peas, lettuce and pancetta

Wright Brothers, based in London’s Spitalfields market, supplies more than 150 pubs and restaurants across the UK with fresh fish and seafood. This recipe from Wright Brothers chef Richard Kirkwood is a sure-fire crowd pleaser

Source:How to make: John Dory with creamed peas, lettuce and pancetta

Gallery: Pub openings October 2016

The Morning Advertiser looks at new openings and renovations in October.

Source:Gallery: Pub openings October 2016

Ninja Moose Brewery

Brewery
Date and time reviewed: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:08:39 EDT

Overall Score: 100.0
Selection: 5 | Service: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Food: 4.0

Reviewer: Curmudgeon

It started out as a joke.

On duty in Afghanistan, Scott decided to create a fictitious brewery to keep his mind busy….and off the idea of being shot at during the day.

After he got home, (Safely) he went on a fishing trip to Nina Moose Lake…but mis-read the name.

And Ninja Moose Brewing was born.

In little Hamilton, Missouri (1800 folk) 15 minutes off Instate 35, wife Persimmon & I saw the sign. Since we were taking a year to see the country….parts of the country NOT bordering the Interstate, we made an immediate right to explore.

Certainly glad we did!

Running a small, 5-barrel system, Dr. Falke (Ph.D, thank you very much!) has 12 beers (12??? — yep!) ranging from an IPA (very drinkable and not so hopped up it burns your mouth) to an exciting Tripel, Amber, Abbey Strong, 2 Stouts and an Apple Pie Cider that would have cider lovers clambering for glass after glass.

Careful though! It’s 5%…at least one of the patrons told us, “One glass of this and I’m over the moon.”

OK. But for us, the 9% ABV Stout, Abbey Strong and Tripel never made a dent….at least, not as far as we could determine. The alcohol never interfered with the taste of those beers.

In fact, in this little brewery…out of a dozen beers, we did not care for only one.

Now let’s talk about the food.

They don’t have any….but every restaurant in town will deliver whatever your heart desires; from up-town cuisine to Subway sandwiches.

Then there is the atmosphere. Nice people, considerate – respectful – happy to be where they are – not in a rush.

Perfect.

Maybe it has to do with the brewery’s “rules;”
1 Treat others as you would like to be treated
2 This is a community gathering place. Do your part to help maintain a family friendly atmosphere
3 No pig snatchers, turtle racers, snakes without leases or
cure-all salesmen allowed
4 Please don’t let alcohol get the best of you. Drink with
moderation
5 Please refrain from yelling or cursing. Engage in polite
conversation
6 No flavorless beer
7 Being polite is never a bad idea

How about that?

And if you still don’t get it, there is a sign on the front door;
“This taproom is not a bar. If you’re looking for a loud,
smokey, rowdy environment full of drunk people cursing
like sailors, this is not the place. THIS is a craft beer
taproom with a friendly, laid-back atmosphere.”

It sure was.

And we made sure to thank Scott for his beer and his attitude…and what do you suppose we got in return?

“Oh! Thank you so much! No one comes back here (into the brew room) to thank me. It means everything to me, to know that I’m making good beer and making people happy.”

Wow.

There just is no other word to describe this amazing experience.

Do not….I repeat, DO NOT pass up this little jewel in the beer “necklace” if ever you are in Missouri.

And dammit, thank Scott.

Link to this Review at beermapping.com

Source:Ninja Moose Brewery

'Proper London boozer' named Michelin Pub of the Year

A self-proclaimed “proper London boozer” has been named Pub of the Year by the prestigious Michelin guide.

Source:'Proper London boozer' named Michelin Pub of the Year

Make the Butler's Handover: gin, bourbon and plum

This gin-based short drink was invented by Jess Hunter, assistant manager at the Queen Charlotte in Windsor, which was shortlisted in the Diageo-sponsored Great British Pub Awards Spirits Pub/Bar of the Year category 2016

Source:Make the Butler's Handover: gin, bourbon and plum