Fifty plus years of drinking beer and I'm still finding something new. And it was so good to see so many young bloggers out there suddenly discovering this new fangled Real Ale stuff, amazing how it had managed to pass them by. But, to be serious, it's been another of those glass half full or half empty years where everyone has found something to like and something to forget about. Like NEIPAs, is it me or do they all really taste identical, reminiscent of cheap childhood sweets that you knew weren't really that special at all? The first ones were nice and made you want more until you realised that there were plenty, more interesting, sweets out there. Needless to say I've given up on them, likewise Brut IPAs. To paraphrase Hughie Green 'can we have the next contestant please'.
Contenders for best Beer Festival;
Manchester Beer & Cider Festival in January was all about how good a CAMRA Beer Festival can, and should, be run. A good mix of old and new and organisers who are probably the most prgressive in approach. Not bad for a couple of supposed dinosaurs.
Bruges Bier Festival, held in February and always great fun, where else can you watch a bunch of tickers cream themselves with excitement over being able to sample Westvleteren, which sadly they can't manage to pronounce.
Barcelona Beer Festival, a first for me in March in one of my favourite Cities. Very impressed with the set up and some excellent beers to be had.
Hop City @ Northern Monk also in March, good but with little variation from Hops, Hops or more Hops. I know it does what it says on the tin but it would have been nice to see some variation.
Sesh Fest @ Magic Rock in June, great weather, great vibe, great choice and variation.
GBBF in August, it's big, it has its critics but it's still a great festival.
Leeds International in September, on the back of a run of ever improving festivals this year it was boosted by the presence of The Maine Beer Box but let down by the weather. Still puts on a great show and it's a joy to work at.
I missed IndyMan, too close to a return from Thassos and I gave Dark City a miss as an afternoon of big dark beers is too exhausting.
And the winner is Sesh Fest, so glad it's coming back next year. Let's have a few more dark beers in there Rich!
Contenders for Brewery of the year;
I'll just go straight to the winner, Nortada in Porto. I found the brewpub whilst looking for a different bar, sampled the beers on offer and each one was spot on. No throwing the larder contents in the brew kettle just the standard Water, Malt, Hops & Yeast. I hope more brewers take this radical approach next year.
As always I'm impressed with Hawkshead, Magic Rock, Fullers, Adnams, Wishbone, Roosters and a good host of others who rarely put a foot wrong.
If distribution can be sorted out we'll hopefully see more beer from Greece where brewers like Septem, Voreia & Santorini Brewing who are all putting out some great beers.
Contenders for Beer of the Year;
Many good pints have been sampled, a sublime Fullers ESB in Mawsons Arms which just doesn't get any better. A beautifully crisp, fresh Magic Rock Ringmaster in The Kings Head in Huddersfield. Wishbone Abyss, dark and dangerous in the brewery on one of their open tap days. In the past ten days two beers have made me sit up and take notice, Lervig/Hoppin' Frog Barrel Aged Sippin into Darkness and To Øl Goliat, both big, big beers with depth and complexity that will have you savouring every last drop.
And the winner is To Øl Goliat.
Contenders for Bar/Pub of the year.
I keep going back to the same places, North Bar, Tapped Leeds, Callans and when in London Royal Oak & Mawsons Arms. A small selection so it has to be North Bar.
Contenders for best Beer Festival;
Manchester Beer & Cider Festival in January was all about how good a CAMRA Beer Festival can, and should, be run. A good mix of old and new and organisers who are probably the most prgressive in approach. Not bad for a couple of supposed dinosaurs.
Bruges Bier Festival, held in February and always great fun, where else can you watch a bunch of tickers cream themselves with excitement over being able to sample Westvleteren, which sadly they can't manage to pronounce.
Barcelona Beer Festival, a first for me in March in one of my favourite Cities. Very impressed with the set up and some excellent beers to be had.
Hop City @ Northern Monk also in March, good but with little variation from Hops, Hops or more Hops. I know it does what it says on the tin but it would have been nice to see some variation.
Sesh Fest @ Magic Rock in June, great weather, great vibe, great choice and variation.
GBBF in August, it's big, it has its critics but it's still a great festival.
Leeds International in September, on the back of a run of ever improving festivals this year it was boosted by the presence of The Maine Beer Box but let down by the weather. Still puts on a great show and it's a joy to work at.
I missed IndyMan, too close to a return from Thassos and I gave Dark City a miss as an afternoon of big dark beers is too exhausting.
And the winner is Sesh Fest, so glad it's coming back next year. Let's have a few more dark beers in there Rich!
Contenders for Brewery of the year;
I'll just go straight to the winner, Nortada in Porto. I found the brewpub whilst looking for a different bar, sampled the beers on offer and each one was spot on. No throwing the larder contents in the brew kettle just the standard Water, Malt, Hops & Yeast. I hope more brewers take this radical approach next year.
As always I'm impressed with Hawkshead, Magic Rock, Fullers, Adnams, Wishbone, Roosters and a good host of others who rarely put a foot wrong.
If distribution can be sorted out we'll hopefully see more beer from Greece where brewers like Septem, Voreia & Santorini Brewing who are all putting out some great beers.
Contenders for Beer of the Year;
Many good pints have been sampled, a sublime Fullers ESB in Mawsons Arms which just doesn't get any better. A beautifully crisp, fresh Magic Rock Ringmaster in The Kings Head in Huddersfield. Wishbone Abyss, dark and dangerous in the brewery on one of their open tap days. In the past ten days two beers have made me sit up and take notice, Lervig/Hoppin' Frog Barrel Aged Sippin into Darkness and To Øl Goliat, both big, big beers with depth and complexity that will have you savouring every last drop.
And the winner is To Øl Goliat.
Contenders for Bar/Pub of the year.
I keep going back to the same places, North Bar, Tapped Leeds, Callans and when in London Royal Oak & Mawsons Arms. A small selection so it has to be North Bar.
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