THat just made me PMSL!!! The landlord of my local fell out with the Neame family years ago and he went ballistic when the Manageress got Tribute as a guest beer. He hid the pump badge and stuck a cork in the barrell.
Yep, I'm a huge fan of real ale. In fact, it was one of the major factors in my moving back to blighty after living abroad for several years; I missed it too much!
Doombar is actually available across most of the West and South West now - it's a great beer wherever you find it, but, along with the other Sharp's beers, it's even better at some of the pubs near the brewery in Rock (I can recommend the Blisland Inn on Bodmin Moor - former CAMRA national pub of the year - and the Port Gaverne Hotel, near Port Isaac, if anyone's down that way).
Lots of good beers have been mentioned here. Other favourites of mine include the aforementioned Deuchars IPA and Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby, as well as Wickwar's Mr Perrett's Stout, Oakham JHB and White Dwarf, Bath Ales Barnstormer and Festivity, Castle Rock Elsie Mo, and many more besides!
Generally prefer dark, fruity and malty to light, dry and hoppy (unless it's really hot weather).
My top 10 (tends to change - and in no order) assuming they are really well kept
Hook Norton Old Hookey
Timothy Taylor Landlord
Fullers ESB (love Pride and their seasonals too)
Harvey's Old
Hogs Back T.E.A.
Woodforde Wherry
Exmoor Beast (handle with care)
Gales HSB (now owned by Fullers)
Arundel Old Knucker
Oakham JHB
Cotleigh Old Buzzard
real ale isnt seen as a sexy drink at the moment. they should get some stars who drink real ale to support and campaign for real ale in pubs. The most famous one i can think of is that great actress who played Sally Sparrow in Dr Who. She cant get enough of the stuff and would be a great representative.
On a sort of related note to all this... dimple mugs. i thought these had gone out with the 70s but i've been served ale in these at least twice in the last month, i love having a pint out of them
I used to drink it, my boyf does now, but as we live in Kent averything is Shephard Neame and according to him they're crap, his favorite is London Pride.
In off licences they always have offers on bottled ales, my theory is go for the one with the oddest name!
On a sort of related note to all this... dimple mugs. i thought these had gone out with the 70s but i've been served ale in these at least twice in the last month, i love having a pint out of them
I first saw one in a pub in Crystal Palace about 3 years ago (your beer came in one unless you asked for something else).
I like them (and recall them fom years ago).
The main reason for the 'straight' glasses is they are easier to stack and carry.
On a sort of related note to all this... dimple mugs. i thought these had gone out with the 70s but i've been served ale in these at least twice in the last month, i love having a pint out of them
Our local china shop sells them for about £2 each, OH has one in the cupboard for his guinness.
Blimey, I thought this thread had died a death weeks ago - good to see it resurrected and some cracking beers being mentioned.
Do most people find that with real ale you have to drink it at the pub as it doesn't taste half as good from a can or bottle? The only can one I can really put up with is Bass.
Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild is lovely, but rare (only find it at beer festivals). Dark Island is another nice one from the Orkney Brewery is lovely too.
Just tried Badger pumpkin ale... oh my this is one of their best.
Does anyone know where this can be bought in bulk? Sainsburys seems pricey at 1.69 a bottle if drunk regularly... seems to be excluded from their current badger multibuy
Give me a nice pint of Fuller's any day... 1845, ESB, even Golden Pride or Vintage Ale (although not too much at 8.5% abv). Failing that, Theakston's Old Peculier or Wychwood's Hobgoblin.
Comments
Ruddles was fairly widely available in London.........Brakespears was the tipple on walking/camping expeditions to the Chilterns.........
I've tried a few bottled ones from the supermarket over the years, but never really found one I liked..........
Gorgeous beers, we're lucky to have a proper real ale pub where i live with 7 or 8 different beers on. Marvellous:D
Yeah it is hard to find in London, but a few places carry it as a guest now and again.
I discovered it when I went to a funeral in Cornwall. I like Otter, seen it now and again, I'm not keen on Bomb, it is a wee bit soapy for me.
Doombar is actually available across most of the West and South West now - it's a great beer wherever you find it, but, along with the other Sharp's beers, it's even better at some of the pubs near the brewery in Rock (I can recommend the Blisland Inn on Bodmin Moor - former CAMRA national pub of the year - and the Port Gaverne Hotel, near Port Isaac, if anyone's down that way).
Lots of good beers have been mentioned here. Other favourites of mine include the aforementioned Deuchars IPA and Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby, as well as Wickwar's Mr Perrett's Stout, Oakham JHB and White Dwarf, Bath Ales Barnstormer and Festivity, Castle Rock Elsie Mo, and many more besides!
worth looking out for.
Hopback Summer Lightning
London Pride
Batham's
Generally prefer dark, fruity and malty to light, dry and hoppy (unless it's really hot weather).
My top 10 (tends to change - and in no order) assuming they are really well kept
Hook Norton Old Hookey
Timothy Taylor Landlord
Fullers ESB (love Pride and their seasonals too)
Harvey's Old
Hogs Back T.E.A.
Woodforde Wherry
Exmoor Beast (handle with care)
Gales HSB (now owned by Fullers)
Arundel Old Knucker
Oakham JHB
Cotleigh Old Buzzard
So many beers, so little time.
Marstons Pedigree
Youngs Special
London Pride
Theakstons Bitter
In off licences they always have offers on bottled ales, my theory is go for the one with the oddest name!
well single malt!
I first saw one in a pub in Crystal Palace about 3 years ago (your beer came in one unless you asked for something else).
I like them (and recall them fom years ago).
The main reason for the 'straight' glasses is they are easier to stack and carry.
Our local china shop sells them for about £2 each, OH has one in the cupboard for his guinness.
Do most people find that with real ale you have to drink it at the pub as it doesn't taste half as good from a can or bottle? The only can one I can really put up with is Bass.
Cheers,
Stephen
My favourites include Timothy Taylor and Theakstons.
Currently enjoying 'Jarrow Bitter' at my local.
Does anyone know where this can be bought in bulk? Sainsburys seems pricey at 1.69 a bottle if drunk regularly... seems to be excluded from their current badger multibuy