Today we have a reason to drink beer! My little sister and her husband have a new addition to the family – a lovely little boy. No names as yet, but Star, Donkey, Jesus and Rudolph are all still in the running!
So we welcome the little lad into the world with the help of a bottle of 'Bitter & Twisted', #26 of #decembeer…..
It was a pretty poxy day today: raining, busy everywhere and raining. I did initially choose this beer because it summed up the character of the old bagnasty piece of work woman in the cafe I went in for breakfast this morning.
Last night we had a mosey down to The Barfly in Camden, North London, to see the fabulous Frank Hamilton.
Still celebrating movember...
The gig was excellent – the first and last #OneSongaWeek live show. In celebration of the fact that Frank Hamilton has written a song every week of the year so far, with just one more week remaining. Frank had various special guests who had played a part in various songs throughout the year, including Newton Faulkner. This was quite a difference from the last time we saw Frank, at Cambridge with another dozen people. I think this is going to be a big year for Frank Hamilton. Have a look at the Frank Hamilton blog for more info, videos and pictures. And click here for all the year's songs.
Frank and Newton
One slightly disappointing part of the evening was the selection of beer. There was no draft beer on offer and the only bottle beer was 'Old Speckled Hen' which I had the other day. So not the best place for someone participating in #decembeer. So #24 is Guinness….also in the excitement of being at a Frank Hamilton gig I forgot a picture, although is pretty much what it looked like….
Which brings us to tonight's offering, #25, from Belvoir Brewery….Old Dalby….
It is probably important to say that the weird folks around this part pronounce Belvoir as 'Beaver' – don't ask why, it's just what they do, they are very strange around here. This is actually a fine beer. Ruby red in colour, very malty, with good strong flavour. Still not getting the 'roasted flavours' – just very beery and very nice!
The idea of drinking a different beer every day of the month may seem like a rather easy challenge, but tonight it wasn't. After a late night last night, the thought of drinking more beer tonight was not top of the agenda, but #decembeer must continue.
Tonight we welcome Brains' SA Gold….
A refreshingly light hoppy beer. Nothing amazingly special, but tasty enough.
Last night saw the English Department's (plus a few gatecrashers) Christmas Meal, and a good opportunity to get some beer drunk. It was a very good night that began and ended in The Cosy Club with a lovely three course meal in between at Jim's Yard. A good night was had by all….
And so to the beer…
#20 is from Rutland's The Grainstore Brewery….Three Kings…
#21 the world famous….Old Speckled Hen….
#22 Fuller's London Pride…..
Out of this trio there was a clear winner and a clear loser:
Three Kings – smooth, good full-bodied flavour normally associated with the stronger beers. Nice.
Old Speckled Hen – light and refreshing, but with a harsh aftertaste. Not good.
London Pride – horrible. It says on the label 'outstanding' – that is a lie. Enough said.
Tonight's #decembeer offering, #19, has been staring at me from the shelves of Tesco since I spotted it on the first day of the month. I have up to today avoided the purchase. But thanks to some crafty marketing using the fabulous Rik Mayall I have succumb. Bang on!
We welcome Bombardier to the #decembeer family….
This beer is actually really nice: good flavour and really smooth. But what HAS put me off is the description of this one:
“Peppery aromas give way to the prefect balance of malty richness, tangy hops and sultana fruit on the palate, with a long, soft spicy finish”
It would seem that this beer has everything! I don't get the, “peppery aromas”, or the, “sultana fruit”, BUT I do get a bit of a “soft spicy finish”. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to work this beer tasting lark. Bang on!
The day began with a gentle 5km run around Burghley House dressed as Santa. And strangely enough I was not alone, in fact, around 700 other Santas were also going for a gentle 5km run….
No, this was not just a strange coincidence, but the annual Rotary Club of Stamford's Santa Run. 700 men, women and children dressed in ridiculous outfits, including incredibly itchy beards, and all in the aid of charity.
So today we actually have a reason to celebrate. Anyone fancy a beer? And so to #18 of #decembeer, from Oakham Ales…..Bishops Farewell….
NB: I had actually finished marking before opening
So, 18 beers down, and here is my opinion of Bishops Farewell:
This beer has a very distinct citrus aroma, I can definitely smell a bit of lime going on (I think).
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