They said there’ll be snow at Christmas
They said there’ll be peace on Earth
But instead it just kept on raining………
The above as you may well recognize are the opening lyrics to Greg Lake’s “I Believe in Father Christmas.” The former member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer wrote it in 1974 and although it is often categorised as a Christmas song I understand this was not his intention. Lake claims to have written the song in protest at the commercialisation of Christmas. He was clearly a good weather forecaster if not a songwriter.
It is a tradition amongst bloggers at this time of year to look back, not just at beers, but on all things related to beer; but as last year bollocks to all that. My simple list:
Best UK Cask Beer
Fyne Ales, Jarl (3.8%)
As I’ve banged on about in the past, it’s all well and good the blogosphere raving about ice- cream factory produced massive ABV concoctions and OTT hop bombs – but breweries and publicans who snub ‘accountant’ beers for these beers are ignoring the vast majority of ‘punters’ who simply want a decent pale and hoppy session beer. Jarl for me does this and in spades; it was my beer of 2010 and is so again this year.
To look at Jarl is unassuming; it’s a fairly thin beer with its golden straw tones appearing almost lager-like. However from the first whiff of lemons to the last sip this is a beer with a real, clean hop hit and pronounced hoppiness. It is incredibly refreshing and moreish. Hints of lemon, grapefruit and peach and the fruity, lightly bitter taste is perfect for a beer of its volume and style; fabulous stuff.
Best UK Bottled Beer
Buxton Brewery Axe Edge Double IPA (6.8%)
This is presently my go to bottled beer – it is now brewed with Citra, Amarillo and Nelson Sauvin hops. On tasting you get the whole range of the citrusy North American hop flavours and the gooseberry from the New Zealand Sauvin; lots of orange marmalade with other citrus and some floral notes and all on a rich sweet malt platform that also provides a great mouth feel Wonderful stuff!
Best UK Breweries
Last year I gave this to Marble Brewery on a beer only basis. This year I have again had a good number of Marble beers as they now appear occasionally on our guest ale programme at All Gates pubs; Pint, Manchester, Draft and Lagonda but to me they have lost something against where their beers were; maybe it’s just everyone else is catching them up. And come on lads sort your fecking website out!
So it’s back to my go to brewery – not just for their beer but for everything they do; no question, Dark Star; still doing great things after 18 years and setting the overall standard for micros that we should all aim for. Their Six Hop and American Pale Ale; great regular beers and also their specials; Kiwi in particular this year was just fabulous and Hophead is still my quaffing beer of choice. Honourable mentions to Buxton, Moor; bottles only tried so far, Magic Rock and also doing good things, Stringers and Summer Wine.
Pub of the Year
Need to get out more!
Beer Festival of the Year
Seeing we weren’t invited to the Indy – Man – Beer – Con as a brewery and that I didn’t manage to make it despite having a ticket for the Friday evening session and everyone has since been telling me what a great event I missed; The National Winter Ales Festival
Best Beer Blog
Reluctant Scooper – a fantastic and irreverent blog about beer, food and pubs.
That’s it; have a good one.
