With thanks to Boak & Bailey for the nudge (and allowing use of the image above), I’ve loosely based this list upon theirs – without the International beery aspect.

2021 has been another year where one took one’s beery pleasures where one could. There was the odd weekend trip, a number of pubs visited, but with my professional role being one where I couldn’t work from home, my trips out of an evening kind of ceased for long periods, public transport making me nervous of an evening – pre-outings LFT tests became a familiar ritual. Anyway. Here goes my best shot….

Beer of the Year (Draught) : Black IPA (Black Jack Beers) This award is spectacularly tricky. Like many, I haven’t drunk a vast amount in pubs. But one evening I had to wander out. I was going to my first concert (I’m old fashioned) since 2019. Caribou (as you’re asking). I stopped off in The Smithfield. For some cask Black Jack. And my eyes lit upon the Black IPA. It blew me away. Just rich enough. Superbly roasty. The hops were singing an aria. The bitterness was deliciously bracing. The beers coming from the kit that was installed earlier this year have been universally superb. I eagerly anticipated the new stuff. Look out for their beer in 2022, they’ll be going from strength to…. er…. strength.

Beer of the Year (Small Pack) : North Riding Brewery – Citra Pale. This award however, is anything but tricky. Straight outta Snainton (a small village just outside of Scarborough) come – for my money – some of the best beers in the UK. As good as the dark beers – brewed by the unassuming Stuart Neilson – are (You NEED Fudge Brownie Stout in your life), for me, it’s the Session Pales that bring me back, time and again. Mosaic & Cascade are both lovely things (award worthy themselves), but the Citra just….. I’m drooling just writing this. Sharp, beautifully citrussy and with a perfectly balanced bitterness. I adore Session Pales. And Stuart Neilson, quietly, is a bit of a master of them. (Divine on cask at the North Riding Brewpub this summer too!) [Try Also – Centennial – Mallinsons Brewery – Quite simply the most lovely demonstration of the lemony sherbet character of this most beautiful of hops. (Can’t get enough of it!)]

Pub of the Year : The Marble Arch – I’m not sure what can be said about “The Arch” that hasn’t already been said. Yes, it’s simply a beautiful edifice. Yes, there is beautiful beer within. Yes, the food is excellent (regular family Sunday Dinners…..). The staff are friendly. It just has everything I could possibly want in a pub. Apart from one minor detail. It isn’t next door to my house. Meeting my friends in The Arch is just the most natural thing in the world.

Brewery of the Year : Marble Brewery – This (as in every year other than last) comes down to whose beers have I drunk most. And that’s Marble. Great session Pales (Arm Bar was a revelation), the mighty Lagonda, Stout (which I have been much enamoured with this year) up to the magnificent Annual Releases (had a full 660ml bottle of delicious Decadence 2021 on Xmas eve – Sharing bottle my ass – simply beautiful beers. Consistently so. And rarely an adjunct in sight. (Runner Up – Black Jack Beers : Big things expected in 2022)

Best Taproom : Double Barrelled – Quite simply, just beautifully done, from conception to execution. Great beer, in great surroundings. And managed to get here with friends (2 for the first time – they loved it too). Mike & Luci should take a well deserved bow. Reading, when combined with visits to Elusive & Siren at Finchampstead – as we did – makes for a great beery weekend. Go try.

Best Collaboration Beer : Antigoon – Neepsend x Blue Bee Brewery – Possibly my favourite beer from #VISBF2. A beautifully rich, roasty and dry Farmhouse Stout, fermented with Saison yeast. I was determined to have both these breweries involved and was chuffed when they agreed to collaborate. This beer ticked all of my beer boxes. Simply outstanding. And not a grain of lactose in sight. Trust me, both breweries will be at #ISBF7 next year!

Er.. That’s it. Brief and to the point. And therefore so very unlike me.

Here’s looking forward to seeing some of you in pubs during 2022. And keep your eyes peeled for announcements re #ISBF7 and further #ISBFHeroes events – coming soon!

Be kind to one another. Jim x

This week, I’ve buried a colleague. I’ve also lost a friend. The latter to Covid. So I crave your forgiveness if I get a little emotional. But some things can not pass without comment.

Now then. We all have opinions. Mine are certainly no more valid than most. And I completely ‘get’ that his business depends on pubs staying open. And as ‘unrestricted’ as possible. I’m not unaware of the struggles of the hospitality sector. But – of all breweries in the North, Lees are hardly poverty stricken.

https://beersmanchester.co.uk/index.php/2018/04/03/the-vultures-are-circling/I might have a modicum of sympathy for Mr Lees if he wasn’t an active member of the SBDRC, looking to reduce the tax relief to small breweries, to reduce the competition by lobbying the Government via several interlinked cabals (SBDRC, BBPA etc). (Multiple blog posts on this site, here, here, here, here, here & here) Jesus may weep. But I won’t.

Posturing. Pandering to the burning torch ‘anti-everything’ brigade. By symbolically ‘barring’ people who will never appear within a hundred yards of a Lees pub. To amuse Lockdown sceptics. Covidiots. “Freedom” Warriors. It’s pathetic. Sickening. Gives succour to the mask dodgers. Legitimacy to habitual naysayers.

During. A. Public. Health. Crisis.

Are these the actions of a responsible man?

As a drinker, as an individual, if you deal with this company, I’m out.

Stay safe. Have a lovely festive season. Jx

“…..I’ve learnt today, while falling apart,
The most eloquent way, to speak or to pray,
Is straight from the heart.

Oh but to shine like Joan of Arc,
You must be prepared to burn.” Green Isaac – Prefab Sprout

I’ll be the first in line when it comes to criticising Breweries and Pubs with regard to their communication. Both with emails and social media. To be frank, the majority are quite, quite shit at it. I know. I “organise” a beer festival. And can wait weeks for a reply.

So. It’s refreshing when a hospitality business gets things right. In terms of clarity of message. Like below.

What this position does, is stepping ahead of – “fluid” and that’s being kind – Government policy. Which is not really anything. Pushing the responsibility onto Jo Public. Personal responsibility. Which, in light of the multiple violations of Lockdown by Government and their direct public servants – carry little weight.

So. The Marble Arch. One of the best pubs in the UK (IMO obviously). The management decided to revert to the policy they had following the last Lockdown. Face coverings on entry and when when moving about the pub. Reverting to – rather excellent – table service.

Cue the rabid “Freedom Warriors”. Many of whom didn’t even seem to be from the Manchester area. Ranting. Raging. Moaning.

Now. The good thing was that they were in the minority. The vast majority of the responses praised the actions of the pub. But some, a few…… I despair.

Now then. If you choose NOT to wear a face covering. If you don’t like that policy, you have the (precious) freedom to not frequent that venue. There are lots of pubs in Manchester. Many of which may not adopt such a policy. But, at a time when hiring staff in hospitality is – to put it mildly – difficult, I think that to protect your staff is, quite simply, responsible. It’s just COMMON SENSE. Especially if those staff are working their backs out. Stressed. Which brings me to the real kicker……

One of the staff put a post on her personal twitter account. That she was struggling. Potential nervous breakdown was mentioned. Echoing the feelings of many in hospitality. That they are struggling. Working under pressure. Not knowing if they are even going to be working soon – given Government indecision and toadying to their lunatic fringes.

Then a response was posted. I won’t publish the account. It would only give that “person” the oxygen of publicity (apologies for the Thatcher quote). But that post, referring to Mental Breakdown, commented “Hurry Up”.

Is this where we are at? That there are some sick bastards who think that the anonymity of a SM account means that they can say something so potentially harmful?

Not in my world. That’s simply beyond the pale.

I’m no shrinking violet. My hide is fairly tough. It has had to be over the last few years. I challenge this shit. And the strange thing is, they rarely come back. They are shithouses. Keyboard Warriors. Not a shred of empathy. Morally bankrupt.

And don’t get me started about Covidiots wanting a business to go bankrupt. (Yes. There was more than one of those.)

These people have families. Bills to pay. Feed themselves. Employees that depend upon them. The least they can ask is to not be subject to abuse. To be shouted at across the bar.

Grow up.

You have your politics. Your precious idea of “freedom”. Your whacked out opinions. With zero scientific basis. Keep them to yourself. Or your little closed circuit of mutual permanent disgruntlement.

The rest of us will continue to treat people with respect. Like decent humans do.

Empathy. Get some.

“Welcome to the garden of earthly delights.
Welcome to a billion Arabian Nights.
This is your life and you do what you want to do,
This is your life and you spend it all.
This is your life and you do what you want to do,
Just don’t hurt nobody,
And the big reward’s here,
In the garden of earthly delights. “XTC – “Garden of Earthly Delights” (For Les OG)

Foresight. Perseverance. Bravery. All qualities that I admire in people. Especially in the beer industry. In particular at the retail, “on sale” side of “the game”.

One of the things that has been most pleasing – personally – is the opening of micro bars outside of Manchester, within “easy” reach from my location. Think Bunbury’s, Northern Type, House of Hops & – most pertinently for this piece – The Nook & Cranny in Bromley Cross. All warm and welcoming. All with exceptionally good beer. All, very much, a community venue. Justly popular. Pulling in a devoted local following. Very much proof of the maxim “If you build it, they will come”.

It has been a delight to see these venues come through to the other side of Pandemic restrictions, flexing, doing what was necessary just to get by. And deepening their local ties, strengthening their connections to their local following.

What was a surprise to hear – confidentially – some months ago, was of a possibility of an addition to The Nook & Cranny outlet. The identification of a possible outlet in Harwood was exciting. And incredibly bold and brave from owners Craig & Jimmy. Faith in the concept of what they do. A classy little bar is The Nook.

I was also invested in this.

When asking for Beer & Cider Sponsors for #VISBF2, Jimmy floated the idea of Glassware Sponsorship. I was delighted. When you look at the lineage of sponsors of the Glassware since ISBF2 (Heaton Hops, The Brink, Torrside, Northern Type & House of Hops) the fit was obvious. And I loved the – for me – local link.

I was also thrilled that they wanted the Glassware for the new bar. Which told me – firmly – that this bar was going to happen. Just needed to get through the licensing application process. Not always that simple

I saw the above piece in the local paper. And messaged my congratulations via DM. I’ve been in regular communication with the fellas recently with regards to those pretty glasses. And was hugely looking forward to grab a draught beer in one! I was told opening was planned for 3rd December.

I was VERY pleasantly surprised to find myself and my dear friend (and Nook & Cranny devotee) Mike, outside the bar the night before. Having a little shufty. And a beer. Surrounded by family and friends of Craig & Jimmy. Just a little test run.

It’s safe to say that they have hit an absolute HOME RUN with this place.

It’s a much larger space that the original iteration of the Bromley Cross bar. A really decent space. A single room, cleverly sub divided into distinct areas with a variety of seating options. High seating, lower seating, bench seating in diagonally opposite corners.

It’s just…. So classy. In keeping with both the location and what Craig & Jimmy embody. What they themselves like. Comfortable, warm tones, good beer (initially 14 keg lines with three cask – and plenty of room to expand that offering as they move forward. A spacious “cellar” being evidence of that), REALLY friendly and welcoming staff too. And – I know this might sound weird – the loveliest pub toilets I’ve been in for YEARS!

The beers that I had were lovely. A Wily Fox Porter on cask was extremely well kept, in great condition and very tasty indeed. Personal highlights were Hibernation Pale Ale from Abbeydale and (same brewery) in particular the Salvation, Sea Salt & Caramel Stout on keg. Safe to say that I had more than one of that Stout. It was absolutely delicious. Rich, creamy, a lick of salt. It was like a liquidised Cadbury’s Caramel chocolate bar. Yum.

In no way does it surprise me that Craig & Jimmy have nailed this place. If you’ve ever been to its sister bar in Bromley Cross, you’d know what to expect. I’m just excited to see this bar develop. To witness the possibilities of this bigger space. (That elevated space with the Xmas Tree simply SCREAMS performing space)

The Nook coming to Harwood gives Harwood two or three places worthy of a visit. (The close by “House Without A Name” is a lovely pub itself.)

But – and it’s safe to say this – this bar is a major addition to the area. And is more than worth jumping the 273 or 507 bus from Bolton Interchange.

Fellas. You done good. Damn good. Take a bow.

I’ll be back. That’s for certain.

Back soon. Be nice to one another. Jx

The Britons Protection. Those who know it, get it. For those who don’t, it is – as a pub – one of the most beautiful I’ve ever entered.

It’s that special.

I’ve been going in there, periodically, for over 35 years now. It’s a thing of absolute beauty.

One of the oldest pubs in the city center, it bore witness to The notorious Peterloo Massacre of 1819 and is said to have been “used as a refuge by folk escaping the attentions of recruiters for the Napoleonic War” hence the name.

“…. has stood proudly I on the corner of Gt Bridgewater Street and Lower Mosley Street since 1806….”

But, if developers get their another edifice of concrete and glass may be on its way, stealing the light.

If planning is approved for this…. Please click and read.

Quote “…. We have been working with our leading Manchester-based team to design a scheme which will complement the neighbouring buildings – including the much-loved Briton’s Protection ……” I nearly choked on my beer! And the next absolute zinger?

“… Throughout the design process we’ve been focussed on designing an ambitious yet complementary scheme…..” Now I don’t know about you, but “complementary”? DOES THAT LOOK COMPLEMENTARY??? IT’S A PUB SANDWICH!!!

Not only is it YET another “monstrous carbuncle” (©Charles Windsor) on the face of this beautiful and historic city (and mere yards from The Hacienda of my distant youth) it’s a desecration of this historic area.

Every time I come into the city, it seems that there is something new blocking out someone’s sunlight, as the city increasingly sells off and loses its history. I’m truly not against progress. I’m not a against the city growing, prospering.

But not at any price. Not when the truly beautiful architecture and history of this city is dwarfed like so many Liliputian huts, surrounded by titanic expanses of glass and concrete.

I have absolutely no personal concept as to how they shoehorn THAT thing onto that corner and leave the pub on place. I just can’t see it. But what I can currently see is this….

This truly is one of Manchester’s most beautiful pubs. I can’t write much more, I’m trying to calm down from #VISBF2 and didn’t expect to get so pissed off. Please, please, PLEASE check out the consultation, object, push this idea back to the little corner of capital and concrete Hell from which it must have emanated.

This isn’t about improving or enhancing Manchester. It’s about naked greed. Greed that could lead to the wiping out of another piece of true Mancunian beauty, history and culture.

We can’t let that happen.

Back soon. Honest. Jx

Be kind to one another.

Sometimes, it’s nice not to organise something. To ride on someone’s coat tails. Just follow.

So, on Saturday, it was rather lovely for TLO and I to ride in the slipstream of Les (who isn’t called Les), Jock (who isn’t called Jock) and Steve (who, disappointingly for poetic continuity, is actually called Steve) 😁

The trip was going to take in my favourite brewery tap, everyone’s favourite beer man and one of my favourite pubs in the UK. And 4 hours of train. To Wokingham.

Where? I hear you ask! The closest town to Finchampstead. And…

Ahhhh…… Elusive. And “The Nicest Man in Beer ™” Mr Andrew Parker.

Now then, I’ve shovelled grain on a few occasions at this exceptional (and – topically – AWARD WINNING) brewery. But had never had a beer in the tap room. The joys of the Pandemic eh?

We made up for it.

You might as well not talk about the beer we drank. Other than Oregon Trail – natch.

Lots of breweries get reams of text spaffed on them in Fan Homage. Well, if you don’t think that Andy’s brewery isn’t up there, you don’t know beer. I’ll die on that hill. I’ve been ranting to anyone within Twitter reach about Oregon Trail. Simply the most delicious and drinkable West Coast IPA. And when people drink it, they get it.

And the same can be said for all of the Elusive beers I’ve had over the years. Other than T*t* Lyric quotes. That was a low point. (And he thought I wouldn’t notice….) Bless The Rains indeed……

Did I mention the complete power outage across the district? No?

Simply put, just magnificent beer. Even better service. Ruth is an absolute ⭐. The whole set up is small, but oh so perfectly formed. And they coped with that power outage amazingly well! You really ought to get here. We stayed till closing. And when Ruth and team were closing up, we nipped 50 yards across the road.

To Siren Tap.

Yes. You read right. Almost a triple jump away….

Again, superb beer. This taproom is a bit like a micropub built as an extension on to the old brewery. More delicious beer was drunk. Don’t ask for details, I was beyond recording & recall. But it’s a lovely spot, with plentiful greenery for the kids to have a play while you enjoy delicious brewery fresh beer.

Loads of space for seating indoors – should the elements conspire. We were lucky, twas a lovely day.

There may have been a couple of ill advised pints back in Wokingham. The Crispin – for one – was a lovely pub with a fine pint of cask and a lovely beer garden arrangement mere seconds from the hotel….

The next day, not quite bushy of tail, we headed into Reading for another double header that I was really looking forward to…

Now then. I’ve been to a few brewery taps. But this place grabbed me from the off the first time I went to Reading. One that will linger long in my memory if not Malcolm’s…. 🤣. To put it bluntly, Double Barreled is my favourite Brewtap. A quite magnificent space that was planned alongside the brewery build.

12 lines of direct draw. Cans in the “fridge, chilled direct from the cold store. All the details thought of, considered and done….

I’m a confirmed fan of DB beers. The Parka Pale was juicy and soft, full of flavour. The Ding Pilsner was crisp, light and refreshing. Both came with their own logoed glasses…..

I even enjoyed a Sorachi Pale (words that predictive text will NEVER connect on my sentences) and thought I would write that before one of the fellowship tried to “beer shame” me. A rare occurrence. Still believe that Sorachi belongs in Stouts though…. 😁

Luci & Mike have expanded operations considerably since my last visit and can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved.

I love this place. Grabbed some cans to reminisce with. Including the Punnet fruit sour which some of my co-travellers cooed over….

It’s not often that I spend five hours in a Brewtap, but was lovely seeing the Divine Mr Parker (even without “Supergran”) and ace talking with Luci & Mike. This is a brilliant space, just outside Reading centre.

Just go. And afterwards, follow our tracks…. To….

Weekends away. Something that we lost. Fresh sea air, laughter with friends you haven’t seen in person in over 2 years. Lockdowns can have that effect on your social life. But sometimes, opportunities arrive (and are inspired) at the strangest times.

This one was in the immediate aftermath of the #ISBFHeroes4 event. And a chat with my dear friends Mike & Jo. About the ISBF Heroes 4 playlist. It went something like…..

“Have you ever been to…….? No? Well then…..back in a few minutes…… What dates are you available?……

I know that I’ve said this before, but the North Riding Brewpub in Scarborough is one of my happy places. A place of some very special memories for both myself and TLO. Lovely evenings before our world inverted, evenings of healing afterwards. Healing, via the sweet balm of great beer and lovely, friendly people.

A combination of destination pub and Local. With the added bonus of a 2bbl brewery in the cellar. A cask range showcasing beers from both downstairs and the “Factory” (North Riding Brewery – for me, my favourite cask brewery). A keg range from some of the best in the country (including a dedicated Kernel line…..). The beer is exceptional. But – for me – as fabulous as that is, the attraction is the people.

And Karen & Stuart Neilson are good people.

TLO and I got to Scarbados via 4 trains. Owing to line works between Leeds & York we had to travel via Sheffield (Bolton to Mcr. Mcr to Sheffield. Sheffield to York. York to Scarbados.

The juice is always worth the squeeze.

The weather forecast was unspeakably shit.

What do forecasters know eh?

Walking into the pub, a masked figure wrapped TLO in a bear hug. Oh how we’ve missed Karen. Force of nature meets pub owner meets one of the best custodians of cask conditioned beer in the country. She’s a bit beyond description. She’s a sweetie.

Walking into the bar, John & Caroline (also over from God’s own county) were already in situ. Looking content. Beer was ordered. Fellow travellers Mike, Jo & Jock soon sat with us. And whilst it would be easy to extol the exceptional beer lists (the beers WERE fabulous – lists below), it’s always the people that make the evening.

Conversations had me in tears of laughter and joy. I’ll never think of Andy Williams in the same way again! All regulations were in place and adhered to. Some beautiful doggos visited. Chats with locals across tables. Service was fabulous and attentive (with Karen in charge, I never doubted). We polished off beers. The lists changed….

Next morning, an invigorating stroll along the length of the North Bay prom….

After a wander around town (Mike & Jo watched a pod of Dolphins and schlepped up to Scarborough Castle!) we headed back to the pub to plan food (a monstrous kebab delivery from the excellent La Unica) whilst I had another “appointment” with the rather gorgeous Barleywine……

The struggle to hire staff in hospitality was borne out by Karen having to run everything herself. Pour, serve, collect, clean. Having a chat with her later, I got a clear sense of frustration. Something that tallies with a lot that I’m hearing about hiring staff in the industry.

But she did a belting job. She always does.

More exceptional beers flowed. More Elusive / North Riding “Spin Wizard”. More Marble / North Riding “Silly Point”. The introduction of “Bitter Summat” by Five Towns went down well. As did the Peasholm Pale brewed in the cellar. There might have been more of that Kernel East India Porter…

But beer. It’s not everything is it?

This weekend was about being with friends. Walking. Talking. Listening. Laughing (occasionally uncontrollably – I’ll never think of Andy Williams in the same way again! Repeated for emphasis…) . Thank you Jock, Jo, Mike, Caroline & John. So much.

And also about being in one of my happiest of places. With two lovely people. Karen & Stuart.

In one of the best pubs in the country. The North Riding Brewpub. If you’ve never been, then you should.

You can thank me later.

Back soon. Jx

This blog used to be about beers at home – mostly. It was built on such posts over a number of years. Indeed, the first post (about 9 years ago) was a stumbling thing written about Hobson’s Brewery “Twisted Spire”, a beer I love on draught.

But about 2 or so years ago, all that dropped off. My focus being devoted almost wholly to ISBF – especially once it moved to Hemsley House and really took off.

There were times when I would be sent beer to try (to be absolutely clear, I NEVER asked for beer. Never) and those occasions were always a pleasant surprise. But – from the very start of the blog – I had a very simple rule. A “prime objective” if you will….

I would only write about something if I really enjoyed it.

But – like I said earlier – I kind of fell away from reviews.

Then, last month, a lovely message popped into my DMs. Did I fancy some beers from someone new………

Well. What’s a boy to say? “Rhetorical Question”? Bears and woods?

Then a box of 12 beers turned up. From gwei-lo Brewing. A Hong Kong brewery looking to do stuff over here. Brewing with people like Vocation & Fierce. I did the decent thing and shared some with friends (which – to be fair – the accompanying message encouraged) saving some for myself. But with shed loads of beers left from #VISBF, it took awhile to get to them….

I wish I’d tried them sooner…..

I ❤️ Hong Kong NEIPA – 4.9% abv (Brewed with Behemoth of New Zealand)

Aroma. Intense and juicy. Peach, Apricot and Mandarin sweet orange. Like the nasal equivalent of MSG, seriously salivating at this. And I’m not a NE style lover.

Give me a West Coast IPA and I’m a happy rabbit. But that smell, juicy and gently floral is drawing me in….

As full bodied and creamy a mouthfeel as you would expect from the style. Again, peachy stone fruit to the fore, kiwi and even a little green grape. Really fruity and juicy with some orange citrus notes in a dry finish.

A really enjoyable example of a NE style beer.

Sudoku – Golden Stout – 6% abv (Fierce)

Love the can wrap! Never having had a Golden Stout, I kind of didn’t know what to expect.

Amber / Gold in colour, putting my nose to the glass, I wasn’t expecting like a toffee coffee aroma, yes, vanilla toffee. Suitably intrigued, I moved to second base and tilted the glass to my now eager mouth.

Mmmmm……. Maltesers! Perfectly carbonated,, first impressions at on the tongue was honeycomb, coated in chocolate. Second mouthful, still that Maltesers thing going on, but with a smooth roast coffee coming to the fore. I knew there was something else….. those caramel biscuits you get with a coffee! Mmmmm………

Smooth this. Very smooth. And bloody lovely.

Finished lovely too, with that roasty coffee toffee thing augmented with a subtle bitterness. This is one seriously lovely surprise. Didn’t know what to expect, but I certainly didn’t think I’d enjoy this SO MUCH. Lovely stuff. And – I really hate to long for pubs – this would be gorgeous on cask. Chapeau…..

Seeker – DIPA – 8.5% abv (Fierce)

Love the can wrap (again!) Being a DIPA, had more of a clue with this mix golden, slightly hazy, beer. The nose test bringing bucket loads of tropical fruity stuff, kiwi, passion fruit and no small amount of pineapple. Been a while since I’ve salivated like this – and DIPAs are hardly a go-to for me….

For an 8.5% beer, this is drinkably light. Peachy is the first thought, nice soft stone fruit with passion fruit sweetness bolted on.

Then comes – unsurprisingly, with Nelson, – a gooseberry hit, that subtle tartness to balance the slight sweetness. This – again – is lovely.

There is a balance to this which just lifts it compared to many DIPAs I’ve had. It’s plentifully hopped, but avoids any of the hop burn and astringency that can come with “too much”.

Oh this is lovely. And so drinkable. At 8.5%, dangerously so. With a very gentle, barely percept able, subtle bitterness in the finish.

I like this. A lot.

For Fig Sake! – Stout – 8% abv (Fierce)

Now this. THIS is MY kind of view!

Pouring almost an oily black, the slick falling from the can, this had me drooling as it poured.

The nose test? Gentle roast and vine fruits. More than enough to draw this lover of the #DarkSide right into the deep end. With this, I’ll sink or swim. My kind of trial by ordeal.

In the mouth? Sorry. Can’t speak. Too busy partying……

Chocolate fruit cake. Need I say more? Luscious. Rich. Chocolatey. Yummy.

Full bodied. Beautifully so. Rich and chocolatey flavour and mouthfeel, slowly revealing the fruity fig thing going on. Like a combo of chocolate cake and Christmas pud, but without the hideous spicing (bite me Chrimbo lovers!)

I could drink this beauty still night. And get beautifully hammered. But I won’t. It’s a school night. But Christ this is one seductive beer.

It finishes as it starts. Like a Hot Chocolate gone cold. But deliciously so, with a lingering dry cocoa finish.

I could fall in love with this. I want more.

So. What did I expect from these beers? Not a lot. A brewery from abroad trying to make a splash. I kind of expected something above competence. 3 of these were brewed at Fierce. And that is normally a guarantee. Fierce are damn good.

What I got were two really good beers, excellent really (the NEIPA and the DIPA) making me enjoy styles I ordinarily wouldn’t.

But the two “Stouts”. Oh my. For me, exceptional.

I mean, I could happily drink the Pales all night. But I’d BATHE in the Stouts. They were that good.

Back soon. With lots of ISBF goodness (on THAT website) and more of this kind of thing too.

Stay safe. Jx

There really is no requirement to harp on and overstate the obvious. Yes, this year really has been “different”, but I started this blog back in 2011 to be positive about beery things.

And I’m not about to change now. Let’s go.

Pub of the Year – The Marble Arch : It wins cause it is. It wins because it’s the pub I’ve visited most often. It wins because it was the first pub to be visited by my Grandson (before his first birthday – he stared upwards, admiring the ceiling I like to think). It wins because it’s the most beautiful pub, with exceptional beer and even better staff. Chapeau.

Brewtap of the Year – Marble : Manchester has had it hard this year. But the biggest ray of sunshine broke through the Rainy City clouds on 4th July (Yes, it would have to be THAT date) when Marble tentatively re-opened their brew tap on Kansas Avenue in Salford. Friends gathered. Laughed. Took joy in the physical (rather than pixellated) sight of faces. Laughter without broadband fails. Impromptu tasting sessions. Hooray for Gazebos! (Manchester/Salford = Rain. Natch). The beer was exceptional too, needless to say.

Lockdown Heroes – Cloudwater : In March, about a week before lockdown, I rather stupidly sent out the initial invites to breweries for #ISBF7. And as I started to received replies a few days later, an impending sense of dread started to penetrate, take root. The replies which contained the phrase “if we survive…”. Then, real team working started to kick in. The Haves sharing with the Have Nots. I clearly remember RTing messages from Jan Rogers at Marble, advising breweries as to who to contact re VAT and Beer Duty help. Grants and the like. But still I fretted about some of my favourites. The likes of Squawk, Runaway and others. Then another of the “Haves” stepped up. Cloudwater. Inviting breweries to list their beers on their webshop, using their established webshop and distribution to get the product of others out. It was – undoubtedly – a lifeline, giving those breweries times to set up their own websales and made survival more likely. Chapeau.

Collab of the Year – Blended Chocolate Porter & Ginger : Marble Brewery / North Riding Brewery : Putting two of my favourite breweries together for #ISBF7 was a bit of a dream for me. The idea for the beer was Stuart Neilson’s (harking back to blending Marble Chocolate & Ginger in a pub, 15 years earlier). That they managed to pull off such an idea in amongst the chaos of autumn 2020 – especially for #VISBF was humbling. The blend of chocolaty sweetness and the warmth of the Ginger was – for me – perfectly judged. An achievement in so many ways.

Beer of the Year : In a beery sense, my heart yearns for darkness. Sit me down in a warm pub – with friends – and a nice pint of Cask Conditioned Mild, Porter or Stout and I’m in one of my happier places. But, in a positive sense, this year surprised me. I found myself drinking copious amounts of Pilsner and Helles (Marble’s “American Pilsner” being a regular), and paler beers – especially West Coast IPAs – grabbed my attention. Ultimately, the choice came down to a choice from 3 beers that made the greatest impact. “Tawny” from Marble (for me, the best of the Retro releases), “Ageless” by Redwillow and “Oregon Trail” by Elusive. And – fine be the margins – it comes down to that most important (and unknowable of factors) “Time & Place”. That being a holiday with family and friends in the time between Lockdowns. In Devon. And a case of beers ordered from Finchampstead. Oregon Trail gets that nod. An exceptional beer. Chapeau Mr Parker.

Brewery of the Year – This was another close run thing. So much so, that it came down to the release of a single beer amongst many. I love new beers. But what I love even more is the continued production of Core beers amongst the new stuff. Relentless excellence. For me, this year, the balance of my choice was tipped by the release of a Cider Saison. An exceptional Cider Saison. Fabulous Lagers, brilliant Pales, Ryes, Black IPA (and a brilliant Blackberry Saison for #VISBF), Chapeau Redwillow.