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.

“Wake up everybody no more sleepin’ in bed
No more backward thinkin’ time for thinkin’ ahead…..”

Hello. It’s been a long couple of months since the last blog post – that’s what running #VISBF does for you.

Every year, the blog has to go into a form of premature hibernation to facilitate the event – multi-tasking ain’t my thing…. and I normally give it a month before I dip my toes back in those shark infested waters. So it kind of surprised me when I felt the itch this morning.

It doesn’t surprise me that it’s a musical itch.

Music is a very personal thing. I am a bit of a musical omnivore, for me to be engaged, to buy in, a tune or song needs to move me. On an emotional or technical level. But mostly emotional.

Music is my crutch. It’s what keeps me moving. Something that I know I’ve said before in this space, but it remains true. It’s MY truth.

There is no telling as to what may move me. It could be something melodic, rhythmic, a line in a song that suddenly reduces me to a sobbing wreck. Anything. From “The Bottle” by Gil Scott-Heron, through “Johnny Was” by Stiff Little Fingers; “Stay” by Bowie to “1 Thing” by Amerie, I’m open to surprise and I frequently am.

But for a song to send a message, resonate and truly move me is something else. Something different. Which brings me to repeated listening to the classic “Wake Up Everybody” by Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes.

I’m a child of punk, post-punk and New Wave music. I was 11 when punk hit, back on the summer of 76 with a wall of noise, incoherence and snot. Snarling and raging. As an 11 year old, I dived in, attending my first gig in October 79 (The Damned at Mcr Apollo). But my early listening was more diverse, Motown, Northern Soul, Bowie, Bolan, Zeppelin.

But of all genres, I’ve always been drawn to soul. It’s there, in that word, Soul. It says it all. It encompasses feeling, emotion, consideration, compassion and – at base level – movement, dancing, letting go.

If pushed, I would say that my favourite artist of all time is Curtis Mayfield. The musical personification of consciousness. Yes, “Black Consciousness”. But I’m not Afro-American. I’ve not had those historical struggles. But Curtis told me through his songs. Go listen for yourself (Start with “Roots”), I mean “Move on Up” it’s known, but go dig. You’ll be rewarded.

But back to “Wake Up Everybody”. There are some magnificent songs in The Bluenotes canon. I mean “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”? Stone. Cold. Classic. Deny that and you’re lost, truly lost.

But this.

“Wake up all the teachers time to teach a new way
Maybe then they’ll listen to whatcha have to say
‘Cause they’re the ones who’s coming up and the world is in their hands
When you teach the children teach em the very best you can…..”

Verse after verse after verse. There’s a truth. A message. Written by McFadden/Whitehead & Carstappen, this is a world away from “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, this is a lyrical work of genius whose relevance was huge back in 1975, but that pertinence is only elevated in 2020. 45 whole years later. And it’s Teddy Pendergrass’ finest moment.

“The world won’t get no better
If we just let it be
The world won’t get no better
We gotta change it yeah,
Just you and me”

In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, I remember listening to a powerful playlist dj’d by DJ Jazzy Jeff and thinking how well the song fit amongst amongst the other songs and raps of protest at injustice and state violence. But – listening to it alongside the likes of “What’s Going On” & “Inner City Blues” – it struck me how little the sentiments in the song had dated. Unlike (IMO) the other two colossal tunes.

The other thing that struck me was that this song works as a timeless hymn against injustice and intolerance on all levels. Pointing out that there is a way to something better. If we work together. And never stop.

“Wake up all the builders time to build a new land
I know we can do it if we all lend a hand…”

Music is intensely personal. It’s like beer in the respect that you like what you like and should be able to without derision (unless it’s “A****a” by T*t* – some records are truly criminal). I don’t expect many will share my love of this.

But it’s my truth. This song moves me on ways no other does.

Is it wrong to be in love with a song?

27th September 2016. 4:43pm.

Some details you never, ever, forget.

I’d just got off the bus from work. I was in the lead up to #ISBF3 – merely 2 weeks away in fact – and I was in a direct message conversation with a lovely lady about beer supply. (I retain the conversation – it’s an inextricable PART of me now)

5 minutes later, beer didn’t matter. I was vainly trying to resuscitate my son.

I have a notoriously poor memory for detail. But some things….. They just burn in, you know.

In just over 2 weeks, it will be four years.

These images are taken from an event I attended last night, hosted by START Inspiring Minds (the charity partners of #ISBF6 & #VISBF) at the rear of Salford City Hall. To commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day.

Because suicide IS preventable.

As someone who suffers ill mental health – and a survivor of bereavement by suicide (I believe that is the correct term) – I’m acutely aware of the impact that isolation can have on the psyche. That is one of the key factors (for me at least) in the lead up to clinical depression, self – isolating. Wearing that mask that everything is “normal”. When it’s not. It’s FAR from normal. And isolating yourself, hiding those feelings and thoughts, feels so, SO easy….

……. So much easier than talking.

And one of the lessons HAMMERED home (to me) last night was that talking. About suicide. About the darkness that is felt. And that talking is two way. Sometimes it needs initiating by a family member, by a friend. It’s SO ******g hard. But it’s so right. It can save lives.

I’m a talker. “No shit, Sherlock” my friends would say. But talking is what gets me through. It’s what I know works. It certainly works for me. And it was one of the key themes from last night. The statistics are grim – and judging from the local names commemorated last night, they’re not just men of a certain age. The number of women shocked me – but lives can be saved.

Another key theme was the stigma attached to suicide. The shame attached to thoughts of “the act” rendering people unable to talk about how they feel. But confronting how you feel, talking with someone (be it Samaritans, START, CALM, or a friend or family member) is the start. The start of learning how to want to live.

Shit. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t have many at all. If I did, that gobby little handsome git, that talented, giving left wingback would be asleep upstairs now. And yes, it goes without saying that I miss him every day. That hurt never leaves you.

But I don’t want that feeling again. Another part of my heart closed off, because a friend chooses the same path. Trust me, you wouldn’t want that either.

So talk. And listen. And talk again. These life skills are SO underrated. And so bloody important.

Last night won’t heal me. But I was astonished by the power. The power of words. In poetry, in song, in speeches. It was, quite simply, a magnificent event, put together by Bernadette and the team at START.

Powerful enough to drag these words out of me.

If you are in a dark place – and I know that some are – there are resources available. People you can speak to. When I notice a friend – or acquaintance – struggling, my number is proffered. And that’s not something I do lightly. But, you know what, I’d rather get that call at whatever time, than the possible alternative.

Don’t suffer in silence.

“Because We Are Your Friends. You’ll Never Be Alone Again……..”

I said I was done with SBR. But that is the final paragraph of an email sent to CAMRA branches, signed by Gillian Hough – Chair of Real Ale, Cider & Perry Campaigns on 12th August.

Hindsight. It’s a truly wonderful thing. As is proof reading. And brain storming. Because that one paragraph didn’t half cause some consternation. Amongst both members and those – like me – who (generally) consider themselves as allies. And – in my case – have been forward and passionate in defence of Small Brewers Duty Relief.

The whole thing was cack handed. It amounted to censorship of individuals. Something that can never be tolerated. And wasn’t, with a number of people resigning their memberships in anger. Just one of a number of recent faux pas (I won’t screen shot an image of “The Glass”) that reinforces the negative view  that some of the beer commentariat have about CAMRA. And yet, whilst indeed “wince inducing”, CAMRA HQ – even in their St Albans ivory tower – are not above the odd volte face.

What that initial email provoked was a bout of “fence sitting” and the restatement of a belief (by some) that CAMRA HQ (which should be regarded as a different beast from individual branches) was “in the pay” of some of the breweries that comprise the SBDRC. An unfortunate image indeed.

What the Government announced a couple of weeks ago has – by some ‘fence sitters” been viewed as a consultation on the proposals. It is definitely NOT that at all. It is  to discuss how the proposals are to be implemented.

How. Not “if”.

This needs to focus minds. Yes, as some have pointed out, people (myself included) have focused on the drop in duty relief (PLEASE use the correct taxation term. Not the SBDRC spin of “discount” or “reduction”. Stop. That. Shit. Now.) and ranted less on the conversion of the remaining relief to a “cash basis”. But no, that hasn’t been overlooked. And it IS an important detail of the review. But, get a grip of this. There is no “wait and see” about this. If you do that, you are – in my eyes – complicit in the destruction of livelihoods and Brewing businesses.

Personally – and this IS my personal opinion – there is (and never has been) room for “fence sitting” on this debate. Never been time to “wait and see” how the “review” pans out. The review has been completed! The time to act was 2.5 years ago. Do you think that the SBDRC were “waiting to see” how this review panned out. No. They were burrowing into Government.

I strongly suspected that they spent their time networking politicians. And if you want an influencer on your side, you want the biggest. How I wish I’d made the link between Rupert Thompson and Government. Realised that his MP was THE most influential Government figure, Michael Gove. I doff my cap to Keith Flett for the above piece.

Those calling for boycotts of SBDRC members products have been ridiculed as being “over the top”. I haven’t advocated that. I’ve been doing it for nearly 3 years. I’ve never understood the love in with breweries like Harvey’s, Fullers & Lees that some have indulged in. This recent love affair with “Traditional” Bitter and those that brew it. This attachment to Family breweries. Those same big breweries are those attacking smaller Micros. They are the enemy. Recognise that or don’t. But they are.

Back to CAMRA HQ.

The above missive was a welcome flip on the previous mess. It is clear. This is the start of CAMRA campaigning for choice. And the support of CAMRA – the focus and the weight that it can bring – is vital. It’s easy – and incredibly lazy – to treat CAMRA as an Aunt Sally, to beat with a stick when you hear something you don’t like. If you don’t recognise the influence and power that CAMRA can bring to bear – when engaged and focused – then you are a fool. If you don’t recognise the impact that CAMRA has had on beer worldwide, then you are equally foolish.

Read the above. That was emailed to those who signed the petition to reverse the changes to SBR. The language lifted and shifted from SBDRC propaganda. Swallowed by the Treasury. Hook. Line. Sinker.

If you had any doubt about what it going to happen, then that should remove the blinkers.

This fight for the future of beer is here (not the past – represented by the self-interested, profit hungry members of the SBDRC and IFBB (Independent Family Brewers of Britain). It is happening now. This is not a time to sit on the fence. Join in. Link arms with SIBA, CAMRA and the newly launched Small Brewers Forum. If you’re not going to fight to save its future, then get out of the way.

Or – in one of my favourite quaint phrases – “If you’re not going to shit, get off the pot”

SIGN THIS BLOODY PETITION. *drops mic*

Back soon. Jx

Bury. This town is embedded in my childhood and youth. From seeing Joy Division at The Derby Hall in April 1980 (merely a month before Curtis took himself away) to the fact – as discussed yesterday with Barbara – that approx 20% of my vinyl collection was purchased at the much lamented Vibes Records, Bury has its place in my cultural heart. A big place.

But it’s never been a destination for drinking for me. Yes, it’s got one or two places worth the candle, but I needed more.

Now, I think, I’ve got what I needed. What I – personally – was waiting for. And that, is located on Broad Street. Approximately a 1 minute walk from the bus station and Metrolink terminus. A little ray of sunshine awaited.

I’d heard whispers about James & Jen Smith (they of Brewsmith Beer) – and their partner, Dave – opening a Taproom in Bury.

And – if you know them – you’d understand my sense of anticipation.

Before I go further, you need to understand something. I don’t say things that I don’t mean. And there are a number of reasons that I respect the Smiths.

The most important is that they do things right. And they are uncompromising in that. They won’t do things just for the sake. It’s all or nothing.

And I like that. So I knew that this venture would be right. Right up my street. Broad Street.

Did I expect anything less?

Walking through the door, details taken, tables appropriately – safely – spaced. Did I expect anything less? Wooden floor, bare brick walls, beautiful inlaid tile work (thematically throughout the bar). Just lovely.

Did I expect anything less?

I saw friends to the left, a brief wave. The promise of happy face to face, human, conversations. Laughter.

But my focus was – for a change – laser like. Brewsmith Bitter.

I hadn’t had this beer for too long. Pin sharp. Plentiful hoppy. Refreshing. Did I mention sharp? Quite why this beer isn’t in the same conversation as Pint by Marble & Sonoma by Track its quite beyond me. This is one ******* delicious and classy beer. A local classic.

Pints of Cascade and NZ Pale followed. Both excellent – with a marginal preference for the Cascade. An underrated hop, all too frequently dismissed in favour of other lupuloid fun. But it shouldn’t be.

Woe, woe and thrice woe. My visit was all too brief. But before I left, I had to have a pint of my favourite Brewsmith beer – and one of my very favourite dark beers. Oatmeal Stout. For me, another local classic. Rich. Roasty. Dry and bitter of finish. Another bloody lovely beer.

That’s enough about the beer. What about the place, eh?

Well. It’s bloody lovely. Single open space, but kind of a two roomed feel, that open brick wall and wooden floor gives a classy minimalist feel. Well thought out and well laid out. There are plans for artwork from local artists (and Bury imagery) to adorn the walls. That localism sits well and the time and place feels right.

The place just has a lovely feel to it. Easy and relaxing from entering to leaving. Excellent and friendly service, great beer, plans for local food traders to occupy the kitchen at weekends. All local. All bases covered. All my personal boxes ticked.

This is one fabulous bar for Bury. Dave, James & Jen have created a little gem here and no mistake.

Did I expect anything less?

No. I really didn’t.

It formally opens on Friday. I’d go if I were you.

(With sincere thanks to Kate for the better of the photos!)

In so much as I am not employed currently by a beer business, I am not within the beer industry. Merely an interested observer, looking from the outside in.

What I do for a living is Data Analysis. I find and receive information, research that information to assess its veracity, compare it with other information, then draw conclusions based on that information.

Which is why – unlike the bulk of the beer Commentariat – I wasn’t “blindsided” by the Government announcement on Small Brewers Duty Relief last week. The people behind the SBDRC (Small Brewers Duty Reform Coalition) and BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association) are ruthless businessmen and entrepreneurs, some self – identifying as the latter, rather than being beer people.* They are politically connected, savvy individuals. They employ – collectively – PR operatives. They care about money. And that the Micro Brewing sector is – bit by bit – making inroads into volumes.

Yes, some of these businesses are “generations old” family owned entities (Harveys, Lees, Holts etc), but several of the bigger players are formed over years of Merger & Acquisition Activity (a phrase that may be repeated later….) and themselves have been “acquired” (see Fullers and – more recently – Marstons) by Multi-National conglomerates.

But – despite the repeated spin coming from a number of angles – many of these companies (in a UK sense) cannot be described as “Small”, or even “Medium sized” breweries. They are big businesses. With profits in the £Ms – as you will see below. These companies – by dint of their additional membership of the BBPA – operate hand in hand with those Multi-National conglomerates that they (with their piteous and mendacious whining) claim are “squeezing” them. Think Asahi, ABInbev, Carlsberg, Heineken, Molson Coors….. List of members here

Now then. If you are going to complain about profitability and growth etc….. then don’t whine when you’re making 7 figure profits. It’s a SERIOUSLY bad look fellas. Especially when you’re screwing the Micro’s.

Anyway. Back to Rupert….

“We strongly condemn the current campaign of intimidation supporting the request, which runs against the normally friendly and collegiate nature of brewers…” It’s strange isn’t it. How people might be offended by attacks on the businesses and companies they hold dear… Hardly “collegiate” behaviour, eh Rupert.

Hogs Back made a profit in 2017 of £270,927. In 2018 they made £349,567, up £78,640 on the previous year. (Source here) I don’t personally know a brewery that wouldn’t envy being “squeezed” to such a profitable extent. All that whilst investing

More of that “struggle”, whilst conniving with their profitable friends to strangle Micros almost at birth. Forgive me if I shed no tears.

Now then. The British Beer & Pub Association (or BBPA). The organisation which comprises of the biggest brewers in Britain – mostly members of SBDRC – (with the exception of Brew Dog), cheek by fattened jowl with the International Beer Monoliths. ABInbev, Asahi, Carlsberg, Heineken & Molson Coors

Yes. Yes. I’m sure they will be celebrating…. But wait… “…. it hopes the measures announced today will BUILD on the success of SBR….” Errr….. And as for those “long standing distortions….” that’s the Duty relief Emma. That many of your members campaigned for, benefitted from and now want to have removed from others….. That was brought in to assist small brewers who didn’t have the economies of scale of – what are now – er…. YOUR MEMBERS! Jesus may weep……

Remember those profit figures from Harveys earlier? They would probably cover the profits from every Micro in the Greater Manchester area. And then some. Again, Crocodile tears. As for their “best intentions”? Worthless hypocrisy.

Right then. I’m done. This whole SBDRC thing has exhausted me. I’ve been ranting for almost 2 and a half years (not weeks….) into – what has seemed to be a void. Now that void has been filled by beer writers. Journalists if you will. With far greater profile and reach than I.

I haven’t the patience of Steve Dunkley – and you REALLY need to read his thoughts on this, he’s quite forensic. I’ve a full time job. And a (Virtual) beer festival to organise. I’ll remain an outsider. Looking in. With interest.

Go read. Go get organised. And save your Independent Breweries. And be kind to one another.

Back Soon. Jx

You don’t need me to tell you how brutal Lockdown has felt, eh?

Like many, I’ve been fairly cautious in stepping out and socialising. Looking for those businesses and traders who take seriously the health and safety of both their staff and customers. The best local businesses do precisely that.

Which is why, on my first venture – socially – into Manchester, I opted for Runaway. Knowing Mark, Sam, Oli & Josh, I knew that this would just BE right. That caution would be exercised appropriately.

AND the beer would be exceptional. Because that’s what Runaway do. Exceptional, consistent beer.

I met my dear friends Jock (and later Caroline & John) at Mackie Mayor for a beer at “Jack In The Box”, the Black Jack bar. And my first experience of ordering via apps.

The app was well designed with the ability to order from any of the food & drink vendors and have it delivered to your table. Swift service (we ordered food too) and excellent pints of Track Sonoma, Redwillow Weightless and a delicious Black Jack Pale followed.

All due protocols were followed and the service was superb. If this is the shape of things to come, bring. it. on.

Relaxed. Friendly. Service. Isn’t that what you want?

We got to Runaway just before opening time at 5 and were showed to our table (we booked a few days earlier) and I was quickly tucking into a beery crush of mine. A pin sharp and hoptastic Table Beer.

Mark and Sam & the team have done a great job with the Taproom, it has been my favourite in Manchester for some time. Plenty of tables and space on the mezzanine level, with a birds eye view of a working brewery.

However – aside from ‘one in, one out” access to the facilities, this view was denied its. All seating being outside on a balmy – if cloudy – Mancunian early evening.

A quite superb Mushroom Pizza followed – from the reliably excellent Honest Crust – sooooo tasty…… and the excellent Runaway beers continued to flow. With Pale (my favourite keg beer) and delicately delicious Rhubarb Spritz followed by a fabulous “Rise Like Lions” Chocolate & Chipotle Porter (which might just be the best keg beer I’ve had this year – being a sucker for the Dark Side.

With exceptional venues like GRUB nearby (again, booking required) and the excellent Beatnikz also on Red Bank, (with – hopefully – Black Jack Tap, soon) this little Green Quarter has its critical mass of excellence, with no real need to go elsewhere – especially with The Marble Arch reopening soon.

For now, start with Runaway. This unassuming little slice of beer heaven. For me anyway.

Back soon. Be kind to one another.

Jx