My Golden Pints 2015

The following awards are partizan. I am a Northerner. So expect a Northern bias. If you want to see the extolling of the “Titans of Craft”, switch off now.

This is for the little guys.

Also, if you want uncritical Craft Wankery and the following of the herd, look elsewhere. I’m sick of the uncritical herd mentality. Let’s start to see and call things out for what they are in 2016.

Also. Magic Rock Brewtap is a brewtap. NOT a pub or bar. So there!

Grrrrrrrrrr………. Here we go (takes Amlopodine to calm down…..)

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Best UK Cask Beer : May Day DIPA  – Five Towns Brewery

Sometimes, it’s  all about the moment. And the company. And the atmosphere. This beer was hugged by all three. It was an 8.4% hop fist, encased in a velvet glove. I dived in at the East West Fest. For. Three. Whole. Hours.

And lived. Unlike a certain someone. A beautiful beer. I have drunk nothing better on draught this year.

Honourable mention? DIPA by Cloudwater. As I told James Campbell, if this is REALLY 9%, it’s one hell of an achievement. It tasted like 6%. And was delicious,

Best UK Keg Beer : Deerhunter – Black Jack Beers

A “Coffee Saison” shouldn’t work. But it is sublime. I could happily drown in it. Even on keg.

Best UK Canned Beer : Life & Death – Vocation Brewery

I have drunk very little canned beer this year. But this was simply stunning. Vocation are yet to miss a beat. I’ll be inviting them to #ISBF2016. I should have asked them THIS year.

Best UK Bottled Beer  : OAP DIPA – Five Towns Brewery/North Riding Brewpub

I drank this the day after drain pouring a certain 10% X rated beer. It was a hop bomb that delivered its punch on the chin. Brewed by two brewers who worship humulus lupulus. It was 9.6% and it just rocked my world.

Best “Foreign” Draught : American Brown Ale – Howling Hops

Because anything south of Crewe is a foreign land to me.  BUT…When in Rome…

This was outstanding on cask in The Cock Tavern back in April. It made a big impression. In a simply stunning London pub.

Best “Foreign” Bottled Beer : Black Pig – Pig & Porter/Black Jack

I know it’s a collab. But. I. Don’t. Care. A Belgian Rye Porter from Sean Ayling that passed the Beergasm test. In spades.

Best Overall Beer : May Day DIPA  – Five Towns Brewery

For all of the above reasons. And a certain photograph that will forever remain an embarrassment. And for making me smile the next morning as I witnessed the damage it wrought on my Arch-Nemesis.

Best Branding : Brewsmith Beer

Just classy and clean. Great work from Something Brewing.

Best UK Brewery : Tickety Brew

This is awarded (as always) on the basis of having drunk and enjoyed the beers of a brewery consistently throughout the year. Last 2 years I have given it to Allgates and my regard for their drinkable beers hasn’t diminished. Far from it.

But, each time I have drunk Tickety beers on cask in Manchester, they just get better. And better. I didn’t at all “get” the first couple of beers when they launched, but the more they brew, the better they get.

Not the trendiest of Northern breweries. But I go on flavour. Tickety wins.

Best New Brewery Opening 2015 : Vocation Brewery

Hit the ground running. And accelerated. Not a false step. In Cask, keg, bottle or can.