Jan 14 2015
Manchester Beer and Cider Festival 2015 – My “Dance Card” Dozen
Next week is the Manchester Beer & Cider Festival 2015 – Are you going? If it’s anything like last year, it’s going to be special!
The Velodrome is a simply iconic venue, allied to great beers. LOTS OF GREAT BEERS! An almost overwhelming choice with beers from all over the UK and a huge selection of quality beers just from the North for little old me to amuse myself with!
From nearly 450 casks alone (Not to mention Ciders and the “foreign” beer bar), picking my personal “Dance Card” is going to be really difficult, but I’m going to give it a shot. Here goes…..
Imperial Buckwheat Stout – Quantum (Stockport) – 8.5% abv – Imperial Stout. At 8.5% abv, this is going to be a gentle waltz rather than a furious Can Can, but I just have to try it. A dark as sin Imperial Stout with all of the creamyness of Buckwheat. Fermented using Boddingtons yeast and inoculated with Brettanomyces, this is a beer I have looked forward to since we finished stirring the mash. A mash that was even THICKER than Katie Hopkins! This will be the first time that it is served in public. I can’t wait!
Coconut, Macadamia & Lime Porter – Allgates (Wigan) 4.6% abv – Porter – One of Allgates “Limited Edition” beers that I’m yet to try on cask and inspired by a cake enjoyed in a Kirkby Lonsdale tea shop! I had a mini-cask of this at Xmas and it was beautiful , smooth & nutty from the toasted coconut and creamy macadamia. The lime element is very subtle and provides a tint of lightness in the dark.
Experimental Citranell – Mallinsons (Huddersfield) – 4.2% abv – Pale Ale – For me, Mallinsons just nail low to mid strength Pale Ales. In this regard they have few equals. With Exp 366, Citra & Centennial hops, this already has my mouth watering!
Psychedelic – Hebden Bridge (Er…Hebden Bridge!) – 5% abv – Pale Ale – An American style Pale ale just LOADED with 5 Citrus fruits. AND, because it was the first firkin to sell out at ISBF and I didn’t get NEARLY enough of it! It got rave reviews at St Sebastians, so I’m hugely looking forward to this!
Sorachi Wicked – Five Oh Brew Co (Prestwich) – 6% abv – Stout – The first beer to sell out at ISBF and another one that garnered rave reviews. I tried a 1/3rd. It was bloody LUSH!!!! Then, just when I wanted another? It had gone. I was just TOO damned kind to you drinkers! Only the second time that Jamie has casked. You NEED this in your life!
Jester – North Riding Brewpub (Scarborough) – 4.2% abv – Pale Ale – Stuart Neilson just makes superb Pale Ales. Fresh and bursting with hops. This is with a new hop variety (Jester) and – if I know Stuart – he won’t have held back on the quantities! A rare appearance over here.
Sprocket Wort Orange – Bridestones (Hebden Bridge) / Offbeat (Crewe) – 4.6% abv – Special Dark Ale – This one is one of the collaboration brews especially for the festival. Chocolate, Orange, Juniper & Sorachi Ace hops? Oh my! I feel another Beergasm coming on!
Cheshire Set – Cheshire Brewhouse (Congleton) – 4% abv – Pale Ale – A crisp blonde ale from Shane Swindells with loads of late-added Keyworth Early hops? Sounds like an early doors beer that is too good to miss, from a brewery whose beers I drink whenever I find them. Because they are THAT good.
Annexation – Brass Castle (Malton, North Yorks) – 8.4% abv – Imperial Stout – Inspired by the renewed expansionism of Putin, this looks one NOT to miss! “Smooth like the Volga and as bonkers as Putin”….Works for me! Brass Castle made one of the Beers of the Festival at ISBF and this is another I’ll be reaching for.
Fang – Black Flag Brewery (Goonhavern, Cornwall) – 4.5% abv – Pale Ale – Had this in bottle whilst in Cornwall in August and it is an absolute fruity belter. Smooth with a piney kick in the finish. Have never seen them up here. If it’s on, I’ll be damned if I miss this!
Disfunctional Functional IPA – Offbeat (Crewe) – 4.8% – IPA – This San Diego inspired IPA is one I’m yet to have from one of my favourite breweries. And from what I’ve heard from some trusted drinkers, is not to be missed. And it won’t be. By me at least!!!
Workhouse Rat – Rat (Huddersfield) – 4.8% – Smoked Porter – Whenever I see a Rat, I just have to. Because they are just SUCH good beers.
Well, I make that a round Dirty Dozen. Should be enough to keep me entertained next week! If there are any that you particularly fancy, bang it in the comments. Who knows, I might try one or two!
Jan 15 2016
Manchester Beer & Cider Festival 2016 : My “Dance Card”
Welcome to the beer festival that shows that CAMRA “do” UK Keg! Yes, I KNOW that the Campaign has had numerous kegged beers over the years! BUT…..These are beers brewed in the UK, mostly not designed to be dispensed from a cask. That is BIG news. To be celebrated.
And it has moved from the (“a little bit awkward to get to”) Velodrome – an iconic modern venue – to somewhere infinitely more “Central”. And more historically iconic. A Mancunian architectural masterpiece. And THAT should also be celebrated.
That out of the way, I’m a lucky sod. I get to see the beer list. And it is a big list. And – instantly removing anything from Marstons – there is something for everyone. Even me.
So. Being a “tactical drinker” at beer festivals, I compile a plan of attack – a “dance card” if you will, that panders to my Northern sensitivities. Others may list beers from that there London. Not I. With one exception (noted and explained below) mine are from no further South than Crewe and no further North than Malton.
A narrow focus.
But I care precisely how much?
Here we go, in strength order. Like I said, “tactical drinking”….. And, just in case you’re interested in trying any of these yourself, I’ve included the bar on which to find them. Because I’m nice like that!
No 2 Stout – Stringers Beer – Stout – 4% abv – Bar 3
A beer that I absolutely adored in bottle from the very first sip about 3 years ago. And I have NEVER had in on cask. I have often gazed at the pump clip on the wall at Port Street and whimpered. Envious.
Bitter and roasted. As black as Donald Trump’s evil heart. I will be distraught if I don’t get to try this. My #1 priority.
Admiral Porter – Brewsmith Beer – Porter – 4% abv – Bar 1
Why? Because it’s Brewsmith. And James Smith (see what he did there?) has yet to put out anything less than excellence.
And the Admiral hop gives the lie to those who whinge that UK hops are crap. It’s an aromatic beauty of a thing.
Sorachi Ace – Mallinsons Brewery – (Single Hopped) Pale Ale – 4.2% abv – Bar 2
Why? Stupid question. It’s Mallinsons. And it’s a single-hopped Pale Ale.
And – in the words of Carly Simon – “Nobody does it better”. I’ll be having a pint.
At least one….
Talisman IPA – Pictish Brewing – Pale Ale – 4.2% abv – Pictish Brewery Bar
A brewery that is in need of better PR. They should be HUGE. Possibly the most underrated brewery in Greater Manchester. Brewers of simply outstanding single-hopped Pale Ales.
Unmissable.
Mr Scruff Pale – Squawk Brewing – Session IPA – 4.6% abv – Bar 3
Oliver Turton has been quietly brewing some of the best beers in Manchester for the last two years. That’s enough reason to do this.
And I love the Centennial hop.
Lupy Lager – Offbeat Brewery – Lager – 4.7% abv – Bar 2
A cask conditioned lager from one of my very favourite breweries? And it’s a one-off? Damn those CAMRA oiks! I’ll be having words with Miss Kelsall about that…..
Again, unmissable….
Orange and Rosemary Belgian Pale – Bad Seed Brewery – Belgian Pale – 5% abv – Bar 1
Rosemary in beer can be herbal Marmite to some. But I love it. And Bad Seed would be just the brewery to pull this off.
Looking forward to trying this HUGELY.
Bitter Chocolate Stout – Runaway Brewery – Stout – 5% abv – Runaway Bar
A new beer to me from the best and most consistent new brewery in Manchester. Mark Welsby makes good beer. For those with no love of keg, prepare to be converted.
Mancunian Evil Keg Filth of the highest order. And you can quote me on that!
Marmite Stout – Ticketybrew / Quantum Brewing – Stout – ? abv – Bar 3
Two breweries unafraid to try something different. Or unusual. This beer can be safely said to tick BOTH of those boxes.
This sounds inspired. It’s certainly interesting!
Pale Rye (Name TBC) – Track / Matt Dutton – Pale Ale – ? abv – Bar 3
OK. Track are banging out some tremendous beers with arguably the strongest core range of any Manchester brewery. I’ve been saying for AGES that Sonoma is a Manchester classic.
Factor in a collab with the best home brewer in the UK, Matt Dutton, this is going to be special! I have sampled several of Matt’s beers and he – should he choose to go commercial – is a star in the making. This beer rates as priority #2. Unmissable.
AllDay Coffee IPA – Allgates/Manchester Beer Week – Coffee IPA – 5.1% abv – Bar 1
A Coffee IPA brewed especially for the festival by the most drinkable of breweries and Connor Murphy wearing his MBW head. Read the blog piece and it sounds AMAZING!
Centennial – Torrside Brewing – Porter – 5.4% abv – Bar 3
I have been lucky enough to try beers brewed at home by each of the Torrside triumvirate. It was therefore no surprise at all when they hit the ground running when they launched late last year.
My heart lies in darkness. Torrside make great beers. A marriage made in….
Nouvelle Saison: Beetroot and Horseradish –Alphabet Brew Co – Saison – 6% abv – KeyKeg Bar
I wouldn’t miss this flavour mix for all the tea in….. Intriguing to say the least!
Sorachi Grey – Five Oh Brew Co – IPA – 6.5% abv – Bar 1
If Jamie Hancock puts his beer in cask, it is both a rare event (wonder where he did it first?) and unmissable.
This man brews good beer.
Victoria Export Stout – Bexar County Brewery – Stout – 6.7% abv – Bar 1
My sole selection from south of Crewe. Why? Because I think that I have had 3 beers that this man has brewed. All excellent and two of those (a collab with HDM and his Pecan Coffee Mild) were among the best beers I’ve had in years!
And it’s pronounce BEAR. “The X is silent. The Beer speaks for itself” Indeed….
And finally……
Rampart – Ossett/Brass Castle Collab – IPA – 7% abv – Bar 2
“Heavily hopped West Coast style IPA. Tangy bitterness & intense grapefruit, floral & tropical fruit flavours.” – Case rested!
Well. That’s that. As Rabbie Burns allegedly said “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley”, so (like last year) I’m bound to miss one of these. But it won’t be for the want of trying!
It’s Tryanuary. Get ticking!
And for those who want to plan ahead, here is the link to the full UK beer list! http://mancbeerfest.uk/beers-ciders/uk-beers/
By • Uncategorized • 0 • Tags: Admiral Porter, Alphabet Brew Co, Bad Seed Brewery, Belgian Pale, Bexar County Brewery, Bitter Chocolate Stout, Brass Castle Brewery, Brewsmith Beer, Centennial, Five-Oh Brew Co, IPA, Lager, Lupy Lager, Mallinsons Brewery, Marmite Stout, Matt Dutton, Mr Scruff Pale, No 2 Stout, Nouvelle Saison: Beetroot and Horseradish, Offbeat Brewery, Orange and Rosemary Belgian Pale, Ossett Brewery, Pale Ale, Pictish Brewing, Porter, Quantum Brewing, Rampart, Runaway Brewery, Saison, Session IPA, Sorachi Ace, Sorachi Grey, Squawk Brewing Company, Stout, Stringers Beer, Talisman IPA, Tickety Brew, Torrside Brewing, Track Brewing Co, Victoria Export Stout