Beer?

[smutchin]

This isn't just a beer thread, it's an M&S beer thread.

I had to go to M&S this morning (Waitrose was too far) and I saw they had a 3 for £6 offer on, so it would have been rude not to...

Haven't seen any of these ones before. I also considered the Scotch Ale mentioned by @threebikesmcginty earlier but the Spruce IPA looked too interesting to pass up - it actually lists Norway Spruce as an ingredient. Intriguing.

Those custard choux buns are pretty damn amazing too.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

You're a lightweight smutchers, I bought 6!

 

[smutchin]

Just noticed you can see my reflection in the pic. Lucky I kept my pants on.

 

[John the Monkey]

Black Isle Brewery is very good, such a shame they have to poncify their beer for the middle class nobbers that go to M&S

Eh, don't knock it. 3 for 2 on their stuff recently (including the single hop, and what Mrs M tells me is a rather good Kriek).

 

[smutchin]

You're a lightweight smutchers, I bought 6!

I was on my bike with limited luggage capacity otherwise I might have got more.

 

[srw]

Our local M&S has had almost no patronage since Waitrose opened up next door. I wonder whether Mrs W would be offended if popped in this afternoon?

I had the spruce beer a couple of weeks ago. Frankly you couldn't tell there were trees in it. It might have been better slghtly chilled?

 

[smutchin]

Just had to deliver my wife's packed lunch to her so have stopped off at the Black Dog for some refreshment before the ride home.

Those are dummy pumps, by the way. The beers are drawn straight from the cask in the back room.

Had a Jet Black Stout, which was most pleasant. Smooth and sweet. Now on the Paleolithic, which is the polar opposite: pale, dry and a bit of a hop monster, in a good way. Earthy and fragrant.

Looks like this is going to be a long afternoon...

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Looks like a nice boozer @smutchin

 

[smutchin]

Looks like a nice boozer @smutchin

It is. It's one of them newfangled micropubs, so very cosy. There's a clue in the name as to the landlord's character and the lavishly moody decor reflects this too. I'm amazed that such a small venue manages to keep five ales on the go at all times, and always in good condition - I've not yet had a duff pint there.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Orv. Although half of it ended up outside of the bottle and the glass.

Mrs 3BM got given this drinks mat, you say what's on the mat 3 times and then when you put your drink on it the peace vibes come up through the mat and alter the molecular structure of what you're drinking so you... etc etc bollocksy bollocks.

If you had to buy it it'd be 'drinks mat robbery'.

 

[User169]

Now this is my kind of thing: plum geuze.

Sour with a fruity tang. I'd drink this all the time, but at 15eur a pop, it's going to be an infrequent treat.

 

[srw]

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

View attachment 59927

Unionist beer!

 

[John the Monkey]

Tonight - one from local brewery "Offbeat", "Wild Blackberry Mild"

I'm quite a fan of mild, having drunk a bit of it in the days of a decent night out costing around a tenner (with the relative cheapness of mild at the time helping in that accounting).

This is nice - 3.8% rather than the high 2 I remember in the milds of old. The flavour is the fruit of the blackberries at first (not overpowering, but definitely there, and not a "hint of fruit") developing into a smoky, almost stout or porter like flavour with the fruit receding, if not disappearing completely.

A very well brewed fruit beer, I think, given how many of the type just overpower the other flavours with fruit. In fact, I like the stout/porter elements of the flavour so much that I'll be looking out Offbeat's "pure" stout and porter as soon as I can.

 

[Crackle]

View attachment 59952

Tonight - one from local brewery "Offbeat", "Wild Blackberry Mild"

I'm quite a fan of mild, having drunk a bit of it in the days of a decent night out costing around a tenner (with the relative cheapness of mild at the time helping in that accounting).

This is nice - 3.8% rather than the high 2 I remember in the milds of old. The flavour is the fruit of the blackberries at first (not overpowering, but definitely there, and not a "hint of fruit") developing into a smoky, almost stout or porter like flavour with the fruit receding, if not disappearing completely.

A very well brewed fruit beer, I think, given how many of the type just overpower the other flavours with fruit. In fact, I like the stout/porter elements of the flavour so much that I'll be looking out Offbeat's "pure" stout and porter as soon as I can.

Ah Offbeat, pretty sure that's what the black ipa was I saw.