Weekly Update #12 - For the Love of Beer
Another quick progress update this week, but nontheless, it’s all positive. Yesterday the electric work was finished, this means all the wiring for the lights and electrical sockets are in place, and we’re now ready to get the new insulated ceiling installed (which is scheduled to happen next week).
Even with temporary light fittings installed, we can really get a good feel of the ambience, and it just proves how much of a difference decent lighting can make to a space, especially when considering the previous lighting was flouresent office-style lighting. All the lights in the bar area will be dimmable too; nothing worse than a bar with bright lighting!
As it’s also been Valentines Day this week, I thought I’d put together a list of 4 beers that made me “fall in love” with beer throughout the years.
Buxton Brewery - Moor Top
Sunday 23rd June 2013* - It was a warm and sunny afternoon and I was in York for the weekend. I popped in to the Pivni, a beautiful 16th Century pub I’d visited a few times before whilst I was waiting for my girlfriend. I casually ordered a pint of Moor Top and the very first sip blew my mind. I’d never had a cask ale like it before, crisp, subtle but beautiful hop aroma and infinitely quaffable. This is the beer that changed my idea of what cask ale could be *The reason I know the precise date is I texted my dad to tell him how amazing this beer was and I checked my message history. This was the beer that changed me from a general bit-of-everything drinker to a beer lover.
Left Hand Brewing Company - Milk Stout Nitro
My first Milk Stout was in the depths of winter in Chicago. The snow was 6 feet high (I’m not exaggerating) and on some streets cars were literally invisible under the mounds of snow. It also happened to be averaging minus 15 celsius which was a new experience in cold weather. I don’t remember the name of the bar, but I fancied a stout and the server straight away recommended the Milk Stout Nitro. First thing that made it stand out was how the can was poured out straight down into the glass; first time I’d seen anything like that. Secondly, and more importantly, the beer was simply incredible. Smooth, creamy and delicious. It was in fact the inspiration for the first ever all grain homebrew I brewed with my friend.
Weird Beard Brew Co - Mariana Trench
“PIneapple Juice!” - The first thought that came to my mind with the first sip of this beer. This was at the time I had started homebrewing with my friend Ian, and we were really getting into local craft breweries. I couldn’t fathom how a beer could taste so tropical from simply hops and no fruit juice. Yes, this is something that’s become the norm now, but at the time it was realy eye-opening. The fact they were London based and had some really cool artwork AND were located minutes away from my Aunt’s house only helped my fondness for their beer.
Surly Brewing Co. - Furious
Another American brewery on my list here. This time Furious by Surly from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Unfortunately it’s a beer only available in the US, but one can dream right? The first time I had Furious was when I was just starting to get to grips with beer styles and BJCP guidelines. It was seen as a cross between an American IPA and an ESB, and it just hit all the notes. Slightly darker than an IPA, with a noticable malt backbone it also had a beautiful, strong hoppy character to it which made it my favourite beer. I’ve not had one in years, but I definitely intend to again.
Right, all this writing is making me thirsty. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Cheers,
Rob