All Hail The Ale.

Recommended Videos

Blunderboy

New member
Apr 26, 2011
2,224
0
0


Well I've recently converted from Lager to 'proper' beer, and I was looking for some recommendations.
I've tried 'Doom Bar' and it was tasty.
I don't care if it makes me an old man (I've already got a flat cap so sod it).


EDIT - Just to clarify, I'm British so local ales would be better.

Also, general booze discussion.
 

lRookiel

Lord of Infinite Grins
Jun 30, 2011
2,821
0
0
I do not drink alcohol.

I recommend cranberry juice instead :3
 

Esotera

New member
May 5, 2011
3,400
0
0
Just head to a bunch of local pubs & try what's on tap, the theory is that the very best beer will never propagate across the world because everyone will want to drink it as soon as it's brewed. Also if you're ever in the South-West of England I'd highly recommend trying out the cider, Cheddar Valley & Cornish Rattler have quite a kick to them.

In supermarkets there isn't really that much, try out anything that has IPA on the label, some of it's ok.
 

Soviet Heavy

New member
Jan 22, 2010
12,218
0
0
Wellington Special Pale Ale. It's a local craft brewery around Guelph Ontario, and damn it's good.
 

Private Custard

New member
Dec 30, 2007
1,920
0
0
My usual is an ale brewed in Oakham, my local town. Ten-Fifty from The Grainstore Brewery. http://www.grainstorebrewery.com/product-beers.asp

If I'm drinking overseas brews, generally a decent Trappist ale does the trick, particularly Chimay. Drank a lot of it at the weekend. Went to my local at 8pm and walked home at 6am in bright sunshine, after drinking all night!

It's 9% though, and kicks pretty hard. Eat a decent meal before a session!

EDIT: order from here http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/

Buy a box of randomly chosen ales and enjoy. You may well stumble upon something you'll stay with for life :)
 

Albino Boo

New member
Jun 14, 2010
4,667
0
0
Err depends what part of the UK you are from. Bath Ales does a nice wheat beer, crouch vale beers are pretty good too and if you can get hold of it berliner kindle dunkle is great. And glass of white wine for the lady
 

Dirty Hipsters

This is how we praise the sun!
Legacy
Feb 7, 2011
8,802
3,383
118
Country
'Merica
Gender
3 children in a trench coat
I don't really know English Ales, but I can tell you some of my favorites that I drink:

Arrogant Bastard
Dogfish Head 90
Allagash Golden Brett
Heady Topper
De Dolle Bos Keun
Elk Rock Velvet Antler Amber Ale

According to my friends I apparently have the manliest taste in beer.
 

WouldYouKindly

New member
Apr 17, 2011
1,431
0
0
Esotera said:
Just head to a bunch of local pubs & try what's on tap, the theory is that the very best beer will never propagate across the world because everyone will want to drink it as soon as it's brewed. Also if you're ever in the South-West of England I'd highly recommend trying out the cider, Cheddar Valley & Cornish Rattler have quite a kick to them.

In supermarkets there isn't really that much, try out anything that has IPA on the label, some of it's ok.
See, now I find most IPAs to be too bitter. Some of them have some great flavor on the front end, but the back is always a tidal wave of bitter.

Unfortunately, most of my knowledge of beer is limited to craft brewers in the U.S.

However, if you ever find yourself here, I recommend anything Long Trail Ale. Dogfish Head is a pretty decent brewer too. If all else fails, Sam Adams will do, especially the Octoberfest seasonal.
 

Blunderboy

New member
Apr 26, 2011
2,224
0
0
albino boo said:
Err depends what part of the UK you are from. Bath Ales does a nice wheat beer, crouch vale beers are pretty good too and if you can get hold of it berliner kindle dunkle is great. And glass of white wine for the lady
Essex.
I've tried wheat beer before, and it was foul.
 

Owyn_Merrilin

New member
May 22, 2010
7,370
0
0
British and enjoying some ales? May I suggest a Samuel Smith Imperial Stout? Don't live in England, but it's imported from there, and I have yet to try a dark beer that's better. Some are about on par (like Trappist ales from Belgium), but none better.

Edit: For brews that I can get locally, here's a few:

Old Rasputin Imperial Stout (not as good as the one made by Samuel Smith, but much more readily available, as it's brewed in California)

Pretty much anything from Sierra Nevada. Pale Ale, Stout, Porter, they're all good.

8 Ball Stout

Old Engine Oil

And a bunch of stuff I can't remember. The problem with craft brews is you usually get one bottle of each when you're trying out new things, and it's hard to remember what the good stuff was called, especially if you keep on drinking.

Oh, and for some decent cheap beers you can get around here, my favorites are Yuengling Black and Tan (which runs about the same price as Bud Light but actually tastes halfway decent), and Killian's Irish Red (which is not actually Irish, but is delicious and only slightly more expensive than the Yuengling.) It's also hard to go wrong with anything made by Sam Adams, but it's one of those things that you can get anywhere and isn't as good as the actual craft brews but is more expensive than the cheap stuff, so I don't often buy it.
 

Albino Boo

New member
Jun 14, 2010
4,667
0
0
Blunderboy said:
albino boo said:
Err depends what part of the UK you are from. Bath Ales does a nice wheat beer, crouch vale beers are pretty good too and if you can get hold of it berliner kindle dunkle is great. And glass of white wine for the lady
Essex.
I've tried wheat beer before, and it was foul.
Crouch Vale is in Chelmsford, I would try their blackwater mild and brewers gold. Its a shame you don't like wheat beers but each to their own.
 

DanielBrown

Dangerzone!
Dec 3, 2010
3,838
0
0
I generally only drink the cheapest, most disgusting beers since I'm pretty cheap. Haven't found any ales I really liked so far.

Anyway, this thread needs more Tankard.
 

Lukeje

New member
Feb 6, 2008
4,048
0
0
Surely the best advice is to just go out there and try as many as you can?
In my experience most pubs with a selection of ales will let you taste a sample before you dive in for a whole pint.

Also, ale festivals are a good place to sample a lot of different beers, if there happen to be any around you...
 

Combustion Kevin

New member
Nov 17, 2011
1,206
0
0
my beer of choice is still Hertog Jan. (Duke jan)
It's Beer with a capital B, and a proper atonement for releasing Heineken onto the world.

We are so sorry.
 

Wadders

New member
Aug 16, 2008
3,796
0
0
Lukeje said:
Surely the best advice is to just go out there and try as many as you can?
In my experience most pubs with a selection of ales will let you taste a sample before you dive in for a whole pint.

Also, ale festivals are a good place to sample a lot of different beers, if there happen to be any around you...
I have to agree. Whenever you go to a new pub, just try what they have on offer. Most places will have something different, there's so many local breweries making so many different beers that recommending individual ones seems pointless, as you may never come across them.

Having said that, if you're ever around Birmingham (UK, obviously) try something by Purity Brewing Company. I've not seen them outside of Brum, but they often have beers in pubs in the city. So far I've had Mad Goose, and Pure UBU, both of which were pretty tasty :)
 

Elementary - Dear Watson

RIP Eleuthera, I will miss you
Nov 9, 2010
2,980
0
0
Blunderboy said:
Well I've recently converted from Lager to 'proper' beer, and I was looking for some recommendations.
I've tried 'Doom Bar' and it was tasty.
I don't care if it makes me an old man (I've already got a flat cap so sod it).


EDIT - Just to clarify, I'm British so local ales would be better.

Also, general booze discussion.
Good Sir... we need a bit more info! What type of ale do you like? Bitter? Draught? Stout? Blonde? IPA? Golden? Ruby? There are so many!!

I have a lot of favourites, and regulars I drink. Some that are availiable in most Supermarkets. As it is summer I will point you first, however, to Hall & Woodhouses Badger Ales range.




So yeah... Fill your boots! And keep an eye out for these! A good thing to do is head to Sainsbury's, Morrisons (actually their larger stores have a greatselection) or Asda and get some of their ales on offer. (Usually 3 for £5, or 4 for £6) and try them. See which ones you like and look online for something similar. Or if you are in a pub, tell them what you like and they will match the closest from their selection!