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Confessions of a beer writer another in our series of articles from beer blogger
Benjamin Nun
Ill let you in on a little secret: The life of a beer writer isnt all unbridled creativity and
self-expression.
Yes, I once got to describe a Belgian Trippel as a hot butterscotch urinal cake but such
moments are all too fleeting. (As a teenager I once had to lick a urinal cake for a dare so I
knew what I was talking about!)
The mundane reality is that us writers have at our disposal a hoard of tried and tested
stereotypes - established reference points, tropes, memes and clichs. Call them what you
will, we use these relentlessly. Tawny in colour... little malt on the nose... long hoppy
finish. These are our bread and butter (or, possibly, our malt and hops).
Like the brewers, we follow a different set of conventions for every season, so, when we
think about Winter ales, the stock candidates are strong, dark Old Ales and Barley Wines
and the usual crop of festive warmers with added nutmeg, cinnamon and other
Christmassy spices.
Your stereotypical Summer beers are hoppy, golden ales designed to quench the thirst and
allow light to pass through the glass. Again, we all know the score. Ive written these
words more times than youve had long, hoppy finishes.
Autumn is slightly less obvious, but theres still a benchmark style of Autumn ale the
russet-coloured English best bitter and as Halloween approaches brewers cant seem to
resist loading beers up with pumpkin these days.
But this is a Spring beer festival. So, I ask you, WTF is a Spring beer?
Ah, you see. This is one of those awkward moments where that big barrel of beer writing
clichs is found empty.
But thats good, because it forces us to think outside the box rather than simply recycling
established tropes. For me, there are certain beers that I can happily drink all year round:
Sambrooks rich Powerhouse Porter and Downtons awesome Chocolate Orange are as
tasty in the Spring as at any time, and, happily, are available here right now.
Its not specific to just one style either the pale, fruity refreshment of Downton
Elderquad is another hardy perennial in my book, and I dont doubt that Mark Justin (aka
Lord Battersea) could happily drink 10% Barley Wines all year round given half a
chance!
But Spring is a time of change, a time of new birth, a time to get out there and try
something new. (Dont worry, Im not going to make you taste a urinal cake, unless you
really want to...)
And so, maybe the ultimate Spring beer is simply any beer that youve never had before.
Try some different beer styles today and you might be surprised. At the very least, youll
be less thirsty after drinking it.
Maybe youre a dyed-in-the-wool cask ale drinker? Nowt wrong with that, of course, but
consider trying a half of Windsor & Eton Republika or Fullers Frontier and find out
what the new breed of craft keg lagers are all about.
If your thing is strong, hoppy, American-style hopmonsters, why not visit the opposite
end of the brewing spectrum with a 3.5% dark mild. Or even a genuine US beer on
draught like Sierra Nevada
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Usually stick to lighter beers? Thomas Sykes Ale is 10% and a full-on old ale with
mature fruity flavours, but youd be surprised how balanced and easy-drinking it is. Go
try some.
And if you end up ordering something you really, really dont like give it to me, Ill
finish it for you!
Share your views by tweeting @BenViveur and be sure to check out benviveur.co.uk
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Woolly Mammoth, 4.7% Experimental brew from the new purpose built
brewhouse constructed in 2013
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***NEW BREWERY***
Graffiti IPA 5.0% A session IPA, brewed with a malt backbone of Maris
Otter Pale Malt, hopped with Summit, Centennial and Amarillo. The beer is
then dry hopped with Amarillo for extra hop character.
Grainstore, Leicestershire
Rutland Beast 5.3% Dark Brown. Superb strong mild. Complex flavours of
chocolate, coffee, raisins and even autumnal fruits. Certainly one to try.
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Justinian 3.9% Straw coloured bitter with pink grapefruit hop character and
very dry finish. Lord Battersea will be drinking this to keep him away
from the 6 percent beers.
Sparta 4.3% Yellow/gold best bitter. Kiwi hops giving that floral citrus
nose.
Nero 5.0% Complex black beer. Chocolate, raisin and liquorice flavours
predominate.
Oakham, Cambridgeshire
Bishops Farewell 4.6% Powerfully citrus, gold/yellow. Zesty and almost
grapefruit like.
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Dark Ruby Mild 6.0% Regulars at this and other festivals will be aware of
this wonderfully eccentric extremely drinkable 6% mild . Uniquely
flavoured due to use of a Victorian open topped copper. As usual we sent a
van all the way to Dudley to collect this. Has acquired an almost mythical
status as its either never arrived or just run out. Dont worry we have
several firkins put by. Enjoy.
Skinners, Cornwall
River Cottage EPA 4.0% This is the beer TV chef and all round good egg
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of River Cottage fame made in conjunction
with Skinners award winning head brewer. Floral hop nose with long sweet
finish. Excellent
Heligan Honey 4.0% Made with honey from the nearby National Trust
estate. Copper coloured with caramel overtones.
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FESTIVAL FOOD
(Please order and wait to receive all food from inside
main bar.)
Gothique Cheese Burger 5.95
Hot Cumberland Sausage bap 4.95
Pulled Pork, coleslaw and gherkin bap 5.95
Chilli & Rice 6.95
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