 |  |
....and definitely not the last word on beer....Dr. Johnson
REVIEWS, OPINIONS AND TASTINGS FROM THE WORLD OF BEER AND BREWING....with Brian Gates
About Brian....
Brian has been employed in the drinks industry for some 25 years working for several independent wine and beer importers, and retailers, during that time. He has picked up awards for his wine writing along the way, such as the Guild of Sommeliers Chateau Loudenne Award and Smith Woodhouse Port Wine Scholarship. Brian has always held a parallel interest in beer and brewing, and has written many articles on topical issues relating to the brewing world, and the subjects history. He has always been a passionate supporter of the independent sector, working for maltsters Tuckers Maltings for over 14 years. Brian was considered instrumental in developing the Tuckers speciality bottled beer range, as well as creating several successful brands. His thirst for knowledge and sharing his passion for both wine and beer remains undiminished! But, it is perhaps his love of grain over grape that has taken the upper hand in recent years! ....Nazdrave!
 |  |
 | ....STYLE AND CONTENT - IN EQUAL MEASURE?.... Good design is an essential part of today's marketing. But does the look of a beer always reflect the contents within? A new beer from Sweden has an air of quality about it which would find favour in the most famous sparkling wine region in the world! But, is there more to looks alone... |
....A CALL FOR A HORN OF PLENTY?.... One of the most fascinating aspects of the world of brewing is when you find something a little out of the ordinary. At first glance whilst this may seem a strange location to site a brewery, history reveals a different story...which brought an important word to the English language, and one we all recognise today. |  |
 | ....FIRESTONE WALKER UNION JACK IPA.... Some beers look every inch the country they hail from, but can sometimes play strange tricks. Sometimes you come across a beer that gives all the indicators of its country of origin, only to find it serves up some surprises! Both label and flavour are not always what you expect....
|
....BOB'S - AND A PERFECT PORTER.... Lurking within a range of unsuspecting beers there are occasions when something out of the ordinary makes an impact. Not just the content within the bottle is worth noting but the efforts gone into he packaging also. A rarity within the supermarket sector...
|  |
 | ....G'FRORNS! - A WINTER SOLACE....
History has a way of revealing some fascinating incidents, and no more so than in the world of Brewing. What appears at first to be a minor travesty, can turn into something far more fruitful! How those historical events are recorded on the www however can be open to closer scrutiny...
|
....RAISE THE STANDARD - HAIL THE CONQUEROR!.... The introduction of a new beer style can always be a controversial affair, with historical precedent to take into account. A new beer however has noble aspirations, and would no doubt be fine enough to grace the table of many a monarch!
|  |
 | ....IN PRAISE OF THE ALTERNATIVE HARVEST.... With a tradition that goes back to our earliest origins 'Harvest Ales' are open to interpretation. But one brewer in particular produces a beer that encompasses many aspects of the tradition, but also offers an interesting twist...
|
....SPECIAL GUINNESS AND MALAYSIAN CHOPS.... Although by type a 'stout' Guinness is a multi faceted product made up of several styles. With a history of innovative advertising than begun in the 1920's few products have made such a world wide impact. The company would go to great lengths in the past to deliver its message, often with imagination, ingenuity and simplicity...but always with and a touch of the unexpected! |  |
 | ....FRIEND OR FOE IN THE FUNGAL WORLD.... Whilst many 'blind' tastings can often bring unanimous agreement, there are occasions when something unforeseen comes along that splits opinion! In the world of brewing it finds favour with some, and not others. In the world of wine it is equally controversial, and has its roots in our distant past... |
....VAUX DOUBLE MAXIM ALE.... A beer with a fascinating origin that dates back to a bygone conflict. How did the brand originate, and what part did a member of the brewing family play in its making. With the beer brought back into the limelight in 2000 it is regarded as a British classic, but perhaps it needs a missing element to give it greater recognition. |
 |
 | ....SEATTLE BEER EXPLORATION.... With the US craft beer scene moving at such a pace, just how well served is the consumer at the retail end of the trade ? A recent visit to Seattle in the American North West shows that the bottle beer market is vibrant on many levels, so who are the best retailers and are there any challengers to the established order...
|
....EASTERN INTRIGUE - STOLICHNO BOCK.... With the brewers of Eastern Europe being the subject of major investment since the fall of the Berlin Wall and Western ownership, is it possible to cling onto the traditional elements of their brewing heritage or do market forces make the final decision ? One brand seems to be defying such change, and intriguingly, is the product of several Western European influences from the past...
|  |
 | ....STONE BREWERIES INDIA PALE ALE.... India Pale Ales are one of the most popular beer styles brewed in the world, no more so than in the United States. But what qualities does it take to set one product apart from others, a closer look at what is involved may hold some of the answers....
|
....A BRACE OF TALLY HO!.... With the warmer days still leaving evenings with a wintry chill, it is still a good time to sample some of the stronger brews, and both Adnams and Palmers breweries have something to offer! Intriguingly, they both share a brand with the same name, but just how similar are they as beers ?
|  |
 | ODDBINS...IN NEED OF RETAIL THERAPY.... Once regarded as the ultimate drinks retailer on the high street, Oddbins are going through tough times. Can they revive that originality which once set them apart from other retailers ?....and why we should appreciate what they did for beer also...
|
....VYING FOR THE KNOT.... With the Royal Wedding just weeks away brewers both large and small are turning their minds to the possibilities it offers. One beer in particular stands out so far... |  |
 | ....A CASE OF SINGING FOR YOUR SUPPER ?.... A rare photograph from the past may have a surprising number of connections with modern day events. Can we be sure that all we see is real, or are there some other motives at work ?
|
....BROOKLYN EAST INDIA PALE ALE.... Some beers it seems do not receive the same level of appreciation in their own countries as others. Is it a case of mistaken identity ? A closer look at the Brooklyn EIPA may find the answer... |  |
 | .....WHEN THE TOMMYKOCKERS COME A TAPPING!.... Tommyknockers were not particularly famed for their PR skills! So how did a brewery come to use a name that seemingly has no connection with its particular part of the world...
|
....Click on PAGE Numbers For Further Articles....
