|
|
.jpg)
 |  |
....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 Tucker's Maltings for over 14 years. Brian was considered instrumental in developing the Tucker's 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!
 |  |
...A GERMAN SYMPHONY OF ORCHESTRATED FLAVOUR... With changes afoot in direction for many brews as popularity gains momentum, what does this mean for the industry? Can the raw materials of brewing make such swinging changes, possibly so. But, perhaps we should also be looking to other aspects of a beers make up... |  |
 | ....EXPLOSIVE EXPLOITS OF THE TIN MEN.... The constant rise in technology brings with it some interesting challenges, and some unforseen circumstances, that only time can reveal. As breweries have often looked for the best form of packaging to present their wares what type of impact will this have on the future of the planet. With the environment a hot issue, brewers are more concious than ever before in the part they have to play.
|
....HEAD FOR THE PARAPETS - DEFEND THE CASTLE!.... With pub closures in Britain at an all time high, as they face economic pressures from all sides, just how much value is there importance to local communities? One pub in Battersea is facing just such a challenge as it tries to rally support for its survival, based not just on its heritage, but what it means to the local community today - in real time...
|  |
 | ....SLIPPING THROUGH THE FINGERS OF TIME.... There are terms used in today's language which are perhaps used to freely and out of context. What defines someone as being unique is down to personal interpretation. But when such individuals come along it is a rare occurrence, and one that is worth recognising...
|
....FLAVOUR MYSTERIES OF THE AMAZONIAN DELTA....
Certain beers it seems are subject to an element of controversy, especially when it comes to re-creating the past. But, is it a case of taking a product out of context? and is the agenda not so much about trying to reproduce something from another age, but keeping recognition alive...
|  |
 | ....DUCK - RABBIT - A VISUAL FEAST!.... Finding a product that manages to be both original in design, with the content to match is a rarity. What makes a brewery want to champion a style that has almost fallen out of favour in its country of origin? Could it be that a new approach will ignite new interest? The Duck - Rabbit Brewery seem to think so... |
....GHOSTLY ECHOES OF A COMMUNIST REVELATION.... It is always interesting to return to something that had such an influence over you in the past, but like meeting an old friend, you are never quite sure what to expect, and how time will make a difference. A return to what in German is known as the 'Original' or 'Source of' was an interesting encounter...
|  |
 | ....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....
|
....Click on PAGE Numbers For Further Articles....
