Past the yardarm

[Tom Huckaby]

Sean - I can't speak for Dan King or Mike Benham, two other BB devotees, but I for one don't care what the hell they call it... they can call it sewer water and it would still taste as great.

I did develop quite a taste for the stuff while over there.  Oh I'm sure there are superior local brews.  But man a pint of BB after golf in Scotland... that's as good as it gets for simpleton me.

Isn't BB the house ale at Royal Dornoch?

TH

[Pete Lavallee]

I don't understand this GCA obsession with Belhaven.  Surely CAMBRA wouldn't call this a proper ale.  Why Scottish stuff is nothing less than a lager in disguise.

Ciao

Sean

Sean,

Give the Scots a break, their beer reflects what Scotland does best; grow great barley. Never one to incorporate anything English they purposely don't use a lot of hops; which is considered an English invention. In fact the English would have a difficult time brewing a proper "Wee Heavy" as brewery temperatures are too high in England (70*F) to get the smooth sweet flavour. The softer water is another reason for the unique taste as is the lower temperature of the Scottish breweries (60*F). There is a place in the beer world for a true Scots Ale!

[Dan Moore]

Portmarnock and Guinness.

[Mike Benham]

I'm really not sure what Pete said but I will agree with him.  

Belhaven Best is a cream ale, and if you like Guiness, I am convinced that you will like BB even more so ...

Dan - Yes, BB at North Berwick overlooking the 18th is a fine choice, and if I recall, the barmaid improves the scenery even more.  However, the Belhaven Brewery is located in Dunbar so the nod goes to the home town course.

Mike

[Brian_Ewen]

FBD
Brilliant  

I have never been able to kick my childhood Sweetheart Stout addiction and a Black and Tan is still my fav. post round pint .

Everywhere in Scotland I have been able to get one , apart from Turnberry , where a snooty lassie asked me , " A what Sir " ! .

I havent see Gillespies Stout in years , it was nice with an oatmealy taste , brewed in Falkirk if I remember , another 'Braid' that I have yet to experience .

Brian

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Badger Ales:
The Brewery
Blandford St. Mary
Dorset
DT11 9LS

Tel : 01258 452141
Fax: 01258 454700
email: beermarketing@hall-woodhouse.co.uk

http://www.badgerbrewery.com/index.asp

Blandford St Mary is on the outskirts of Blandford Forum.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

It's now just past 10 am.  This post makes less potent reading at this time.  How I need some strong coffee!

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Despite the early hour, I looked out this review of one of the brewery/pubs in Bishops Castle.  Sean, you could call there on your way home from Aberdovey or Borth, or that remarkable James Braid course at Welshpool, or the mountain goat course at Church Stretton, or even Llandrindod Wells.  And while in the area remember to recite 'Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun are the quietest places under the sun.' (Housman).

Three Tuns
 
Brewpub. Famous for its old Victorian brewery tower and distinctive ales - but now the pub and brewery are in separate ownership. Open all day and unspoilt by progress. Food served in a restaurant area. Two bars and eating lounge with a log burner. Friendly bar with pleasant helpful staff. Some beers served a bit too cold. The pub and brewery were sold in the 1890s for £40 and £13 - according to the invoice displayed in the rear bar. Situated in Salop Street at the top of the hill in Bishops' Castle. Tel - 01588 638797. Visited in Aug 2000, Aug 2001, Jul 2003, Dec 2005 and Jan 2006
Castle Steamer Almost black, yellowy head, smoky taste, malty
Clerics Cure Honey colour, good temp, very distinctive taste that lasts to the last mouthful
Old Scrooge Traditional Christmas Ale, treacle toffee in a glass, good colour, clear, sweet and malty taste
Three 8 Flavour is very temperature sensitive - improved with warmth, bitter aftertaste
XXX Bitter Slight fizz on the tongue, sweet-honey flavour, very pale

[TEPaul]

"It is brewed in Henley on Thames and it made me think of which golf courses would be the best to play before sampling the local ale at the Brewery Tap, where it always tastes just that little bit better."

Oh, Bull-crap---you ale sophisticates make me cringe. Just go get some cheap wine---chug it and go out and play any course---it's exactly the same thing. Or better yet take a flask out there with you. It might even turn you into a talented architect during the round. It's just amazing how "smart" you can be with a buzz on, no matter what the hell the liquid was.

[ForkaB]

Bellhaven Best is the Myrtle Beach of British beers--accessible, excellent where quantity rather than quality is of prime importance, and very enjoyable if you are fanatic about the generic product.  A good friend of ours (who is an insufferable beer snob) just moved to Dunbar was so delighted to find a gastro-pub there which did NOT serve Bellhaven he invited us out for dinner!

As for Sweetheart Stout, I haven't touched a drop since the midwives made me smuggle bottles into the Dunfermline maternity hospital to optimise the quality of Josie's breast milk.....

If you want realy good beer go to England and have Mark show you the way.  The golf is still much better in Scotland, however, all things being considered....

[Mark_Rowlinson]

What was it Charles Atlas used to boast?  'You, too, can have a body like mine.'  Beer helps.

[ForkaB]

What was it Charles Atlas used to boast?  'You, too, can have a body like mine.'  Beer helps.

Wasn't it Charles Kennedy?

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Rihc, Don't labour the point - be a bit more conservative in your views!

[ForkaB]

You old monster raving loony, you!