Drink
Mmmm now you're talking! This section is likely to have a leaning towards what is available local to us in the UK but I'm sure some things mentioned will appear around the globe. This could end up as a huge section but just for starters...
Beer
Beers to try
Too huge and important a subject. I shall have to think (drink?) carefully and do some sampling before tackling this part. But, to get you started here are some beers to try:
Ale, draught
- Harveys Mild, Bitter etc. England.
- Hop Back Entire Stout. The burnt malt taste of Guinness but better.
- Ridleys Mild. England. 8/2005 Ridleys has been taken over by Green King who intend to close this historic brewery. I shall be avoiding Green King products from now on.
- Woodfordes Wherry. England. Bitter
Ale, bottled
- Hop Back Summer Lightning. England. Bottle conditioned. Also available draught.
- Fullers HoneyDew (organic). England. Made with honey. Also available draught. Too sweet for some but Wyn likes it. A good introduction for people who 'don't like beer'.
- Duvel. Belgium. Deceptively strong for a light-coloured beer. Wonderful flavour.
Trappist Beers, bottled
- Achel. Belgium. Not strictly a recommendation as it is a fairly new brewery and I haven't tried their beers - reports please!
- Chimay. Belgium. White, Red and Blue (colour of the cap). Nectar!
- Orval. Belgium. An acquired taste for some, but worth acquiring.
- Rochefort. Belgium. A variety of beers, 6 8 and 10, at different strengths - try them all! Wyn particularly likes the very high alcohol 10.
- St Sixtus. Belgium. Not tried for a while, reports please.
White beer
- Wieckse Witte. Brewed by De Ridder, Maastricht, Netherlands. Made with herbs and bottled with sediment. Drink it cool but not cold with the sediment mixed in. Ideal for the summer but good any time!
Where to buy
In the UK a delection of beers worth drinking can be found in most supermarkets and off-licenses. The ‘CAMRA says this is real ale’ scheme and its distinctive logo will help you to find bottle conditioned British beers which will provide a better taste in exchange for some careful storage and pouring.
The links below will take you to suppliers with a more serious approach to beer and will enable you to order bottled, and in some cases draught, beers from the UK and abroad.
- www.realale.com As well as buying on-line you can visit their first shop in Twickenham, Southwest London. It is open 7 days a week and currently offers over 60 ales and a few natural ciders, mostly in bottles, but also in disposable demi- and poly-pins (18 and 36-pint containers respectively).
- www.beersofeurope.co.uk Their aim is to have in stock the most comprehensive and out of the ordinary selection of beers and glassware in their shop and on line. All at very competitive prices. They have over 1400 different beers from over 60 Countries plus over 150 different glasses.
- www.livingbeer.com LivingBeer.com delivers cases of 12 fine, unusual, quirky and rare bottled real ales.
- www.beer4home.co.uk Dedicated to supplying you with the very best in cask ale from some of Britain's premier craft breweries.
- www.onlyfinebeer.co.uk Onlyfinebeer stocks bottled beers from around the world.
- www.fabeers.com Bottled beers from around the world. As well as the on line shop you can visit them in the UK at their York and Wetherby outlets.
- www.beermerchants.com A family owned business started in 1979 to import and distribute high quality beers of different origins.
Cider/Cidre
Often thought of as a fizzy soft drink with a kick but a taste of some decent ciders will change your views.
- A new version of the CAMRA Cider Guide came out late October 2005 and is a good place to start your quest for decent cider.
- France. Ecusson Brut (dry) or Doux (sweet) according to your taste.
Wine
We sometimes buy wine over the Internet as a result of offers from Avery's, Virgin Wines, Metwines and Laithwaites. Metwines is run by the Metro newspaper and Virgin wines. We have also bought over the Internet from Majestic who have a larger range, pre-arranged delivery times, and pay commission if you shop via www.4wp.org.uk/shopping.htm. Supermarket offers seem to provide better value so most of our buying is from Sainsbury's and Tesco's (the latter also available via www.4wp.org.uk/shopping.htm).
If you would like to buy some hand-crafted wines direct from a small producer in southern France we recommend you visit Les Clos Perdu (Hidden Vineyards). You may also be interested to know they are currently working towards organic status.
Booze Links
Campaign for Real Ale Covers beer and cider
Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood
The Beer Hunter Michael Jackson Beer Information Site