Wow! That really surprises me. The location's fairly central, ne? Do they not promote these sessions as effectively as they might, perhaps? FSM knows, I'd be all over them if they had a pub in town. (Sadly, the pub up the road turned into another damned Tesco a year or so ago, approved in record time. It was a Punch holding, which is never good news for landlords - but, if they really want to make a success of it, it is possible, as demonstrated by the Belle Vue. The beers are a bit more expensive than elsewhere as a result of that tie, but they do a superb job of keeping an interesting rotation of beers around, and some appealing whiskies too, as well as simply being a good, cozy pub, with a small art gallery in one section, and a good line in live music every Saturday night. So, it's in no danger of going under. ^_^
I'm quite a Saison fan, it has to be said. (BTW, unrelatedly, have you tried the Ilkley Brewery's White Chocolate Stout? I had the good fortune to try that (twice =:) a couple weeks ago, after one of my long-distance rabbiteering expeditions. It's a very strange beast indeed: tastes just as you'd expect a stout to, with a distinct edge of white chocolate, but it's the hue of an amber ale!)
Mikeller's definitely an interesting brewery. The White Horse works with them fairly closely, to the point where there are occasional staff outings to the brewery, where they get to sample many of their public and experimental works.
Very good to hear sis enjoyed her time at the tasting! Is she normally a beer lover? It's rather sad that current marketing always seems to push women away from beer, toward insipid white wines, or vodka.
One of these days, I'd love to get back to Hamburg for the Christmas markets. ^_^ (Though I'd happily accept any other city with a good gastronomic presence) Even the simplicity of fresh caramelised almonds are such a joy, straight out of the brazier.. and just that aroma! =:9
It's a shame that it's the same shops year after year though
I suppose it's an extension of the sad state of British markets overall, having been largely reduced to purveyors of cheap tat, with the rise of the almighty supermarkets, and their usurious profit margins. (Relatedly, how the hell is it that even in Wetherspoons, mass crap will be £3-3.50 a pint, with their gigantic scales of economy, whilst the locals will sell at £2.20-2.40 or so?) So there's much less of a fundamental culture of traders ready to sell their own wares, rather than just reselling stuff they've bought in. Still, the momentum does seem to be in the right direction, at long last - even the local one in town sometimes has some quite interesting vendors, let alone forthright foodie extravaganzas like Borough Market. (I know you're not London's greatest lover, but Borough Market is an absolute joy for the senses!)
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-12-24 06:09 pm (UTC)Wow! That really surprises me. The location's fairly central, ne? Do they not promote these sessions as effectively as they might, perhaps? FSM knows, I'd be all over them if they had a pub in town. (Sadly, the pub up the road turned into another damned Tesco a year or so ago, approved in record time. It was a Punch holding, which is never good news for landlords - but, if they really want to make a success of it, it is possible, as demonstrated by the Belle Vue. The beers are a bit more expensive than elsewhere as a result of that tie, but they do a superb job of keeping an interesting rotation of beers around, and some appealing whiskies too, as well as simply being a good, cozy pub, with a small art gallery in one section, and a good line in live music every Saturday night. So, it's in no danger of going under. ^_^
I'm quite a Saison fan, it has to be said. (BTW, unrelatedly, have you tried the Ilkley Brewery's White Chocolate Stout? I had the good fortune to try that (twice =:) a couple weeks ago, after one of my long-distance rabbiteering expeditions. It's a very strange beast indeed: tastes just as you'd expect a stout to, with a distinct edge of white chocolate, but it's the hue of an amber ale!)
Mikeller's definitely an interesting brewery. The White Horse works with them fairly closely, to the point where there are occasional staff outings to the brewery, where they get to sample many of their public and experimental works.
Very good to hear sis enjoyed her time at the tasting! Is she normally a beer lover? It's rather sad that current marketing always seems to push women away from beer, toward insipid white wines, or vodka.
One of these days, I'd love to get back to Hamburg for the Christmas markets. ^_^ (Though I'd happily accept any other city with a good gastronomic presence) Even the simplicity of fresh caramelised almonds are such a joy, straight out of the brazier.. and just that aroma! =:9
It's a shame that it's the same shops year after year though
I suppose it's an extension of the sad state of British markets overall, having been largely reduced to purveyors of cheap tat, with the rise of the almighty supermarkets, and their usurious profit margins. (Relatedly, how the hell is it that even in Wetherspoons, mass crap will be £3-3.50 a pint, with their gigantic scales of economy, whilst the locals will sell at £2.20-2.40 or so?) So there's much less of a fundamental culture of traders ready to sell their own wares, rather than just reselling stuff they've bought in. Still, the momentum does seem to be in the right direction, at long last - even the local one in town sometimes has some quite interesting vendors, let alone forthright foodie extravaganzas like Borough Market. (I know you're not London's greatest lover, but Borough Market is an absolute joy for the senses!)