Local beer for local people

(Note: this has been edited a bit as I wasn't happy with it - still not really sure it conveys what I'm trying to say but hopefully its closer!)

There's been a bit of discussion recently (on twitter and on Belfast Beer Blog) about the local brewing scene. In one of my early posts I highlighted how I believed the beer scene in NI had come on quite dramatically. Since then we have had the addition of even more local brewers (Farmageddon, Pokertree, Fulcrum, Sheelin, Cloughmore, etc.) and there even more to come soon (see here and here!). Added to the existing Whitewater, Hilden and McGrath’s it's clear the scene is expanding - though this interesting post from  Belfast Barman(ager) highlights the issue of actually getting people to drink the stuff! 

Though, even given these developments, there's been a bit of discussion about the quality of what’s been brewed locally. In its defence, there only been one beer produced locally that I have sinked (coming soon...), and almost all of the production is superior to the mega-brewers that dominate the pubs and off-licenses. However, to me some (but by no means all) of the discussion on quality has centred around - for want of a better term - how "adventurous"/exciting the beer is. Though I do think there are genuine concerns about how good some of the production is. (However, quality - like flavour - is a bit subjective, what I like, what I think is quality/flavoursome, may be different to your opinion and that makes this a tricky discussion.)   

With this in mind I looked forward to trying two new beers on the local scene - special "geeky" beers from Farmageddon at that:

 The first one I tried was the Cascadian Dark Ale (Style: Black IPA. ABV: 6.7%. From: Grange Wines). Poured deep ruby red / brown with a tan head that reall din't hang about. Aroma of burnt toast, pithy citrus and treacle sweetness. Taste-wise there's some molasses, toasted malt, brown sugar, orange, and grapefruit. Mid to full bodied, oily, and a decent bitter finish. This was really nice, a bit like their India Export Porter and then some. As good as anything I've had locally. Score: 7.5

Next up was Tomahawk S.M.A.S.H. (Style: IPA. ABV: 6.7%. From: Grange Wines). Poured a dark/burnt orange with a fine off-white head. Pithy orange aroma but that gives

way to something chemical. Again the taste starts off pithy and bitter, but if gives way to iodine, TCP, and something very astringent. Mid-bodied and sticky. While the antiseptic quality was rather muted to begin, as the beer warmed up it overwhelmed everything else to the point of being undrinkable. I assume they were aiming for something like North Peak's Diabolical IPA, it didn't work out though. It's fair to point out some people have loved this beer (according to twitter/untapped anyway). Maybe it's just me or maybe there some consistency issues. Score: 2 (mostly for the effort).

So in summary, one of these has probably overtaken Whitewater's HoppleHammer as my favourite local beer, the other was - quite frankly - a mess (if it was meant to taste like that at least). I applaud the effort if not the execution of the SMASH (though conceptually I'm not a huge fan of the single hop same malt base type beers - it kinda works for the likes of brewdog in the IPA is Dead series as an experiment or an educational thing, but frankly I couldn't care less if the beer is brewed with one particular hop or not, I just want it to taste good).

Certainly these beers seem a bit more in the "adventurous" category, but all of the local producers get some sympathy from me on the "not adventurous enough" charge anyway. Let me explain why... I drink a fair bit of beer, I'm the person the local brewers should be be aiming their adventurous beer aimed at, and no doubt I'd drink it. However, it's pretty rare I'd drink the same beer regularly - even the cracking ones and sometimes especially the out there ones - I mean how many "Grand Cru Russian Imperial Stout brewed with Snowberry Honey, Anardana Seeds and finished in Appleton Estate Rum barrels" (courtesy of The Craft Beer Trends Predictor) can you drink...

The beers I do drink regularly tend to be solid, balanced, quaffable, easy, sensibly ABV's, and competitively priced.  Judging my by untapped timeline other people are similar (unless they aren't checking in their regular brews of course). For normal beer drinkers I'd guess this also applies - my non-geeky friend's want refreshing and session-able - they are open to trying something different, but not that different (and they won't pay big dough for something they're not sure they'll enjoy). Therefore, if I was a producer (and I don't even home brew by the way so what do I know) I'd look to build my base market and market share by producing quality beer capable of appealing to a fair chunk of the market before making a beer that may get critical recognition but is actually drunk by a tiny proportion. Then I'd work my way up to something a bit more fun!

Yes, I do think if someone brews a cracking "adventurous" beer it'll sell and sell well - but I'm guessing brewing such a beer ain't as easy as it is typing about one! 

This doesn't excuse the local guys/girls from trying new things and it doesn't excuse poor quality, I don't tend to drink anything produced in NI on a regular basis so I think there is some work to do in upping the general quality and flavour. What's being produced in the south should highlight the way - I'd love an NI version of Amber Ella or Rascals Ginger Porter, or (if we are really lucky) Of Foam and Fury but I don't think anyone is at that level yet (though I have high hopes for Boundary Brewing and Belfast Brewing). Dull beer and bad beer won't grow the scene and no-one is going to pay more money for something no better than the big guys make at 3/4 of the price. The guys/girls locally brewing have the challenge of growing the market (and their market share) at the same time as expanding the local taste buds. I think it'll take time but it is getting there, and if you're a local brewer reading this don't be afraid to test the market every now and then - you might be surprised!  

Right, I've prattled on long enough... I'm off the tick another beer.

Cheers

Hilden Beer and Music Festival

So last night I headed up to Hilden Beer and Music Festival. It was a great night's crack. Lovely setting, good music, tasty food,and, most importantly, good beer! Even the rainy weather couldn't put a dampener on the event. I even got to tick another beer off the list (forgot my phone so no pics!).

Beer 166 from “1001 Beers...”

• Exmoor Gold. Style: Golden Ale, ABV: 4.5%.
  My drinking buddy (hello abs!) described the beer as smelling “like a piss stained porta-cabin”. Not sure I would agree with this very specific description... Either way it tasted just fine but nothing too exciting
  Score: 5.5

Beer 57 outside the list

• Hilden's Twisted Hop. Style: Golden Ale, ABV: 4%
  Lovely on cask from the brewery. See my review here.
  
  

Beer 68 outside the list

• Thornbridge Lord Marples. Style: Bitter, ABV: 4%
  I'm a fan of Thornbridge. Despite this being the first pour out of the cask, it wasn't bad at all. Bitters don't do that much for me but this was quite drinkable.
  Score: 6
  
  Beer 69 outside the list
• BG Sips (Blue Monkey). Style: Golden Ale, ABV: 4%
  Hoppy and fruity. Really enjoyed this.
  Score: 7
  
  
  Beer 70 outside the list
• Barney's Beer Red Rye. Style: Rye Beer, ABV: 4.8%
  The use of rye made this a bit of a change for the taste buds. Started well but not a great finish.
  Score: 5.5
  
  
  Beer 71 outside the list
• Hilden's Barney's Brew. Style: Wheat, ABV: 5%
  Description here. Light, peppery and spicy. A great way to finish my tasting at the festival.
  Score: 7

Things got busy as the night when on, a few more taps (may be a few more choices) would have eased the queues. But service was quick and friendly and the atmosphere great. Still two days to go. If you've no plans get yourself up to Hilden for a great day's crack. If you have plans, change them and support a local brewer!

Cheers

The Slieve Donard and more

I promised a rant at the end of my last post. Well, this isn't really a rant more a... helpful suggestion. I was lucky enough to be treated by my wife and toddler to a night in the Slieve Donard Hotel. I love the Slieve. It's one of my favourite places in NI to go to get away from it all. The rooms are lovely, the views spectacular, the Spa reinvigorating, and the food is mouth watering.

It's great that they make a big deal of all the local produce they use, from sausages, to beef, to bread. They also have a great (if expensive) wine list. They have spent time devising menu's and picking the accompanying wines. Yet when it comes to beer, the choices are the usual mediocre selection of international lagers and a token stout.

The closest thing to a local beer is Murphy's Irish Stout. I mean how hard would it be to sell Harp... just joking! The Slieve, and all Hastings hotels, are among our premier tourist hotels, and this extends beyond the Slieve to all our hotels, restaurants, and bars. They have a prefect opportunity to promote the best beers we have locally – seriously even 1 or 2 beers from Whitewater, Hilden, Clanconnell, etc, would do. When I'm a tourist, even before I was a beer geek, I always tried the local brew – there must be more people out there like me! Seriously, any Americans who are into craft beer would lap up HoppelHammer, or Twisted Hop, or McGrath's Irish Black, or – well you get the idea by now.

There might be good reasons why its not done, may be they tried before but there wasn't the demand. If so, given the explosion in the craft beer scene, may be now might be a good time to try again.

This isn't a serious gripe, I love the Slieve and I'll be back either way, I just think there is an opportunity here for everyone.

Anyway, back to the beers.

From “1001 Beers...”

Number 162

• Maredsous 10. Style: Tripel, ABV: 10%.
  
  
  
  Description: Poured golden/honey with a decent head. Lacing stayed throughout. Slight yeasty/bready small with a citrus little fruit. Quite a sweet taste, but with a little spicy/tart (may be a little vanilla?) but not much sourness. Syrupy but light mouth feel.
  Thoughts: I really enjoy a Belgian tripel. This was a nice beer – but not as good as Tripel Karmeliet. Most tripels hide their ABV well, this one was slightly less subtle and came across slightly too boozy to me. A bit more fruit and a sour finish would have lifted a level. Solid beer though.
  Score: 7

Number 163

• Maredsous 8. Style: Dubbel / Belgian Brown, ABV: 8%.
  
  Description: Poured dark honey in colour with beige head that lasted. Smells of biscuit malts and brown sugar. Mid mouth feel, slightly syrupy. Toasted caramel and spice tastes, with some dark fruit and nuttiness. A little bitterness on the finish.
  
  
  Thoughts: Quite light for a dubbeI, started by hiding the ABV well but got slight thicker and boozier as it warmed up. This improved the overall finish of the beer. Very nice (if strong) beer.
  Score: 7.5

Not from "1001 Beers"

Number 62

• Schlosser Alt. Style: Alt Bier, ABV: 4.8%.
  
  
  
  Description: Poured light brown, with a decent white head that dissipated quickly. Biscuit malt aromas. Slight burnt caramel tastes, a little hops, and quite a light mouth feel.
  Thoughts: Another new beer style. This hybrid beer is slightly lagerery with plenty of dark malt (a wee bit like anchor steam). Decent but not spectacular. Interested in trying more Alts.
  Score: 6.5

Number 63

• Skimshander. Style IPA, ABV: 4.5%.
  
  
  
  Description: Poured amber with with a small head that completely disappeared. Slightly bitter taste, with some light floral flavours and a little bit of grapefruit. Mid mouth feel.
  
  
  Thoughts: To me this came across more like an English pale ale, than an IPA. When I see IPA on a label I expect more hops, this was a wee bit too subtle for me.
  Score: 6

Cheers

The Craic's good the beers...

Local Beer for Local People
There is only one Norn Irish beer in "1001 beers to try before you die". That's probably not a shock to many people who have been to pubs and bars across the country. Yes, we have some great bars for a good night out enjoying the craic and talking rubbish. But, until recently, if you liked a beer that wasn't Bud, Carlsberg, Harp, or Tennents, i.e at best insipid pale lager, the choices were basically non-existent.

"Ah, but what about Guinness", I hear you say. Yes, its ubiquitously available, and yes given the right circumstances it can be a good pint. Those circumstances are (a) the bar serves lots of it, i.e. the bar is full and no-one is drinking anything else and (b) it's within sight of the brewery - Guinness travels really badly!

However, in the last few years things have really begun to change. Local brewers, such as Hilden, Whitewater, and Clanconnell deserve praise as they have been producing really decent beer for awhile - but they are now starting to gain traction and are becoming more widely available.

Beers

So here's a quick run down of my favourite local beers:

Whitewater

• Hoppelhammer. Style: IPA, ABV: 6%. I came across this beer at the CAMRA Belfast Beer Festival in 2012, when it was (quite rightly in my opinion) voted Beer of the Festival. A big beer with a an intensive hoppy bitterness, followed by citrus flavours and a nice alcohol warmth to finish. This is probably the best IPA I've had from a UK or Ireland producer, and I'm glad to see it appearing a more and more bars across the country. Go buy some!

• Clotworthy Dobbin. Style: Porter, ABV 5%. This is the local beer which features in "1001 beers to try before you die", and deservedly so. A great example of the style, with toffee and sweet fruit overtones. A nice beer to sit down and sip in front of a warm fire.  

• Whitewater also produce the very tasty Belfast Ale, Belfast Lager, and Belfast Black slightly less adventurous - but they show what can be done with the style when you make beer the with passion and quality ingredients.

Hilden

• Barney's Brew. Style: Spiced Wheat, ABV: 5%. Who'd have thought you could get a local wheat beer, spiced with cardamom, coriander, and black pepper. It sounds unusual (and it is!) but it shows what an innovative brewer can produce that you'd never see one of the megabrewers even try. Lovely on an Autumn night!

• Hilden Halt. Style: Irish Red Ale, ABV: 6.1%. A big malty, red ale with only mild hops. The alcohol content gives it a nice warmth. 

• Hilden also produce Hilden Ale, Scullion's Ale, and Twisted Hop. All are worth trying out if you can find a bottle or two, and they also deserve credit for some of the best labels in the craft beer scene. Hilden also brew a nice session house ale for the Dirty Duck in Holywood - always worth a visit for the chowder and a tasty pint or 2.

Clanconnel

• McGraths Irish Black. Style: Stout, ABV: 4.3%. I first came across this beer in the back bar in the Garrick  in Belfast. A jet-black, thick (almost tar like but in a good way), stout with big peppery and smoky overtones. Much superior to Guinness but it might be seen as an acquired taste - have a couple of bottles, give it a chance to grow on you, and it could become a favourite.

• I know Clanconnel produce other beers but I've yet to give them a proper tasting. I'll be sure to update this post when I do.

Where to Buy, in NI

So good local beer is available - along with some great craft beers and real ales from around the UK, Ireland, and the World - you just got to know where to find it.

Off-sales

Some credit has to go to Tesco and Sainsbury's who have now picked up beers from around the world and started making them available. Tesco (strangely availability changes from store to store - the Newtownbreda store seems to have the best selection) is good for world beers, where as Sainsbury's at Forestside is good for English ales.

However, and its a big however, neither can live with the selection, choice and advice you can get in the Vineyard on the Ormeau Road. If your buying beer in Belfast its the place to go. Have a chat with the friendly, knowledgeable staff; if your planning a beer tasting evening it's essential!

Festival

As a mentioned above, each year CAMRA host a beer festival in the Kings Hall. The 14th (see what you've missed so far!) festival is taking place on 21st to 23rd November 2013. Get yourself along for a great day's craic, live music, and plenty of good beers (though save me some of the black IPA if its there).

Bars

I covered this in my first post, but just to reiterate and add to, the following bars are well worth a visit and have a decent selection (and if you'r unlucky you'll see me there):

• The Garrick
• The Duke of York
• The John Hewitt
• Cuckoo (though its a bit Hipster...)
• The Errigle 
• The Dirty Duck

I'm sure there are more bars that have a good selection that I'm missing out on and more local beers I should be trying - let me know in the comments section!

Cheers