tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post6123980830346613854..comments2023-12-11T08:10:41.077+00:00Comments on Mark Dredge - Beer: Thoughts for 2013Mark Dredgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-60518136915498809632013-01-25T03:45:22.088+00:002013-01-25T03:45:22.088+00:00Hi there! First time reader that's stumbled a...Hi there! First time reader that's stumbled across your little patch of heaven here via G+.<br /><br />Really great thoughts presented, and it's interesting to get a Brit's perspective (as an American beer nerd).<br /><br />What American brewers do you typically see over there? As someone who regularly tastes very fresh beer (day of bottling, pre-bottling, etc.), I agree that even between two pints from the same batch, a days-old pour will be like night & day compared to one that's been sitting around for a few months. I'm just curious as to what beers that our friends across the Atlantic are using to measure the American craft beer landscape.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07069020314087946991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-37884041206814748762013-01-06T17:56:41.182+00:002013-01-06T17:56:41.182+00:00Good thoughts mate!!!!!!!
happy new year to all o...Good thoughts mate!!!!!!!<br /><br />happy new year to all of youAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16420150665068531156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-26501655938906336852013-01-05T09:07:00.327+00:002013-01-05T09:07:00.327+00:00Is Saison really obscure? Not so sure -and I'm...Is Saison really obscure? Not so sure -and I'm equally unsure as to whether it's much of a homogenous "style" as even the Belgians have numerous, quite different, beers they call a saison (and that's without even venturing into the territory of the so-called black saisons).<br /><br />I suppose in the modern Belgian idiom saisons are moderately strong (6% give or take), lighter bodied beers that are used as a vehicle for some interesting hopping, but even that's a pretty broad brush "definition" with several variations on and around the theme. <br /><br />What they do have in common though is that they are very entertaining beers so yes, more please!John Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132845616834779091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-30589585974554819042013-01-05T07:31:58.394+00:002013-01-05T07:31:58.394+00:00Good predictions, hope you're right on the Bri...Good predictions, hope you're right on the British wheat beers. One more might be, will this finally be the year when Saison emerges from obscurity to take its rightful place and is acknowledged as one of the finest styles in the world?Beeronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02657819837673241949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-27261192225391258432013-01-04T20:51:56.507+00:002013-01-04T20:51:56.507+00:00Thanks Mark. I love my Kernal beers but haven'...Thanks Mark. I love my Kernal beers but haven't tried the others you mentioned. will give them all a try, thanks. That's a relief about Racer 5......probably my favourite hop bomb.deano242https://www.blogger.com/profile/05394449639446296143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-52222197016494813852013-01-03T10:41:23.414+00:002013-01-03T10:41:23.414+00:00Matt, what are the North London offies selling goo...Matt, what are the North London offies selling good beer?, incase they're not the ones I'm thinking of - Jack's in Finsbury Park, Bottle Apostle in Crouch End, Theatre of Wine in Tufnell Park, one in Gospel Oak.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06218792193556969372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-28067468125429558412013-01-03T07:02:15.372+00:002013-01-03T07:02:15.372+00:00Have to say that Wild Beer Co's beers seem to ...Have to say that Wild Beer Co's beers seem to be dividing opinion at the moment. Some of us have been pretty much underwhelmed by then while others have found them a delight.<br /><br />I think thye may be beers where a bit of age might work but there's the catch. I am told the kegs say they should be kept for two or three months before being sold but how may bars are going to do that ona regular basis? I also can't hep wondering whether some of their beers might perform better on cask? Not entirely sure about that one, but it might suit the style of what they are trying to do a bit better.John Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132845616834779091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-27737657983199565212013-01-03T07:01:13.303+00:002013-01-03T07:01:13.303+00:00Agreed!Agreed!Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-13192916733104171232013-01-03T06:59:43.065+00:002013-01-03T06:59:43.065+00:00Firstly, don't replace Racer 5! I love that be...Firstly, don't replace Racer 5! I love that beer and it generally tastes pretty good even after travelling over here! Some others to go beside it would be Magic Rock Cannonball, the Kernel IPAs, Buxton Wild Boar, Dark Star Revelation/Six Hop, Lovibonds 69 IPA, Tempest Brave New World, Bristol Beer Co Southville Hop, Rocky Head Pale Ale... They are all good places to start!Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-53621620142160095212013-01-03T06:56:48.511+00:002013-01-03T06:56:48.511+00:00I think that perhaps the American beers we will en...I think that perhaps the American beers we will enjoy more are those that don't "need" to be fresh - think big stouts, quadruples (one I had from Boulevard Brewing at Xmas was just stunning) and sour ales. For those beers where hoppy freshness and "zing" is more important I think home grown and European beers will (and, I think, do) have the edge.John Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132845616834779091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-47359273941043493292013-01-03T06:53:08.669+00:002013-01-03T06:53:08.669+00:00Allow me a little jingoism! There are brilliant Br...Allow me a little jingoism! There are brilliant British beers brewed which can rival (almost) anything brewed in America and I think British drinkers should support those instead of looking for the imports (which invariably are a few months old and not as fresh as they could be). And yes, these beers are largely better than the ones available, I think. Bear in mind that there's lots of tank-fresh beer here which doesn't get to the US (and having spent a few days in Chicago last year I do wish we had more places like Half Acre and Haymarket in London!).<br /><br />But at the same time, you are saying that American beer is better. More good beer is always a good thing. Cheers to that. Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-29114398692876244382013-01-03T06:47:32.834+00:002013-01-03T06:47:32.834+00:00I'd love to see more American beers, too. Imag...I'd love to see more American beers, too. Imagine if we could regularly get Firestone Walker, Deschutes, New Belgium, Bell's, Oskar Blues... And that's just a few of the bigger ones. But I think there's enough choice from Brit and European beers to keep us happy for now (just save up and head over to the US - they taste better fresh!)Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-34342565240124787172013-01-03T06:43:15.402+00:002013-01-03T06:43:15.402+00:00Eddie knows how to use Kent hops! And Fuggles et a...Eddie knows how to use Kent hops! And Fuggles et al are still a lot cheaper than many US and NZ hops, even if you need to use a lot more of them.Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-17949281008041049592013-01-03T06:41:02.785+00:002013-01-03T06:41:02.785+00:00I think the obsession was with the enormous volume...I think the obsession was with the enormous volume and variety and how different it all was a few years ago, but now that's shifting, meaning we can drink those US-style beers here. Hopefully that'll mean we look a little closer now (though it'll be hard to ignore the US completely...! And why would we want to, last year I drank A LOT of amazing US beer)Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-73687594351862985982013-01-03T06:38:04.098+00:002013-01-03T06:38:04.098+00:00High five to all of that! I can't wait to try ...High five to all of that! I can't wait to try more of Wild Beer Co.'s stuff - I bet there's some really nice beers hiding away in there...Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-3457286112580743452013-01-03T01:53:18.044+00:002013-01-03T01:53:18.044+00:00Mark, a few months ago I would have disagreed with...Mark, a few months ago I would have disagreed with you, but Harvey's Prince of Denmark has totally replaced my favourite Brooklyn black choc stout. What can you recommend to replace Racer 5 other than Jaipur?<br /><br />Deandeano242https://www.blogger.com/profile/05394449639446296143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-6031433942999173112013-01-02T22:57:39.481+00:002013-01-02T22:57:39.481+00:00Another Yank here. Great post and I enjoy your bl...Another Yank here. Great post and I enjoy your blog, but I've got to say my hackles rise a little at labeling British beer as "better" than American beer. I've had many wonderful British beers and many wonderful American beers, but labeling British beer as "better" seems to be painting with a very broad brush. It's a bit hard for me to set aside the kaleidoscopic variety of tank-fresh domestics and seasonals available here in Chicago. To follow on Ronan's point, maybe "better than the range of American beer currently available in the UK" is more correct. Let's just agree that more good beer is always a good thing, regardless of where it comes from.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08577566943888080387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-13726550294454061522013-01-02T22:42:47.101+00:002013-01-02T22:42:47.101+00:00Nice piece - would personally like to see a differ...Nice piece - would personally like to see a different/better range of US stuff coming over. I definitely agree that Brewdog/Thornbridge/Magic Rock/Kernel/Brodies and more are better than the increasingly repetitive selection of American beers, not to take away from Sierra Nevada or Brooklyn (classics) but the US selection is so often the same brands, Goose Island, Anchor Steam, an occasional Flying Dog (if you're lucky.)<br /><br />I assume this is to do with distribution but it isn't really good enough. As you say the choice is widening all the time in London, I am sure there are tons of great American beers we're not getting. I know there are plenty I've read about that I want to try but never see.Ronanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09963696638527890608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-51633469862482429232013-01-02T21:38:59.443+00:002013-01-02T21:38:59.443+00:00Eddi Gadd can work wonders with Goldings, it's...Eddi Gadd can work wonders with Goldings, it's still a lovelly hop as is fuggles but expensive to use for highly hopped beersGavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08821906012863445796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-19481603568600230292013-01-02T20:32:06.231+00:002013-01-02T20:32:06.231+00:00Agree with you about American beer Mark. For some ...Agree with you about American beer Mark. For some time now I've been a little bemused at the continuing obsession with USA beers by many UK bloggers and beer geeks when there's equally good (and often better) beer being made under their noses here in the UK and on mainland Europe. Be realy good to see a change of focus.John Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132845616834779091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-33829594753019044132013-01-02T20:11:14.442+00:002013-01-02T20:11:14.442+00:00Pretty much on the money there Mark. Magic Rock op...Pretty much on the money there Mark. Magic Rock opened my eyes (and taste buds) to fresh British hoppy beers in 2011, and I realised that breweries other than Brewdog and Thornbridge were brewing the beer that I really wanted to drink. Having had Wild Beer Co's Bliss earlier today I would say that the British sour beers are coming on nicely although I had a couple last year that weren't up to scratch. Matt makes a good point about US breweries looking to expand into Europe on general and would like to throw Stone into the mix as a brewery that may be looking this way. You're also right about cask & keg, good beer is good beer. Read the reviews, try for yourself, buy the good stuff and leave the bad beer alone. Happy New Year for us all !Justin Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07666476376111755013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-47427060853778562452013-01-02T19:57:38.382+00:002013-01-02T19:57:38.382+00:00I've noticed the same - there's just more ...I've noticed the same - there's just more good beer everywhere you look, especially in London. It's good to see.<br /><br />Interesting to hear your thoughts on contract brewing... I can't see Sierra Nevada doing it (but hopefully their new east coast brewery will give more capacity for shipping), but Brooklyn is possible - they might even brew some in the UK already, though that's not confirmed by anything other than rumour. Personally, I think America will just focus on America.Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-6717984226886667442013-01-02T17:35:13.279+00:002013-01-02T17:35:13.279+00:00I think you're on the money here Mark, more pe...I think you're on the money here Mark, more people will start buying lovely, fresh British beer because it'll be easier to find. In the last 6 months 3 off licences within a couple of miles from where I live in North London have started stocking Redchurch, Kernel and London Fields to name a few. It's easy to get hold of, it tastes amazing and like you say, it's much fresher than many American imports!<br /><br />I also look forward to more breweries trying their hand at sour beers, Brodie's efforts this year have been excellent so I look forward to seeing what other breweries can bring to the table.<br /><br />I think the one thing you've missed is that some larger American breweries will try to counter this problem of freshness and start brewing under licence in the UK just as Sam Adams have done already... Brooklyn and Sierra Nevada are two of the more obvious ones but I think a couple of smaller breweries could suprise us by also taking these steps.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362693914759656245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-76193661917119068702013-01-02T15:23:36.109+00:002013-01-02T15:23:36.109+00:00I think No.1 is the LEAST ambitious! We don't ...I think No.1 is the LEAST ambitious! We don't need to buy American beer in Britain anymore - we can get beer brewed in the UK which is as good, or better, and importantly it's fresh! <br />Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-72481505275377731552013-01-02T15:21:44.631+00:002013-01-02T15:21:44.631+00:00As someone who lives near fields growing tall with...As someone who lives near fields growing tall with EKGs I share your affection!Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.com