Let me start by saying welcome to the blog, blogging about beer is a good thing, indeed a very good thing. We get to share tales of discovery as we find new beers and trade interesting facts that at least we’ll find interesting. Sometimes we might disagree but what’s the worst thing that can happen here, its beer.
I think the best place to start is by raising a glass and saying goodbye to the detox. I’m not talking full blown debauchery; we’ll cover beer festivals later in the year. I’m talking a gentle toast and a couple of pints to get us back on level ground.
This month I have mostly been drinking stout, such a wonderful way to navigate January. Health benefits abound, albeit not all official, stout is believed to act in a similar way to aspirin reducing deposits of cholesterol, due to bring crammed full of flavonoids. Not to mention that many of the antioxidants found in fruits, green teas and wine are found in beers as well.
Stout works so very well in the winter months, dark in colour, deep in flavour, yet still wonderfully refreshing. This style of ale is best friends with so many of our warming winter foods, if you get chance try a pint alongside Corned Beef Hash Cakes (simply mix corned beef, mashed potatoes and onions, split the mixture up into patties then dip in flour followed by eggs then breadcrumbs, finally fry the patties in batches in a frying pan over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown, remember cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your cake) it will honestly make you whole again.
A beer blog just wouldn’t be without some details of the best beers out there. Here’s my guide to the stouts that have been making me happy.
Titanic Stout 500ml 4.5% ABV £1.85
Great stout from the boys in Stoke. Roast barley and pale oats with an addition of wheat give the ale character and great flavours, lifted with the addition of three hops varieties. Lovely.
Dorothy Goodbody Stout 4.6% ABV £1.85
Time to reveal a deep love for all things Goodbody. I’m sure we’ll delve deeper into the wonders of Wye Valley Brewery some other time…until then this bottle conditioned stout really hits the mark. Wonderfully full bodied and refreshingly hoppy, at 4.6% it will warm you on the coldest of days.
My final recommendation fills me with wonderment, and leaves me thinking 2012 is going to be good year for beer,
Stringers Dry Stout 500ml 4.5% £1.99
New to Booths and arriving on shelf in three weeks times. Proudly independent, award winning beers, brewed in Ulverston. Stringers don’t rush putting this stout into a bottle and the result is a belter. Deep, dark, sweet malt and barley combined with Northern Brewer hops to give it an earthy, fruity finish. Remind me to talk more things Stringers some other time.
So that’s us started then. Speak soon……
John