A year ago, I done a blog post, which I was actually rather proud of. It constructed a list of the 10 most influential people in Birmingham's crazy 'world' of good beer.
12 months on and much has changed (or is in the process of changing), therefore we need to do a follow up. The only slight problem is that the formulae used to determine how influential people were/are, and therefore where they ranked in the list, has disappeared into the mists of time - in fact these formulae may never have existed in the first place. As such, these ten are served up to you in alphabetical order (by surname). Annnnnnnnnnnyway, here is this years list - the Top Ten Movers and Shakers on the Birmingham Beer Scene for 2013.
Nigel Barker (Wellington and Post Office Vaults)
The
Wellington yet again took CAMRA's top prize as the Birmingham pub of
the year, but it was with Nigel's newer venture - the Post Office
Vaults, that he made the biggest impact on Birmingham this year. With a
mind boggling range of Belgian and German beers, crammed into a tiny
space, the POV has quickly become a staple of any Birmingham pub crawl,
and finally (FINALLY) offers somewhere for us to consistently drink
world classics such as Orval, Rodenbach Grand Cru and De Molen Vuur and
Vlam. Tiny Rebel often feature on cask too, which is a big plus.
Strictly speaking, this ranking is sort of shared between him and Mike
Perkins, with them both being co-owners of the POV, whilst Nigel, is
sole licensee of the Welly.
Dr Paul Bennett (Beer Geek Brewery)
Launched in February 2012, Beer Geek are a common sight in the pubs of Birmingham, plus their excellent branding is now being recognised in London and other faraway places. Following the demise of the Two Towers' brewery tap at the Brown Lion, Beer Geek are now Brum's most recognisable local brewer and have the chance to broaden their range to seriously tickle the fancy of the city's swelling band of actual beer geeks.
Marverine Cole (Beer Beauty)
Not just an award-winning beer blogger and former Sky News presenter; this local-girl come good, is also a veritable tour de force banging the good beer gospel on television and radio (as in here). Savvy, well connected and glamorous, Marverine is ideally placed to use her national celebrity and local pride to bear on the Birmingham beer scene, with hopefully marv-ellous results.
Paul Halsey (Purity)
If this list had been written in a few months time, I would expect Paul to be higher up the list*. This would be because of the projected opening of the Purity Craft Beer bar, which is, I believe, due to touch down near John Bright Street to form (along with Brewdog Birmingham, The Victoria and the also imminent Craven Arms) the city's 'Craft Beer Quarter'. However as it stands we don't yet know what the new place will look like. Purity Mad Goose is still delicious however, and with their three beers still being ubiquitous in Birmingham, Paul is still a shaker.
Jaz and Kal Kandola (Cotteridge Wines)
This
time last year I didn't even know that Cotteridge Wines existed. Now
they are a nationally recognised off licence, with a range of 700-800
different bottles, offering access to US brewers not previously glimpsed
in our city. It is an astonishing rise. Via a twin assault of well
priced UK craft beers (and a big range too), plus access to foreign
beers (Mikkeller, Evil Twin, Anchorage, Bruery et al) Cotteridge now
present an irresistible offer, which has undoubtedly diversified the
craft beer audience in Birmingham.
Gerry Keane (The Anchor)
The
Anchor keeps rocking and rolling. The line up of great cask beers
keeps coming, with a excellent representation of lesser known brewers
from around the country. Also their range of beery events is as
impressive as ever.
Dan Muldoon (Brewdog Birmingham)
Finally,
in December, the big boys arrived. Brewdog, undoubtedly the superbrand
of UK craft brewing, finally killed off Brum's reputation as a desert
for kegged craft beer. With a dozen or so taps of unadulterated
quality, BD now bring us their own highly flavoured offerings, plus
guest beers we would previously have had to get to London to sample
(Nogne, Mikkeller, Evil Twin, Brodies etc). With imperial stouts such
as Tokyo, AB:12 and Paradox they are the first place to offer high
strength beers on tap. With regulars such as Dogfight, Punk IPA and 5AM
Saint, they are pretty much the only place in Brum to guarantee hoppy
draught choices. Two big pluses. Since opening, they have also killed
off the myth that Birmingham couldn't support such a 'craft'
establishment, or that there simply wasn't the demand in our great city
for premium beers. The place is rammed each night - go figure. With a
De Molen tap takeover on the horizon, and other such events in the
pipeline, we now have a place to light up the beery imagination of a
generation and blaze a trail for independent outlets to follow. He built it. We came.
Jen Nadin (Cherry Reds)
Cherry Reds is a wonderfully homely and friendly bar/cafe in Kings Heath, which has made a concerted effort to stock good beer in bottles and on tap. Jen has also programmed a consistent range of themed beer tasting events, and a held their second annual beer festival last August. This would be enough to earn Jen a place on this list, but, coupled with her participation in the Foreign Beer Bar at the Birmingham Beer Festival, and, perhaps more intriguingly, the projected opening of a city centre version of Cherry Reds this year, Jen is right at the heart of the good things which are afoot.
Krishan Rajput (Stirchley Wines and Spirits)
Krishan and his father are Brum beer pioneers; perhaps last year was the year where we saw his spiritual children begin to emerge, blinking, into the Birmingham sunlight. Stirchley Wines and Spirits continues to be a nationally
recognised off licence, with an awesome range of bottles, PLUS they now
have their own tap, offering fresh, draught craft beer to take away - to
my mind, one of only two places in the city to offer this! In
addition, Krishan again brought beer quality to the Birmingham Beer
Festival, with a powerful selection at his foreign beer bar.
Matt Scriven (Bitters and Twisted)
Matt's Bitters and Twisted chain continued it's expansion this year, by opening the steak-fuelled New Inn in Harborne. More importantly (for me) however, this year the beer range in his pubs was certainly on the up. With consistent cask offerings from Dark Star, Thornbridge and Red Willow and with a range of excellent bottles, the choice of good beer for Brum beer geeks suddenly got better overnight. Not only were the Victoria, New Inn, Jekyll and Hyde the first pubs in the city (to my knowledge) to stock beer from UK craft brewers such as Kernel, Summer Wine and Arbor, but they remain amongst the few to do so. (plus Magic Rock on tap is in the pipeline...)
---
Initial observations on the list? Well clearly it shows the importance of entrepreneurs. 12 months ago, there was space on the list for people who headed up national companies - this is no longer the case. In fact, apart from the Brewdog, whose brand power in the world of 'craft' beer is irrefutable, all of the other people who make this ten are local, highly motivated individuals, seizing Birmingham's beer scene by the scruff of the neck.
Next year (if I'm still alive) I fully expect the following people to appear in the list, for a variety of reasons: David Shipman (Birmingham Beer Bash), Keith Marsden (Prince of Wales, Moseley), Chris Sherratt (Craven Arms).
Having completed the above list, I sit here perambulating in my own glory.
<5 minutes elapse>
In this post-perambulation period, I have also come to a sort of encapsulation regarding exactly what it means to be a 'mover and shaker' on my list. It is part to do with the impact on the progressive beer scene in the city, and secondly, it's to do with the personal trajectory of the individual - have they improved or remained steady, etc etc. I hope that's clear.
*even though, as Carl Durose has pointed out - this sentence is complete nonsense. After all, for someone to move up the list, it would involve them knobbling all/some of the people ranked alphabetically higher than them on the list. Watch out Paul, Nigel and Marverine! Happy now?
Showing posts with label stirchley wines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stirchley wines. Show all posts
Monday, 11 February 2013
Thursday, 15 November 2012
The Fetishization of Beer. (My)
For a while now, I've realised that some of/perhaps most of the fun I get from beer, isn't actually always the beer itself. Very often I get a real buzz from all the peripheral stuff...... I present the following evidence:
i) I am hoarding beer. My cupboard overfloweth. I so cherish the idea of having a large and splendid collection of beer in my stash, that I am often loathe to drink any of my 'treasures'. Even when I know that I have a cupboard full of lovely beer at home, I still desire to go beer-shopping. I dream about it in fact. Generally I only allow myself to drink the really good beers, when (due to over shopping) I can no longer hide* my beers in my cupboard. Having to drink the good stuff however, makes me feel a bit wretched. This, in part, leads to second phenomena (see ii)
ii) The sourcing, acquisition and discovery of beers. As often stated, it gives me enormous pleasure to find an obscure Polish or Lithuanian beer in an obscure local shop. The pleasure of finding is very often larger than the pleasure of drinking these 'finds' - BUT they serve the purpose of allowing me to consume beer regularly, without having to eat into my 'treasures'. DOUBLE WHAMMY!
iii) I take photographs of the beers I drink. I'm not sure when this started, but it's getting worse. Now, not only do I take photographs of particularly noteworthy beers, I also snap pump clips, glasses of indistinguishable liquid and anything that I buy from a beer shop. Not only that, but a new breed of beer photography has been spawned from this - artistic beer photography. Twitter reveals that I am not the only one who likes to snap their beers.
iv) I rate my beers. This is a very longstanding symptom: for ten years I have been reviewing and recording every different beer I sample. This gives rise to a whole panoply of statistical beer geekery, allowing me to tick off countries, beer styles, drinking establishments and actual beers. This pretends to give legitimacy to the innate, blokey need to hunt/gather beers and shout about it to the other members of the 'tribe'. Even though it pretends to be cooler, Untappd fulfils this function also; so for all you Untappd dudes, please be assured you are just as sad as me.
v) I talk endlessly about beer. Whenever I can, I do this with people in the room with me; when this isn't possible, I go online. In fact, by seeking out and forming a peer group of like minded beer geeks, I have fundamentally changed the dynamics of my friendship circle, via the medium of Twitter. Again, and rather obviously, I am not alone in this.
Now points iii), iv) and v) are connected: they are clearly outward expressions of the need to be a part of the crowd and feel accepted. However, as for points i) and ii) - your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps I didn't have enough Star Wars figures as a child. Perhaps I am overvaluing each beer too much, instead of drinking them and yielding to their dirty pleasure. Perhaps my inner puritanical streak shrinks from the wanton lust of actual beer consumption, and therefore turns the acquisition of them into a guilty, exciting pleasure. Others in my 'circle' are less obsessive than me and are able to buy, consume and enjoy: but for me, the possession is part of the excitement.
I also love 'the choice'. In life generally I often find that 'the choice' is much more exciting that 'the choosing'. What does this mean? Well, when I walk into Cotteridge or Stirchley Wines and behold the shelves stacked with colourful treats, my heart is aflutter. When I have to actually select 5 or 6 bottles, I feel constrained, limited and cut short, because the wide expanse of 'the choice' is behind me and and I must live with the results of 'the choosing' (forever wondering whether the grass was greener on the other side)**. This torment repeats itself in my beer cupboard - the thrill of having a really healthy stash, somehow seems more boundlessly exciting than the rather limited excitement of having to select just one to actually drink.
Am I a complete weirdo? Am I alone? No. No I'm not alone. Twitter proves this. And in fact, even for those who do not obsess about beer, they are free to get jiggy with trainspotting, or go wobbly at the knees for vinyl.
I accept that I am a beer fetishist. After all, I actually sat down to write this blog piece about the subject - that's how twisted I am. You (yes, you!) on the other hand have read this article. You're a fetishist too. Accept it.
*from wife
** rather horrifyingly, this seems to correspond with aspects of my romantic life, during the mid part of the Noughties. Epiphany!
i) I am hoarding beer. My cupboard overfloweth. I so cherish the idea of having a large and splendid collection of beer in my stash, that I am often loathe to drink any of my 'treasures'. Even when I know that I have a cupboard full of lovely beer at home, I still desire to go beer-shopping. I dream about it in fact. Generally I only allow myself to drink the really good beers, when (due to over shopping) I can no longer hide* my beers in my cupboard. Having to drink the good stuff however, makes me feel a bit wretched. This, in part, leads to second phenomena (see ii)
ii) The sourcing, acquisition and discovery of beers. As often stated, it gives me enormous pleasure to find an obscure Polish or Lithuanian beer in an obscure local shop. The pleasure of finding is very often larger than the pleasure of drinking these 'finds' - BUT they serve the purpose of allowing me to consume beer regularly, without having to eat into my 'treasures'. DOUBLE WHAMMY!
iii) I take photographs of the beers I drink. I'm not sure when this started, but it's getting worse. Now, not only do I take photographs of particularly noteworthy beers, I also snap pump clips, glasses of indistinguishable liquid and anything that I buy from a beer shop. Not only that, but a new breed of beer photography has been spawned from this - artistic beer photography. Twitter reveals that I am not the only one who likes to snap their beers.
iv) I rate my beers. This is a very longstanding symptom: for ten years I have been reviewing and recording every different beer I sample. This gives rise to a whole panoply of statistical beer geekery, allowing me to tick off countries, beer styles, drinking establishments and actual beers. This pretends to give legitimacy to the innate, blokey need to hunt/gather beers and shout about it to the other members of the 'tribe'. Even though it pretends to be cooler, Untappd fulfils this function also; so for all you Untappd dudes, please be assured you are just as sad as me.
v) I talk endlessly about beer. Whenever I can, I do this with people in the room with me; when this isn't possible, I go online. In fact, by seeking out and forming a peer group of like minded beer geeks, I have fundamentally changed the dynamics of my friendship circle, via the medium of Twitter. Again, and rather obviously, I am not alone in this.
Now points iii), iv) and v) are connected: they are clearly outward expressions of the need to be a part of the crowd and feel accepted. However, as for points i) and ii) - your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps I didn't have enough Star Wars figures as a child. Perhaps I am overvaluing each beer too much, instead of drinking them and yielding to their dirty pleasure. Perhaps my inner puritanical streak shrinks from the wanton lust of actual beer consumption, and therefore turns the acquisition of them into a guilty, exciting pleasure. Others in my 'circle' are less obsessive than me and are able to buy, consume and enjoy: but for me, the possession is part of the excitement.
I also love 'the choice'. In life generally I often find that 'the choice' is much more exciting that 'the choosing'. What does this mean? Well, when I walk into Cotteridge or Stirchley Wines and behold the shelves stacked with colourful treats, my heart is aflutter. When I have to actually select 5 or 6 bottles, I feel constrained, limited and cut short, because the wide expanse of 'the choice' is behind me and and I must live with the results of 'the choosing' (forever wondering whether the grass was greener on the other side)**. This torment repeats itself in my beer cupboard - the thrill of having a really healthy stash, somehow seems more boundlessly exciting than the rather limited excitement of having to select just one to actually drink.
Am I a complete weirdo? Am I alone? No. No I'm not alone. Twitter proves this. And in fact, even for those who do not obsess about beer, they are free to get jiggy with trainspotting, or go wobbly at the knees for vinyl.
I accept that I am a beer fetishist. After all, I actually sat down to write this blog piece about the subject - that's how twisted I am. You (yes, you!) on the other hand have read this article. You're a fetishist too. Accept it.
*from wife
** rather horrifyingly, this seems to correspond with aspects of my romantic life, during the mid part of the Noughties. Epiphany!
Monday, 29 October 2012
Brum Beer Fest 2012 + other stuff
Hello yes.
The 2012 version of the Birmingham Beer Festival 2012 took place last week (24th-26th October). I attended on Friday and here are a few 'observations' (which is a posh way of saying that I'm going to tell you things about it).
First off, it was a massively good chance to catch up with fellow beer lovers from Birmingham and the surrounding sectors; people one regularly converses with on Twitter. In fact, the Thursday and Friday evening sessions were designated #Twissups, allowing me to check in with a selection of friendly faces. This was obviously a massive pleasure.
Second, the Foreign Beer Bar being run by Krishan and the Stirchley Wines team was a big plus, offering access to treats such as Emelisse Triple IPA and Duvel Tripel Hop, as well as £5 shots of 32% Brewdog Tactical Nuclear Penguin.
From a very personal point of view, the foreign beer options made up for the rather pedestrian cask beer list, which offered up a series of so-so beers during my foray. Now, I'm not not trying to be sniffy, but having been denied some promised Summer Wine beers, and with a hugely in-demand barrel of Magic Rock High Wire refusing to clear sufficiently to be sold, I was left slightly disappointed at a lack of cutting edge/well-hopped beers. Indeed, it was tricky to move beyond standard Bitters or Golden ales, but I did enjoy a Revolutions Paranoid Porter and a Tyne Bank Southern Star. Sadlers also came up with the goods (as they usually do), with a very nice double IPA entitled Sweet Leaf. But sadly, there were not many other cask beers sampled by me, which put their bubbly heads above the parapet.
Lastly: music at beer festivals. What's that about? By about 9.00 on this Friday evening, the upper floor of the festival venue was 'rocking' to a heavily metal band. This band may have been brilliant for all I know, but the volume, and my consequent inability to have a conversation with fellow beer geeks, meant that effectively the national beer floor became off limits. Which was a shame.
Still for all the mixedness of the above bag, the experience was undoubtedly positive. As a member of the BrumBeerTwitterati pointed out - it was good to feel 'part of something [a community]". The organisation of the fest was exemplary and the queues outside the venue on Friday evening were clear testimony to the popularity of the event. It has to be said that I don't really enjoy beer festivals (I prefer pub crawls) but I did enjoy my visit to the Birmingham Beer Festival.
**
The following day, I had another lovely beer experience. Following an exciting LCFC loss against Crystal Palace, I managed a mini-crawl of Leicester which took in the Swan and Rushes, Criterion, The Pub and the Ale Waggon.
I'm happy to say that the Swan came out on top, by retaining a dynamic selection of foreign bottled beers and by offering bar staff with the wit and knowledge to coherently discuss your potential choices. Because of the staff intervention on Saturday, I managed to add a DELICIOUS De la Senne Jambe de Bois, to the Kneitinger Bock and Forsting Festbier which I had already necked. When I was starting my beer journey in the early noughties, it was this pub that grabbed my tackle and got me excited. 10 years on and I still relish every visit.
The Criterion no longer has a bottled range to rival the Swan, but I did pick up a nice bottle of Krusovice Imperial. The Pub meanwhile had St Feuillien Brune on tap, which was a deliciously smooth Belgian treat.
Finally, after nipping into the Ale Waggon, I managed to grab 3 off licenced treats: Slovakian Saris, UAE Barbican (pineapple flavoured, alcohol free) and Ukranian Obolon. Cheering indeed.
***
Thirdly.
On the day previous to the Beer Festival (Thursday) I had a super, smashing, great sightseeing trip to London. Having visited all the 'hot' spots and scoffed a delicious falafel sandwich, I managed a lightning visit to the Euston Tap, which never disappoints, and which didn't disappoint. 3 x halves of Bristol Beer Factory Acer, De Molen Blikken and Blozen and Red Willow Soulless were all extremely well tasty and sent me on my way happily.
More soon.
The 2012 version of the Birmingham Beer Festival 2012 took place last week (24th-26th October). I attended on Friday and here are a few 'observations' (which is a posh way of saying that I'm going to tell you things about it).
First off, it was a massively good chance to catch up with fellow beer lovers from Birmingham and the surrounding sectors; people one regularly converses with on Twitter. In fact, the Thursday and Friday evening sessions were designated #Twissups, allowing me to check in with a selection of friendly faces. This was obviously a massive pleasure.
Second, the Foreign Beer Bar being run by Krishan and the Stirchley Wines team was a big plus, offering access to treats such as Emelisse Triple IPA and Duvel Tripel Hop, as well as £5 shots of 32% Brewdog Tactical Nuclear Penguin.
From a very personal point of view, the foreign beer options made up for the rather pedestrian cask beer list, which offered up a series of so-so beers during my foray. Now, I'm not not trying to be sniffy, but having been denied some promised Summer Wine beers, and with a hugely in-demand barrel of Magic Rock High Wire refusing to clear sufficiently to be sold, I was left slightly disappointed at a lack of cutting edge/well-hopped beers. Indeed, it was tricky to move beyond standard Bitters or Golden ales, but I did enjoy a Revolutions Paranoid Porter and a Tyne Bank Southern Star. Sadlers also came up with the goods (as they usually do), with a very nice double IPA entitled Sweet Leaf. But sadly, there were not many other cask beers sampled by me, which put their bubbly heads above the parapet.
Lastly: music at beer festivals. What's that about? By about 9.00 on this Friday evening, the upper floor of the festival venue was 'rocking' to a heavily metal band. This band may have been brilliant for all I know, but the volume, and my consequent inability to have a conversation with fellow beer geeks, meant that effectively the national beer floor became off limits. Which was a shame.
Still for all the mixedness of the above bag, the experience was undoubtedly positive. As a member of the BrumBeerTwitterati pointed out - it was good to feel 'part of something [a community]". The organisation of the fest was exemplary and the queues outside the venue on Friday evening were clear testimony to the popularity of the event. It has to be said that I don't really enjoy beer festivals (I prefer pub crawls) but I did enjoy my visit to the Birmingham Beer Festival.
**
The following day, I had another lovely beer experience. Following an exciting LCFC loss against Crystal Palace, I managed a mini-crawl of Leicester which took in the Swan and Rushes, Criterion, The Pub and the Ale Waggon.
I'm happy to say that the Swan came out on top, by retaining a dynamic selection of foreign bottled beers and by offering bar staff with the wit and knowledge to coherently discuss your potential choices. Because of the staff intervention on Saturday, I managed to add a DELICIOUS De la Senne Jambe de Bois, to the Kneitinger Bock and Forsting Festbier which I had already necked. When I was starting my beer journey in the early noughties, it was this pub that grabbed my tackle and got me excited. 10 years on and I still relish every visit.
The Criterion no longer has a bottled range to rival the Swan, but I did pick up a nice bottle of Krusovice Imperial. The Pub meanwhile had St Feuillien Brune on tap, which was a deliciously smooth Belgian treat.
Finally, after nipping into the Ale Waggon, I managed to grab 3 off licenced treats: Slovakian Saris, UAE Barbican (pineapple flavoured, alcohol free) and Ukranian Obolon. Cheering indeed.
***
Thirdly.
On the day previous to the Beer Festival (Thursday) I had a super, smashing, great sightseeing trip to London. Having visited all the 'hot' spots and scoffed a delicious falafel sandwich, I managed a lightning visit to the Euston Tap, which never disappoints, and which didn't disappoint. 3 x halves of Bristol Beer Factory Acer, De Molen Blikken and Blozen and Red Willow Soulless were all extremely well tasty and sent me on my way happily.
More soon.
Friday, 10 August 2012
Pioneer Launch
Last night was the launch of Freedom Brewery's new beer - Pioneer.
Now normally, the arrival of a new UK lager wouldn't necessarily feel me with the throbbing of a deep joy, but as it happens I was rather glad I attended this.
Where was it held Dan? It was held at the Post Office Vaults, whose staff were bedecked with Freedom shirts as they busily dispensed steins of free Pioneer to the hordes offree loading parasites, errr local beer enthusiasts, all eager to whet their whistle. I include myself in the aforementioned number.
The beer itself tasted like a UK version of Victory Prima Pils, but hopped heavily with indigenous, rather than US hop varieties. I detected herbal notes, some sweet grassiness and plenty of tongue wrapping, juicy, mulled lemon mulch. It was very pleasant. Hopefully it will become a fixture around the bars of the City, as it will offer a reliable kegged option, for refreshment porpoises.
Following the launch, I skedaddled to the British Oak in Stirchley, to hook up with an unspecified member of Brumcraft and top Birmingham beer reviewer the_Bish. Having not been to the British Oak for many years, I must say I was very pleasantly surprised to see the well kept decor, and lovely atmosphere, which was a blend of hipster-honeytrap and family friendly. I particularly liked the sprawling garden (complete with bowling green), which really is one of Brum's best beer gardens.
During the launch I was happy togrovel network with the head of Freedom Brewery, who struck me (n.b. not physically, he didn't hit me) as a nice chap indeed. If the purpose of the evening was to demonstrate that Freedom brewery is safely being steered in the right direction, then that objective was achieved. Now we just need them to launch that range of bottled Berliner Weisse they were talking about.
For a bit of formatting fun, why not cut and paste the previous paragraph into the correct position within this blog post? Prizes for the best guess.
Following the British Oak, a quick dash into Stirchley Wines also, which saw me commit a classic schoolboy error - yes, I bought a beer I've already tried. Heavens above/strewth etc. There is nothing which drives more mad (for indeed I am a beer trainspotter) than to buy the same beer twice**. So if anyone in Birmingham would like to do a swapsy with me, I am willing to listen to offers for a pristine bottle of Summer Wine Reaper Red IPA - which is a lovely beer.
**Not strictly true. I do buy a number of beers more than once, if I like them - e.g. Lindemans Cuvee Rene Gueuze et al.
Now normally, the arrival of a new UK lager wouldn't necessarily feel me with the throbbing of a deep joy, but as it happens I was rather glad I attended this.
Where was it held Dan? It was held at the Post Office Vaults, whose staff were bedecked with Freedom shirts as they busily dispensed steins of free Pioneer to the hordes of
The beer itself tasted like a UK version of Victory Prima Pils, but hopped heavily with indigenous, rather than US hop varieties. I detected herbal notes, some sweet grassiness and plenty of tongue wrapping, juicy, mulled lemon mulch. It was very pleasant. Hopefully it will become a fixture around the bars of the City, as it will offer a reliable kegged option, for refreshment porpoises.
Following the launch, I skedaddled to the British Oak in Stirchley, to hook up with an unspecified member of Brumcraft and top Birmingham beer reviewer the_Bish. Having not been to the British Oak for many years, I must say I was very pleasantly surprised to see the well kept decor, and lovely atmosphere, which was a blend of hipster-honeytrap and family friendly. I particularly liked the sprawling garden (complete with bowling green), which really is one of Brum's best beer gardens.
During the launch I was happy to
For a bit of formatting fun, why not cut and paste the previous paragraph into the correct position within this blog post? Prizes for the best guess.
Following the British Oak, a quick dash into Stirchley Wines also, which saw me commit a classic schoolboy error - yes, I bought a beer I've already tried. Heavens above/strewth etc. There is nothing which drives more mad (for indeed I am a beer trainspotter) than to buy the same beer twice**. So if anyone in Birmingham would like to do a swapsy with me, I am willing to listen to offers for a pristine bottle of Summer Wine Reaper Red IPA - which is a lovely beer.
**Not strictly true. I do buy a number of beers more than once, if I like them - e.g. Lindemans Cuvee Rene Gueuze et al.
Sunday, 29 July 2012
The Hype Machine
Are things really kicking off for Birmingham beer fans?
Is it finally happening?
Yes, I think it is and they are. [Remember to edit this sentence, it's rubbish.] [But isn't it deliberately rubbish? Isn't it slightly knowing?] [Yes, I suppose you're right, OK leave it.] [Thanks]
This issue of the Mediocre Hype Machine will give you cast-iron proof that things are on the turn:
i) Brewdog Birmingham
No visible sign of building work at their John Bright Street site yet, but we I believe they are still due to open sometime in August. This will bring uber-trendy beer in bottles and on tap. Plus, we should get new beers when they are new, rather than eons after the rest of the country.
ii) Purity's new Craft bar
Just round the corner from Brewdog, we now have news of a second new craft venue, which will be run by Purity team. Twitter brings news that it will feature a range of craft beers, in tandem with a top-notch food offer. This sounds good.
iii) Brumcraft
In July 2013, Birmingham will have it's first Craft beer festival, organised and delivered by Birmingham beer fans. No longer prepared to wait for the very best new beers to make their way to our City, a small group of determined activist have raised their heads above the parakeet and are now in a position to deliver a new kind of beer event - one peppered with the very best flavour combinations, from the very best new brewers. This will be a big one.
iv) Off licences flexing their muscles
I dare that say that both Stirchley Wines and Cotteridge Wines would rather that their competitor was located a bit further away; BUT given their close proximity, it's Birmingham beer fans who are reaping the benefits. There is no doubt at all that Cotteridge and Stirchley are driving up each others' standards - bringing in more and more of the World's best beers to us, at an ever quickening pace. The work of new and hitherto unseen breweries is arriving day by day, and the choice of so many great beers, means that personally I no longer feel like I have to live a compromised beer existence. Dan in 2005: "What beer shall I sup at home tonight? Samuel Smith? Freeminer? Erdinger? Marston?; Dan in 2012: "What beer shall I sup at home tonight? Mikkeller? De Molen? Kernel? Summer Wine? No contest. I may be asking too much, but I hope this level of competition continues, as it will surely breed a newer, larger audience for quality beer in Brum.
v) Better beer in existing pubs
Dare I hope? Is genuinely high quality beer starting to become commonplace in venues like the Old Contemptibles, and the Wellington? This may seem facetious, as these are two pubs in the City, already known for a premium beer choice; however.... theywere are not always home to the very, very best brands. But in recent weeks, we have seen Hawkshead and Moor at the OC's, Red Willow and Buxton at the Wellington and Tiny Rebel at the Post Office Vaults. I accept that these are very small, isolated examples, but I am still taking them as a positive. In fact, when I popped into the Welly on Friday, they had a mini-festival underway, featuring beers from a fistful of London's new breed of microbreweries - By the Horns, Hackney and the Botanist, in addition to Happy Valley from Macclesfield. Now I'll leave aside the fact that the Wellington failed to publicise this via social media, which would have been helpful, but you can't have everything. Pubs of Birmingham, we want these top beers, we want them regularly and we want to know when you have them.
vi) Cherry Reds
A tiny venue single-handedly taking on the apathetic giant, this Kings Heath venue are doing a great job with their range of great beers on offer and by hosting beer tasting events - to my knowledge they are the only venue really doing this at the moment. This outfit are a model of independence and integrity. More please.
vii) Beer Geek
6 months (or so) on from their launch, they are now an increasingly established local brand, available in loads of places across the region. More please. On a personal note, I would like them to brew a delicious beer in my honour, but I realise that does sound a bit grandiose and bit git-like, now I come to type it.
viii) Birmingham Post
Talented journalist/cum PR Manager Keith Gabriel neatly captured the gathering beer zeitgeist in the City, in this article. It's clearly a great piece of writing and clearly mentions all the most important beer figures in the City - namely moi. But seriously folks, when the Birmingham Post starts noticing that beer is on the up, beer really is on the up. In actual fact, the article in question appears to have been heavily plagiarised (in theme and tone) by me, in this post, here. Whoops.
So then, lots to be positive about. Are there any more?
Is it finally happening?
Yes, I think it is and they are. [Remember to edit this sentence, it's rubbish.] [But isn't it deliberately rubbish? Isn't it slightly knowing?] [Yes, I suppose you're right, OK leave it.] [Thanks]
This issue of the Mediocre Hype Machine will give you cast-iron proof that things are on the turn:
i) Brewdog Birmingham
No visible sign of building work at their John Bright Street site yet, but we I believe they are still due to open sometime in August. This will bring uber-trendy beer in bottles and on tap. Plus, we should get new beers when they are new, rather than eons after the rest of the country.
ii) Purity's new Craft bar
Just round the corner from Brewdog, we now have news of a second new craft venue, which will be run by Purity team. Twitter brings news that it will feature a range of craft beers, in tandem with a top-notch food offer. This sounds good.
iii) Brumcraft
In July 2013, Birmingham will have it's first Craft beer festival, organised and delivered by Birmingham beer fans. No longer prepared to wait for the very best new beers to make their way to our City, a small group of determined activist have raised their heads above the parakeet and are now in a position to deliver a new kind of beer event - one peppered with the very best flavour combinations, from the very best new brewers. This will be a big one.
iv) Off licences flexing their muscles
I dare that say that both Stirchley Wines and Cotteridge Wines would rather that their competitor was located a bit further away; BUT given their close proximity, it's Birmingham beer fans who are reaping the benefits. There is no doubt at all that Cotteridge and Stirchley are driving up each others' standards - bringing in more and more of the World's best beers to us, at an ever quickening pace. The work of new and hitherto unseen breweries is arriving day by day, and the choice of so many great beers, means that personally I no longer feel like I have to live a compromised beer existence. Dan in 2005: "What beer shall I sup at home tonight? Samuel Smith? Freeminer? Erdinger? Marston?; Dan in 2012: "What beer shall I sup at home tonight? Mikkeller? De Molen? Kernel? Summer Wine? No contest. I may be asking too much, but I hope this level of competition continues, as it will surely breed a newer, larger audience for quality beer in Brum.
v) Better beer in existing pubs
Dare I hope? Is genuinely high quality beer starting to become commonplace in venues like the Old Contemptibles, and the Wellington? This may seem facetious, as these are two pubs in the City, already known for a premium beer choice; however.... they
vi) Cherry Reds
A tiny venue single-handedly taking on the apathetic giant, this Kings Heath venue are doing a great job with their range of great beers on offer and by hosting beer tasting events - to my knowledge they are the only venue really doing this at the moment. This outfit are a model of independence and integrity. More please.
vii) Beer Geek
6 months (or so) on from their launch, they are now an increasingly established local brand, available in loads of places across the region. More please. On a personal note, I would like them to brew a delicious beer in my honour, but I realise that does sound a bit grandiose and bit git-like, now I come to type it.
viii) Birmingham Post
Talented journalist/cum PR Manager Keith Gabriel neatly captured the gathering beer zeitgeist in the City, in this article. It's clearly a great piece of writing and clearly mentions all the most important beer figures in the City - namely moi. But seriously folks, when the Birmingham Post starts noticing that beer is on the up, beer really is on the up. In actual fact, the article in question appears to have been heavily plagiarised (in theme and tone) by me, in this post, here. Whoops.
So then, lots to be positive about. Are there any more?
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Drinking - My New Paradigm
It's time to finally admit. I don't go the pub very much anymore. I think I was sort of trying to make this point in a previous post, but it warrants a more explicit airing.
Much respected colleagues in the Birmingham Beer Twitterari have recently revisited a much noted point - that Birmingham still doesn't have a City Centre pub, which can consistently deliver, on tap, one or more hoppy, high quality beers. Various location have their moments, but equally there have been many (boringly retold) occasions when I have ducked in and out of several boozers, during an attempted 'stolen crawl' only to find nothing to take my fancy.
This is one part of the problem. Now this part may be fixed by the arrival of Brewdog, in fact I'm sure it will. However, that will not correct part 2 of the problem, which is fiscal in nature, and could perhaps be described as 'quantitive diseasing' i.e. large corporations liberally pumping funds out of my bank account.
Brewdog won't be cheap, but then again, nowhere is that cheap anymore (except for the Black Country).
So shorn of my once frequent pub loitering, I have now moved fully to an off-licence driven pursuit of great beer. Off licence addiction is now easier than ever to 'get into', as Birmingham now provides any number of places to grab some Eastern European lager, plus two premier destinations for all the very best beer brands - both located along the Pershore Road (Stirchley Wines and Cotteridge Wines). Off licence shopping is clean, easy and oh so tempting; but it does lead to single-handed drinking, for [I am perhaps glad to report] my house is not usually filled with garrulous blokes standing at the bar necking boozes.
Yes, I now mainly drink alone, which simultaneously means I don't drink as much. This is good for health reasons obviously, but it does lead to a stockpile in my beer cupboard. Why is this? Well during a proper session in the pub, I might manage to sample 4 or 5 different beers in an evening, but I'm unlikely to do this at home, as sitting on my sofa, watching Family Guy and getting mullered on fine beer is not exactly the height of spiritual rebirth and doesn't provide the most wholesome example to set for one's offspring.
So then, what I have right now, is a cupboard full of beer, and ever more chances, to purchase ever more delicious beers, from some of Birmingham's ever more brilliant off licences. Good for the City, meh for my wallet, and confusing for my hectored brain. How can I keep up?
In the long run, will it truly be possible to be the poster boy of Birmingham's craft beer revolution from my sofa? Only time will tell, but it will require some ingenuity.
This post is dedicated to the_Bish - one of Birmingham's premier Ratebeer and Twitter correspondents.
Much respected colleagues in the Birmingham Beer Twitterari have recently revisited a much noted point - that Birmingham still doesn't have a City Centre pub, which can consistently deliver, on tap, one or more hoppy, high quality beers. Various location have their moments, but equally there have been many (boringly retold) occasions when I have ducked in and out of several boozers, during an attempted 'stolen crawl' only to find nothing to take my fancy.
This is one part of the problem. Now this part may be fixed by the arrival of Brewdog, in fact I'm sure it will. However, that will not correct part 2 of the problem, which is fiscal in nature, and could perhaps be described as 'quantitive diseasing' i.e. large corporations liberally pumping funds out of my bank account.
Brewdog won't be cheap, but then again, nowhere is that cheap anymore (except for the Black Country).
So shorn of my once frequent pub loitering, I have now moved fully to an off-licence driven pursuit of great beer. Off licence addiction is now easier than ever to 'get into', as Birmingham now provides any number of places to grab some Eastern European lager, plus two premier destinations for all the very best beer brands - both located along the Pershore Road (Stirchley Wines and Cotteridge Wines). Off licence shopping is clean, easy and oh so tempting; but it does lead to single-handed drinking, for [I am perhaps glad to report] my house is not usually filled with garrulous blokes standing at the bar necking boozes.
Yes, I now mainly drink alone, which simultaneously means I don't drink as much. This is good for health reasons obviously, but it does lead to a stockpile in my beer cupboard. Why is this? Well during a proper session in the pub, I might manage to sample 4 or 5 different beers in an evening, but I'm unlikely to do this at home, as sitting on my sofa, watching Family Guy and getting mullered on fine beer is not exactly the height of spiritual rebirth and doesn't provide the most wholesome example to set for one's offspring.
So then, what I have right now, is a cupboard full of beer, and ever more chances, to purchase ever more delicious beers, from some of Birmingham's ever more brilliant off licences. Good for the City, meh for my wallet, and confusing for my hectored brain. How can I keep up?
In the long run, will it truly be possible to be the poster boy of Birmingham's craft beer revolution from my sofa? Only time will tell, but it will require some ingenuity.
This post is dedicated to the_Bish - one of Birmingham's premier Ratebeer and Twitter correspondents.
Thursday, 14 June 2012
State of the (Mediocre Beer) Nation - Brum
I have now been writing this blog for around 6 months, which
has been a lot of fun. I have enjoyed writing a load of nonsense about my
beer drinking exploits and have tried in my own small way to promote good beer
in Birmingham
and highlight good practice.
Six months is therefore, probably a good point at which to take stock of where we are; and by 'we' I mean both me and Birmingham (as a whole). [Due to my garrulous typing, this will be done in 2 concurrent posts].
Six months is therefore, probably a good point at which to take stock of where we are; and by 'we' I mean both me and Birmingham (as a whole). [Due to my garrulous typing, this will be done in 2 concurrent posts].
Part I – Brum
At the start of the year, Birmingham had just welcomed the Post Office
Vaults, which is now very well established indeed, with a massive range of
bottled beers, great staff and a rising profile. It is the best beer pub
in the City.
But...... from August onwards Brewdog will be coming to town,
which will undoubtedly change things. Now in many ways this is a dream
come true, certainly it's something myself and other Brum beer bloggers and tweeters have begged for. But could it be the tipping point? I
think 'Yes' is that answer to that one. Yes. At last Birmingham
beer fans will have some tangible part of the national craft beer 'scene' to
cling onto; at last we are being taken seriously, by one of the big players.
I fully anticipate that the arrival of Brewdog will spark the counter-arrival of one or two independent craft beer bars, at which point we really will be in the midst of an upward trend. Equally, I think it will breed a new err breed of clientele, which will dovetail quite nicely with the fanbases of pubs like the Anchor, the Wellington and the Bartons Arms, which will still have a part to play, along with the Nicholsons and Bitter and Twisted venues.
Off-licence-wise, Birmingham has also expanded it's waistline, as Cotteridge Wines have popped up to become the first real competitor to Stirchley Wines; having taken note of the quiet revolution which SWS have been orchestrating for over a decade. Indeed, South West Birmingham has become something of a bottled beer haven. If only East and North Birmingham could seize the baton in as enthusiastic a fashion: but then again, they are already well served for Polish and otherEast European beer produce, as evidenced by my ongoing off licenceproject.
I fully anticipate that the arrival of Brewdog will spark the counter-arrival of one or two independent craft beer bars, at which point we really will be in the midst of an upward trend. Equally, I think it will breed a new err breed of clientele, which will dovetail quite nicely with the fanbases of pubs like the Anchor, the Wellington and the Bartons Arms, which will still have a part to play, along with the Nicholsons and Bitter and Twisted venues.
Off-licence-wise, Birmingham has also expanded it's waistline, as Cotteridge Wines have popped up to become the first real competitor to Stirchley Wines; having taken note of the quiet revolution which SWS have been orchestrating for over a decade. Indeed, South West Birmingham has become something of a bottled beer haven. If only East and North Birmingham could seize the baton in as enthusiastic a fashion: but then again, they are already well served for Polish and otherEast European beer produce, as evidenced by my ongoing off licenceproject.
It seems strange to think that only 18 months ago, Brum had
never laid eyes on a Mikkeller, Kernel, Nogne or Stone, but thanks to SWS, I
think we already take for granted our access to these international beer
icons. Indeed, if the Twittersphere is anything to go by, the City's
thirst for new national and international beer brands is getting ever more
intense.
Talking of Twitter, April saw the first Birmingham Twissup,
which was a great event in itself, but more importantly was the genesis of Birmingham’s first ever, (upcoming)
Craft Beer Festival, provisionally entitled Brum Craft 2013. Now this will be a fantastic event anyway, but
my feeling is that even in 2013, it will still be the only opportunity for beer
fans in the City to sample the UK’s
best craft beer on keg and cask. Whither
Magic Rock? Whither Kernel? My tongue is already watering.
In short then, the beer scene in Birmingham is getting better and
better. It's still not as good as London
or Sheffield, nor Manchester, Newcastle,
Huddersfield, Ilkeston, Cambridge etc.
But we are moving in the right direction, and the pace of that movement is
picking up (in the right direction of pace).
In my next post, which forms Part II of this State of the
Nation report, I will talk about myself*...
Monday, 16 April 2012
Brand New! Off Licence Project
In Birmingham, we all know that Stirchley Wines and Spirits rock the party as far as offies are concerned.
That being said, there are other places we will all need to pop into now and again to pick up beer - sometimes because we happen to be in a certain part of Birmingham, sometimes becauseI am we are too lazy to get on the Number 11 bus and head to see Krishan.
Because these occasions arise, and because SWS don't have enough space to stock those questionable lagers which so tickle my fancy, I have been known to nose around in all sorts of wacky off licences. We all have.
But we don't have a directory of these second rung off licences do we? How can we gain a knowledge of which Ukrainian lagers might be right on our doorsteps? Here's how.
I have instigated a brand new Google Map of Birmingham's 'better' off licences, for which I humbly request your assistance. The job has begun, but you will need to let me know of places which deserve to go on. Places like Cotteridge Wines, Casper and Lituanica.
Please use the comments section of this post to name any off licences which have interesting beers, lots of beers or a mixture of the two. The prototype map is linked here: Birmingham Off Licences
Check back regularly, to see how it is being updated.
That being said, there are other places we will all need to pop into now and again to pick up beer - sometimes because we happen to be in a certain part of Birmingham, sometimes because
Because these occasions arise, and because SWS don't have enough space to stock those questionable lagers which so tickle my fancy, I have been known to nose around in all sorts of wacky off licences. We all have.
But we don't have a directory of these second rung off licences do we? How can we gain a knowledge of which Ukrainian lagers might be right on our doorsteps? Here's how.
I have instigated a brand new Google Map of Birmingham's 'better' off licences, for which I humbly request your assistance. The job has begun, but you will need to let me know of places which deserve to go on. Places like Cotteridge Wines, Casper and Lituanica.
Please use the comments section of this post to name any off licences which have interesting beers, lots of beers or a mixture of the two. The prototype map is linked here: Birmingham Off Licences
Check back regularly, to see how it is being updated.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Ratebeer Best 2012 - Part Two
OK, just a quick post, as promised to wrap up the fascinating results of Ratebeer's annual beer survey.
Looking at the different beer styles, it's clear to see that US beers dominate across a lot of the categories. This is the case with English Style Pale and Bitters where 2 of the top 4 are American. Thankfully, 2 of my favourites feature in the top 10 also: Citra and Taipan, both from Oakham.
Some familiar names pop up near the top of various charts e.g. Ayinger Celebrator is top of the Bocks, Stone scoop the 3rd and 10th best IPAs, with Founders taking the top 2 Stout positions. The Belgian Strong list is crammed full of familiar names like Chimay, Westvleteren and Rochefort, whilst the appearance of Orval at number 3 on the Belgian Session list, is two spots too low as far as I'm concerned.
Of course, for most of the style categories, we have little chance of seeing the winners in Birmingham (based on current form), however we are pretty well served for Belgians, between Stirchley Wines and Post Office Vaults, so things are moving in the right direction.
Finally, a glance at the list of the World's best beer bars is enough to make you dig out your passport. Top spots feature in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Rome and Prague - all within reach of budget airlines. Unfortunately for the UK there are only two venues which make the cut: CASK Pub and Kitchen and Craft Beer Co - both in London and both owned by the same company. These are certainly two fantastic venues, but sadly for Birmingham, our representative on the list, The Wellington disappears, after making the cut in 2011 and 2010. This is a bit of a downer, but is probably not a real reflection on the Welly, just that the levels are constantly rising and that a beer bar has to go even further now, to stand out from the crowd.
p.s.
On the lookout for obscure facts? How's this for you: I have on top of my fridge a bottle of Canada's 49th best beer Charlevoix Vache Folle Imperial Milk Stout. Fascinating eh?
Looking at the different beer styles, it's clear to see that US beers dominate across a lot of the categories. This is the case with English Style Pale and Bitters where 2 of the top 4 are American. Thankfully, 2 of my favourites feature in the top 10 also: Citra and Taipan, both from Oakham.
Some familiar names pop up near the top of various charts e.g. Ayinger Celebrator is top of the Bocks, Stone scoop the 3rd and 10th best IPAs, with Founders taking the top 2 Stout positions. The Belgian Strong list is crammed full of familiar names like Chimay, Westvleteren and Rochefort, whilst the appearance of Orval at number 3 on the Belgian Session list, is two spots too low as far as I'm concerned.
Of course, for most of the style categories, we have little chance of seeing the winners in Birmingham (based on current form), however we are pretty well served for Belgians, between Stirchley Wines and Post Office Vaults, so things are moving in the right direction.
Finally, a glance at the list of the World's best beer bars is enough to make you dig out your passport. Top spots feature in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Rome and Prague - all within reach of budget airlines. Unfortunately for the UK there are only two venues which make the cut: CASK Pub and Kitchen and Craft Beer Co - both in London and both owned by the same company. These are certainly two fantastic venues, but sadly for Birmingham, our representative on the list, The Wellington disappears, after making the cut in 2011 and 2010. This is a bit of a downer, but is probably not a real reflection on the Welly, just that the levels are constantly rising and that a beer bar has to go even further now, to stand out from the crowd.
p.s.
On the lookout for obscure facts? How's this for you: I have on top of my fridge a bottle of Canada's 49th best beer Charlevoix Vache Folle Imperial Milk Stout. Fascinating eh?
Sunday, 29 January 2012
The Top Ten Movers and Shakers in Birmingham's Beer Scene
This blog, obviously, is about the beer scene in Birmingham: part commentary, part rallying cry. So far all I've really done is report on the situation as is, but how about we do a bit of digging below the surface? If I don my Famous Five hat and Clark Kent trousers, perhaps I can pretend to do a bit of real journalism and take a look at the movers and shakers on the Birmingham beer scene. Who runs the show in Brum, and how? Once we know that, perhaps we can work out an effective brown-nosing lobbying strategy to keep things moving in the right direction. Here goes then, in reverse order:
10. Paul Halsey (Managing Director of Purity Brewing Co.)
Purity aren't based in Birmingham, but they may as well be, as their products have an enviable tendency to pop up in nearly every good boozer in town. Their three beers are consistent and tasty, but just think... if they were to produce a red IPA, a delicious Porter or a super rich Stout they could use their network of clients to stick experimental, challenging beers under the noses of half the drinkers in the West Midlands. The possibilities are tantalising and intriguing.
9. Adrian Posnett (Managing Director of Oakham Ales)
Oakham delivered a beautiful gift to Birmingham, back in 2004: The Bartons Arms. It's a gift that keeps on giving - delicious Thai food, sensationally kept [delicious] Oakham ales and wonderful pub architecture. Oakham are also the best represented of the UK's top quality brewers, in Birmingham's pubs. By remaining committed to the Bartons, Oakhams are maintaining one of our essential pubs, a key source of fantastic beer.
8. Mark Arnott-Job and Trevor Harris (Co-Directors and Head Brewers at Two Towers Brewery)
Their beers are getting better and now they have their own pub - the Brown Lion. Brum is not over blessed with microbreweries, in fact with this post being written prior to the launch of the Beer Geek Brewery, there is only Two Towers and ABC. Two Towers therefore need to keep up the good work and start throwing out some big, flavoursome new beers.
7. Bob Ivell (Executive Chairman of Mitchells and Butlers)
M&B has four of its Nicholsons pubs in the City centre, offering good beer, often from some of the UK's best breweries. If Mr Ivell turned round tomorrow and decided to turn the Old Contemptibles, the two Shakespeare pubs and Bacchus bar into Wacky Warehouses, then as a City we'd instantly be much poorer as a result. Think about it.
6. Mark Delaney (Birmingham CAMRA Chairman)
The results speak for themselves. Are things improving on the beer front in Birmingham? - Yes. Do we have more pubs serving real ale than before? - Yes. As sure as eggs is eggs, the local CAMRA branch must be doing something right. Plus, importantly, last year's festival was tremendous fun, with an improving range of beers.
5. Matt Scriven (Bitters n Twisted)
Bitters n Twisted have four bars in the City, each offering something slightly different: Jekyll and Hyde is a modern day gin parlour, Island Bar is a hip cocktail joint, the Rose Villa Tavern is a beautiful old pub turned gastropub, and the Victoria is a hipster hangout. Clearly Mr Scriven knows what he is doing and I'm grateful that all of his venues recognise the importance of good beer, offering a smattering of bottles, taps and handpumps. Now, if they could keep that moving in the right direction and increase the range and quality of the beers, that would be lovely. In fact if they would like to open a new place, seeking to fill the remaining good beer niche, then they can talk to me and I'll point them in the right direction. I'm serious.
4. Graham Smith (Urban Art Bar)
Urban Art Bar has two pubs in the Jewellery Quarter: the Lord Clifden and the Red Lion . Both places have placed beer at the heart of their appeal and have been important in acknowledging that a cool pub, can and should serve real ale. Both of these venues were old pubs which were tarted up in a most tasteful way - so that they are both great to spend time in. Mr Smith - more please.
3. Gerry Keane (The Anchor)
The Anchor has been in the Keane family for donkeys years. For all of my time in Brum, they have been offering a fantastic range of real ales, often from smaller breweries. They were also the first place to offer Erdinger on tap and Belgian bottles. Regardless of whatever else is happening in Brum, the Anchor remains a reliable oasis of good beer and good cheer.
2. Krishan Rajput (Stirchley Wines and Spirits)
In 2002 I bought a house, partly because it had easy access to the fantastic off-licence Stirchley Wines and Spirits, with it's range of beers unparallelled in Birmingham. In the 10 years since then, SWS has gone from strength to strength. It is now the only place in the City offering access to some of the country's top beers (such as the Kernel) and and the best imports (Stone, Nogne, Mikkeller). The owners expend a lot of energy in continuing to source new products: every day I get tweets from them, trying to lure me back for the latest unmissable treats. This year they also ran the Foreign beer bar at the Birmingham Beer Festival, which brought more positive exposure. They are spreading the good word, giving access to the best beers and opening eyes. We would be lost without them. If they opened a pub, they would nick top spot.
1. Nigel Barker (The Wellington/Post Office Vaults)
Before Nigel opened the Wellington, Brum relied totally on the Anchor for access to guest ales. But since late 2004, things have got better and better, as we now have 16 handpulls of real ale, slap bang in the centre of town. You don't need me to tell you that the Welly does alright - the fact that it is usually packed is a clear indicator. With fast rotation of ales and regular beer festivals, Nigel gave Birmingham a venue which was essential, not just for Brummies, but for beer fans across the country. In fact, in 2011 the Wellington amazingly ranked as the 36th best beer bar in the World, according to Ratebeer. At the back end of last year, Nigel sprinkled some of his magic on the Post Office Vaults, another city centre real ale haunt, this time offering a massive selection of Belgian bottles - something the City definitely needed. So why does Nigel get the top spot? Quite simply he altered the direction of good beer in our City, he showed us what we had been missing and raised our expectations. It should be noted that his arrival in the City also coincided with the re-energising of the local CAMRA branch. Top man indeed.
10. Paul Halsey (Managing Director of Purity Brewing Co.)
Purity aren't based in Birmingham, but they may as well be, as their products have an enviable tendency to pop up in nearly every good boozer in town. Their three beers are consistent and tasty, but just think... if they were to produce a red IPA, a delicious Porter or a super rich Stout they could use their network of clients to stick experimental, challenging beers under the noses of half the drinkers in the West Midlands. The possibilities are tantalising and intriguing.
9. Adrian Posnett (Managing Director of Oakham Ales)
Oakham delivered a beautiful gift to Birmingham, back in 2004: The Bartons Arms. It's a gift that keeps on giving - delicious Thai food, sensationally kept [delicious] Oakham ales and wonderful pub architecture. Oakham are also the best represented of the UK's top quality brewers, in Birmingham's pubs. By remaining committed to the Bartons, Oakhams are maintaining one of our essential pubs, a key source of fantastic beer.
8. Mark Arnott-Job and Trevor Harris (Co-Directors and Head Brewers at Two Towers Brewery)
Their beers are getting better and now they have their own pub - the Brown Lion. Brum is not over blessed with microbreweries, in fact with this post being written prior to the launch of the Beer Geek Brewery, there is only Two Towers and ABC. Two Towers therefore need to keep up the good work and start throwing out some big, flavoursome new beers.
7. Bob Ivell (Executive Chairman of Mitchells and Butlers)
M&B has four of its Nicholsons pubs in the City centre, offering good beer, often from some of the UK's best breweries. If Mr Ivell turned round tomorrow and decided to turn the Old Contemptibles, the two Shakespeare pubs and Bacchus bar into Wacky Warehouses, then as a City we'd instantly be much poorer as a result. Think about it.
6. Mark Delaney (Birmingham CAMRA Chairman)
The results speak for themselves. Are things improving on the beer front in Birmingham? - Yes. Do we have more pubs serving real ale than before? - Yes. As sure as eggs is eggs, the local CAMRA branch must be doing something right. Plus, importantly, last year's festival was tremendous fun, with an improving range of beers.
5. Matt Scriven (Bitters n Twisted)
Bitters n Twisted have four bars in the City, each offering something slightly different: Jekyll and Hyde is a modern day gin parlour, Island Bar is a hip cocktail joint, the Rose Villa Tavern is a beautiful old pub turned gastropub, and the Victoria is a hipster hangout. Clearly Mr Scriven knows what he is doing and I'm grateful that all of his venues recognise the importance of good beer, offering a smattering of bottles, taps and handpumps. Now, if they could keep that moving in the right direction and increase the range and quality of the beers, that would be lovely. In fact if they would like to open a new place, seeking to fill the remaining good beer niche, then they can talk to me and I'll point them in the right direction. I'm serious.
4. Graham Smith (Urban Art Bar)
Urban Art Bar has two pubs in the Jewellery Quarter: the Lord Clifden and the Red Lion . Both places have placed beer at the heart of their appeal and have been important in acknowledging that a cool pub, can and should serve real ale. Both of these venues were old pubs which were tarted up in a most tasteful way - so that they are both great to spend time in. Mr Smith - more please.
3. Gerry Keane (The Anchor)
The Anchor has been in the Keane family for donkeys years. For all of my time in Brum, they have been offering a fantastic range of real ales, often from smaller breweries. They were also the first place to offer Erdinger on tap and Belgian bottles. Regardless of whatever else is happening in Brum, the Anchor remains a reliable oasis of good beer and good cheer.
2. Krishan Rajput (Stirchley Wines and Spirits)
In 2002 I bought a house, partly because it had easy access to the fantastic off-licence Stirchley Wines and Spirits, with it's range of beers unparallelled in Birmingham. In the 10 years since then, SWS has gone from strength to strength. It is now the only place in the City offering access to some of the country's top beers (such as the Kernel) and and the best imports (Stone, Nogne, Mikkeller). The owners expend a lot of energy in continuing to source new products: every day I get tweets from them, trying to lure me back for the latest unmissable treats. This year they also ran the Foreign beer bar at the Birmingham Beer Festival, which brought more positive exposure. They are spreading the good word, giving access to the best beers and opening eyes. We would be lost without them. If they opened a pub, they would nick top spot.
1. Nigel Barker (The Wellington/Post Office Vaults)
Before Nigel opened the Wellington, Brum relied totally on the Anchor for access to guest ales. But since late 2004, things have got better and better, as we now have 16 handpulls of real ale, slap bang in the centre of town. You don't need me to tell you that the Welly does alright - the fact that it is usually packed is a clear indicator. With fast rotation of ales and regular beer festivals, Nigel gave Birmingham a venue which was essential, not just for Brummies, but for beer fans across the country. In fact, in 2011 the Wellington amazingly ranked as the 36th best beer bar in the World, according to Ratebeer. At the back end of last year, Nigel sprinkled some of his magic on the Post Office Vaults, another city centre real ale haunt, this time offering a massive selection of Belgian bottles - something the City definitely needed. So why does Nigel get the top spot? Quite simply he altered the direction of good beer in our City, he showed us what we had been missing and raised our expectations. It should be noted that his arrival in the City also coincided with the re-energising of the local CAMRA branch. Top man indeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)