All about Beer - UK/Ireland

Dublin, here we come again!

2011-08-23T06:59:00.000+01:00

Me, visiting Guinness, at our last visit to Dublin

On the 3rd of september, me and my fellow "beer club members" (and our wifes/girlfriends) are heading for Dublin. It's been almost 4 years since I was there the last time and I could only imagine that the beer scene has developed a lot.
I'm currently planning what pubs to visit and where to buy good beer. Hopefully I'll find some good restaurants to add to the list as well.
I want to add some pubs that me and my wife missed at our last visit so all help are welcome.
So, fellow beer bloggers (and others), what are the best pubs to visit in your opinion? Where do we find a beer shop with a good selection of beers?
Anyone interested in meeting up with some beer geeks from Sweden, between 3-6 of September?

The first ever "European Beer Blogger Conference".

2010-12-16T08:06:00.000Z

As many of you probably already have seen over at "Pencil and Spoon" it's time for the first ever "European Beer Blogger Conference". Responsible for the event is Zephyr Adventure, a well known company for arranging conferences like this. "Chief Beer Blogger" - the man in charge at site, is Mark Dredge (the man behind Pencil and Spoon). Hopefully it will be a true international conference with beer blogger and writers from all over Europe. I'm partly involved as responsible for the "Scandinavian Part" of the event arranging for some of the best swedish breweries sponsoring some events at the conference. I will also try to get as many Swedish beer blogger and writers to attend.
I'm pretty sure this will be a conference you don't want to miss out and it's a great opportunity to meet fellow beer bloggers and make some international connections.
For all details regarding the agenda and other information check out "Pencil and Spoon" and the official site "the Beer Bloggers Conference". Register here, right away!

Shepards Neame to introduce new beer at Akkurat in Stockholm

2010-10-07T08:55:00.000+01:00

Yesterday evening at 6 o'clock the pub Akkurat in Stockholm poured the first pint of "6 of the Best", a classic English Strong Ale with an ABV at exactly 6 %. The beer was brewed for Akkurat in the UK at Shepherd Neame to celebrate the pub's 15th anniversary. It was brewed with 6 different English malts and hops. Two significants in the beer was the slightly smoked taste (from a pinch of smoked malt) and the fact that it contains locally grown English Cascade hop. Only 16 casks of this real ale has been made so hurry to Akkurat if you want to taste it, because when the 16 casks are empty there is no more…

The beer it self had a bit yeasty smell at first, probably it smells and tastes better after a few hours, and it had a beautiful head. The color was pretty much the same as in a Bishops Finger and the flavors had the intense maltiness and just a hint of smokiness. I must say it felt very balanced and very classic, and in these days when the american "hop-bombs" make their way all over the world, it feels good to embrace this kind of classic English beer-style. With a pint of "6 of the Best" in my hand I also had the opportunity to get a few words with Oliver Scott, Head of Export Sales at Shepherd Neame, and talked about the Swedish and Brittish beer scene and how it has developed in Sweden since the early 90s when Shepherd Neame made their entrance in Sweden. Just before I left Akkurat I also had the pleasure to meet with the COO at Brewers Association (USA), Robert D. Pease, who were there for this event and also to attend at the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival that continues today. We had a really interesting conversation about what's happening with the beer scene globally and also about what makes Sweden the biggest export market for American beers. A very exiting evening, with lots of good "6 of the Best" and lots of interesting people to meet. Anyone would have been very satisfied after this event but as it turned out this wasn't enough because from here I went straight to a "Beer Makers Dinner" with Mikkeller at Bishops Arms at Folkungagatan in Stockholm. But that's a completely different story.
Cheers

Anyone going to Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival?

2010-09-01T19:01:00.001+01:00

In a couple of weeks the biggest, swedish beer-event takes place in Stockholm. It's time for Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival. This is the nineteenth edition of the festival and this year it is extended with one extra hall - Taste Experiences. The festival is a manifestation for increased knowledge in exceptional surroundings. It is said that this Festival is ranked as the Worlds largest and most important beverage festival of its kind! The festival will be held during two following weekends, 31 of September - 2 of October and 7-9 of October.
Most of the Swedish microbreweries will be there with their "line-up" of handcrafted brews and some of them will be introducing some news as well. A lot of beer-importers and pubs will be there to show-case all their brands (probably mostly from the US and UK). Besides all the beery stuff to explore there is also the whisky festival and the new "taste experience" part. So in a way you could say it's three festivals in one. If you will be visiting give me a shout so we can meet up for a beer or two.

Champion Beer of Britain announced!

2010-08-04T07:22:00.000+01:00

It seems like all the judges agreed on that among the 8 finalists, Castle Rock Harvest Pale, stood out a was the winner.
Press release from CAMRA:

Harvest Pale, which has an ABV of 3.8%, is described in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide 2010 as 'blonde and refreshing with distinctive citrus hop.'

The Nottingham brewed real ale was judged the Supreme Champion over a host of other finalists in 7 different beer categories (Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Winter Beers*, and the Speciality class), including beers from both small microbrewers and large regional brewers.

Roger Protz, of the Final judging panel, praised today's winner. He said:

'Against intense competition from 8 other brilliant beers, Castle Rock Harvest Pale stood out and was the unanimous choice of all the judges for its great blend of tangy hop and juicy malt. A wonderfully refreshing and complex beer.'

A delighted Chris Holmes, Castle Rock brewery Chairman, on hearing the results, said:

'We've won dozens of awards over the past 5 to 6 years, but the best moments have been since our new brewer, Adrian Redgrove, who started 4 years ago, began producing high quality, consistent beer. The last 18 months we've been brewing at capacity because of the success and popularity of Harvest Pale, which has led to the opening of a new brew house in 2 weeks time which will treble our capacity.'

With Castle Rock brewery securing the Gold award for 2010, this year's Silver went to Timothy Taylor brewery's Landlord, whilst the Bronze award went to Surrey Hills brewery's Hammer Mild.

Going to Alanya this summer? Don't miss out Red Tower Brewery!

2010-07-19T21:02:00.000+01:00

After two weeks in Alanya, Turkey I can surely say that the best beer in Alanya is served at Red Tower Brewery - a small microbrewery close to the harbor situated in a nice old building.
It's the first microbrewery i Alanya started in 2005 and it's the second microbrewery i Turkey.

Last week when I visited the brewery they were serving their Pilsner and their Märzen, two beers that definitely is better than that Efes-lager served everywhere. The Märzen was a bit watery and had a short finish but it had all the right qualities a Märzen should have with a taste of dark bread and a dry finish. The Pilsner was really good with a perfect carbonation and a long bitterness at the end. So if you like to enjoy a freshly brewed beer while you're in Alanya don't forget to visit Red Tower Brewery, and while you're there go to the sky lounge and try their great Sushi as well.

I'm a "Featured Beer Blogger"!

2010-06-29T17:09:00.000+01:00

If anyone wants to know something about me, that Swedish guy who's blogging in both UK, US and Sweden, jump over to "Drink with the Wench" and read the article "Featured Beer Blogger: Pelle Stridh".

Hopefully, after reading it, you might stop by at "All about Beer - US" or here again and hopefully we can start "networking" and talk about beer across the borders. At least that's my goal, to start collaborating with you guys and girls who are devoted to everything about good, quality handcrafted beer. Thanks to all of you who already have stopped by and feel free to contact me if you have something you would like to share!

The most envied job in the world?

2010-06-15T19:43:00.001+01:00

Last week an old traditional job position was reinstated in London. After many rounds of blind tastings of stouts, lagers, pale ales and porters, there were only the best ones left. The winner was just a one minute presentation on why he (or she) should be the best man (or woman) for the job. Beer blogger Steve Williams said "I've been training for this day for 30 years" and on the subject of the UK's struggling pubs he stated, "we have to use them and booze them or we're going to lose them!" After a few second the judges reached for their score cards and up came the first '10' of the competition. Steve Williams stood as the winner and is now "London's official ale taster" (or Ale conner as was called way back in time). He will now get a weekly allowance to visit pubs and taste beers and then report back on the web with the results.
Wow, can't every town reinstate that kind of position?

Beer Genie - a useful new site?

2010-06-14T19:59:00.000+01:00

Has anyone checked this new site, Beer Genie? This is stated on their site:
"BeerGenie.co.uk is a website produced on behalf of the BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association) themed around beer's power of sociability".
I take it, it's supposed to be some kind of educational tool, especially for the non-real ale drinkers. Perhaps we can find something useful there as well. What do you think?

The first week have passed...

2010-05-31T15:37:00.000+01:00

First, thanks everyone, that stopped by here at "All about Beer - UK/Ireland" and please spread the word if you found it useful. Looking at the statistics, it seems like people all around the globe found this blog. For instance, almost 50 % of the visitors, came from the US. We also have visitors from New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France and the Russian Federation. Quite a spread, I would say!

Looking at coming events here at "All about Beer", I think we will start with some polls and perhaps some reviews of good, modern, hand-crafted beers. What would you like to see?

Finally, a big "THANKS MATE", to Martyn Cornell at Zythophile for mentioning this blog.

Cheers!

Grand Opening

2010-05-16T19:57:00.001+01:00

Welcome to "All about Beer - UK", a beer-blog of beer-blogs….for beer-blogers and other beer-enthusiasts. This is a concept I started in Sweden 2 months ago and it has been a great success there. In Sweden it's called "Allt om Öl" (www.alltomol.nu) which is the same as the name of this blog.
I'm a member of a Swedish beer-tasting society called "Humulus Lupulus", founded in 1987. My interest in beer started 23 years ago and my aim is to get swedish beer-culture to a higher status.
Hopefully you will find this site helpful in getting you beer-related news at one place.
Feel free to contact me with ideas or comments.
Once again - Welcome!

Regards
Pelle Stridh
Swedish beer-enthusiast and beer-writer