Shepards Neame to introduce new beer at Akkurat in Stockholm

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

I'm a "Featured Beer Blogger"!

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?

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?

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...

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!