Beer?

[deptfordmarmoset]

A rather good cask Track Sonoma.

 

[stephec]

About thirty years ago Bolton played away at Blackburn, we got up there around midday and went into a pub called The Beer Engine.

They had five real ales on hand pump but being sensible, as we wanted to see the match, we just had a pint of bitter.

Then we were far more sensible and had a mini beer festival, one of each pump, and the Jenning's Snecklifter was that good we had a second one.

After that we used to visit Keswick, just up the road from the brewery in Cockermouth, regularly as it had a few Jenning's pubs, then the brewery flooded a few times as it was right next to the river, then it was taken over by Carlsberg who finally closed it in 2022.

But now rejoice, someone's taken it over and bought the rights to the Jenning's name, all the old favourites are back and it's got it's own taproom, half six on a Thursday evening and the place is 3/4 full.

If you're ever up this way Cockermouth is well worth a visit, a nice little town with some good pubs, and Snecklifter's back, absolutely glorious. 😊🍻

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

'Blood Orange Crusher' from Holy Goat Brewery. Good match with a homemade chickpea curry, not quite as tart as HG other sour beers.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

About thirty years ago Bolton played away at Blackburn, we got up there around midday and went into a pub called The Beer Engine.

They had five real ales on hand pump but being sensible, as we wanted to see the match, we just had a pint of bitter.

Then we were far more sensible and had a mini beer festival, one of each pump, and the Jenning's Snecklifter was that good we had a second one.

After that we used to visit Keswick, just up the road from the brewery in Cockermouth, regularly as it had a few Jenning's pubs, then the brewery flooded a few times as it was right next to the river, then it was taken over by Carlsberg who finally closed it in 2022.

But now rejoice, someone's taken it over and bought the rights to the Jenning's name, all the old favourites are back and it's got it's own taproom, half six on a Thursday evening and the place is 3/4 full.

If you're ever up this way Cockermouth is well worth a visit, a nice little town with some good pubs, and Snecklifter's back, absolutely glorious. 😊🍻


View attachment 785203

I spent six years at Lancaster Uni, and many a weekend was spent hiking in the Lakes and enjoying a Jennings beer afterwards - we even got Jennings in town at the free houses every now and then. Seeing them back and brewing again is marvellous. I think I posted this link earlier in the thread, but here is some of the equipment being brought back to Cockermouth earlier in the year:

https://businesscrack.co.uk/2025/05/29/brewing-kit-arrives-at-cumbrian-brewery/

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Early Oktoberfest preparations.

Seriously smoked malt.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Early Oktoberfest preparations.
View attachment 785240
Seriously smoked malt.

Rauchbier? Arschbier more like imo....

I like and appreciate a huge range of beers, but smoked beers have always eluded me.


Tomorrow I'll post some pics of the vintage gueuzes and trappists I bought my eldest (at ridiculous expense*) to celebrate his masters defence....



It's Denmark, so expensive already, but these could have been bottles of fine wine or Champagne

 

[stephec]

Early Oktoberfest preparations.
View attachment 785240
Seriously smoked malt.

I had a German one once at Wigan Central, not the best and I had to force it down me, my lad left half of his so I had to do the same with that as well.

 

[Spartak]

Beer before catching the Eurostar back to London ...
[ my bike in background ].

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Beer before catching the Eurostar back to London ...
[ my bike in background ].

View attachment 785296

ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS
Had a couple of those last night :-)

 

[Spartak]

ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS
Had a couple of those last night :-)

How many is a couple ... 🤣

 

[No Ta Doctor]

How many is a couple ... 🤣

Two! I had stuff to do today
Not saying I hadn't had a few London Blacks first though....

 

[No Ta Doctor]

So, the eldest just defended his masters dissertation today and passed with flying colours.
Being a special occasion we gave him some very special beers (they only cost a kidney).
Luckily for me, he'll probably share them with me when the time comes to drink them 😁

A few Westvleteren 12

A couple of 3 Fonteinen Golden Blend '22

A large 3 Fonteinen Golden Blend 2019

And the crowning glory, a couple of 3 Fonteinen Golden Blend 2014

 

[Spartak]

This was on sale at the Carrefour in Brussel-Midi [ great beer selection on offer there ] - 1.39 euro.

Ingredients include bitter orange peel, liquorice juice & star anise !!!