If you know me or of me, you will know I like beer. Over the last few years I have been collecting photos of every new beer I have.
I now have over 2,000 individual beers photographed and have realised that many beers that I assumed I have photos of, I haven't.

This blog will be therefore be an account of my quest for new beers to photo and how I enjoyed them (or not).
My email is ralphgant@sky.com.

Wednesday 27 May 2015

Sunday at the Beer Festival

On Sunday Dot, Ralph and myself popped into the Fish for part of the Beer Festival, day three I think. We left Amber with my Mam for a while, although Dot did go back for her and take her to the swings for a play.

The Fish is under new management since the last Beer Festival but the new people were just as good as the last, well done. I had had a few of the beers before but there were plenty I had not had before.

Consett Ale Works. Steel Town from England

Consett Ale Works. Steel Town, England

3.8% amber colour with a good head, fruity malt aroma, some toffee in the taste.

Consett Ale Works. Red Dust from England

Consett Ale Works. Red Dust, England

4.5% red colour with a good head, sweet aroma and a slightly sweet but nice taste.

Wylam, Angel from England

Wylam, Angel, England

4.3% pale amber with a good head, caramel malt aroma, tart caramel malt taste. I had, had the bottle before but not the draught.

Jarrow, Red Ellen from England

Jarrow, Red Ellen, England

4.4% almost black in colour with a good head, not much aroma with a bitter sweet taste.

Tyne Bank, Northern Porter from England

Tyne Bank, Northern Porter, England

4.5% black in colour with a good head, slightly smokey aroma, sweet stout taste.

Truefitt, Viva Karenka from England

Truefitt, Viva Karenka, England

5.5% I had had all the others by now and I do not remember this one will have to try it again, Aitor Karanka is the Boro manager. Its a shame that Boro didn't make it, better luck next year.

Saturday night cancelled, sort of.

Jonathan was unwell on Saturday night so we did not meet up this weekend, although with Ralph and Amber here we did have a BBQ and a few beers. I only had cheep beers from Aldi, not the usual ones though, as the strength of those has been dropped from 3.6% to 2.6%, not a good idea.

Mondays football disappointment

With all the other times Boro have been to Wembley, I have watched with a group of people, friends and relatives but this time I was on my own. This age thing is not good at all. Dot and Amber came back just as the match started though so I was not on my own. Although I was not feeling too well and didn't even have a beer.

Well Boro lost, they had beaten the Canaries twice this season but this time managed to get beat by two goals, never mind there is always next season.

Tim and Emily were at Wembley for the match while Nicole and Georgia went to the pictures, do not know who had the best idea.

Normal Friday night out, with Tetley's, Imperial

Saying we went out for a normal Friday night out is a bit of a stretch, as we have not been out on a Friday for about a month now. Trevor and Pat have been away on holiday, which meant three weeks not out, although it has meant that we were free to watch the Boro win for two weeks in a row in the premier division playoffs on TV.

Well this week we went out, we have been undecided which of the three pubs in Greatham to drink in over the last year or two but I have decided that the Hope and Anchor has the best beer at the moment. It sells Tetley's Imperial, which is far superior to anything the other two are selling and I will post a writ up at the end.

Young Ralph and Amber came with us, as Amber is up visiting for half term. Trevor and Pat had a very good Holiday and as usual we had four pints of Imperial. We used to have up to six pints a couple of years back but that's long gone now.

Tetley's, Imperial from England

Tetley's, Imperial, England

4.3% dark brown with a good head, roast malt aroma and a fruity roast malt taste, this beer is a lot better than other reviewers argue and I like it, allot. From what I can read, Tetley's Imperial is apparently now brewed by Camerons of Hartlepool, our home town brewery.