Newcastle

Took the twins to Newcastle on Tuesday and there was an artificial beach on the banks of the river Tyne. Seen this sort of thing in France before but not over here but apparently there was one last year as well.



After a break for an ice cream, the girls went back to playing in the sand and I popped into the closest pub for a beer. The Broad Chare, they had two draught beers I hadn't had, both from the local Wylam brewery and they also had a large selection of bottled beers from around the world.

Wylam, Gold Tankard from England
4.0% gold colour with a thin head, citrus hop aroma, citrus hop taste.



Wylam, The Writers Block from England
4.1% hazy gold colour with a thin head, strong fruity citrus hop aroma, very hoppy taste. Although I do not like my beers to be too hoppy, it was a hot sticky day and this was very refreshing.

Bell Tower

Had a trip to Beamish Open Air Museum with the Twins last week and popped into the Sun Inn.



As usual the staff were dressed in period costumes and serving beers, brewed on site in the Stables micro brewery by expert brewer John Taylor.



I have had most off the beers they brew but there was one I hadn't had,

Stables, Bell Tower from England
5.0% dark brown almost black colour with a thin head, burnt toffee aroma, burnt roasted malt taste. Had it with our picnic, over the road in the park sat by the bandstand.

Shopping in Northallerton

Took the car for a service in Northallerton today and bought eight beers I haven't had before. One was in a four pack, my bag was too heavy and it was a bit of a struggle back to the car. Now my feet hurt.

Adnams

The other new beer from Saturday was

Adnams, Southwold Bitter from England
4.1% deep amber colour with a thin head, malty aroma, taste is malty, caramel and woody, anther nice bitter from Adnams.

Dent Brewery

On Saturday I had a couple of bottled beers from the Dent Brewery, I have had one of there's on draught before in York, I picked these up while on holiday in Hawes.

Dent Brewery, Golden Fleece from England
3.7% gold colour with a thin head, malt aroma, citrus taste with a hint of toffee not a bad bitter.



Dent Brewery, Kamikaze from England
5.0% deep bold colour with a thin head, chocolaty aroma, fruity dark chocolate taste, this one was very nice.

Grimbergen Beers

Since last Friday I had not been feeling too bad for a few days, Dot had been poorly for about a week but was getting better, then I think I got got what Dot had, a sort of ear nose and throat infection. So I am cabined up again. I did manage to buy some new beers during this period but have not tried any yet. So here is an old review of a favorite, in fact I think I will do all their beers I have had.

Grimbergen

Grimbergen, Blond from Belgium

6.7%, golden colour with a thin head, sweet aroma and fruty malty taste, a really nice abbey beer, my favorite Grimbergen, even in cans.

Grimbergen, Cuvee Blanche from Belgium

6.0% cloudy yellowy white with a thin head, sweet citrus aroma, tastes a lot like Hoegaarden but better.

Grimbergen, Triple from Belgium

9.0% golden colour with a thin head, sweet malt aroma and fruity malty taste, very much like a strong version of Grimbergen Blond.

Grimbergen, Double from Belgium

6.5% very deep amber/red colour with a good head, sweet caramely malt aroma but with a hint of citric acid, sweet malty fruity taste with a slight bitterness, very tasty and warming.

Grimbergen, Goud Doree from Belgium

8.0%, light gold colour with a good head, smelt and tasted much like a pilsner to me, I didn't like it as much as other Grimbergen's.
I changed the review of this beer and removed it from the "Beer I Would Not Buy Again" group, when I had one of these after two truly dreadful beers and it is not that bad.

Feeling Better

Well I did manage to have a few beers and a curry last night but as I am getting better, Dot is feeling worse and is today, not well at all. There seems to be a lot of winter bugs about this summer, not that it feels like summer.

Two new beers last night, one totally new to me, the other one just not had since before I started reviewing, both beers were remarkably similar, both from Yorkshire, both very drinkable and refreshing.

Wensleydale, Kit Calvert's, from England
Bought from the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes, 4.4% pale amber colour with a thin head, hoppy aroma, refreshing bitter citrus hop taste.



Commercial description
This traditional style ale has its origins in the 1930s - the time when Kit Calvert’s vision and courage saved the Wensleydale Creamery from closure which then enabled us to make it the thriving business it is today. Just like the Creamery, we’ve brought this beer right up to date whilst preserving the style and flavour of beers of the time. It is a copper-red beer with a yeasty nose, biscuity malt and spicy hops. The finish is dry and bitter and of course delicious. We use only the finest ingredients including British yeast cultured in the brewery and no chemicals - some traditions never die. We’re proud of our beer dedicated to Kit Calvert - we rather think that Kit would be proud too.

Black Sheep, Monty Pythons Holy Grail, from England
4.7% gold colour with a thin head, citrus hop aroma, bitter fruity citrus hop taste.



Commercial description
Another fine addition to the Black Sheep Brewery range of premium bottled ales, our Holy Grail Bitter was specially commissioned to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Monty Python. It has a distinctive taste with plenty of fruity hops, and is full flavoured with a dry and refreshing bitterness.