Norwich Beer Festival

An early start!

I got up at 06:30 for a bus at 07:50!  

(I'm not in Liverpool at present, that's a 5 hour train journey each way!  Funnily enough it is the same train).

I reached Peterborough Queensgate bus station at 08:45 and decided I didn't have enough time to catch the 08:58 train and the 09:45 would be better (and there was only half an hour between arrival times).  As I'd been up and out so quickly I'd only managed a glass of water (!), so I headed over to Subway on Cowgate for a Mega Breakfast Sub and a cup of coffee.  I devoured my sub like a child with chocolate, but took a little longer on the coffee.  I then headed over to the train station.

A ticket from Peterborough to Norwich is now £21!  I headed over to platform 5 and sat in the waiting room. which is also the coffee shop.  I resisted the temptation of a second cup of coffee only 15 mins after my previous one.  The train arrived and departed on time and this is where I sit writing the first part of this blog.

The beer is live!

At 6pm tonight (26th July 2016) Brewdog will do a nationwide launch of "Live Beer".  The first Live Beer will be their Dead Pony Club.

What is Live Beer?

As Brewdog explain it, Live Beer is keg conditioned, with live yeast and served through a sparkler! For more info click the link below.

I am hoping to get out to the Live Beer launch in Liverpool tonight for a couple of hours, so expect a report soon.

As always you can follow me on Twitter and Periscope @cyber_beer.
I hope to be able to do a live scope of the launch and a review of Dead Pony Club Live later today.


https://www.brewdog.com/lowdown/blog/live-beer

Coal Heavers Beer Festival and others

Hi all,

I've just spent the last two afternoons at the beer festival at Coal Heavers Arms in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire (have got the bus from Bourne, Lincolnshire).

It has been ridiculously hot, 25 degrees yesterday and 27 degrees today.

I've had several nice beers including a dark one from Spitting Feathers in Cheshire and only flavoured with papaya!  

Today I've been to Coal Heavers, Cherry Tree and Palmerston Arms.

And it's goodnight from him

Today I'm a little sadder.

Veteran comedian Ronnie Corbett has died!  :-(

Half of the 70s/80s TV double act The Two Ronnies (with the the late, great Ronnie Barker), Corbett entertained thousands on a Saturday night.  I always looked forward to it.

As an atheist I probably shouldn't say this, but, if there is a Heaven, this classic comedy double act, now reunited, will entertain the residents, Angels and the big man himself for all eternity!

Upcoming events....

I have some interesting events coming up.  This weekend I am working at the Ship and Mitre beer festival at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight.  the weekend after I am attending the CAMRA AGM in Liverpool and the weekend after that I am once again working at Isle Of Man beer festival.

I hope to see you at something, somewhere, soon! :-)

Marble Beers Damage Plan Launch - Brewer Interview

On Friday 19th February 2016, at the launch of their new 7.1% keg IPA Damage Plan, I managed to snag a few minutes with Marble's head brewer, JK.  And I got a more comprehensive answer to one of my questions than I'd expected!

CyberBeer: Why such a strong beer?

JK: Its not particularly strong,  7.1 is a nice, cheeky IPA strength.  As the year have progressed, with American brewing being the driving being most brewing in the world beers have become stronger, so we're just doing what we need to do to say current with the market, really.  It's a good session strength, you can drink schooners of it and you're okay.  You don't have to drink pints and pints of it, its not that sort of beer.  Its a casual beer, you can drink it with food.

CyberBeer: How did you come up with the name?

JK:I'm a massive metal fan, I love heavy metal and my favourite guitarist is Dimebag Darrell. Dimebag split away from Pantera with his brother and started Damage Plan and he's dead, its my homage to Dimebag

CyberBeer What hops have you used in it?

JK:We've used Summit, Equinox and Mosaic are the three main hops we've used for aroma and flavour

CyberBeer: What type of malt have you used in it?

JK: Low Colour and  Maris Otter, that's it.  We did use some acidulated malts to change the PH of the mash, but that's it, very simple malts.  Just wanted it about the hops really,

CyberBeer: Is there a target market for this beer?

JK: To be honest, I brew beer that I like and I want to drink, so when I think of a beer I want to brew its what I want to drink and I hope everyone else does really

CyberBeer: Is this your first foray into "craft beer"?

JK: No, no , no.  I used to work for Thornbridge, I've worked for Fullers. I was head brewer at Buxton for a couple of years and I've home brewed since I was 15.  My ex assistant brewer at Buxton was Joe, who's mum owns Marble, so I've known them for years.

CyberBeer Have you tried it?

JK: Yes

CyberBeer:  What's your opinion, as the brewer?
JK: It's good.  I'm actually really pleased, 'cos there's usually something wrong with the beer you brew, but, it needs a touch more carbonation, but that's it.  I'm well pleased with it.

Marble Beers Damage Plan Launch

11:20

Arrived at Liverpool Lime Street for the 12:12 train to Manchester.

12:44 

Arrived Manchester Victoria

13:15

Arrived at Marble Arch.

After much uming and ahing I decided on Marble Burger and Chunky Chips for lunch. One of the best burgers I've had in a while!  My compliments to the chef!  The chunky chips were amazing!

14:19

Damage Plan samples given out!

Golden beer. Sweet start leading to a hoppy finish.  Flavours come out more if you hold it in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing!

Far too drinkable for a 7.1% beer!

Overall?  I like this beer!

I was also privileged to a presentation by the local CAMRA branch

As one pub closes.....

On a happier note, as one pub closes another opens.

23 miles away from West Kirby, just over the border into Wales and new micropub is opening in Mold.

I've been following the development of The Mold Ale House for just over a year now.  Ever since they set up on Facebook.  

With all the pubs closing at the moment, it's not often you get the chance to attend a new one opening!

Report to follow.

A New(ish) Pub Closes....

It is with a heavy heart I must report that The Abbey in West Kirby, Wirral is closing tonight.  They will undergo an approximate 6 week refurb after which the range of hand pulls will be reduced from 6 to 2 and there's even the possibility of a name change!

I will keep you posted and report from the new venture once opened.

A Helping Hand

I live in the North West of England.  

My recent trip to  #NWAF in Derby is about as far as I can travel and, as much as I'd like to, I can't get to everything!

Anyone wishing to submit a pub or beer festival review, pub crawl or beer / brewery review I'll be happy to publish it on the Blog.

E-Mail cyber.beer.reviews@gmail.com

The Reason For Being

I started this blog purely as a way of electronically recording my beer ticks, which used to be written on paper.

I then discovered Untappd and started ticking electronically and this blog was no longer needed, though I tried (and failed) to copy up the rest of my paper notes!

Untappd initially posted to my personal Facebook and Twitter accounts, then I decided to give Cyber Beer its own accounts, but, not being able to post to pages, the FB account has gone mostly unused.  The popularly of my Twitter however, continues to astound me!

Used primarily for my Untappd beer ticks, I also use it for interacting with breweries and other beer fans.  I have about 410 followers including British and American breweries, brewers, pubs and others in "the trade" as well as general beer fans.

My new year plans for this blog are to actually blog more!  Note details of pub crawls, beer festivals and meet the brewer sessions.

Also for 2016 The Cyber Beer Blog has ventured outside the realms of Blogspot and I now have a duplicate blog on Tumblr, as well as venturing more into the realm of Google+!

Thank you for supporting and being interested in Cyber Beer's ventures.

The CyberHippy

Cyber Beer Administrator 

National Winter Ale Festival 2016

11:10 

The NWAF is once again being held in The Roundhouse at Derby.

I have a bit of a trek to get to it this year, as I'm coming from The Wirral.  I have to go by car to Spital, then from Spital to Chester, from Chester to Crewe and Finally from Crewe to Derby.  

I am currently on the train to Crewe.

11:52

Waiting on my connection to Derby, but the 12:07 delayed by 10 mins.  Good thing I'm not going for the one in an hour because 13:07 is cancelled!

Crewe - Derby is the longest part of the journey is a 1hr 20min run.

12:18

Train now delayed till 12:25!

12:34

Finally on my way to Derby!  Shoots arrive around 13:40 according to National Rail Enquires!  Be ready for a drink at the end of this journey, good thing I'm off to a beer festival! :-D

13:55

Arrived! Got my first beer.  Blue Monkey Chocolate Gorilla Stout and it's lovely!

Had several beers, including Parish Baz's Bonce Blower, and talked to many people including those on the Tiny Rebel and Thornbridge stalls.

Bought crisps from Piper’s and chocolate from Merry Berry.

The beers I tried were :-

Blue Monkey Chocolate Guerrilla

Tiny Rebel Stay Puft Marshmallow Porter

The Boot Inn Welington

Dancing Duck Waddle It Be?

Parish Baz's Bonce Blower

Abbydale Birdhouse Tea Beer

Rat Red Hot Chilli Rat

Tiny Rebel Hadouken 

Thornbridge Saint Petersberg 

Thornbridge Made North

Tiny Rebel Dubbel Dragon

 

18:30

Grabbed my final beer, Wentwell Absent Friends.

18:42

Train back to Crewe 

20:22

On train to Chester

20:45 

Arrived at Chester station

20:55 

On platform 7B for 21:00 train to Spital 

21:30

Arrived home.

A long day with a lot of traveling, but definitely worth it.  Had some great beers and picked up some brewery freebies as well!  

Time for bed soon.  Manchester beckons tomorrow!  New Marble Brewery beer launch.  :-)