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		<title>J D Wetherspoon Real Ale and Cider Festival March  2011 &#8211; all the beers listed for you beertickers</title>
		<link>http://www.andrewwilcox.net/2011/03/17/j-d-wetherspoon-real-ale-and-cider-festival-march-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.andrewwilcox.net/2011/03/17/j-d-wetherspoon-real-ale-and-cider-festival-march-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:38:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Wilcox</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Beer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[J D Wetherspoon]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Blimey it&#8217;s that time of the year again and Spoons are having their Real Ale and Cider Festival it starts on 23rd March 2011 and ends on the 10th April 2011. Some great beers this time fifty of them! what ever you say about spoons &#8211; they do let you taste a great variety in their festivals, and they have some great stouts &#038; porters this time. The Full list is below I have Highlighted the ones I am looking forward to 1. BUTCOMBE MENDIP SPRING 3.8% ABV Butcombe Brewery, Somerset. Est. 1978 This new seasonal beer is light amber in colour and dominated by hops, giving a tantalisingly fresh character with a floral aroma and characteristic citrus notes in the flavour, leading to a clean, dry finish. Hops used: Amarillo, Challenger, Mount Hood Beer style: bitter 2. KELHAM ISLAND RED MOLLY 3.8% ABV Kelham Island Brewery, South Yorkshire. Est. 1990 This beer has made its return exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival, having been brewed only twice before, in 2010. It is a distinctive and well-balanced, ruby-coloured ale, with blackcurrant and floral notes in the aroma and a gentle bitterness, with hints of toffee, in the flavour. Hops used: [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Blimey it&#8217;s that time of the year again and Spoons are having their  Real Ale and Cider Festival it starts on 23rd March 2011 and ends on the 10th April 2011.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jdwrealale.co.uk/"><img src="http://www.andrewwilcox.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/spoonsmarch2010.jpg" alt="" title="spoonsmarch2010" width="399" height="469" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-969" /></a><br />
Some great beers this time fifty of them!</p>
<p>what ever you say about spoons &#8211; they do let you taste a great variety in their festivals, and they have some great stouts &#038; porters this time.</p>
<p>The Full list is below I have Highlighted the ones I am looking forward to</p>
<p>1. BUTCOMBE MENDIP SPRING 3.8% ABV<br />
Butcombe Brewery, Somerset. Est. 1978<br />
This new seasonal beer is light amber in colour and dominated by hops, giving a tantalisingly fresh character<br />
with a floral aroma and characteristic citrus notes in the flavour, leading to a clean, dry finish.<br />
Hops used: Amarillo, Challenger, Mount Hood<br />
Beer style: bitter</p>
<p>2. KELHAM ISLAND RED MOLLY 3.8% ABV<br />
Kelham Island Brewery, South Yorkshire. Est. 1990<br />
This beer has made its return exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival, having been brewed only<br />
twice before, in 2010. It is a distinctive and well-balanced, ruby-coloured ale, with blackcurrant and floral<br />
notes in the aroma and a gentle bitterness, with hints of toffee, in the flavour.<br />
Hops used: Bramling Cross, Cascade, Challenger<br />
Beer style: bitte</p>
<p>3. WYCHWOOD ELDERWYCH 3.8% ABV<br />
Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire. Est. 1983<br />
This new beer for May has been brewed early, exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival.<br />
It is golden in colour, with an aroma which combines hops and elderflower, developing into a flavour<br />
which is crisp, dry and hoppy, with more elderflower hints emerging in the finish.<br />
Hops used: Fuggles, Target<br />
Beer style: speciality</p>
<p>4. OTTER HOPPY OTTER 3.9% ABV<br />
Otter Brewery, Devon. Est. 1990<br />
WWW.OTTERBREWERY.COM<br />
This new beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is mid brown in colour,<br />
with the wide range of malts used delivering a clean flavour, with hints of smoke and coffee, while the hops<br />
used impart a fruity, woody taste and pine-like, fruit aroma.<br />
Hops used: Northern Brewer, Willamette<br />
Beer style: bitter</p>
<p><strong>5. WELTONS CHOCOLATE MILD 3.9% ABV</strong><br />
Weltons Brewery, West Sussex. Est. 1995<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is almost black<br />
in colour, with a strong burnt-malt aroma, rich, deep flavours of chocolate and coffee<br />
and a rich malt finish.<br />
Hops used: Admiral, East Kent Goldings<br />
Beer style: speciality</p>
<p><strong>6. HYDES PLUM TREAT 4.0% ABV</strong><br />
Hydes Brewery, Manchester. Est. 1863<br />
This beer was first brewed, in limited quantities, in November 2010 and has been brought back again<br />
exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is a rich ruby-red in colour, with an appealing nose<br />
filled with delicious aromas of fresh black plums.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, Target<br />
Beer style: speciality</p>
<p>7. INVERALMOND OLD BRIG 4.0% ABV<br />
Inveralmond Brewery, Perth. Est. 1997<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and has a deep, ruby colour<br />
which promises and delivers distinctive chocolate and caramel notes on the palate, leading to a soft,<br />
bitter finish.<br />
Hops used: Fuggles, Target<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>8. JENNINGS COCKY BLONDE 4.0% ABV<br />
Jennings Brewery, Cumbria. Est. 1828<br />
This new beer is scheduled for general release in July, but makes its first outing exclusively for this<br />
Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is a straw-coloured, full-bodied beer, with a light and refreshing flavour,<br />
plus a delicate hint of strawberry, leading to a thirst-quenching finish.<br />
Hops used: Summit<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p>9. LEEDS DOUBTING TOM 4.0% ABV<br />
Leeds Brewery, West Yorkshire. Est. 2007<br />
This new beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is a classic pale ale,<br />
using the choicest hops and premium malt to produce a fruity and well-balanced flavour,<br />
with a full-flavoured, lasting bitterness.<br />
Hops used: Cascade, Sorachi-Ace<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p><strong>10. TITANIC TUG LIGHT 4.0% ABV</strong><br />
Titanic Brewery, Staffordshire. Est. 1985<br />
ABV 4.0%<br />
This light mild has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is golden in colour,<br />
with just a hint of hops on the nose before a traditional malt flavour, with a subtle sweetness,<br />
develops into a moreish character, ensuring that we will have to be tugging away at the pump.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, Goldings<br />
Beer style: light mild</p>
<p><strong><br />
11. WADWORTH 125 CELEBRATORY STOUT 4.0% ABV</strong><br />
Wadworth Brewery, Wiltshire. Est. 1885<br />
This beer has been brewed to celebrate 125 years’ brewing at this brewery’s Northgate site and is based<br />
on a recipe for one of the first beers brewed there. It is a rich, dark beer, with a toasted aroma and big,<br />
complex coffee flavours, balanced by sweetness from dark muscovado sugar and a long, dry finish.<br />
Hops used: Bramling Cross, Cascade, Fuggles, Goldings<br />
Beer style: stout</p>
<p>12. ORKNEY CORNCRAKE ALE 4.1% ABV<br />
Orkney Brewery, Orkney. Est. 1988<br />
This new, very drinkable spring beer is straw-gold in colour, with a white, creamy head and flavours<br />
of soft citrus fruits which combine beautifully with gentle floral notes to produce a thirst-quenching ale.<br />
Hops used: Styrian Goldings<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p>13. WOODEN HAND CORNISH GRIBBEN 4.1% ABV<br />
Wooden Hand Brewery, Cornwall. Est. 2004<br />
This mid-coloured beer was first brewed in May 2010 and is well-hopped and distinctive,<br />
with citrus and fruit notes in the aroma, continuing into the flavour, resulting in a well-balanced,<br />
bittersweet finish.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, Fuggles, Styrian<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>14. BATEMANS ALL SEASONS 4.2% ABV<br />
Batemans Brewery, Lincolnshire. Est. 1874<br />
This springtime-seeded, summer-cropped, autumn-malted and winter-hopped ale is a new addition to this<br />
brewery’s full-time range of beers. It’s copper-red in colour and brewed with pale and crystal malts, rye,<br />
wheat malt and oats, combining with the hops used to impart all that is best from all of the seasons.<br />
Hops used: Styrian Goldings<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>15. GREEN JACK ORANGE WHEAT BEER 4.2% ABV<br />
Green Jack Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 2003<br />
This impressive speciality beer, the brewery’s most popular brew, is light in colour, with grainy, citrus and<br />
marmalade aromas and flavours, making it a delightfully drinkable beer, with a lasting, refreshing finish.<br />
Hops used: Citra<br />
Beer style: speciality/wheat</p>
<p>16. SPRINGHEAD THE BEES KNEES 4.2% ABV<br />
Springhead Brewery, Nottinghamshire. Est. 1990<br />
This delightful golden beer has been available only once before (January 2010) and contains locally grown<br />
wildflower honey, which combines with pale malt, fine wheat and the hops used to create an aromatic and<br />
delicately flavoured beer, with a mouth-watering character.<br />
Hops used: Northdown, Saaz<br />
Beer style: speciality</p>
<p>17. BRAINS MILKWOOD 4.3% ABV<br />
Brains Brewery, Cardiff. Est. 1882<br />
This seasonal beer celebrates the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and his maxim ‘live, love and drink beer’.<br />
The use of rye crystal and malted oats creates a russet-red colour. The smooth toffee flavour is poetically<br />
balanced by a crisp hop bitterness.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, Goldings<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>18. CAIRNGORM ROGGEN 4.3% ABV<br />
Cairngorm Brewery, Highlands. Est. 1997<br />
This new beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is an orangey-brown in<br />
colour, with a gentle hop aroma and a flavour which combines grainy, biscuit characteristics with a rye-grass<br />
flavour, leading to a pleasing, bittersweet finish.<br />
Hops used: Hersbrücker, Perle<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>19. CALEDONIAN DOC KENNEDY’S LIPSMACKER LEMON ALE 4.3% ABV<br />
Caledonian Brewery, Edinburgh. Est. 1869<br />
This new, pale beer is guaranteed to be more fun than your usual lemon barley and is brewed<br />
with hints of natural lemon, complementing the delicate citric hop and malt flavour.<br />
Hops used: Pioneer, Sovereign, Styrian Goldings<br />
Beer style: speciality</p>
<p>20. ELGOOD’S SPRING CHALLENGE 4.3% ABV<br />
Elgood’s Brewery, Cambridgeshire. Est. 1878<br />
This new beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is light amber in colour,<br />
with delicate malt and hop aromas and a rich, malty palate, culminating in a finish which is both pleasing<br />
and moreish.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, Fuggles<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>21. HOLDEN’S APRIL SHOWER 4.3% ABV<br />
Holden’s Brewery, West Midlands. Est. 1915<br />
This seasonal beer, last brewed four years ago, is golden in colour, with a delicate, hoppy aroma and<br />
medium-bodied character, with an underlying, gentle, malty sweetness and muted cereal notes, developing<br />
into a restorative, bitter finish which provides a totally revitalising experience.<br />
Hops used: Fuggles<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p>22. PHOENIX PALE IMITATION 4.3% ABV<br />
Phoenix Brewery, Manchester. Est. 1982<br />
This beer, first brewed in 2010, is pale in colour, with a heady hop aroma and hints of dried fruit,<br />
leading to a clean-tasting, well-bittered flavour, with a pleasing mouthfeel and bitter finish.<br />
Hops used: Chinook, Mount Hood, Progress<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p>23. ROBINSONS GINGER TOM 4.3% ABV<br />
Robinsons Brewery, Cheshire. Est. 1838<br />
This new speciality beer is maple in colour and has a sweet ginger aroma. Its flavour is a perfect balance<br />
of ginger, spiced herbs and roasted malt, culminating in a distinctive, lasting finish.<br />
Hops used: Goldings<br />
Beer style: speciality</p>
<p>24. SKINNER’S MOUSEHOLE MOONSHINE 4.3% ABV<br />
Skinner’s Brewery, Cornwall. Est. 1997<br />
This beer, previously available only in Cornwall, is named after one of Cornwall’s most beautiful fishing<br />
villages, pronounced ‘mowzel’. It’s now making its national début, exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale<br />
festival. It is amber in colour, with a superbly balanced flavour and smooth finish.<br />
Hops used: Northdown, Styrian Goldings<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>25. DALESIDE WHITE BIER 4.5% ABV<br />
Daleside Brewery, North Yorkshire. Est. 1992<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival, using unmalted wheat,<br />
malted barley and authentic Belgian wheat yeast, creating a clear, light wheat beer with various<br />
herb and spice flavours.<br />
Hops used: Bobek, Northern Brewer<br />
Beer style: speciality/wheat</p>
<p>26. EVERARDS EARLY DOORS 4.5% ABV<br />
Everards Brewery, Leicestershire. Est. 1849<br />
This beer, brewed only once before (September 2007) solely for this brewery’s tied estate, makes its return<br />
exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is mid brown in colour, with soft fruit characters,<br />
a flowery hop aroma and a full-bodied, nutty flavour.<br />
Hops used: Cascade, Fuggles, Styrian Goldings<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p><strong>27. NETHERGATE SAISON BLONDE 4.5% ABV</strong><br />
Nethergate Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1986<br />
This brewer’s interpretation of a classic beer style has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon<br />
real-ale festival. Brewed at a much higher temperature than normal, enabling ester flavours to develop<br />
and a delicious spiciness to emerge, this amber-gold beer makes for a really refreshing spring ale.<br />
Hops used: East Kent Goldings, Styrian Goldings<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>28. WELLS BANANA BREAD BEER 4.5% ABV<br />
Wells &#038; Young’s Brewery, Bedfordshire. Est. 2006<br />
This beer, always a popular choice, has now featured in several Wetherspoon real-ale festivals. Deep amber<br />
in colour, with tempting banoffee aromas, it is tempered by a grassy, lemony nose, all leading to a finely<br />
balanced, fresh, delicate flavour of peppery hops, with a lingering, dry finish.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, Styrian<br />
Beer style: speciality</p>
<p>29. ZEUNERTS ALE 4.5% ABV<br />
Zeunerts Brewery, Solleftea, Sweden. Est. 1857<br />
Rickhard Voigt and Roger Osth, from Zeunerts, have travelled to Everards Brewery, in Leicestershire, to re-create this beer<br />
especially for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. This copper-coloured beer is fresh and fruity in character, with a flavour<br />
which delivers touches of coffee, butter and hops, resulting in a good mouthfeel, with a pleasing, moderate bitterness.<br />
Hops used: Magnum, Perle<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>30. ARUNDEL PRIZE FIGHTER 4.6% ABV<br />
Arundel Brewery, West Sussex. Est. 1992<br />
This beer was last available in cask in 2009 and has been brewed again especially for this Wetherspoon<br />
real-ale festival. It is a traditional premium bitter, with a mid brown colour, warm, malty aroma and a slightly<br />
sweet, toffee flavour which leads to a soft, bitter finish.<br />
Hops used: Challenger<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>31. TRIPLE FFF RAMBLE TAMBLE 4.6% ABV<br />
Triple FFF Brewery, Hampshire. Est. 1997<br />
This new, American pale-ale-style beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival.<br />
It is pale in colour, with bold, fruity, citrus aromas and a touch of malty sweetness in the flavour, developing<br />
into a bitterness which lingers in the mouth, right through to the clean, dry finish.<br />
Hops used: Centennial, Columbus, Simcoe<br />
Beer style: best bitter</p>
<p>32. FERAL THE RUNT 4.7% ABV<br />
Feral Brewery, Baskerville, Western Australia. Est. 2002<br />
Brenden Varis, from Feral, has travelled to Wadworth Brewery, in Wiltshire, to re-create this beer, the current holder of the ‘Champion<br />
Beer’ trophy at the Australian International Beer Awards, especially for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It is a pale, easy-drinking beer,<br />
with a pleasing dry character and a wonderful tropical fruit flavour and aroma, perfectly showcasing the character of the Citra hop.<br />
Hops used: Citra<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p>33. RHYMNEY KING’S ALE 4.7% ABV<br />
Rhymney Brewery, Merthyr Tydfil. Est. 2004<br />
This beer was first brewed in late 2010 and makes its national début exclusively for this Wetherspoon<br />
real-ale festival. It is mid brown in colour and has a strong taste and remarkably rich flavour, supplied by the<br />
range of coloured malts used.<br />
Hops used: Fuggles, Goldings<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p><strong>34. MAULDONS BLACKBERRY PORTER 4.8% ABV</strong><br />
Mauldons Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1982<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is a full-bodied, black<br />
porter, with a balanced hop aroma and rich blend of chocolate and roast flavours, giving way to a subtle,<br />
sweet fruit finish.<br />
Hops used: Bramling Cross, Saaz, Willamette<br />
Beer style: speciality/porter</p>
<p>35. OAKHAM TAIPAN 4.9% ABV<br />
Oakham Brewery, Cambridgeshire. Est. 1993<br />
This new beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is copper in colour<br />
with a fruit-resin aroma and a flavour of rich, hoppy fruit. Hints of berries, carried on a background of biscuit<br />
malt, result in a satisfying, bitter finish.<br />
Hops used: Cascade, Centennial<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p>36. ACORN 1887 (GOD CREATED TANGERINE) 5.0% ABV<br />
Acorn Brewery, South Yorkshire. Est. 2003<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is named after the year when<br />
Blackpool FC was formed, known as ‘the tangerines’, because the director of this brewery is a fan! Dark crystal malt<br />
creates a rich, orangey-red colour, while the English hops give a crisp, fruity aroma and spicy bitterness in the flavour.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, WGV<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p><strong>37. BIG CITY JAMAICA STOUT 5.0% ABV</strong><br />
Big City Brewery, Kingston, Jamaica. Est. 2001<br />
Kimberly Gordon, from Big City, has travelled to Banks’s Brewery, in the West Midlands, to re-create this<br />
beer especially for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. This deep black stout has a complex aroma of chocolate,<br />
roasted malt and caramel, plus an intense malt flavour, with hints of toastiness and sweetness. The gentle hop<br />
character adds to the full-bodied character of this beer, resulting in a moderate dryness in the warm finish.<br />
Hops used: Fuggles, Target<br />
Beer style: stout</p>
<p>38. HAWKSHEAD CUMBRIAN FIVE HOP 5.0% ABV<br />
Hawkshead Brewery, Cumbria. Est. 2002<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is a strong, golden pale ale,<br />
with a highly hopped aroma of tropical fruit and a blend of traditional and modern hops, giving a full flavour<br />
and long, dry finish.<br />
Hops used: Amarillo, Bramling Cross, Citra, Fuggles, Goldings<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p>39. HIGHGATE FOX’S NOB PREMIUM 5.0% ABV<br />
Highgate Brewery, West Midlands. Est. 1899<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is mid brown in colour,<br />
with a traditional English hop aroma and bitterness, balanced by malt flavours and given an interesting twist<br />
by priming with honey.<br />
Hops used: Fuggles, Progress<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p>40. LANCASTER KINGMAKER 5.0% ABV<br />
Lancaster Brewery, Lancashire. Est. 2005<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is very pale in colour,<br />
with a floral and delicate earthy aroma, slightly citrus bitterness and smooth finish.<br />
Hops used: Green Bullet, Saaz, Sovereign<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p>41. ROOSTER’S ANGRY YANK 5.0% ABV<br />
Rooster’s Brewery, North Yorkshire. Est. 1993<br />
This beer was created by Gareth Lester-Oliver, a home brewer who won the National Homebrew<br />
Competition, in 2010, and has been re-created exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival.<br />
This is an impressive IPA-style beer, with aromas of tropical fruit and a long, aromatic finish.<br />
Hops used: Cascade, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p><strong>42. SALTAIRE LIQUORICE STOUT 5.0% ABV</strong><br />
Saltaire Brewery, West Yorkshire. Est. 2006<br />
5% ABV<br />
A SMOOTH STOUT WITH THE RICH AROMA<br />
OF ROASTED MALTS. TREACLE AND<br />
ROOT LIQUORICE ADD SWEETNESS<br />
AND DEPTH. CASCADE HOPS<br />
PROVIDE A TANGY FINISH.<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is a smooth stout with<br />
a rich aroma of roasted malts, while hints of treacle and liquorice add sweetness and depth to the flavour,<br />
balanced by a tangy hop finish.<br />
Hops used: Cascade, Challenger<br />
Beer style: speciality/stout</p>
<p>43. SHEPHERD NEAME EAST INDIA PALE ALE 5.0% ABV<br />
Shepherd Neame Brewery, Kent. Est. 1698<br />
This celebrated pale ale, from far back in this brewery’s archives, has been revived especially for this<br />
Wetherspoon real-ale festival. It has been brewed true to its original style, with the finest malt and<br />
Kentish hops, resulting in a classic bitter, with generous hop notes throughout.<br />
Hops used: Goldings<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p>44. THWAITES BLOOMIN’ SMOKY 5.0% ABV<br />
Thwaites Brewery, Lancashire. Est. 1807<br />
This smoked version of this brewery’s new seasonal beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon<br />
real-ale festival. It is a naturally cloudy, tawny-coloured wheat beer, with a fruity, complex character and<br />
refreshing, spicy taste, leading to a lasting, smoky finish.<br />
Hops used: Cascade, Fuggles, Styrian<br />
Beer style: speciality/wheat</p>
<p>45. WOLF PRAIRIE GOLD 5.0% ABV<br />
Wolf Brewery, Norfolk. Est. 1996<br />
This beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival and is a refreshing,<br />
golden ale with a pronounced hop aroma and flavour, leading to a crisp, citrus finish.<br />
Hops used: Cluster, Goldings, Sovereign<br />
Beer style: golden ale</p>
<p>46. BALLAST POINT CALICO AMBER 5.2% ABV<br />
Ballast Point Brewery, California, USA. Est. 1996<br />
Yuseff Cherney from Ballast Point, voted ‘Small Brewery Of The Year’, at the 2010 World Beer Cup, has travelled<br />
to Shepherd Neame Brewery, in Kent, to re-create this beer especially for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. This<br />
amber-coloured beer is inspired by traditional English strong bitters, but is as American as it can be. A rich complexity is<br />
provided by the four types of malt used, while American hops give this beer its fruity richness and unique, floral aroma.<br />
Hops used: Cascade, Centennial, Fuggles, Galena, Perle<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p><strong>47. LODEWIJK’S DUTCH DELIGHT 5.5% ABV</strong><br />
Lodewijk Swinkels, The Netherlands.<br />
Lodewijk Swinkels usually brews at La Trappe Brewery – the only Trappist brewery in the Netherlands.<br />
He has travelled to Marston’s Brewery, in Staffordshire, to create this beer especially for this Wetherspoon<br />
real-ale festival. He has based this beer on a 1930s English strong ale recipe, then added his own touches to<br />
create an interesting cross-over, with a floral hop character, full-bodied flavour and hints of caramel.<br />
Hops used: Saphir, Select, Tradition<br />
Beer style: strong ale</p>
<p>48. LYMESTONE GAUL STONE 5.5% ABV<br />
Lymestone Brewery, Staffordshire. Est. 2008<br />
This new, golden ale has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival, using Belgian yeast<br />
to create a beer with soft meadow and hedgerow fruit aromas, giving way to a full-bodied flavour, with lots<br />
of hop character and a floral, fruity, hoppy finish.<br />
Hops used: Strisselspalt, Willamette<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p>49. GREENE KING IPA EXPORT 6.0% ABV<br />
Greene King Brewery, Suffolk. Est. 1799<br />
This new beer has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real-ale festival. A far stronger version of<br />
Greene King’s popular IPA, this uses English hop varieties to produce a full, hoppy character, evident from<br />
the aroma, through the flavour and into the finish, balanced by subtle flavours from pale and crystal malts.<br />
Hops used: Challenger, First Gold<br />
Beer style: strong bitter</p>
<p><strong>50. FREEMINER DEEP SHAFT 6.2% ABV</strong><br />
Freeminer Brewery, Gloucestershire. Est. 1992<br />
This classic, strong stout was last brewed in 2003 and makes its welcome return exclusively for this Wetherspoon<br />
real-ale festival. This is as big as a stout can be, brewed with more black malt than is sensible and huge amounts of<br />
hops, resulting in a dry, roast malt flavour and full-on oats, finishing with burnt toast and floral hop notes.<br />
Hops used: Fuggles<br />
Beer style: stout</p>
<p><strong>Ciders:</strong></p>
<p>51. BROTHERS GINGER 4.0% ABV 500ml Bottle<br />
Containing a natural ginger extract, this has a distinctive, fresh aroma, a smooth palate, balancing ginger<br />
and cider flavours, plus an aftertaste of ginger heat. This special-edition ginger cider has enough fiery<br />
refreshment to cut through the toughest of thirsts.</p>
<p>52. WESTONS CIDER TWIST RASPBERRY 4.0% ABV<br />
This is a limited-edition blend of traditional Westons cider, with a refreshing raspberry juice twist.<br />
This medium-dry still cider is excellent with duck and venison, chilli and rich chocolate desserts.</p>
<p>53. WESTONS BOUNDS SCRUMPY 4.8% ABV<br />
This dry, still, traditional Herefordshire cloudy scrumpy cider is made from the finest bittersweet<br />
cider apples, slowly matured in 200-year-old oak vats, to deliver a rich character.</p>
<p>54. THATCHERS OLD RASCAL 4.9% ABV<br />
A smooth, easy-drinking traditional cider, this has a light fruity aroma and a slightly misty haze.<br />
Produced from a blend of English bittersweet and culinary apples, it will appeal to those who enjoy<br />
real Somerset cider at its very best.</p>
<p>55. WESTONS MARCLE HILL 5.0% ABV<br />
This medium still cider has a well-balanced fruit flavour. It is smooth and mellow,<br />
with a clean apple finish, leaving the mature taste of bittersweet apples.</p>
<p>56. MR WHITEHEAD’S CIDER CIRRUS MINOR 5.1% ABV<br />
This thirst-quenching medium-sweet cider is blended from a mix of eating, cooking and cider apples.<br />
It has a deep colour, with quite complex flavours.</p>
<p>57. THATCHERS CHEDDAR VALLEY 6.0% ABV<br />
This is a distinctive, robust, naturally cloudy and dry cider. Produced in Somerset,<br />
it is crafted using traditional techniques and expertise gained since 1904.</p>
<p>58. WESTONS OLD ROSIE 7.3% ABV<br />
This still cider is allowed to settle out naturally after fermentation, resulting in a truly old-fashioned,<br />
full-flavoured, cloudy scrumpy cider, with a well-balanced, medium-dry character and hints of citrus<br />
and spicy cloves.</p>
<p>59. WESTONS ORGANIC 7.3% ABV<br />
Fully matured in 200-year-old vats, resulting in an easy-to-drink, lightly sparkling cider, with a ripe apple<br />
aroma and refreshing, well-balanced taste. This is the UK’s leading organic cider – reminiscent<br />
of baked apples and apple crumble.</p>
<p>60. BROADOAK PERRY 7.5% ABV<br />
This lovely drinkable perry has a true pear aroma, starting with a medium-sweet taste, followed<br />
by a dry finish. It was awarded the gold medal at CAMRA’s Cider &#038; Perry Competition, in 2009.</p>
<p>I feel my Camra vouchers will be well used <img src='http://www.andrewwilcox.net/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>Beers of the Week and a complaint to Mr Tim Martin</title>
		<link>http://www.andrewwilcox.net/2009/09/29/beers-of-the-week-and-a-complaint-to-mr-tim-martin/</link>
		<comments>http://www.andrewwilcox.net/2009/09/29/beers-of-the-week-and-a-complaint-to-mr-tim-martin/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:49:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Wilcox</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Beer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[J D Wetherspoon]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.andrewwilcox.net/?p=333</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some beers from last week/weekend &#8211; a mix bag.. The best of the lot. Or was it this one&#8230;. But my major wossname of the past few weeks is the policy of J D Wetherspoon pubs when it comes to real ale. And I must add I do spend most of my real ale/cider money in their pubs when IN cardiff ie most days (to the anger/disgust of some of my real ale acquaintances) due to two main things 1) Normal quality and range. 2) Cost of Ale Anyway the thing that gets me is that some staff in J D Wetherspoon&#8217;s inability to sell beer as advertised. I.E the Clips of beer they have on,for all to see but when you ask they say &#8220;Sorry Love thats off&#8221; and when I try and turn the clips around so not to confuse other customers and they call the manager. so an easy Win for everyone, consumers and local managers, Regional Wetherspoon&#8217;s Managers &#8211; please tell your staff to 1) Add the Coming soon labels to the beer &#8211; may entice people to come back 2) Or turn the clip around &#8211; simples as that hairy creature says. so hopefully us [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Some beers from last week/weekend &#8211; a mix bag..</p>
<p>The best of the lot.<br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v27uHOo86gw/SsIejkqGHtI/AAAAAAAAAck/k_iTpKMbqZM/2009-09-25%2020.38.56.jpg?imgmax=640" alt="2009-09-25 20.38.56.jpg" width="480" height="640" class="pie-img"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;"/></img></p>
<p><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v27uHOo86gw/SsIe-hRUHHI/AAAAAAAAAco/36kR2ykyMek/2009-09-25%2017.36.55.jpg?imgmax=640" alt="2009-09-25 17.36.55.jpg" width="480" height="640" class="pie-img"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;"/></img></p>
<p><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v27uHOo86gw/SsIfEXhSzlI/AAAAAAAAAcs/IRsMvYpkIU4/2009-09-24%2019.32.49.jpg?imgmax=640" alt="2009-09-24 19.32.49.jpg" width="480" height="640" class="pie-img"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;"/></img></p>
<p>Or was it this one&#8230;.<br />
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v27uHOo86gw/SsIfWd2vx1I/AAAAAAAAAc0/KzsnPtG3v2g/2009-09-24%2013.25.24.jpg?imgmax=640" alt="2009-09-24 13.25.24.jpg" width="480" height="640" class="pie-img"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;"/></img></p>
<p>But my major wossname of the past few weeks is the policy of J D Wetherspoon pubs when it comes to real ale.</p>
<p>And I must add I do spend most of my real ale/cider money in their pubs when IN cardiff ie most days (to the anger/disgust of some of my real ale acquaintances) due to two main things</p>
<p>1) Normal quality and range.<br />
2) Cost of Ale</p>
<p>Anyway the thing that gets me is that some staff in J D Wetherspoon&#8217;s inability to sell beer as advertised.</p>
<p> I.E the Clips of beer they have on,for all to see but when you ask they say &#8220;Sorry Love thats off&#8221;</p>
<p>and when I try and turn the clips around so not to confuse other customers and they call the manager.</p>
<p>so an easy Win for everyone, consumers and local managers,  Regional Wetherspoon&#8217;s Managers &#8211; please tell your staff to</p>
<p>1) Add the Coming soon labels to the beer &#8211; may entice people to come back<br />
2) Or turn the clip around &#8211; simples as that hairy creature says.</p>
<p>so hopefully us consumers are not bamboozled and have to spend 5 mins choosing yet another ale just to be told it&#8217;s off..(and have to have a pint of Abbots, which is not bad, but not what I came in for)</p>
<p> It&#8217;s simple really most untied/indy pubs don&#8217;t do the same practice &#8211; it&#8217;s either on or off.</p>
<p>Just to note it not the same at all JD pubs that I frequent but I am sure they see me walking in..</p>
<p>oh and yes happy 30th birthday for next month, Mr J D Wetherspoon you have been a reasonably good servant for 13 of those years and I do love you really but you sometimes you don&#8217;t half get on my nerves, like being married but without the hangover but also with a slight unease feeling each time I  walk through your door in case that nutter in the Welsh/Liverpool Shirt is there.</p>
<p>Have you any views on this, or is it just me being a grumpy sod?</p>
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