To the Extreme
There has been a bit of debate recently surrounding the relative merits of "Extreme" beers. It seems that Tandleman started it here where he has digested popular CAMRA opinion (and claimed it to be his own and not CAMRA's opinion). Anyhow to prove a point, at the Ealing Beer Festival Yesterday there were only a handful of beers over 5%. One of these beers was Fuller's Vintage 2008. I ordered a half only to find it infected (tasting of artificial cherry and band aids/plasters). Despite me pointing out the obvious they continued to sell the beer telling me that I didn't know what I was talking about. Good one CAMRA!I still drank the infected half. I guess that was pretty extreme..........
Labels: CAMRA, Ealing Beer Festival, Fullers
posted by Tim at
Saturday, July 11, 2009
11 Comments:
Figures. I'd like to hear Rudy's response.
At the last festival I helped to put on there was an infected cask and I took it off and got it sent back for a refund. I couldn't take money off a punter for a sub standard product.
The only slight bit of resistance I got was from a mate who said that I should leave it on because the tickers would drink it anyway (it was a new brewery / beer).
I'd rather tell the brewery their beer was infected and have them get their house in order than to have poured it away and the brewery go on churning out shite!
Whilst CAMRA as an organisation has some batshit insane ideas I'll have to say that I quite enjoy the buzz surrounding the festivals, the beers with mates and the trips out. My enjoyment is possibly helped by the fact that I'm good mates with the social sec and the treasurer (fellow brewers). The meetings are an utter fucking ball - ache though.
1)My opinions are my own. I don't care for barrel aged beers. So what?
2)If I have an infected, off, or cloudy beer at my festivals - and I look after beer at two of them - it doesn't get sold. Period. Others should do the same.
3)It would be interesting to know how many others complained about the beer. Did you ask to speak to the Beer Manager rather than just abusing the poor sod that was selling you it? Sometimes people think beers are off when, frankly, they are just plain shite beers. Obviously I have no idea in this case, but it seems Fullers are sending out infected beer?
4) For John - Whatever batshit insane ideas CAMRA may or may not have, they are usually ameliorated locally, where local campaigning is much more relevant. Local is where the fun and your mates are. National policy is a far away land. If you have a loopy branch - choose another one that isn't.
@Tandleman - nothing personal but as much as you try and distance yourself from the CAMRA related sterotype, you are very much a down the line CAMRA bloke and your ideas etc reflect this.
It seems Timbo that you know me and CAMRA better than I do. Next time I'm unsure what to think about something and the CAMRA "This is What to Think" manual is not to hand, I'll just drop you a note for the answer.
There really is no reasoning with you despite your long, varied and distinguished drinking career.
At least, though you put it to no positive use, you are way smarter than the Troll. But you already know that.
You're just another CAMRA dipshit Rudy, face it! Every time you use slander to emotionally violate me, I will strike back with a barrage of new material on my screen play, "Alexander the Grate." I'm glad you're around, you've put comedy into beer.
Dr., I'd start using Rudy, Hess, Die Talismann Hurlimann Hess Show, Big John, Big Head, or the name of your choice when addressing Rudy. He thinks he's clever by calling you Timbo. We know that isn't the case.
Rudy, you're a retarded individual. You have still not addressed the science from weeks ago. Why? Because you do not know what you're talking about.
Here are the lyrics to my international hit, "Hess I've Got a Hunch." Feel free to sing along in the comfort of your home, or record your own version.
We were talking about cask breathers
You are one angry guy
I think you should drink Proper Real Keg
than drink warm vinegar and lie
Rudy, Who the fuck told you
That normal ain't what I do
Have you got on the vegetables yet, 'cause it looks like you eat for two.
Hess I've got a hunch
That's you're eating to much
You're bum is being affected
while your teeth are also infected
Sort yourself out you tub of goo
refrain from calling me a troll too
You deserve the backlash from everything you do...
Why you get so angry
When I call you on your shit
Is it the names Hess, or Rudy, or is Bell the reason you through fits?
Rudy, you've got no answers, to the science of the brewing arts.
You're just a fucked up northerner, who thinks he's really smart!
Ignoring this entertaining nonsense, I'd just like to pick up on a point made(I think) about the lack of extreme beers at CAMRA festivals. Personally I have always been surprised how timid many CAMRA festivals are when it comes to selling stronger beers. I know you'll never be coming up to the Stockport festival (especially as you're off to Australia) but we always try and have a fair few - amongst those this year was Brew Dog Hardcore IPA (9%), Oakham Attila (7.5%), Fullers Golden Pride (8.5% and very much not infected) - there were several more - we even commissioned a strong (9%) ultra hoppy IPA from a local micro.
Infected beer should never be sold - we always send it back and get a refund (and think long and hard before getting beer from that brewery next time).
Be interesting to see if the Australian micros have picked up on the extreme beer movement yet. Will you be letting us know?
@John Clarke - Indeed I will be commenting on the Australian Micro Scene when I return. It seems to have grown in leaps and bounds since I left in early 2006. I will also be moving more into discussing my own brewing which would probably be deemed commercial batch sizes by UK standards. When it comes to brewing I don't mess about. Economies of scale are everything.
The Beer Diary is the best beer blogger site on the net quit talking trash and get of the message board go over to your own CAMRA site... One more thing Rudy " well iam real impressed with the way you know words!!" i only got my grade 9
@John Clarke, isn't a CAMRA beer festival a tool to reach out to lager louts like myself, with the gospel of palatable cask beer, than provide pongy bog water to a beer club?
CL,
Neither, or perhaps both. I think a successful beer festival should offer a range of well-kept beers which includes something for everyone.
Post a Comment
Comments welcome, however if you are a ticker, weird beard or anonymous spammer expect to have your comments edited or removed.
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home