Pretty fun beer with Halloween and all.

I’m back in Angel for a few weeks. I used to live here and while it was never a craft beer mecca it felt like pre-Covid there were at least a few decent options around. Now it feels like there’s the Earl of Essex and that’s it. I know the Sutton Arms down in Clerkenwell is a great pub but I’m looking for things directly on my doorstep this weekend. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

For various reasons I haven't been drinking as much craft beer at home in the last year or so. But I decided to go to Morrisons today to see what they had on offer and thought i'd share some thoughts:

Range

My local Morrisons brought in 4 large fridges for their craft a couple of years ago. However, two of them are now used for macro stuff, with craft in just the other two. Looking at the beers on offer I was amazed by just how many of them were the original ranges that were introduced in the 2020-21 period. Not just the same breweries - SALT, Northern Monk, Brew York, Tiny Rebel, Brewdog, Magic Rock, Thornbridge, Siren, North Brewing etc, but the same beers.

Price

It looked to me that prices were largely the same as they were back in 2021-22 as well. Most beers between £3 and £4, with 90% of them in their '4 for 3' deal. I picked up a Vault City sour for £2.50 a can (who would have thought that 3 years ago). Overall, I got 10 cans for £25.50. This includes a couple of 8% DIPAs and no beer below 5%.

Thoughts

It's kind of disappointing to see that there's not much evolution in the craft that Morrisons is offering. Also, and I know this is a hot topic, whether the original breweries that got into supermarkets have 'captured' that market and are now providing recognisable brands at an 'acceptable' price. I know that some breweries have reduced abv/quality for their big sellers - which given the huge rise in costs is understandable, but it really is a slip back towards the macro industry that craft is supposed to provide an alternative to.

I haven't tried any of them though but i'll add my thoughts on whether quality has gone up or down.

It's as good today as it was when it kick-started my love for more adventurous beers 15 years ago. Always a solid beer and to me, one of the best in the world.

Looking forward to the Vampyer Disco. It was one of my favourite beers from last year.

Just wondering if there are any interesting Christmas themed beer boxes (not advent calendars) around this year? Vocation previously did a box in the style of Celebrations if anyone remembers, I'm after that kind of thing, thanks.

Didn't realise I was a release day wanker until I left the shop but I've been eyeing up this release for a couple of years.

I'm meeting an old friend - and now brother-in-law - for a few pints in Huddersfield tomorrow. I know Huddersfield fairly well but haven't been to as many pubs there as I'd like. Tell me your favourite places to go within a mile or two of the centre. The more old man pub-esque, the better. (I've been to the excellent station pubs.)

Hi, I used to primarily drink cider, but recently realised I really like hazy jane and neck oil. I was just wondering which drinks are similar to these?

Appreciate the help!

This was pretty good but shame about the glass not being so clean. Nice coffee notes. Subtle roast malt notes.

As the title suggests I’m looking for a recommendation for some stouts and/or porters to try.

I’m just not very keen on coffee, and the stouts I’ve tried were very coffee-like and put me off. I enjoy other flavour profiles so any which amplifies these over the coffee would be great. I have tried stouts which are called “chocolate stout” however I find they still taste coffee-y and burnt.

I’m not sure that any stout will have zero burnt coffee taste, but it’s worth a try.

Like the last while I've barely had any hazy IPA at all.

I've mostly been drinking German lagers and other European lager as well as stouts.

I have been having cask IPA but not so much the hazy neipas that dominate the scene.

Anyone else the same as me right now?

Looks like a bargain for the price, hopefully it'll taste ok. Feel I should save it for Christmas but I'll probably drink the fucker tonight!

This is going to be a long shot given how niche the question is, but does anyone know of anywhere in the UK (or internationally that ships to the UK) that sells craft beer sourced from Latvia?

I’d like to surprise a friend for Christmas who came over from Latvia a while back and missed the rise of craft beer there.

I know a few places like left field and trembling madness stock Ārpus, and I’ve picked up a few of theirs, but I’m curious if there’s any other breweries like Nurme or Labietis stuff floating around.

This would have been a lot easier before brexit! 😭

330ml can from home bargains

Just wondering what cheaper priced craft beer is out there? If I'm a bit low on funds I tend to buy from Williams Brothers and 71 Brewing. Does anybody know of any other brewers that are friendlier on the pocket besides supermarket fare?

Thank you.

Not That California Brewing Co finally has our licence to go ahead and sell beer on our premises at the old bus station in Falkirk Town next to B&M Bargains. Some soft launch nights are happening next month which are ticketed events. The link can be found here.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/therockbottom?fbclid=IwY2xjawGF1MhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXQhAqxGc-CAsyd41OcQRwhUQ2YDXPOWYtrmtkzLNhN6_LblsjhOZl-lYQ_aem_g0Qsjj0PwAihuIy1CV2oQA

Looking for recommendations for places to drink in Norwich, or breweries nearby that are worth a visit, Either cask or craft.

Afternoon chaps. I’ve setup a hand pump and just finished my first beer in a bag. Yorkshire blonde from a Yorkshire Heart brewery. 10l for 35 so not amazingly cheap but enjoying pulling a pint at home. I’ve ordered 2 more from the same brewery (t’otherside & golden best) for ease and because I didn’t get stung by the first lot.

Anyway……… anyone got any good suppliers or recommendations for beer in bag. I’m midlands if that makes a difference. Any tips on the setup etc?

Popular UK lager ‘watered down’ to save 23p per can on alcohol tax https://metro.co.uk/2024/10/21/popular-uk-lager-watered-down-save-23p-per-can-alcohol-tax-21837558/