ChatterBank26 mins ago
Beer
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I love wheat beer. I see that someone else has mentioned the German Erdinger (delicious) but I'm surprised that it's been paired it up with Kronenboug Blanc. I was discussing 'witbier' with the proprietor of my favourite backstreet bar in Oostende last summer (while sampling a few glasses of his excellent Hoegarden) and I happened to mention this particular French product. His friendly face suddenly became instantly venomous as he shouted "Cow's p!ss!". Regrettably, I have to agree with him! (Tesco are currently selling a Ukrainian wheat beer which, while very pleasant, still can't match Erdinger).
If I'm drinking lager, I generally go for the 'dry' products. (Anything Czech - or possibly Canadian - usually fits the bill).
Bitter? I see that somebody has already mentioned Old Speckled Hen. While I love the taste, it's one of those beers which I like but 'it doesn't like me'. (i.e. drinking only a small amount can give me a hangover disproportionate to the amount of alcohol consumed). This is also true of my number one favourite bitter, King & Barne's Festive. (I've not come across this lately. Is there anyone near to the brewery - Horsham - who can confirm that it's still available?). For a stronger beer which doesn't 'knock me out' I'd probably choose Courage Director's. For an 'everyday' pint, it's hard to beat the Greene King IPA served in my 'regular' although there are plenty of other good breweries here in Suffolk. (Too many to list!).
Further bottled beers? I could list dozens that I like but, sticking with the idea of 'dry' lagers, I'm very fond of the Italian Peroni Nastro Azzuro. (Apologies to any Italians if I've spelt that incorrectly!).
Finally, a 'favourite', based on economy with acceptable quality, has to be Tesco's 'value' lager. No, I'm not talking about the rather flavourless 2% alcohol stuff they sell in all their stores at 88p for 4 cans. What I'm drinking as I type this, is the 4% product which they only sell in Tesco Extra at 90p for 4 x 440ml cans. I don't claim that it comes close to the quality of the other beers I've mentioned but it's quite drinkable and (given that the duty on 1760ml of 4% beer is 90p) is effectively given away for free!
Chris
Lager Carlsberg, Stout Guinness, but the drink that really has me drooling is Magner's Irish Cider, in pint bottles and a rake of ice in the pint glass.
Was introduced to it in Ireland about 4-5 yrs ago where it is known as Bulmers. Then it hit the Irish pubs in London and now it is apparently more widely available. Sadly it hasnt permeated Salisbury to the degree I need. Ironically I went to Tenerife at new years and found it virtually everywhere and not just the Irish pubs. My fellow travellers were press ganged into trying it and after the obligatory "I dont drink Cider" protestations they are now firmly in the Magner's clan.
As for tap beer, I'd say Abbot Ale. Lovely flavouring. Probably followed by Tiger (the Everard's one, not the Singapore one).