I love beer! I didn’t like my first draught beer though, I’d sipped my dads bottled beer at home and liked it so I was shocked when a bloke who worked for my dad bought me a disgusting fizzy golden liquid at a party when I was about 15….. I chewed it down trying my best to save face, I wasn’t fooling anyone, he noticed and I felt as if I wasn’t a man….. Thing was it was CARLING! That popular English/Canadian tasteless piss! But at this point in my life I wasn’t to know that!
Our local social club allowed 16 year old members, (an old mining village loophole) there were rules, no rounds and you had to behave yourself, suited me, I’m a good lad and I was on an apprentice wage so didn’t have enough money for rounds.
At this point they served Worthington Cream Flow. I bought one, trying to be a man in front of all the tough old miners, one of which crushed my hand with a handshake, I held back the tears, but struth it hurt! Anyway, I took the first sip and wow! Proper stuff! I was hooked on warm, brown, flat bitter ale!
Knowing this and learning that there were many breweries that brewed this wonderful truth juice all different and delicious! With education from my dad and the company of my mate I would try all the different types of ales when I could and when I turned 18 we would sample what the local real ale pubs and breweries had to offer.
Then about 15 years ago The Craft Revolution began!! I WAS THE CHOSEN ONE!! All these turn your face inside out hoppy IPA’s, DIPA’s, Imperials and so on and so on…. I couldn’t get enough! I feel it has gone a little too far with all these fruity ones but that’s my personal opinion, this has helped me move on and discover so many other types like the Belgian tripel’s and Trappist’s , the German Helles and Doppelbocks, Irish stouts and the Czech Pilsners.
Real ale is still my favourite though and I love visiting proper beer pubs, I look forward to sharing my beer journey with you!
Take it easy and cheers!
TM
