The West Highland Way Race
Welcome to our forum. Feel free to post a message.
|
||
| Return to Website | ||
 First |
 Prev |
 Reply |
 Forum |
Next  |
Last  |
| Viewing Page 1 of 2 (Total Posts: 60) |
| Author | Comment |
Brian Mc
 Mar 27, 08 - 7:37 AM |
We're not discussing beer enough
It has occurred to me that we're not discussing beer enough on this forum so I'll kick something off. By far the 2 best beers in the entire world are are: Fullers London Pride Black Sheep Bitter Fullers ESB and Harviestoun's Bitter n'Twisted aren't too far behind mind you. The odd can of super lager doesn't go amiss either. But then I'm from Cumbernauld so what do you expect? |
|
Debs
Mar 27th, 2008 - 8:11 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
That's a speciality beer in Cumbernauld. My favourite is the two pints I had in Kingshouse after the last group training run. It was a magical moment. I don't know what it was, but it's my favourite. Unforunately - on an empty stomach - Marco, Neal and Mike had to listen to my sparkling chat aaaaaaaaaaaaaall the way home 
|
|
Drama Queen
Mar 27th, 2008 - 9:04 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I cannot agree with you Sir. While respecting your stance on quality beer and the discussion of it, I find myself unable to concur with your pronouncement of the best beers. I would offer up the following worthy adversaries for your two best: Hobgoblin (A wonderfully smooth, ruby ale) Old Peculiar (Full bodied and magnificent) Dark Island (As dark as my soul but much more pleasant at the same time) Mendip Twister (Darker than my soul with the lights out) and...and...my all time favourite...is... Badger Golden Champion (Summer sunshine in a glass). I also have a special place in my heart for the product of the Samuel Smith's Brewery. Bloody hell, this gives you a thirst. |
|
Andy Cole
Mar 27th, 2008 - 9:33 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Having done my time "down south" I can now acknowledge the northern view that they have no decent beer is a total misconception. Also, now that most pubs are free from the breweries there is a lot more temporary guesting so we get to taste a lot more more wherever we are - I think the situation just keeps getting better! I would go a mile or two for either London Pride or Hobgoblin. A personal favourite is Timothy Taylor's Landlord (Keighley), but more important now is to find out where do you get a good pint in Fort William.......so you local experts, what's the word? |
|
Davie Bell
Mar 27th, 2008 - 9:34 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Get your laughing gear round a bottle of Broughton Ales Old Jock Ale or Black Douglas,with a few of these in you Debs would sound like Amy Winehouse singing in the mini bus
|
|
Brian Mc
Mar 27th, 2008 - 9:40 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Hobgoblin is indeed a fair ale to mentiond, as is Old Jock for a night under the table, and indeed so is Landlord (I had a cracking pint in Haworth after the Wuthering Hike). But before I degenerate into a gushing proclamation of beer love, where are the decent places to get a beer on a Sunday in Fort Bill? All I can remember is dodgy McEwan's 80 shilling but its been a while since I've drunk there. |
|
Tim
Mar 27th, 2008 - 9:55 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
You should all nip down to my local home brew pub, the Failford Inn as it's currently their beer festival (until this Sunday). Enjoyed a very nice hoppy pint of Rivet Catcher there last Saturday |
|
Murdo McEwan
Mar 27th, 2008 - 10:48 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Shouldn't the title of this thread be "We're not discussing enough beer. Discuss....."? I reckon mention should be made of the excellent ales from the Bridge of Allan brewery which has supported WHW race for several years. But, in the meantime, as well as postings on this important thread from E*gland, it would be good to have contributions from entrants to this year's race from even further afield. So lets be hearing from you from US of A, New Zealand, Austria, Netherlands, Alderney, France, Germany, Ireland and (save the best (?) for last, Keith) Australia..... Sorry if I have left anyone out. And, yes, v important, where can one get a decent pint (and what represents a decent pint?) in Fort Wm? (Finally, I wonder what is recommended by our Man in Ess*x? Babycham??)  Murdo
|
|
Mike Mason
Mar 27th, 2008 - 11:56 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Thanks Murdo.....suffice to say I gave up booze until I get round Mont Blanc. Yes this could be a life abstinence.... always partial to a pint of lager though...sorry not the gassy real stuff which as you know plays havoc with my....... |
|
Brian Mc
Mar 27th, 2008 - 12:39 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Given that I'm married to a Queenslander (no, not a wooden on stilts house) I feel I can comment on beer on behalf of the Aussies. It's got to be Coopers Original Pale Ale, chilled and served in a stubbie holder on a warm summers afternoon. Aaah. In fact I came across a marvellous booze dispensing innovation on the Gold Coast - drive-thru-booze shops. You drive into one of 4 odd lanes and stop. A chap (well a bloke) comes out and you give him your order in multiples of 24 bottle / can cases. He wanders back to the living room sized refrigerator, gets them out and puts them in your car boot for you. You pay then drive off. Great. |
|
andy dubois
Mar 27th, 2008 - 12:40 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Well as much as I am developing a taste of the beer in this country ( tasted a very nice Isle of Arran Sunset brew recently) you still cant go past an Australian Coopers Ale- Sparkling if its hot, Pale if its not - by far the best tasting beers I have ever had ( I may be a little biased mind you). Also good on a hot day ( although those are few and far between over here) is a Cascade Premium Lager. Now I know many of you may not consider a lager to be worthy of being called a beer but when its 40 degrees in the shade it goes down very nicely. Dont judge Aussie beer by Fosters ( no-one drinks Fosters in Australia), just like you should judge Aussie wine by Jacobs Creek - there is far better wine and beer than that. |
|
andy dubois
Mar 27th, 2008 - 12:43 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
The Drive Through Bottlo' is one of the greatest ideas of the 20th Century. Not only found in the Gold Coast they are found in almost every town in Aus. Ice cold beer delivered to your car without you even having to unbuckel your seatbelt! You guys could really learn a thing or two from us Aussies. 
|
|
Murdo McEwan
Mar 27th, 2008 - 2:02 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Apologies dear readers. When I invited postings from Australians I hadn't anticipated a response size / speed of tsunami proportions. Guess I shld have known better. And we haven't even had the musings of Keith Mad Aussie Hughes yet.... Will this thread gain the dubious accolade of most postings ever? Murdo
|
|
Drama Queen
Mar 27th, 2008 - 2:06 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Beers of the world is it. Well, from Australia the best that I have parched my perishing thirst upon was Tooheys. Can't quite remember which one it was but that had nothing to do with the hoppy brew in question. I have to say that I was more than pleasantly tickled by the products of West Coast Canadian micro breweries. When vacationing there a took the opportunity to quaff many a stoop of their fine brew. There especially good at India Pale Ales I quite distinctly remember. Old Jock, on the other hand, is for those who have seen enough of the world and do not mind losing their eyesight. Have at you Sirs! |
|
Tomo Thompson
Mar 27th, 2008 - 2:53 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
There is a tale in Bernd Heinrichs book "Why we Run" where he investigates the pros and cons of various foods / liquids as running fuel. After trying to run on nowt but honey, he moves to beer, and starts with caching a "12oz" bottle of beer at the half way mark of a 20 miler, and notes that he runs the second half faster. He builds up to caching 3x six packs on a "long road race" and basically quaffing beer all the way round. With 3 beers left he felt decidedly unwell, and with 2 left he piled in, NB after 16 beers !! This chapter of the book, and rembering a cycling club in the NE that used to do an annual 100 mile ride with a pint every 10 miles, led me to wonder about........"The Ollie Reed Ultra" kind of like the 4 Inns in the Peaks, but with considerably more pubs, much closer together, and actually open. And in true Ollie style we could mix up the drinks, Chanel at CP1, Champers at CP2, Meths at CP3, pints of Gin at CP4, goldfish bowl water at CP5 and so on... no wonder my plans for new ultras keep getting turned down. |
|
Tomo Thompson
Mar 27th, 2008 - 2:59 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
and for what its worth, anything brewed by the rather splendid micro brewery in Kinlochleven (in the same building as the ice wall right opposite the race CP) www.atlasbrewery.com (they will make a unique ale for the cost of a couple of barrels worth)will do me fine, or red cuillin from the boys at the Isle of Skye Brewery |
|
Keith Hughes
Mar 27th, 2008 - 3:35 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Just back from a week in the sun in Lanzarote.. I give up alcohol for the whole of my training for the WHW .. It's a head thing.. But the first thing I get once I have completed the run is a stubby of Western Australias finest - Emu Bitter.. Now before the bearded ones from CAMRA get to me , it is not an Ale but it is my favorite tipple by a long way.. You can't get it here (Happy to be corrected !) so I get it flown in, which ends up costing a bit too much, but after 6 mths of no beer who gives a *(&()@ !! Then I tend to have another one .. Not to be confused with Vic Bitter, which like Forex and Fosters and any beer from S Australia (except Coopers ) is just plain wrong ! |
|
Brian Mc
Mar 28th, 2008 - 1:01 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
You can buy a fair range of Aussie beers from this good online retailer: http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/acatalog/Beers_of_Europe__Australia_229.html No Emu, but they stock Tooheys Dry, which is cracking on a hot day. That's the one (yes perhaps the only) benefit of living Milton Keynes, it regularly gets to 25C or above in the summer. Stubby drinking weather for sure. I remember trying a couple of Atlas brewery beers. They were quite tasty if I remember right. Nimbus? I'll have to resample. Now what about the best IPA? It has to be Marston's Old Empire. |
|
Drama Queen
Mar 28th, 2008 - 2:16 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I have to concur with none other than Inpspector Morse himself and say the best IPA is Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale. Although, there is a place in my heart for Marston's Strong Pale Ale. That is fab. |
|
Mike Mason
Mar 28th, 2008 - 4:06 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
why is a thread on beer drinking generating more traffic then one on interval training or hydration/fuelling techniques? |
|
Drama Queen
Mar 28th, 2008 - 4:27 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Mike, this thread is also about refuelling/hydration. |
|
Mike Mason
Mar 28th, 2008 - 5:07 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
the answer I expected....please continue.....  I didn't want to upset Andy but.....yes I actually like Fosters....sorry! |
|
Jon Cornall
Mar 28th, 2008 - 5:13 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I drink lager all the time as I have been led to believe it is full of carbohydrates. Am I getting it wrong?!! |
|
Dave Waterman
Mar 28th, 2008 - 5:17 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Nice thread, Brian, and one I feel qualified to comment on. I can't allow this to go on without mentioning the omnipresent Black Gold....Arthur Guinness's finest Irish export. And whatever claims are made by the brewery, it still tastes better in Dublin. Since the Ram brewery is just down the road from where I work I'll have to go for Young's Special London Ale, too. Absolutely hoofing at 6.4%. And lastly Belhaven 80 Shilling Ale. For those of us trapped inside the M25, the aroma and taste are very evocative of Caledonia and help us get our fix without travelling north of Hadrian's Wall. 
|
|
Drama Queen
Mar 28th, 2008 - 5:41 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Well said Oh, Subversive one. And that reminds me: Youngs Double Chocolate. What a winter warmer that one is. |
|
Graeme Reid
Mar 28th, 2008 - 6:33 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
If it's Coopers your after, Laithwaites wine merchant have an offer on of 1/2 price cases of either Pale Ale or Sparkling when you order any case of wine. It also means you have to consume significant amounts of wine which I'm guessing is another thread altogether! Graeme |
|
Jeff
Mar 28th, 2008 - 7:14 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Suppose I can't let this thread pass without posting a predictable "sure begorah and besure, you'd be an awful eejit to be drinking anything but a pint of Arthur's finest". No putting blackcurrant in it though, blasphemy I tell ya. As for it tasting best in Dublin Dave, get yourself to a small, scruffy pub somewhere in the west and it will be even better! |
|
Murdo McEwan
Mar 28th, 2008 - 8:42 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
No personal interest, of course, but I rate McEwan's Champion up there with the best. Quite apart from the excellent name, it comes in at a whalloping knock-out 7.3% strength. A couple of pints of that @ Kingshouse and you'd just float up the Devils Staircase, your mind totally numb to any pain / suffering. (Didn't Youngs make all their horses redundant not-so-long ago? So no more horse 'n cart deliveries round London. A sad and retrograde step in the name of progress & efficency) Murdo
|
|
Dave Waterman
Mar 28th, 2008 - 8:45 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
 This is a pic of a colleague of mine, named Cornel. It's taken at on a mines rescue course in Wales. In defence of blackcurrant in Guinness, when we arrived he was teetotal. After 5 days I had him on 4 pints of Guinness and black a night, this is him on his third. My next mission is to arrange another week long course an ween him off the blackcurrant and enjoy the black gold. |
|
Drama Queen
Mar 28th, 2008 - 8:52 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Horses shmoreses. For potent and yet still a nice drop Morland's Hen Tooth. Bottle conditioned for extra strength. Distinctly quaffable and it gets you tiddly. |
|
George Reid
Mar 28th, 2008 - 9:39 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Guinness is good both for Carbo Loading and as a recovery drink. Which will give me reason enough to drink a few pints between the Highland Fling and Lochaber Marathon. |
|
Dave Waterman
Mar 28th, 2008 - 9:51 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
The Ram brewery closed down a couple of years ago and production was moved to Bedford. I think they moved the horses, geese and ram to animal sanctuaries. 
|
|
Mike Mason
Mar 28th, 2008 - 10:07 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
comment from Ernie Jewson who supported Jon Steele and I so gallantly last year (Ernie spent most of his formative years in Australia but was born in the sound of Bow bells and is now back in his motherland but unfortunately still has his Aussie side showing): Hi Mike, well I have to agree with Andy Dubois in regards to "Cascade Premium Lager" but my favorite beer by miles is "Jever Pils" beer from Schlesweig Holstein in Northern Germany. English Beer doesn't rate which explains why I drink that Fosters muck often over here . Ernie |
|
Murdo McEwan
Mar 28th, 2008 - 12:06 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Interesting that DQ should flag up Morland's Hens Tooth. I had a bottle of it last night, and very palatable it was too. Tonight, though, I'm moving on to Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky (no 'e' in whisky, by the way). Kind of cross-training I guess, in a manner of speaking. Talking of cross-training (and digressing ever so slightly) the World Cross Country championships are scheduled to take place in Edinburgh this Sunday 30 March. Should be live on telly c early afternoontime. Watch out for me doing my marshalling bit by the road crossing shortly before the lap finish point. We're all decked out in Adidas branded kit; but I might try and smuggle in a whw buff to show off a bit of individuality amongst a sea of conformity. Should be interesting to watch folk moving along at a speed I can just about reach in my car. Digression ends. Murdo
|
|
Dave Waterman
Mar 29th, 2008 - 5:49 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
How was the Black Label, Murdo? I had a very nive drop of 10 year old Glengoyne last night with Sir. |
|
Murdo McEwan
Mar 29th, 2008 - 7:03 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Black Label was excellent; slept like a new born lamb afterwards. (Is that a good analogy? I wonder.) The real treat, if you can get it though, is Johnnie Walker Blue Label, @ something like £175 a bottle. I'll wait til its Mike Mason's round before I put my hand up for one of those :-) But 10 year old Glengoyne is certainly a fine choice. On one of my reccies for whw race 2007 I took a slight detour @ c mile 7 from Milngavie and went in for a Glengoyne distillery tour + dram. Took off like a gazelle for the rest of the run after that. I wonder if they could do tours / drams @ c 02:30hrs on 21 June? That would be a nice gesture. Murdo
|
|
Dave Waterman
Mar 31st, 2008 - 4:18 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I did the Glengoyne Distillery tour a month or so ago. It was excellent, as was the dram I enjoyed at the bar. I was chastised by my girlfriend, however, for being more interested in the highly polished brass and copper and the timber used in the distillery than the process itself. 
|
|
Brian Mc
Mar 31st, 2008 - 5:09 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I had deliberately ignored distilleries near Glasgow whilst developing my malt sensibilities, but what a mistake! The 17 year old is cracking, as is the 10 year old. And the tour gets you well lubricated for the shop as my empty wallet at the time showed. Now I've just returned from Devon and I'm afraid I have to admit that I didn't find time to visit the Glaswegians (or at least Cumbernauldians) holy of holies - the Buckfast Abbey, where they make the fabled Buckfast tonic vino. It's great, easily mixes with champagne (to create a velvet elvis) or even with milk for a strangely nourishing morning after breakfast shake. Mmmm. http://www.buckfast.org.uk/site.php?use=tonic |
|
Murdo McEwan
Mar 31st, 2008 - 5:17 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I'm famous! (Relatively). Back to an earlier digression posting I made above, I duly strutted my stuff as a marshall at the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh yesterday. Today's (Glasgow) Herald newspaper duly acknowledges my contibution by publishing a photo of me in my fluorescent marshall's bib, and sporting my purple WHW buff. About 3 inches from me (in the picture) Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba is romping home to victory in the senior womens race. For some reason the caption mentions her by name, but not me. Never mind, "I was there!". It was a fine day, and an honour to be part of it. Apart from my picture being in the paper, Ethiopia stole the limelight somewhat, with winners in all four events: junior and senior women and senior and junior men. Maybe if / when Ethiopia field a runner in WHW race, Jez's record will be consigned to the history books. But, back to beer. My most recent sampling being McEwan's 70/-. Sadly, given the name, I cannot give it a score higher than 3 out of 10. Murdo
|
|
Drama Queen
Mar 31st, 2008 - 5:55 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Mickey Wans (an American friend of mine pronounced it) 70 shilling isn't the best. However, it is a fall back for if there is an absence of good brew. Another would be Newcastle Brown. I recently had the great pressure of downing a couple of pints of Old Engine Oil from Harvestoun. I was delightfully tickled by this dark charmer. It gets the thumbs up from this consumer. |
|
Keith Hughes
Mar 31st, 2008 - 11:02 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
17 y.o Glengoyne - agreed, an absolute belter.. Shared a bottle with a mate once following the birth of my second daughter... sesational.. Murdo - looked out for you in the buff yesterday, but was further up the hill I think. What a cracking race - how did the boy lose his shoe, have time to put it back on and then go on to win the race.. Gotta love this clocks going back thing - makes it harder to think of excuses not to go and run after work
|
|
Dave Waterman
Mar 31st, 2008 - 12:41 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Murdo, I missed seeing you at the X-Country Championships. It was on in the pub while I was there drowning my sorrows at failing to beat my PB in the Kingston Breakfast Run. I was enjoying copious amounts of the finest brew, already mentioned, that being Arthur Guinness's black gold. Looked wet and muddy mate. I had a drop of the 17 year old Glengoyne in the distillery. A little more fiery than the 10 year old 'breakfast whisky.' The Distiller's Specials looked interesting. Anyone tried them?? |
|
Brian Mc
Mar 31st, 2008 - 12:50 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
It's not beer related, but why, Keith, were you looking for Murdo in the buff? I'd have imagined cross country championships this time of year in Scotland to be pretty chilly and not the sort of occasion for not wearing clothes. Or was it Murdo that you expected to be in the buff? But back to beer - newkie brown is an OK back up to the absence of real ale, but I'd probably stick to the black stuff courtesy of Arthur Guiness. Much nicer, and not a substitute. Mind you it's not the best stout ... Bridge of Allan Brewery Glencoe Wild Oat stout has much more flavour. |
|
Dave Waterman
Mar 31st, 2008 - 2:48 PM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I'll have to try that one, mate. Sounds interesting. |
|
Brian Mc
Apr 1st, 2008 - 12:58 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Also Hook Norton Double Stout - creamier than the Wild Oat - more like Guiness but bit more depth (sounding poncey now). |
|
Drama Queen
Apr 1st, 2008 - 2:09 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Has anyone tried Oyster Stout. Crivens, is that wierd! You get the usual warm, velvety, rich, liquoricey taste; then just as it hits the back of your throat...Fish! I thought it would be a chunder developer but I was actually quite taken with it don't you know. |
|
Brian Mc
Apr 1st, 2008 - 6:47 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Fishy stout? I've had prawn flavoured vodka before but wasn't so nice. |
|
Drama Queen
Apr 1st, 2008 - 7:06 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
The Wild Oat Stout is rather good. At the other end of the spectrum, for a light and fruity summer ale Summer Lightning from Hopback is excellent. Very, very drinkable. Why would anyone want or prefer to drink mass produced lager when there are all these wonderfil, hand crafted ales available? |
|
Brian Mc
Apr 2nd, 2008 - 3:26 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
I agree wholeheartedly. By the way, as it would appear we are the most enthusiastic beer affcionados, or at least the ones with the least to do and therefore most time to spend waffling on the forum, can you recommend somewhere for a decent pint in Fort Bill? |
|
Tim
Apr 2nd, 2008 - 4:55 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Had some decent beer here. http://www.grogandgruel.co.uk/ Then in nearby Kinlochleven there is this brewery. http://www.atlasbrewery.com/about.htm. Might be worth looking out for their beers The Nevisport Bar is also supposed to be good for real ale. Looks like there are lots of good reasons to make it to the end of the race!
|
|
Brian Mc
Apr 2nd, 2008 - 5:01 AM |
Re: We're not discussing beer enough
Grog and gruel it is then, cheers Tim. You'd be amazed how much the promise of a decent pint can motivate ...
|
| First |
Prev |
Reply |
Forum |
Next |
Last |
powered by
bravenet.com