Ales

[Feek]

That's far too strong, I very rarely buy anything above 5% and generally lower than that. I prefer something with a decent flavour and the stupidly strong stuff is often far too sweet and syrupy. Hobgoblin is OK, I'm very partial to a nice drop of IPA and County is a good solid choice.

I tend to go for session ales, ones that don't blow your head off and you can sup all evening without falling off your stool

[Wossi]

Originally Posted by Feek

That's far too strong, I very rarely buy anything above 5% and generally lower than that. I prefer something with a decent flavour and the stupidly strong stuff is often far too sweet and syrupy. Hobgoblin is OK, I'm very partial to a nice drop of IPA and County is a good solid choice.

I tend to go for session ales, ones that don't blow your head off and you can sup all evening without falling off your stool

The IPA is nice as it's not too strong and means I could drink all night happily. The stout on the other hand, couldn't even see through it, it was that dark.

[G|mp]

Originally Posted by Wossi

Went out for a meal in Leicester this evening and popped into an off licence afterwards and picked up 4 random bottles, Hobgoblin which was okay, Greene King IPA which is nice, Dragon Stout which was horrible and Ruddles County which was nice. So at least I'm getting to know which ones I like.

I poured the Dragon Stout into a glass, took 1 look at it and was unsure, had one drink and couldn't stand the taste, tasted kinda fizzy, even my dad couldn't drink it, so down the sink it went. I don't think it helped that it was 7.6% (?).

I'm fond of my IPA's

Dragon Stout btw is a drink that I have only ever seen old black men drink, it's an acquired taste

Irish Moss is another crazy old black man drink!

[Wossi]

Had to pop home at lunch to let the puppy out of the cage for a while. Stopped off at the local co-op for lunch and picked up some more, can't remember off hand what I got, but my question is. How warm/cold are they supposed to be when drunk?

[Muban]

I'd normally say cool room temperature for most of them.

[Garp]

Originally Posted by Muban

I'd normally say cool room temperature for most of them.

^^ What she said.

Also worth looking on the label on the bottle. A number of ales have advice from the head brewer as to what temperature to have it at.

[Feek]

I prefer my ale to be slightly below room temperature. Others will argue and say they should always be chilled somewhat below that level. One thing's for sure though, refrigeration is a bad thing.

[Lopez]

Just opened a bottle of Chestnut Dancer (another 500ml for £1 Morrisons bargain)

"A highly quaffable, malty ale with toffee and caramel sweet flavours. Chestnut Brown derives its name from one of our award winning Shire Horses, who have served the family business down the years delivering our ale around the pubs of Lancashire and latterly on parade at shows and publicity events. We salute you"

I'm no ale expert but after a few swigs it tastes alright to me!

[Muban]

Not an ale but a beer (didn't want to start a whole new thread)..... I tried a bottle of this the other day and I have to say it's really rather nice. If you like a pilsner that has flavour:

Atlas Latitude

Brewed with a balance of best British Ale Malt and Lager Malt, this beer exhibits a pale straw colour. The aroma combines a zesty attack and an apricot fruitiness with the subtle floral hop notes of the Styrian Golding, Saaz and Hallertauer Hersbrucker hops.

Moderate levels of residual sweetness are balanced by a crisp, well-rounded bitterness to give a clean, refreshing mouthfeel in the best traditions of pilsners – pint after pint!