Currently drinking ...

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Been boycoting Ruddles since they shut the real brewery and moved it to an industrial estate near Oxford. There's a better (and still local - although they did move to Peterborough) brewery set up by ex-Ruddles folks.

These days I am seeking weaker beer with better taste. I imagine my liver and digestive system has been trashed by too much Westmalle Hoegarden and Chimay.

Edit - not to mention 6x 3b Pedigree et al

[EternalOptimist]

These days I am seeking weaker beer with better taste. I imagine my liver and digestive system has been trashed by too much Westmalle Hoegarden and Chimay.

Edit - not to mention 6x 3b Pedigree et al

and what are you going to be doing in 35 years time ?

[Zippy]

Coffee - again

[Menelaus]

Coffee - again

Coke zero.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

and what are you going to be doing in 35 years time ?

Not expecting to live that long - If I do I will have beaten the record of all males on both sides of the family - btw I drink well less than recommended max levels and have done for ages - but I realise it may be too late.

[RichardCranium]

I'm really struggling with this Ruddles County. It is not nice. It is flat, fairly bland and has an after-taste like a day old can of McEwans. (Yes, I DO know what drinking a can of McEwans that was opened yesterday is like.)

Time for a Tribute to wash it away.

[Menelaus]

and what are you going to be doing in 35 years time ?

In a hole in the ground.

I hope.

[RichardCranium]

I'm not very good at drinking Ale - bit too....... chewy (good description?) for me.

There's nothing wrong with that. Ale is an acquired taste.

Should you find yourself near a Wetherspoons in the summer, see if they have any summer ales on and ask for a 1/3rd of a pint (they do them now). Something like a 'honey ale' like HoneyDew (a pale golden, light, organic beer) will smell of oranges and be a bit fizzy and 'light'. On a really hot day those ales are nicer to drink than lager.

"Chewy' is a very good word. Ale is more filling than lager or wine; Guinness being the classic example of a beer that stops you being hungry. (For a while!) Homebrewed real ale is very filling. I really struggle to get pissed on homebrew simply because I get 'full up'. Not bloated as with keg ale or lager, simply 'full up'.

The risk of gaining a taste for ale is the same as getting a nose for wine or a sense for cheese: you become hungry for more and more and more variety regardless of the cost, then become a snob if you're not careful.

[TriggerHippy]

In a hole in the ground.

I hope.

Spelunking .... it's not for everyone ....

[Green Mango]

(Côtes du Rhône - luvverly.)

Followed by a Black Sheep Ale.

Mmm rather partial to a Black Sheep, Ale that is.