Here are a selection of my favourite beers for 2014. You will notice that I'm not a great fan of heavily hopped beers, so sorry all those who are looking for a Punk IPA or Oakham Citra. Also, living and working in the South West then my beer selection is clearly going to be driven by what's readily available. I also think occasion of drinking has to come into things - a beer might be particularly satisfying because its refreshing, or paired with the right food. So here goes, here is my choice and in no particular order in true Strictly fashion......
1. HSD. For starters this one is a bit of a surprise, even to me. HSD, Hicks Special Draught, High speed Diesel or High Speed Death, whatever your pet name for this beer, its a really under-rated and a sadly unfashionable beer. Full with fruity esters and soft toffee flavours this beer is St Austell Brewery's oldest current recipe beer but one that only sells in limited volume. At 5% its quite a big beer and the full luscious mouth feel extenuates this. However above all, this beer is really well balanced. It originates from a decade (1970's) when the objective was to brew beers that were drinkable and not flavoured too far in one direction or another.
The bottle version of this beer lacks a little of the esters of its draught brother but none-the-less, its still a fine beer. The bottle label could be bolder and that does not help, but inside is a really good beer.
2. Bellingers Gallipoli. A First World War commemorative beer and actually a really fine way to do this. The label depicts a family member who went to war in this horrific campaign but who was also one of the lucky ones to come home. The beer is 5.3%, a full dark Porter, nice rich bitter chocolate with a touch of roasted toffee. Bellingers are a very small brewery based in South Oxfordshire and seem to brew some really good dark beers and I prefer these to their lighter brews. Well done to a small brewer who got a lot of things right with this beer and found a niche opportunity to market a beer many of the larger regionals overlooked.
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3. Ramsbury 506. A 5.0% beer that never fails me, this is a golden beer, almost akin to a lager, but its really a fine example of a English golden ale. Unlike many lighter beers this is not bursting with hops, its just really well balanced, a little fruity with hints of honey and offset by biscuit malt flavours. This is a very drinkable beer. Named after the American 506th Parachute Regiment that was based in and around Ramsbury during the Second World War and not readily available on draught. You won't find this beer in any supermarkets so its quite rare, but I rate it highly.
4. Black Cab Stout. At 4.5% a lovely creamy stout, but not necessarily a favourite beer. However in 2014 for me it was perhaps one of my most satisfying pints. A busy and industrious day setting up at the Great British Beer Festival left us in need of refreshment. Matters got worse when leaving Olympia when it was pouring with rain, so a quick pit stop in a local pub was called for where we saw this beer for the first time.
That first pint went down so well, rich tasty, hints of liquorish and coffee but refreshingly cold. A lovely beer, great branding but the right beer for the right moment! Fullers have done a fine job in creating this beer. The name is just perfect for London although I doubt it will prove quite so popular outside the capital. Do try this beer if you find it, I assume its largely confined to Fullers pubs and local free houses and although I've yet to see it in bottles I think they are available.
Finally, beers that I've also enjoyed dinking in 2014 are St Austell Tribute and Proper Job, both of which are hop driven beers. The latter is a great beer, I personally find the draught on the bitter side, but the bottled beer is truly amazing and one of the best IPA's you will come across. I've also loved all of the Christmas beers and Hunters Dashers Dinkle was just like drinking a fruit cake, just superb.
My least favourite beer of 2014 has not changed from other years. I had a bottle of this beer lurking in my cupboard all summer. Eventually I gave in and popped the crown. Sadly my worst fears were exposed and confirmed that I still really don't like cloves, so although I know there are some people out there who adore you, I'm afraid Clouded Yellow you are just not for me.
Happy New Year to all and more blogs to follow in 2015.
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