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Showing posts with the label Buying Real Ale

Paul Rone-Clarke: Does Tradition Hold You Back When You Look To Buy Beer Online?

It is often surprising that more people do not consider the option of buying beer online. After all, beer is a bulky product, and carrying it home, or even out to a car, can be at least a minor inconvenience. Despite this, there are both practical concerns and deeply rooted traditions that explain the cautious attitude many still have toward ordering ale over the internet. Beer and Tradition: A Long-Standing Relationship Real ale and bitter are closely tied to ideas of heritage and tradition. In fact, brewing and distribution have evolved significantly over the centuries. Dating back almost 400 years, early breweries often delivered beer directly to workers such as farmhands. In many cases, beer was not something consumed socially in pubs, but rather distributed as part of daily labour arrangements. Medieval Drinking Habits: Not What We Expect It is a common misconception that medieval British villages revolved around pubs and taverns in the modern sense. While inns did exist, ...

Neil Playfoot: What Makes a Great Pint of Real Ale?

Finding a truly satisfying pint of real ale isn’t always straightforward—but with a little know-how, it becomes much easier to spot quality in the glass. Don’t Be Overwhelmed by Choice A bar boasting too many beers on draught can sometimes be a warning sign. Less popular ales may sit on the line too long, losing freshness. Unless the pub has a strong reputation for cask care, it’s often safer to choose well-known or popular beers,   those that are more likely to be regularly turned over and served fresh. Watch the Pour Serving real ale properly takes time . The swan-neck hand pump operates using a piston, which needs a moment to refill between pulls. If the server rushes the pour, air can enter the system , leading to a poor head and unwanted oxidation, something brewers work hard to avoid. A good pint is never hurried. Look at the Pint Appearance tells you a lot: Most ales should be clear and bright (unless intentionally cloudy, like some wheat beers) There should...