Hop, Clip, & Pump

Some beers arrive quietly and ask to be understood. Others don’t bother with politeness at all. Rhubarbra Streisand is firmly in the second category, though it does it with charm rather than aggression, like someone laughing mid-sentence while already pouring you another glass. Brewed by the inventive North Yorkshire brewery Brew York , this is one of those beers that feels alive before you even taste it. The name alone makes you smile in a slightly guilty way, as if you’ve already been let in on the joke, and then the beer itself arrives and confirms that yes, this is going to be fun, but it is also going to have teeth. Tasting Notes: Rhubarbra Streisand (Brew York) Appearance: Pale pink to blush red, slightly hazy with a soft, almost sherbet-like glow when held to the light. Light foam that dissipates fairly quickly, in keeping with the sour style. Aroma: Bright rhubarb sharpness upfront, immediately reminiscent of stewed fruit and tangy sweets. Underneath, a gentle vanilla-c...

How do you introduce a legend? Perhaps it’s best to begin with a quote: There are more flavours in the beers brewed by Theakston in Masham than there are from an entire wine growing region in France. — Roger Protz , Editor of The Good Beer Guide High praise indeed, but in this case, entirely deserved. A Beer Steeped in History T&R Theakston Brewery ’s Old Peculier (5.6% ABV) is not just a beer; it’s a piece of brewing history. Brewed in the Yorkshire town of Masham , Old Peculier has been produced under this name since the 1890s , making it one of the most enduring and recognisable ales in Britain. Over the decades, it has built a reputation not just for consistency, but for character, earning accolades such as a silver medal at the Campaign for Real Ale Champion Winter Beer of Britain awards in 2000 . The Meaning Behind the Name The name Old Peculier is as intriguing as the beer itself. It derives from the historic ' peculier of Masham,'  a parish that exi...

There’s always a moment at a crowded bar when decisions are made too quickly. The queue is building, the pressure is on, and you take a chance on something unfamiliar. This time, that snap decision led to a pint from Great Heck Brewery , founded in 2008 in the heart of the Selby coalfield. About Great Heck Brewery and Its Location Great Heck Brewery was founded in 2008 in the small village of Great Heck , located in the heart of the Selby coalfield in North Yorkshire. This is a region steeped in industrial heritage, where mining communities and traditional working-class culture have long shaped local identity, including a strong appreciation for honest, well-made ale. From these grounded beginnings, the brewery has grown into a respected name on the UK real ale circuit, producing a wide range of beers that balance classic British styles with modern hop-forward experimentation. Despite its expansion, Great Heck has retained a distinctly independent spirit, with a focus on small...

There are a few beers whose names carry quite such a vivid, almost unsettling poetry as Riggwelter . Rooted in the dialect of the Yorkshire Dales, the word conjures not comfort, but vulnerability, an image of a sheep stranded on its back, legs flailing helplessly against the sky. The term derives from Old Norse: rigg , meaning back or shoulder, and velte , to overturn. In local usage, a sheep that has rolled onto its back and cannot right itself is said to be 'rigged' or 'riggwelted.' It is a word shaped by landscape, by farming life, and by the quiet, often harsh realities of rural existence. It is also, rather brilliantly, the name of one of Yorkshire’s most distinctive ales. Brewing in the Shadow of Tradition Brewed by Black Sheep Brewery in the market town of Masham , Riggwelter is a beer steeped in heritage. The brewery itself was founded by Paul Theakston , a figure whose name is synonymous with Yorkshire brewing tradition. At the heart of Riggwelter’s character ...