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Showing posts from February, 2013

British Beer Styles

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Thanks for use of poster to: www.popchartlab.com www.twitter.com/popchartlab British beer is incredibly diverse; no wonder as there’s now over 1,000 breweries in the UK. From biscuity and citrus golden ales to peppery hop characterful bitters and dark roasted malt liquorice stouts. Trying to navigate the wide choice available, to find what floats your taste buds can be tough (and enjoyable!). It’s a bit like walking into a record store looking for a new album to purchase, in that you don’t know what you’re looking for, but you know which genre you like to start digging through the racks at the right point. In this way beer styles are a helpful grouping putting similar beers together in terms of all of these elements - yeast type, fermentation, ingredients and brewing techniques. Camra list nine British beer categories, these are: Mild, Bitter, Golden Ales, Pale Ales and IPAs, Porter and Stouts, Barley Wine, Old Ale, Scottish Beers and Light Bitters. To make it e

Beer Diggers Paradise

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The Dram Shop is a speciality beer, wine and spirits off licence situated in Crookes, Sheffield. The shop was converted in 1982 from a house into the shop as it stands now and still has all the original wood interior shelving. With an eye watering selection of up to 300 ales plus a substantial Belgian, German, growing American and World Beer range in addition to the 150 spirits (with a malt whiskey focus); you could easily loose hours choosing which beer to take home. Luckily owners Tony and Sandra, both Camra members and living beer compendiums will happily recommend their offerings based on your preferences. If you’re a more seasoned exploratory shopper there’s a tempting selection of the rarer side of malty goodness such as Durham Brewery’s Diabalo (a 1000 limited bottled lambic stout), Italian company Birrifica Lambrate or Belgium’s Fantome . Owners:  Tony & Sandra Oakes Recommends: Tony - Cropton Brewery ‘Monkman’s Slaughter’ 6%, Innis & Gunn

Craft Beer Rising 2013

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We’re only two months into 2013 and already the beer festivals have begun. An exciting little happening kicked off January in Leeds called the ‘Brew-denell Beer & Ale Festival’ . It was a small perfectly formed affair offering 20 to 30 different ales over the 3 day weekend and resided in legendary music venue Brudenell Social Club (hence the name). Rolling into February we see the shift down to London and Craft Beer Rising take up the mantle. With the exhibitors list showcasing a variety of indie and bigger nationals from Saltaire Brewery to St Austell it’ll be an interesting mix. With a banner that includes the words beer, music and street food it grabbed my attention straight away. On hearing Norman Jay, Good Times head honcho would be playing well that was my attendance decided! Organisers of Craft Beer Rising, Daniel & Sam, kindly agreed to answer a few Q&As, to delve a little deeper into the behind the scenes preparation in anticipation of the event next

Your Local: The Sheffield Tap

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The Reader: Steve Moore, Community Recovery Worker. A Sheffield resident for thirty years Steve has become one of the leading authorities on British cinema posters and is currently organising an exhibition with Twickenham film studios to celebrate their 100th year (films such as Zulu, Alfie and The Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night all shot scenes at this historic studio). For further information: www.moviepostercompany.co.uk Why is this ‘Your Local’? “The architecture of the building combined with the traditional bar atmosphere makes this a charming railway tavern to drink in; combined with a good choice of proper ale.” Favourite tipple: Thornbridge Brewery ‘Brother Rabbit’ 4% abv, a crisp golden ale. The Local: The converted former Edwardian refreshment and dining rooms at Sheffield railway station now proudly shares its Grade 2 listed interior with Sheffield residents and all those with ‘extra time’ between connecting trains; which is handy if you’re on platform 1b as the

1992 visits 2013 with Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde

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You know how important and life affirming  an album is when for some reason as soon as the music starts playing you know all the lyrics.  The Pharcyde celebrate seminal album Bizarre Ride II's 20th anniversary (well 21st now!) with a US and UK tour.   The Bizarre Ride To Europe : 02.06.2013:  02 Academy  – Bristol, UK 02.07.2013:  Jazz Cafe  – London, UK 02.08.2013:  Sound Control  – Manchester, UK 02.09.2013:  Stylus  – Leeds, UK 02.11.2013:  Backstage Halle  – Munich, Germany 02.12.2013:  Sommercasino  – Basel, Switzerland 02.13.2013: Albani Music Club – Winterthur, Switzerland 02.14.2013:  Essigfabrik  – Cologne, Germany & more dates.... Track List: 1) The Pharcyde – Ya Mama (Instrumental) 2) Chris Read – Theme #3 (Scratchapella) 3) Marvin Gaye – Since I Had You (Loop) 4) The Pharcyde – Interview (1992) 5) The Pharcyde – Otha Fish (Acapella) 6) The Pharcyde – Otha Fish (LA Jay Remix) 7) The Pharcyde – Otha Fish (Instrumental) 8) Herbie