TheNoiseThatWeMade

Micro brewing may be a term you’re familiar with – beer brewed on a small scale often on a brewery plant which allows for dynamic changes allowing crafting of each intricate element of the brew. Really there’s no specific definition of this in the UK. The only correlation to size in the UK is to do with beer tax. The small brewers’ progressive beer duty relief was introduced in 2002 with concessions of 50% on beer duty if breweries produced fewer than 50,000 hectolitres, with a tapering reduction in tax for production up to 300,000 hectolitres of beer. When you look to America their Brewers Association define a micro or craft brewery with a production size of less than 700,000 hectoliters a year. Moreover no more than 24% can be owned by another alcoholic beverage company that is not itself a craft brewery. So ‘micro’ comes in many different sizes. Imagine the next step down - nano or pico brewing . Tiny beer operations, brewing mini batches of beer and distributed to a limit...

 What do you get when you cross American hops with a wheat beer? Miami Weisse of course, a 5.5 per cent American hopped wheat beer. Eighteen months in the making but really fifteen years coming The Sheffield Tap brew house is finally here and producing not only wheat beer but India pale ale, stout and quality session ale to boot. All from the minds of The Tapped Brew Co the beer-volutionary next steps from The Sheffield Tap co-founders Jon Holdsworth and Jamie Hawksworth. Sheffield’s own newest copper shining brewpub in what was once the Edwardian dining room at Sheffield train station. The only working brewery in a railway station in the country. Jon and Jamie were born just down the road from each other, one Dronfield, one Chesterfield, both studied structural engineering in Leeds only years apart; it wasn’t until 1998 their paths finally crossed while working at the same design consultancy. Some would say coincidence finally came a knocking, bringing...

Even though I'm still in love with Wax Poetics' old format, the new 'shape' hasn't changed the quality articles and content. Always a good read.....and something you can re-visit and re-read. Issue 54 split covers celebrate two scenes—blue-eyed soul and Brooklyn MCs. Cover one sports legendary Brooklyn MC and Juice Crew alum Big Daddy Kane, backed with new Brooklyn mic killer Joey Badass. Cover two features the poster boy for the blue-eyed-soul movement, Daryl Hall. Wax Poetics digs deep into the scene with features on Bobby Caldwell, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, Laura Nyro, and Ned Doheny. Also featuring crooner José James , Keyboard Kid, Nosaj Thing , Clams Casino, and the Ghetto Brothers. BUY

With over 1000 commercially operating breweries now in the UK, many of the new breed have sprung from the DIY ethos of home brewing. The Great British Home Brew Challenge , now in its second year, recognises this contribution and highlights its positive influence on the British brewing landscape. Judging Panel: The panel included renowned beer writer Pete Brown , last year’s winner Paul Carruthers, Rob Lovatt, head brewer at Thornbridge , Alex Barlow master brewer/beer consultant ( All Beer Finder ) and Nicholson brand manager Ben Lockwood (oh yeah and me!). The Winner: “Roc Fall” a 4.3 per cent Best Bitter brewed by Tom Wright of Woking Inspired to take things further?: Meeting like-minded individuals can help you progress your brewing skills, get in touch with The Craft Brewing Association to find groups in your area. The CBA is recognised by CAMRA as the UK's national home brewing organisation. Fancy a professional pathway – this Sept sees the re-launch of an MSc ...

A fav of mine! Just a Shout for this event - tickets still available: Beer and chocolate – what’s not to like! The annual Dea Latis Beer & Chocolate tasting is back. And this time, we’re moving it out of London to ‘bring beer (and chocolate) to women’ in Leeds. Our beer and chocolate tasting has been a popular event for the last four years - probably because it involves tasting beer and chocolate...... Guiding you through the specially selected matches will be beer sommelier Annabel Smith  (National Account and Training Manager at Cask Marque). Tickets, including five beers with chocolate, tutored tasting and a substantial buffet, cost £17. For tickets, go to our Eventbrite page: TICKETS   Dea Latis

The Reader: Sarah Hudson, Design Technology Teacher (Secondary School), Rotherham. Why is this ‘Your Local’?: “The artwork is a real draw to the venue for me and adds to the atmosphere and vibe of the place. You always find a nice mix of people which means you’re guaranteed a good time on every visit.” Favourite tipple: Sarah enjoys cider of all varieties and most importantly a choice. The Riverside always hits the spot - offering real cider on hand pull, Swedish brand Rekorderlig on draught and numerous bottle varieties. They often hold cider festivals throughout the year, though mainly in the summer with up to 35 styles of perries and ciders. The Local: As you cross over the River Don walking through Kelham Island towards Mowbray Street a remarkable black and white painting by artist Phlegm dominates the exterior wall of this tavern welcoming you to navigate inside past the giant squids. With links to the purveyors of independent art, the Old Sweet Shop in Nether Edge...

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...

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 & G...

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 ...

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...

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 ...