For those who have been keeping up with the Ales & Tails story so far, you’ll be familiar with our task. As with most ventures in craft beer, we are really starting to appreciate what’s going on around us, and like the best chefs, we are sourcing our beer from as near to home as possible (just like the good old days). Seasonal beers have moved from light in summer and dark in winter, to being infused with seasonal fruits and herbs. So even the most astute drinkers among us can tip our hats in awe at the thought behind the concept, and be happy that we have great fresh beer at our finger tips!
We are now just days away from opening our doors to the adoring public and with offerings from Rhubarb infused G&T’s to fine English wine (Three Choirs), we are aiming to have something for everyone. We are aware that we may shock people by not having the usual fare on the bar but what is considered normal for some can be foreign to others. Gone are the Fosters, Strongbow and Guinness Taps. In their stead we place Low Rider Belgium Pils at 4.2%, brewed especially for us in Belgium. Bounders Cider at 4.5%, a beautifully balanced dry cider created with love by our friends at Bath Ales, and replacing the big boy that is Guinness, we have his smoother, craftier, fuller and richer friend Porterhouse Plain Porter brewed in the heart of Dublin and enjoyed as far away as New York and Chicago. So consider yourselves lucky!
Our local beauts are Kernels Indian Brown Ale, rocking in at 5.6%. For those unfamiliar with the Kernel Brewery, they’ve taken the craft beer scene by storm in recent years; going from strength to strength and since relocating to a larger space in Bermondsey they can now churn out enough delicious delights for us over here in TW1! Next we have Redchurches Great Eastern India Pale Ale (GEIPA) to quote, “unapologetically hoppy IPA. Vast quantities of Chinook, Columbus & Nugget hops produce a tropical fruit aroma and punchy bitterness all balanced perfectly by the deep malty backbone and warming alcohol…” SOLD!!!! Where’s me glass…….
That’s the opening draught sorted, now for the main event, “Real Ale”. I’m not sure if anyone still uses that term anymore? How about? On the stillage, Whats got the tap? What’s on the hand pulls? Show us your beer engine!!! You get the picture; well let me tell you…
In the blue corner we have Naked Ladies 4.4% from our very own Steve at Twickenham Fine Ales, a real rival to the famous Tim Taylor Pale. A smooth hoppy cask directly inspired by the statues in York Gardens and from whence they take their name. In the yellow corner is Wandle 3.8%, from the guys down river in Wandsworth. A real demonstration of brewing mastery from Duncan, David and the boys, really filling the massive bootprints left by Mr Young and co since 2008. Across the way in the red corner is the massive Windsor Knot 4% from, yes you guessed it, Windsor & Eton. This is a fresh lively summery best at its best, hoppy nose, malty middle, tight dry finish. What else would you want? Queuing in the purple corner we have Brodies Old Street Pale Ale, By the Horns Stiff Upper Lip and London Fields Hackney Hopster. Among all these belters keep your eyes peeled for more gems from East London’s Beavertown, Man in Hat brewing; and in the words of Commandant Lassard, many many many more.
Don’t worry we haven’t forgotten about the rest of Britain, we’ll be mixing it up as much as possible wherever possible, albeit in the cellar or in the fridge, on the shelf or in the kitchen. Put your taste buds in our hands, we’ll find something for them!
See you on Friday
