Well I kicked off Ireland with Smithwick's at Dublin's oldest pub (The Brazen Head), and then enjoyed some Guinness at Guinness (both the Foreign Extra Stout that we cant get in the states and a free pint of Guinness Draught). In Glasgow I enjoyed Guinness and a Scottish brewed lager called Tennent's, nothing special. After ariving in Inverness I had a "hand pulled real ale" called Sheeshagger, basically an English pale around 4.5% ABV from Cairngorm Brewery (which I am going to visit in the next few days). Also had a red ale from Black Isle (also plan on visiting) and a Scottish ale brewed with "Blessed Thistle" in place of bittering hops and traditional English aroma hops for aroma, it was an interesting brew. Still in the fridge for tonight is an english IPA.

The Sheepshagger tasted like the samples I pull from my pale ale just after fermentation, before it ages at all.

 

My second-favorite beer is Guinness Extra Stout (sold here in brown bottles). Is that or something close sold in the British Isles?

Will you be visiting Samuel Smith,makers of the world's finest brew,Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout?

 

I too love the Extra Stout, but that is different than the Foreign Extra Stout which comes in at 7.5% ABV. I won't be visiting SS as I'm only doing Ireland and Scotland.

I'm enjoying the IPA now, and read that it is brewed in Edinburgh, where I'll be for almost a week.

 

Glad to hear you're having a lovely time...don't forget my scotch!

 

I didn't forget my scotch! I picked you up something over there, but I had to ship it with some other stuff (too much stuff for suitcases). It is coming by boat though, so it'll be here sometime before Christmas

 

^yay!

 

Lets hear it for Oktoberfest!!

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/201...fest_2010.html

 

I hope the Campbell Oktoberfest is that lovely....

 

 

So it's that time of year again, I need empty (or full) 12 ounce bottles for holiday gifts! No twist-off tops and preferably no Sierra Nevada bottles I say no Sierra bottles this year because they use a lot more adhesive than other brands so it is a giant PITA to get the labels off. Thanks guys!

 

BUMP


Octoberfest in Campbell this weekend!!

 

Pretty sure I have a case, alread cleared of the labels, in the garage. I'd be willing to pass them along. I haven't brewed in ages.

 

Cool, just PM me and we'll figure out the logistics.

 

Oktoberfest in Campbell was fun. I suggest it. Lots of good beer. (of course)

 

Walking over there tomorrow

^btw where in Campbell are you?