BeerCasts – The BeerCast

BeerCast #71 - Hidden Meanings. Podcast time again, and our panel of three take on four beers that have unusual reasons behind the name. Richard, Shovels and Grooben debate various highbrow literary references, and the Oscar-winning films of Clint Eastwood... 1. Thornbridge Kill Your Darlings (5.0%) 2. York Brewery Micklegate (6.1%) 3. Stewart Brewing Radical Road (6.4%) 4. Tempest Unforgiven (5.4%) http://thebeercast.com @thebeercast [email protected] The post BeerCast #71 – Hidden Meanings appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #70 - MrB in NE. Our globe-trotting podcaster MrB was recently dispatched to the States on business - and as we're never off duty he brought back some beery treats. Joining him are Richard, Shovels and Grooben - we discuss the four beers, where to get the best pizza in America, what Brooklyn's craziest bar is, and where pirates go on their honeymoon... 1. New England Sea Hag IPA (6.2%) 2. Sixpoint Bengali Tiger (6.4%) 3. Cambridge The Audacity of Hops (8.5%) 4. Smuttynose S'Muttonator (9.6%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #70 – MrB in NE appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #64 – Big BeerCast. On the 1st of October 2011, the UK Treasury increased duty on all beer over 7.5%. Listen to this podcast to find out why that's a terrible idea, and might have serious implications for British brewing. We also sample four of the very best strong ales this country has to offer as we go, and manage to reveal the surprising history behind Bluetooth, why coffee is the new drug of choice, and how to find a greyhound on Orkney. The panel today – Richard, Grooben and Shovels. 1. Sinclair Orkney Skullsplitter (8.5%) 2. Traquair House Jacobite Ale (8.0%) 3. Thornbridge St Petersburg (7.7%) 4. BrewDog Abstrakt AB:06 (11.2%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #64 – Big BeerCast appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #55 – Merry Christmas from the BeerCast! Today our panel get in the seasonal mood with our fourth festive special – featuring six Christmas or Winter beers from around the world. Will any of them score enough to gain a place in our 2010 Beer of the Year Show? Will we get through an entire box of mince pies? Stay tuned to find out. On the extremely Christmassy panel today - Richard, Grooben, MrB and Shovels... 1. Fyne Ales Holly Daze (5.0%) 2. Anchor Our Special Ale 2010 (5.5%) 3. Odell Isolation Ale (6.1%) 4. Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock (8.0%) 5. Titanic Christmas Ale (7.6%) 6. Madcap Santa’s Madness (8.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #55 – Christmas Special 2010 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #54 – Does the name of a beer make a difference? The Edinburgh panel get together to sample five beers with unusual titles. We also discuss smutty beer names, and whether they are good or bad for the image of beer – Crafty Shag anyone? Double entendres aplenty with Richard, Grooben, Shovels and back for his third BeerCast appearance - Stuart... 1. IBS Old Slap and Tickle (4.0%) 2. Marble Dobber (5.9%) 3. Samuel Smith’s Yorkshire Stingo (9.0%) 4. Ridgeway Criminally Bad Elf (10.5%) 5. Kernel IPA S.C.A.NS. (7.7%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #54 – What’s in a name? appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #35 – Not just any BeerCast. Our London panel take to the airwaves once again, having sourced some of the ‘own brand’ ales from Marks & Spencer. Brewed by some of the top producers in the country, these are badged as M&S ales and sold all over the country. Joining Andy and Jess are BeerCast first timers Nick and Kat. Unfortunately for an anchor, Andy was a touch far from the mic – but he is there! 1. M&S Buckinghamshire Ale (4.6%) 2. M&S Cornish IPA (5.0%) 3. M&S Yorkshire Bitter (4.6%) 4. M&S Organic Ale (6.0%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #35 – Not just any BeerCast… appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #34 – The StoutOff. Our second style show (following an old podcast about Scottish IPA’s) sees us turn to darker matters. We sample two British and then two American stouts, and compare the very different takes on the style. On the panel this time are Richard, Shovels, Grooben and the Hopmeister Tom – who seems to have finally met his match with the Imperial Stouts… 1. Hop Back Entire Stout (4.5%) 2. Cameron’s Monkey Stout (4.4%) 3. Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout (9.5%) 4. Left Hand Imperial Stout (10.4%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #34 – The StoutOff appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #33 – Southwest…ish. BeerCaster Shovels recently picked up a selection of ales from the South West of England – except one of them was on the wrong shelf and hails from Surrey. We never let Geography get in the way of a few beers, so carry on regardless. Joining him for this podcast are Richard, Grooben, the returning Stuart and debutant Steve. 1. St Austell Tribute (4.2%) 2. Hogs Back T.E.A. (4.2%) 3. Hop Back Crop Circle (4.2%) 4. Exmoor Beast (6.6%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #33 – Southwest…ish appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #31 – Norfolk Roadtrip. Another podcast recorded on location, our latest BeerCast takes place in an old cottage on the north Norfolk coast. After visiting Beers of Europe in King’s Lynn we assemble four local ales for our panle (plus a couple of boxfuls to take home). On the panel today are Richard, Shovels, Grooben, Andy and Jess. We recorded this in a creaking farmhouse, so the quality isn’t that great – apologies! 1. Wolf Lavender Honey (4.0%) 2. Humpty Dumpty Reedcutter (4.4%) 3. Tipple’s Topper (4.5%) 4. Fox Nelson’s Blood Bitter (5.1%) 5. Morrissey Fox Blonde (4.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #31 – Norfolk Roadtrip appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #30 – Hebridean Showcase. Another brewery showcase, and another using beer supplied by a listener. Friend of the BeerCast Gary found four offerings from the Hebridean Brewery, so sent them to us for review. On the panel today are Richard, Shovels, MrB and Grooben. Big thanks to Gary for the beers, the last one of which certainly divided opinions... 1. Clansman Ale (3.9%) 2. Islander Strong Premium Ale (4.8%) 3. Celtic Black Ale (3.9%) 4. Beserker Export Pale Ale (7.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #30 – Hebridean Showcase appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #28 – Swedish Special. For New Year 2009 BeerCasters Richard, Shovels, Andy and Jess celebrated in Stockholm – one of Europe’s funkiest cities. As we’re never off duty, while there we visited a Systembolaget on Klarabergsgaten and picked up four beers for an impromptu podcast. Recorded on an iPhone rather than our usual high-tech studio setup, the quality isn’t that great – but it’s just about audible. Happy new year! 1. Oppigårds Golden Ale (5.2%) 2. Nils Oscar India Ale (5.3%) 3. Åbro Sigill III (5.2%) 4. Carnegie Baltic Porter (5.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #28 – Swedish Special appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #27 – Beer of the Year Show 2008. Welcome aboard for our second annual BeerCast BotY show. Which beer will replace last year’s winner Anchor Special Ale 2006? Our panel of Richard, Shovels, Grooben and Tom the Hopmeister sample the four highest-scoring beers of the 73 we tried in 2008, and pick a winner. 1. Thwaites Double Century (5.2%) 2. Hop Back Summer Lightning (5.0%) 3. Theakston XB (4.5%) 4. BrewDog Hardcore IPA (9.0%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #27 – Beer of the Year 2008 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #25 – German Styles. Our quarter-century podcast heads back to Germany, as we review three examples of very distinct styles. Richard, Shovels and Grooben turn their attention to a Kölsch, a Schwarzbier, and a doppelbock – not to mention Shovel’s faltering German… 1. Küppers Kölsch (4.8%) 2. Köstritzer Schwarzbier (4.8%) 3. Aventinus Weizenstarkbier (8.2%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #25 – German styles appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #24 – Arran Beers. Following on from our Wickwar podcast, our second BeerCast Brewery Showcase looks at something a bit closer to home – four beers from Arran. Recently re-opened after a sudden closure, the island brewery was visited by Grooben, who managed to pick up some of their beers for review. Joining him today are Richard, Shovels and local boy MrB. 1. Suddaby’s Rievaulx Abbey Ale (4.0%) 2. Heather Ales Fraoch (5.0%) 3. Heather Ales Kelpie (4.4%) 4. Naylor’s Ginger Beer (4.4%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #24 – Arran Beers appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #23 – Hold the Fruit! Experimentation is alive and well in the brewing industry, and these days producers are reaching for something other than fruit when they want unusual ingredients. Today on the podcast our panel sample four that contain things you wouldn’t normally expect to find in beer. Spotting the mystery ingredients are Richard, Shovels and Andy. 1. Suddaby’s Rievaulx Abbey Ale (4.0%) 2. Heather Ales Fraoch (5.0%) 3. Heather Ales Kelpie (4.4%) 4. Naylor’s Ginger Beer (4.4%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #23 – Hold the fruit! appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #22 – Oo Arr Wickwar. BeerCast listener Chris in Bristol sent up some of his local beers to review, all from the Wickwar Brewery. So we showcase four ales from the Gloucestershire producer, in the company of Richard, Shovels, Grooben and Tom the Hopmeister – who hails from that very county. Big thanks to Chris for the beers. Tom would like to point out that people from the South West do not actually say ‘Oo Arr’ but something like ‘Oh Aaah’ – but that didn’t scan as well with the name of the brewery… 1. Wickwar Cotswold Way (4.2%) 2. Wickwar B.O.B. (4.0%) 3. Wickwar I.K.B. (4.5%) 4. Wickwar Mr Perrett’s Stout (5.9%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #22 – Oo Arr Wickwar appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #21 – USA. Fittingly, our 21st podcast heads over the pond to America – where that particular number has great significance in the beer world. Our panel get to grips with four US beers, one of which could potentially have deteriorated on the journey over the Atlantic. See if you can guess which one. On the panel today, Richard, Shovels, Grooben and MrB. 1. Anchor Liberty Ale (5.9%) 2. Great Divide Titan IPA (6.8%) 3. Harpoon Winter Warmer (5.5%) 4. Sierra Nevada Porter (5.6%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #21 – USA appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #19 – Golden Summer. Despite the incessant rain, summer is here in Scotland, so we celebrate by sampling four Golden Ales. Devised in the 1980’s to tempt lager drinkers to more interesting things, they are classically refreshing and easy to drink. Slapping on the shorts and shades are Richard, Shovels and Grooben. Shovels would like to apologise for finding the Suffolk town of Bungay so amusing… 1. Wagtail King Tut (4.0%) 2. Badger Golden Glory (4.5%) 3. St Peter’s Golden Ale (4.7%) 4. Hop Back Summer Lightning (5.0%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #19 – Golden Summer appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #12 – Red Rose Beers. After last week’s hometown podcast for Grooben, this time Richard finds some local beers from Lancashire, where he grew up. The last time we tried beers from North-West England, two of them made it to the Beer of the Year show. Will it happen again? Onboard today with Richard are MrB and BeerCast debutant Stuart… 1. Tirril Academy Ale (4.2%) 2. Holt’s Thunder Holt (5.0%) 3. Thwaites Double Century (5.2%) 4. Cain’s Dragon Heart (5.0%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #12 – Red Rose Beers appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #11 – The Northern Isles. BeerCaster Grooben hails from the fine islands of Orkney, in the far north of Scotland. This podcast, we sample four beers from the Northern Isles he sourced on a recent trip home – which involved a six-hour drive and then two ferries from our Edinburgh HQ. Joining in this time with him are Richard, Shovels and MrB. 1. Valhalla White Wife (4.5%) 2. Valhalla Island Bere (4.2%) 3. Highland Orkney Blast (6.0%) 4. Orkney Dark Island (4.6%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #11 – The Northern Isles appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #10 – Beer of the Year 2007. Our first annual Beer of the Year show sees a bumper panel assemble to re-sample the four highest-scoring beers from our 2007 podcasts. We then go round the table and pick a favourite, with that beer being crowned the first BeerCast Beer of the Year. Our extended panel involves Richard, Shovels, MrB, Grooben, Andy, Jess and debutant Gillian 1. Coniston Bluebird Bitter (4.2%) 2. Daleside IPA (4.5%) 3. Erdinger Dunkel (5.6%) 4. Anchor Special Ale 2006 (5.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #10 – Beer of the Year 2007 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #9 – Christmas Special 2007. Merry Christmas from the BeerCast! Our festive panel sample four beers for the season, decked with tinsel and in front of a roaring fire. On the panel this time are Richard, Shovels, MrB and Grooben. Each beer comes from a different country, so we’re doing our bit to bring the world a bit closer at Christmas… 1. Meantime Winter Time (5.4%) 2. Erdinger Schneeweisse (5.6%) 3. Anchor Our Special Ale 2006 (5.5%) 4. Gordon Xmas (8.8%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #9 – Christmas Special appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #8 – Das DeutscheCast. Wilkommen! After last time exploring the beers of Japan, we return to Europe with one of the most important and historic brewing nations – Germany. Richard, Shovels, MrB and Grooben get through four German beers, and discuss local customs, food, and the best way to ask for directions… 1. Beck’s Pilsener (5.0%) 2. Franziskaner Weissbier Kristallklar (5.0%) 3. Erdinger Weissbier Dunkel (5.6%) 4. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen (5.1%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #8 – Das DeutscheCast appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #7 – Turning Japanese. Hajimemashite! Watashi wa BeerCast desu! Our seventh podcast looks to the East after panellist Richard visited Japan. As we’re never off duty, beers were sourced and our panel gets to grips with the results. Also on the panel today – Shovels, Andy, and a debut appearance for Grooben. Irasshaimase! 1. Yebisu Premium (5.0%) 2. Baird Angry Boy Brown Ale (6.2%) 3. Hitachino Nest Sweet Stout (4.0%) 4. Aji Minoh Seasonal Beer (5.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #7 – Turning Japanese appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #5 – Belgian Waffle. The obvious next staging point of our global beer adventure is just over the channel. Belgium has the greatest brewing history in the world, so our panel have plenty to get to grips with. Sampling some traditional Belgian styles are Richard, Shovels, and joining the Edinburgh panel in person, Andy and Jess. 1. Timmerman’s Peche Lambic (4.0%) 2. Liefman’s Kriek (6.0%) 3. Chimay Rouge (7.0%) 4. Hoegaarden Verboden Vrucht (8.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #5 – Belgian Waffle appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #4 – Southern Delights. After ticking the North of England off our list last week, we head south and take care of the rest of the country. We sample the flagship brands of some of the oldest breweries in the UK. Our Edinburgh-based panel of Richard, Shovels, MrB and Ali are joined – via the magic of the internet – by London-based Andy and Jess, for a truly enlarged panel (™BeerCast) 1. Greene King Abbot Ale (5.0%) 2. Fullers Organic Honeydew (5.0%) 3. Shepherd Neame Bishop’s Finger (5.4%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #4 – Southern Delights appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #3 – Northern Charms. We head into England for our third podcast, as the two Northerners on the panel sample four beers local to them. Richard (from Lancashire) and Shovels (Yorkshire born) talk about the merits of a decent bitter, and sit on either side of the great raisin debate (not to mention the Pennines). 1. Coniston Bluebird Bitter (4.2%) 2. Daleside IPA (4.5%) 3. Hawkshead Lakeland Gold (4.4%) 4. Cain’s Fine Raisin Beer (5.0%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #3 – Northern Charms appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #2 – Beer and Labels. Our second podcast returns to our native Scotland, as our bumper panel review four more local ales. We also discuss the merits of the label when it comes to bottled beers – making the most of Shovels – the king of marketing. Also on the panel with Richard are the first couple of the BeerCast – MrB and Ali (aka MrsB) 1. Williams Gold (3.9%) 2. Nimbus Strong Pale Ale (5.0%) 3. Broughton Oatmeal Stout (4.2%) 4. Heather Ales Ebulum Ale (6.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #2 – Beer and Labels appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #1 – Count the Shillings. Welcome to the BeerCast! A brand new podcast for all your beery needs. Richard and Shovels broadcast from a secret location in Edinburgh, reviewing beers and discussing news from the brewing world. In our debut podcast, we tackle the classic Scottish style – 80/- 1. TSA William Wallace (4.5%) 2. Belhaven St Andrews Ale (4.6%) 3. Caledonian Golden Promise (4.5%) www.thebeercast.com [email protected] @thebeercast The post BeerCast #1 – Count the Shillings appeared first on The BeerCast.