british beer...

[RENThead09]

Ale, lager, or what have you.

OK, I will be in London in May (118 days, but who is counting) and want to experience pub life a night or two. I have never been a beer drinker, and am worried that I will feel out of place not having a pint.

SOOOOOOOOOO.....

Any beer drinkers have suggestions about what type of beers to try before I get to London. Is there any that might be better for a beginner? Is it true that they are served warm (room temp)?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[ely3857]

You certainly shouldnt feel out of place for not having a pint. There are plenty of bottles lagers available in UK bars, Budweiser, Corona etc but if a pint is what you want then I am sure an expert or two will be along in a minute so help you out!



Jodie

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Is it true that they are served warm (room temp)?

Thanks in advance for any help!

No, it's not true. Beer is served cooled not chilled or warm. Beer, unlike lager has a lot more flavour. If you chill it, you don't get those flavours. Lagers (equivalent to many american beers) are served chilled and in general have far less flavour (hence chilling makes little difference to the taste) and, again generally, have a lower alcoholic content (which always makes me wonder why lager louts get drunk so quickly ). You'll find that many of the British "real" ales have an alcoholic content of between 5% and 8% whereas the lagers are around 3%, so be aware that you could be drinking around twice the amount of alcohol in a pint of beer than in a pint of lager (budweiser etc).

I'm afraid the only decent lagers (beers in Europe and america) I have ever tasted are the German, Belgian and Czech (the real Budweiser - brewed since 1200 and something) ones.

Many people in British pubs drink lager (the equivalent of american beers) as it is the fashion, so you shouldn't feel out of place whether you drink the lager or beer.

Whichever you do, enjoy!

 

[Cyrano]

This may be of interest if you are looking for real ale

 

[Cochise]

Agree with Richard a good Real Ale starts with a cool cellar and not artificially chilled.

Taste wise Real Ales are alive with all sorts of tastes and flavours (as with Red Wine imo) and can differ so much from one pump to the next it is unbelievable. I am a big fan of them as you might guess and am lucky my local is a great example a good pub for beer and appears in the Good Beer guide every year.

From what i have read on t'inernet the US has many many great brewers across the country http://www.ability.org.uk/usa_breweries.html has plenty of names and has hundreds of beers to choose from. Search out a few of these and give them a go. There is such a diverse range in the UK I couldnt say try a particular type from Hoppy, Bitter taste. Sweet etc.

As far as "lagers" are concerned I still like a few examples, my personal faves are Heineken from when they went to the 5% example in the Uk and Becks. Becks as they still brew it in Germany and it is how it should be unlike Stella that is brewed in the UK and is awful compared to its Belgium brewed example.

 

[leemel]

If you're over in the summer, Waggledance is a nice beer, made with honey rather than just sugar, as is Red Admiral.
Neither of those are too heavy, as a lot of real ales are almost chewable.
Black Sheep brewery and Hobgoblin make some nice bottled ales.

 

[Cochise]

Have a look into what breweries operate pubs in dat der London. As i live oop north (hey and its grim up here!) it may be completely different.

Look for Theakstens, Jennings, Fullers, Batema, Charles Wells, Black Sheep and Timothy Taylor

 

[RENThead09]

Great call on the Breweries! I may have to check one out in the first day or two that I am there to see what goes down smoothly. Would definitely be a good way to know what I like and taste some of what London (and Britian) has to offer.

It will sure be a change from the Margaretta's that make it possible to survive the 100 degree days here during the summer.

 

[Cochise]

And you are prepared to go and ruin a perfectly good holiday by going watching that lot in the ""beautiful"" city of Salford

hehe

Also not sure if Boddingtons are still based in Manchester but they did do a brewery tour a few years ago, may still do.

 

[ely3857]

Also not sure if Boddingtons are still based in Manchester but they did do a brewery tour a few years ago, may still do.

Boddingtons factory closed, It's now brewed in Belgium!

The Tetley's brewery is still open in Leeds though, Not sure of they still do tours.



Jodie

 

[Cochise]

Boddingtons factory closed, It's now brewed in Belgium!

The Tetley's brewery is still open in Leeds though, Not sure of they still do tours.



Jodie

So is it the Cream of Ypres now or something?

Jeez!

 

[ely3857]

So is it the Cream of Ypres now or something?

Jeez!

I know, terrible isnt it



Jodie

 

[castanea1985]

We love Theakston's Old Perculiar.... you've got to try that one!! Its like nectar!! They do a tour!!!


http://www.theakstons.co.uk/landing.php

 

[castanea1985]

Oops forgot to mention... they export as well!!
You could try some before you come over!!

 

[Boss Hogg]

I'd recommend London Pride and Abbot Ale, both of which would be widely available in London. Neither are very strong in flavour so many be a good place to start. Also, if you ask me I'd go for some Guinness - can never go wrong with it.

As someone said, some of it is pretty strong, so check out the label on the pump. Some IPA's are only around 3.5%, but I guess if you drink a lot of US lager at home you'll be used to 5% stuff, which is around the same as most ales I would say.

 

[mark&sue]

On May 13th Manchester United are playing West Ham a London team...but Manu are at home roughly 200 miles away from London. Also it is really hard to get tickets to manu matches.

Good luck.

I live in London so I will look out for you in the pub!!



Susan

 

[RENThead09]

I think the only London team playing at home that weekend is Chelsea. I have followed ManU for a long time and I look at this as a once in a lifetime chance to see them play at Old Trafford. I am looking at flying to Manchester that morning and possibly taking the train back to London on Monday morning if people think it is worthwhile to "see" the country that way.

I may have to give you a shout when my trip gets closer for pub suggestions. I believe I am staying in Kensington on Allen Street, but will be all over the city.

 

[Andy B]

In London, Fullers is a local brewery as is Youngs but I prefer Fullers, they brew several beers and often there are seasonal beers, often darker and stronger in Winter and lighter and weaker in summer. Ale strength can vary from 3% upwards, a number of breweries have 'tied' houses who particually sell their beer but ther are more free houses who sell a selection of beers.

If you were planning on visiting Cambridge on your trip they have a Beer Festival on 21st-26th May