I've always considered the question "What's your favourite beer?" to be unanswerable. There are so many factors affect which beer you like best at a particular time, such as the weather, how you're feeling, what stage of the evening you're at, where you are, etc.
That's where desert island beers comes in. Like in desert island discs you get to make several choices, which is much more sensible as you wouldn't want to be stuck with just one beer. On the radio show they get a choice of eight records, so a choice of eight beers seems a good starting point, though the lovely Lisa sensibly that 12 would be better so a crate could be washed up on the beach each month.
I've only got to seven anyway so far so I'll start there:
1. Ind Coope Burton Ale
2. Harvey's XX Mild
3. Ringwood XXXX Porter
4. Fullers IPA
5. Goose Island IPA
6. Duvel
7. Timothy Taylor Landlord
8. ?
I'll expand on why I've chosen these beers when I get the time. Meanwhile, if anyone has any suggestions for beers I need to add please let me know.
I would include Rochefort 8 or 10 (assuming all glassware is included), Hadrian & Border Tyneside Blone, Westmalle Dubbel, North Coast Old Rasputin, Veltins Pilsner, Edelweiss and Daleside Morocco Ale. Even after that theres more I'd want on, such as Samuel Smiths Taddy Porter or the mighty Chimay Grand reserve.
ReplyDeleteNo milds Rob? Surely you of all people need one.
ReplyDeleteLooking at your beers I'm wondering if I've under represented Belgium, and come to thing of it who knows how many American beauties I'm missing? I've gone off Chimay but maybe I need to have Orval on the island.
No pilsners though, the only one I really liked was Pilsner Urquell and that's just not what it used to be.
I am pondering if I need a wheat beer or could I get by without one?
I am fond of Morocco ale but I don't think it will make it to my desert island beers.
No milds indeed, only because i am assuming no kegs or casks are allowed, and bottled mild isnt the same. If a few hand pumps were involved Fullers Chiswick and Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde mild would have to go on.
ReplyDeleteThey'll have to be draught beer on the island or I'll refuse to be shipwrecked. You'll be able to build a pub out of bamboo or something!
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask about getting draft beer on the island?!
ReplyDeleteI've never had or even heard of Fuller's IPA?! Tell me more!
8 beers is quite generous... I wouldn't mind being shipwrecked with 8 beers, but is the supply unlimited or is it just one pint/bottle of each?
I'd have to go for a decent variety of beers... This is tough!
Stone Ruination IPA
Fuller's London Pride
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Thornbridge Jaipur IPA
Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel
BrewDog's Zephyr
Chimay Blue/Grande Reserve or Rochefort 10
A decent pint of something dark, maybe Old Peculiar or Fuller's London Porter
I will probably change this at some point when I think a bit more about my choices!!
To be honest We were thinking regular shipments of the beers washing up on the beach, otherwise it would be no fun on the island!
ReplyDeleteI've got to try some Mikkeller beers, they look very interesting. Do Utobeer sell them?
Fullers IPA is a beer they do as a seasonal occasionally. They also used to export bottles to the US but I think they've stopped that. It's pale and hoppy and at 4.8% ABV fits nicely between Pride and ESB and so solves my dilema of which one of those to pick.
Utobeer do stock a few of the Mikkeller or check out beermerchants, the beers are well worth trying - it's an excellent brewery.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you get regular shipments of beer then I'd quite happily be shipwrecked there, so long as the shipments came with fresh meat and I was there with a few Desert Island Women ;)
Wow, this is a tough question. If we're assuming that 8 bottles will wash up regularly then it actually sounds a half decent island - and better than my local!
ReplyDeleteAt a first consideration:
1) ESB
2) Bacchus (ideally alternating between varieties, but kriek at a push)
3) Duvel
4) Innis & Gunn
5) Brewdog Punk or Hardcore IPA
6) Samuel Smith Taddy Porter
7) Guiness Foreign Extra Stout
8) Dos Equis
Well at least it's not as tough as having to choose just one. Though now I'm wondering if I need more dark beers in my selection. Decisions, decisions ...
ReplyDelete