I've got mine!

Judging now well under way.

All set for the second day's judging in the @skbeerfestival.bsky.social homebrew competition. Thanks again to @petersgatetap.bsky.social for hosting us.

Good times at Torrside tap. The American Barley Wine from 2023 on draft is a thing of joy. Beautifully smooth and drinkable.

Following my visit to @balancebrew.bsky.social I had to drop into @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social on my way back to the station. The Penny Roll American bitter is seriously good. Shout out for the homemade pretzels as well - I've had two.

I can happily confirm the new @balancebrew.bsky.social Framboys is seriously delicious.

Since PINT restarted the Bockbierfestival a couple of years ago, a return visit has been on my to do list. Now booked the hotel and Eurostar for 4 nights in October - used my accumulated Club Eurostar reward points so the train (including Business Premier going out) has cost me nothing. Result!

Inspired by @totalcurtis.bsky.social , I am now in @heatonhops.bsky.social enjoying a pint of Harvey's Porter. Needless to say, it is delicious.

Just spent almost three hours on admin for this year's @skbeerfestival.bsky.social homebrew competition - the first three categories are being judged on Sunday at @petersgatetap.bsky.social. There are some very talented judges lined up, too.

If you’re thinking of attending our Cumbrian breweries tasting please book as soon as you can so we know how much beer to order. £30 for 6 beers cheese, free raffle - and @beer4john.bsky.social

Off to a bottle share at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social Tap Room this afternoon - I may be overdoing it, but I plan to take three bottles along.

Not done this before but I have taken the plunge and got myself a Saturday afternoon ticket.

Very sorry to hear of the death of Ted Bruning, a former editor of @camraofficial.bsky.social What's Brewing, and a genuinely good bloke. RIP.

It's been a good afternoon. @rossisdead.bsky.social gets all pretentious with beer in a basket while @stanfan.bsky.social looks on in amazement.

All of this and the following thread basically. Hubris, and there was plenty of that, is inevitably followed at some point by nemesis. It was just a question of time.

Time for another @millsbrewing.bsky.social catch up bottle share with @daveratkins.bsky.social at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . Dave has kindly bought a bonus bottle of Cantillon Sang Bleu, too.

That's why @pelliclemag.com is a byword for integrity - and an essential read.

Cask Lees Moonraker at the Crown, Heaton Lane. Rich and very smooth.

Popped into @petersgatetap.bsky.social and found this beauty from @wishbonebrewery.bsky.social on cask. Smooth, rich and delicious.

Had a lovely afternoon at Chesterfield Beer Festival. Finishing with this from @thornbridge.bsky.social Imperial Stout. The union system seems to smooth out the start but keeps the hoppiness and bitterness in the finish. Result: dangerously drinkable.

Just got my Eurostar booked for Brugs Bierfestival. One of my favourite festivals, this.

When I got an email from @redwillowbrewery.bsky.social about this, I immediately bought a few cans. It was a good move as it's delicious.

As someone who runs a well-established homebrew competition, and can testify to the huge amount of skill in the home-brewing community, I'm not overly enamoured by the dismissive reference to 'garden shed homebrew'.

Just back from a trip to New Mills to check out the new (and very good) bottle shop Banging Bottles. Buzzing atmosphere in @runawaybrewery.bsky.social Tap, where the (cask, obviously) Robust Porter is on superb form.

Had this beauty from @grainstorebrewery.bsky.social in @yeoldevic.bsky.social tonight. Rich and smooth with toffee and dark fruit notes plus a touch of dryness in the finish made for a superb beer.

How to unwax a bottle

On we go. This had lots thrown at it but the 10 years or so in the bottle has mellowed and blended everything into something rather good indeed.

The bottle share continues. This is a blast from the past - 10 year old Dark Matter from the long-defunct Chorlton Brewing. It has salt, coriander and Persian black lime. It's aged pretty well but has inevitably divided opinion.

About to embark on a charity bottle share at @petersgatetap.bsky.social. It's going to be an interesting afternoon....

My first beer since New Year's Eve in @yeoldevic.bsky.social . Consensus is it's tasting rather like Westmalle Dubbel, which is no bad thing.

This is an interesting development.

Just in the Crown, Heaton Lane, where I can confirm that the Ossett White Rat is pretty near perfect.

Just had a very enjoyable boozy afternoon in the Crown, Heaton Lane with @totalcurtis.bsky.social - on the way home I had to pop into @yeoldevic.bsky.social for a final half of this before it goes off...

Inspired by @robshorten.bsky.social , I dug this out of the cellar. Almost 3 years out of date, it's still absolutely on point. De Vossen was a huge loss, stopping just as they'd got going.

I had two friends round for Christmas dinner yesterday (the venison was terrific, even if I say so myself) but before we ate we opened two @burningskybeer.bsky.social bottles. They were both exceptional and I think the Cherry Saison (bottled 2021) might be the best beer I've had this year.

It's been a great afternoon - me and my pal have spent lots of it chatting with friends. He's now gone home and I am having this to finish at @yeoldevic.bsky.social Truly superb beer.

Group of Santas at the Magnet...

Christmas Eve has started well with Fyne Jarl at the Magnet.

Public Service Announcement: Sarah Hughes Snowflake barley wine (8%) will be on sale at @yeoldevic.bsky.social tomorrow from opening at 5pm.

Gearing up for my second Christmas/Winter beer talk at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . The eagle-eyed will note that this time the St Bernardus is in a bottle. It's also been cellared for a year so should be particularly good.

Well now...this Sorachi Ace barley wine, on cask, really is the business. Another @torrside.bsky.social triumph.

Christmas shopping in full swing at @torrside.bsky.social . This is a rather fine chocolate orange imperial stout.

Just finishing the Opening Times proof reading. This afternoon I am out Christmas shopping. In New Mills. At @torrside.bsky.social . Refeshment may also be taken.

Good times at @yeoldevic.bsky.social

Must say, I am delighted to have once again been asked to chair one of the judging panels for the next @camraofficial.bsky.social Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition. Very much looking forward to it. This year it's being hosted by Liverpool Beer Festival.

Other beers have now been opened...

And we have a great crowd

Great to be back at the @petersgatetap.bsky.social hosting another talk. It's Christmas and Winter beers and we have a cracking lineup.

The cheese & onion cobs at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social are delicious and the Green Hop Bitter is a perfect match. Yum.

Starting the Block Party at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social Tap. Excellent food options here.