Iconic pints of Britain and Ireland

D

Dan Vyvyan

Location
London
This is the pride and joy of the great city of Sheffield, Kelham Island Pale Rider, worthy former Champion Beer of Great Britain and a pioneer in the use of American hops (subtly fruity, not an alpha-deranged juice bomb). In 2022 it came very close to extinction before being rescued by a group including I believe folks from Thornbridge brewery of Bakewell. It does the job of Friday 5pm sharpener perfectly. 5.2%. A.

From cask at the Pelt Trader, Cannon Street.

IMG_2503.jpeg

(Thread now renamed in view of the below!)
 
Last edited:
Interesting thread idea, Dan! Who's going to post a photo of a pint of dog from a pub overlooking the Tyne?

If broadened to the British isles I'm sure some dark stuff from the brewery tap in Dublin would be good to include. Will aim to contribute a few to this in the weeks ahead.
 
George Marshall said:
View attachment 35844

Never had a pint in Ireland but this was spectacularly good yesterday at The Devonshire in Soho

Ordering Guinness in London can be risky. An Irish publican has had enough – The Irish Times
Click to expand...
When I was 15 I drank spectacular Guinness at the long departed Ward's Irish House around the corner from where the Devonshire is now. Every time since has been a horrible disappointment, even in Ireland-it always seems merely a particularly feeble keg stout. A visit is urgently indicated.
 
If you don’t like heaving pubs and a long wait for a pint I’d recommend getting there early, 1145 was perfect although the lines on one half of the bar were noticably colder than the other side (maybe due to fewer pints drawn)
 
Do you know what the variables are for Guinness these days?

It used to be very hot and miss, and Dublin was noticably better, but that changed a long time ago.
These days I find it the most consistent drink to order in a pub unless you know you'll get a good ale, which is rare these days.
 
The Black Country was always a beer oasis for me and completely at one with the heavy industry of the area. Bank’s / Hanson’s and Springfield-was a good base level. Holdens, Simkiss, Bathams all had a brewery tap and various locals. Bathams Bitter drunk at the Bull and Bladder aka the Vine, Brierley Hill was bostin. The lilting tones of the local dialect while getting a glow on was for me hard to beat. I am definitely not being patronising there.
 
Steve Trotman said:
The Black Country was always a beer oasis for me and completely at one with the heavy industry of the area. Bank’s / Hanson’s and Springfield-was a good base level. Holdens, Simkiss, Bathams all had a brewery tap and various locals. Bathams Bitter drunk at the Bull and Bladder aka the Vine, Brierley Hill was bostin. The lilting tones of the local dialect while getting a glow on was for me hard to beat. I am definitely not being patronising there.
Click to expand...

Food at the Vine is simple but very well done. Took my DRs there for a team night out (which was admittedly mainly about the ale) A brilliant evening. Huge pork pies and bloomers. For four of us under a tenner! Was a little taken aback on my first visit when the lady behind the bar who must have been in her 70s greeted me: "Oar-royt, baybee?" Doubt she was hitting on me. but I may be about to be corrected.
 
George Marshall said:
View attachment 35844

Never had a pint in Ireland but this was spectacularly good yesterday at The Devonshire in Soho

Ordering Guinness in London can be risky. An Irish publican has had enough – The Irish Times
Click to expand...
The best pint of Guinness I had was down in Cahir in the hotel there. Reputedly the birthplace of Guinness. The pint in the cellar bar is supposed to be better than in the bar. You could almost taste the roasted hops, the taste of caramel.

Growing up in Yorkshire, I'll always have found memories of Tadcaster beers, Sam Smiths Nut Brown Ale being my favourite. 6X from Wadworths was a decent pint aswell.
 
Sean Hardon said:
The best pint of Guinness I had was down in Cahir in the hotel there. Reputedly the birthplace of Guinness. The pint in the cellar bar is supposed to be better than in the bar. You could almost taste the roasted hops, the taste of caramel.

Growing up in Yorkshire, I'll always have found memories of Tadcaster beers, Sam Smiths Nut Brown Ale being my favourite. 6X from Wadworths was a decent pint aswell.
Click to expand...
Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout is quite lovely-I find it about ten thousand times better than Guinness.
 
Sean Hardon said:
6X from Wadworths was a decent pint as well.
Click to expand...

My late father's favourite ale. Being a Trowbridge boy, Ruddles' ales were the alternatives. I only once persuaded him to upgrade from his once per outing half pint and that was on 27th November 1993 after we'd watched England beat New Zealand at Twickenham and really had something to celebrate.

I should add the upgrade was for him to a single pint!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top