While I am a huge fan of Old Tom, I don't think any beer can be hailed as "world's best" - it's all down to a matter of taste, which as we know is infinitely variable. That's the joy of beer. Having said that it's a bit of harmless flim-flam which will generate some good publcity for an excellent family brewer (and yes, I know their beer isn't everyone's cup of tea).
Obviously there's no such thing as "world's best ale" but it's a harmles piece of fun. I see the magazine has ceased publication. Hope thee's no connection between the two events! Shame really, I enjoyed the few issues I read.
I've judged in the second round of the WBA for the last three years, in which brewers from up and down the country come together and judge beers in the specific categories. All beers are in bottled form and were judged at the Beers of the World Live event in Birmingham in June this year.
The category winners are then judged by a smaller select panel and the "World's Best" chosen from them.
There have been great beers over the last couple of years and while some of them haven't been amazing, it's one of those things where someone has to be chosen as a winner I guess.
A shame that it will probably finish as has the magazine (this was announced at the WBA awards lunch)as was a great opportunity to sit with fellow brewers and judge beer properly.
I didn't realise the magazine was coming to an end - my subscription runs out in Jan! I did get the Jun/Jul issue, so from what Kelly and Penny say that is likely to be my last.
Real shame to see a decent magazine dedicated to beer not survive.
If Old Tom was American or Belgian, beerophiles would rave about it as the best thing since sliced Westvleteren.
World's best? Depends where your world is. All I know is, Old Tom is a darn fine beer. Particularly on those cold Peak-walking Sundays when I've found a Robinson's pub, kicked snow off my boots, sat by the fire in a bar and lost myself in a pint of it.
I've never had Robinson's, at least not that I can recall of my one Manc visit from a couple of years ago. This post piqued my interest, however, because I'll be lodging for a couple of nights at the Wagon and Horses in Lancaster, who have a few Robinsons beers on.
But enough about me--Dave, my wife and I plan to bike (weather permitting) or walk quite a bit up in your part of the world during our stay from 20-22. It's extremely likely that we'll turn up sometime on one of those days. Do you know what you'll have on?
Annnndddd, would it be ok to prod you for sources of information on walking & biking round your part of the world, to help plan our trip?
8 comments:
While I am a huge fan of Old Tom, I don't think any beer can be hailed as "world's best" - it's all down to a matter of taste, which as we know is infinitely variable. That's the joy of beer. Having said that it's a bit of harmless flim-flam which will generate some good publcity for an excellent family brewer (and yes, I know their beer isn't everyone's cup of tea).
John, I might not like Robinsons for several reasons, but Old Tom is worthy of mention. In my view, it's the best thing they do.
It seems other people agree with that.
Is it the worlds best? Well I would suggest that if you ask one panel of judges and then another you would get two completely different answers.
Obviously there's no such thing as "world's best ale" but it's a harmles piece of fun. I see the magazine has ceased publication. Hope thee's no connection between the two events! Shame really, I enjoyed the few issues I read.
Well I'm slightly confused, yes I know, it doesn't take much....
The press release states the magazine is published 6 times a year. The last publication that actually seemed to happen was March 09.
The web site hasn't actually removed the invite to enter for the 2009 awards despite the press release being for these awards.
Hope I've not had a practical joke played on me.....
Anybody any more information?
I've judged in the second round of the WBA for the last three years, in which brewers from up and down the country come together and judge beers in the specific categories. All beers are in bottled form and were judged at the Beers of the World Live event in Birmingham in June this year.
The category winners are then judged by a smaller select panel and the "World's Best" chosen from them.
There have been great beers over the last couple of years and while some of them haven't been amazing, it's one of those things where someone has to be chosen as a winner I guess.
A shame that it will probably finish as has the magazine (this was announced at the WBA awards lunch)as was a great opportunity to sit with fellow brewers and judge beer properly.
I didn't realise the magazine was coming to an end - my subscription runs out in Jan! I did get the Jun/Jul issue, so from what Kelly and Penny say that is likely to be my last.
Real shame to see a decent magazine dedicated to beer not survive.
If Old Tom was American or Belgian, beerophiles would rave about it as the best thing since sliced Westvleteren.
World's best? Depends where your world is. All I know is, Old Tom is a darn fine beer. Particularly on those cold Peak-walking Sundays when I've found a Robinson's pub, kicked snow off my boots, sat by the fire in a bar and lost myself in a pint of it.
I've never had Robinson's, at least not that I can recall of my one Manc visit from a couple of years ago. This post piqued my interest, however, because I'll be lodging for a couple of nights at the Wagon and Horses in Lancaster, who have a few Robinsons beers on.
But enough about me--Dave, my wife and I plan to bike (weather permitting) or walk quite a bit up in your part of the world during our stay from 20-22. It's extremely likely that we'll turn up sometime on one of those days. Do you know what you'll have on?
Annnndddd, would it be ok to prod you for sources of information on walking & biking round your part of the world, to help plan our trip?
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