tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post3380786639401286747..comments2024-03-09T04:57:25.956+00:00Comments on HardKnott Dave's blog about stuff: A look to the futureAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11319272987951077205noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-12192196771149606162011-03-22T18:07:23.051+00:002011-03-22T18:07:23.051+00:00Personally, had I been organising such a thing, I ...Personally, had I been organising such a thing, I like to believe I'd have thought twice about using beers I had an interest in, particularly at what I hope is the <b>first</b> event of <b>many</b>. That would be mainly because I'd be wary of provoking a "beerbud" reaction, and undermining the CBAG "brand" by being seen to push my own inappropriately.<br /><br />But then I <b>didn't</b> organise it - they did - kudos - and we certainly can't accuse Dave of being in anyway underhand about it. Everybody (and I mean <b>everybody</b>!) should know by now what he does for a living. And he seems to do it <b><i>all the time</i></b>!.<br /><br />Anyway, commercial sponsorship of beery events is pretty normal nowadays isn't it? Even CAMRA lap it up. For instance, it was almost impossible to get anything other than <b>free beer from the sponsor</b>, at the trade session for a large BF I went to recently. Even when I tried to <b>pay</b> for something else, I had free sponsors beer forced on me (and very nice it was, but it still didn't feel quite right, even though the sponsorship was carefully made explicit).StringersBeerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573068197944669997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-976875176132100752011-03-21T10:33:58.317+00:002011-03-21T10:33:58.317+00:00BeerBud, yes, of course the time I gave up to help...BeerBud, yes, of course the time I gave up to help with this event was influenced by the fact that I am hoping to get some return. I am a very busy person and give up a lot of time to beer; I live and breath it and go way beyond what I believe most brewers would go to try and be all inclusive. I think anyone who knows me well would agree with that.<br /><br />I could have very easily organised a Hardknott only event, but I think the result we achieved, from my perspective, was a reasonably balanced compromise. CBAG formed as a result of like-minded people wanting a more inclusive and far-thinking approach to beer. My idea of including beer I sell in a beer dinner was a driver and I make no secret of that.<br /><br />I did choose 4 out of the 7 beers on this occasion. Perhaps you are right my influence there was too great. However, the other brewers involved, Cumbrian Legendary Ales and Coniston, did not become involved until we told them we had chosen their beers to be included.<br /><br />I did not choose these other three beers.<br /><br />Future events will have different biases and will inevitably include other brewers from Cumbria and further afield. We may even run events that include no Cumbrian brewed beers whatsoever. Perhaps a Belgian trapiste night, or and American IPA night for instance.<br /><br />We would love you to be involved and further influence events under the banner of CBAG. What we do not want is an exclusive organisation. We want it to be all-inclusive.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11319272987951077205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-91207754959116787142011-03-20T20:51:43.883+00:002011-03-20T20:51:43.883+00:00Beerbud – as this was our first ‘stab’ at an event...Beerbud – as this was our first ‘stab’ at an event such as this, please forgive us for including breweries we know well and who we also knew would be supportive of our efforts and able to help us organising the evening.<br /><br />I can assure you that the intention is to invite breweries from around Cumbria to contribute their beer and, if possible, bring along people for ‘Meet The Brewer’ events. If you would like to contact Dave or myself then we can discuss how your beers can be showcased at CBAG events.<br /><br />Personally speaking, I want to see the Cumbrian brewing scene being appreciated on as big a stage as possible. By creating CBAG, holding events like this and promoting through social networks then I believe we are doing our bit to shout about Cumbria’s brewers.<br /><br />If, along the way, we are doing even a little bit to educate people in the county about good beer – the stories behind the beers, why it tastes the way it does and what sets it apart from mass produced, bland beer – then I think that can only be a good thing. I hope you agree.<br /><br />I’d also like to invite you to read some of the article again: “if you like beer and live in Cumbria, or like Cumbrian beer, or visit Cumbria and drink beer, or perhaps just observe beery goings on in Cumbria, then perhaps you have a right to be involved, if you want.”<br /><br />By the sound of things, you fit into this (very open) criteria. So would you like to be involved?Neil Bownesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992346147844905801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-51296120341364777222011-03-20T17:42:09.254+00:002011-03-20T17:42:09.254+00:00From what I have read from this blog and the menu ...From what I have read from this blog and the menu it seems very self indulging for the brewers who have set this up, only using their own beers and beers from a brewery that they have a contract with? Is this introducing different beers to a wider audience within Cumbria or an excuse for marketing your own products wrapped up in a "appreciation group"? What about the other breweries (even within Cumbria) who are making waves within the beer world?beerbudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14542188643189308143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-46519719346568919602011-03-15T15:09:56.491+00:002011-03-15T15:09:56.491+00:00What an awesome and refreshing article, Dave. As y...What an awesome and refreshing article, Dave. As you know I'm on the hunt for validation of the keg craft beer concept and it's beautiful to know that beer experts like yourself are keen to embrace it, rather than push it away as so many traditionalists do.<br /><br />Keep up the excellent work and do update us on how your 'Tap escapade goes.Dave Thackerayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05779208153172394198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-14096971788542289742011-03-14T10:00:44.142+00:002011-03-14T10:00:44.142+00:00very much enjoyed reading both your most recent po...very much enjoyed reading both your most recent posts. Beer and food matching is something which I am very interested in, also the concept of beer as a gourmet product (as wine is seen) interests me. Many people think of beer as something which should be safe and approachable, and in many cases it should be. I have drank and enjoyed amny an evening on session bitter. But it's the innovative beers which fall otuside this category which really excite. I think you'd like a blog post I wrote most recently about the lack of detail given to beer by chef's and food writer sin this country. Have a look if you get a minute, would love to know your thoughts on it aswell.Neil, Eating isn't Cheatinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08675093938811871515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-73810761938963454312011-03-13T21:21:21.747+00:002011-03-13T21:21:21.747+00:00From my part, the evening was a resounding success...From my part, the evening was a resounding success. I qualify this not in terms of the standard of the food, nor that of the beer, but from a comment in an email I received from one of the people who attended the event:<br /><br />"Really enjoyed the night and looking forward to next time. On the down side, I grabbed a can of Carling out of the fridge on Friday night and it tasted like... Scans brain for clever description... basically it tasted like watered down watery stuff with a feint chemical beer finish. <br /><br />That'll be shit then. <br /><br />So thanks for ruining my life Neil, looks like my £10 for 24 cans days are over!"<br /><br />If events like this can help open the eyes of just a few people to drink better beer, then surely what we are collectively doing is worth the effort?Neil Bownesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992346147844905801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-56686894384690185442011-03-13T19:39:04.257+00:002011-03-13T19:39:04.257+00:00You think you'll be able to drink a pint in a ...You think you'll be able to drink a pint in a pub in 2031?Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-80196155245572954892011-03-13T19:27:55.478+00:002011-03-13T19:27:55.478+00:00Dave - I think that's a common problem if you&...Dave - I think that's a common problem if you're putting on a tasting - some of the people will be new to beer, and some old hands. I'm not sure there's any easy solution. I find having a bottle of somethng really rare on hand to quieten the jaded old lags often helps.<br /><br />Mark - I'm not sure that wine rose to prominence via food matching in the 80s. Quite the reverse, in fact - it was the arrival of Aussie wines that pricked the widespread pomposity of wine, and that drove it into the mainstream. The Aussie wines were fun to drink and easy to understand, much lke American craft beer today.ZakAveryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01794154105596597019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-67396411845300627452011-03-13T19:00:50.158+00:002011-03-13T19:00:50.158+00:00Excellent post Dave. Vive la revolucion!Excellent post Dave. Vive la revolucion!Alex Routledgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14401220744099603705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-47572885987918220052011-03-13T18:40:36.948+00:002011-03-13T18:40:36.948+00:00Theatre of the pub is most certainly not a rubbish...Theatre of the pub is most certainly not a rubbish concept, it's just that most punters don't understand it until it's done so badly that it's as obvious as a brick between the eyes.<br /><br />Done right it is one of the most important value added components of a good pub. Done right it should send the punter away thinking what a fine pub that was without them ever suspecting they have been subjected to deliberate theatre.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11319272987951077205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-36152623907990948192011-03-13T18:34:32.281+00:002011-03-13T18:34:32.281+00:00It's part of the 'theatre of the pub' ...It's part of the 'theatre of the pub' - which I know to some people is a rubbish concept but people go out to be entertained, and learn something new. <br /><br />Doing it in the right way is the crux.Eddie86https://www.blogger.com/profile/03552007546467495543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-84732773068853279432011-03-13T18:10:59.217+00:002011-03-13T18:10:59.217+00:00Eddie, yes, making people aware that they are bein...Eddie, yes, making people aware that they are being educated can certainly be off-putting. One thing that everyone would agree on I'm sure, is that beer is about enjoyment. Education sounds like school and may well turn people off.<br /><br />But it's just a word. People like to be engaged, empowered and informed; entertained, stimulated and involved. If they happen to get educated, without them realising that is what is happening, then this is a worthy activity.<br /><br />Scott, you won't be disappointed I'm sure.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11319272987951077205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-50046130990585431772011-03-13T17:57:57.238+00:002011-03-13T17:57:57.238+00:00Cant wait to see what you bring to the Sheffield t...Cant wait to see what you bring to the Sheffield tap on Tuesday, would love to see more of your beers around these areas.Scott Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09330775597393425246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-8815126784390284332011-03-13T17:43:15.861+00:002011-03-13T17:43:15.861+00:00I agree with most of that Mark, but the word educa...I agree with most of that Mark, but the word education always sends alarm bells ringing. We have to be careful not to force education on people.Eddie86https://www.blogger.com/profile/03552007546467495543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-53424641248437205142011-03-13T17:32:16.333+00:002011-03-13T17:32:16.333+00:00I think it sounds like a great event and I really ...I think it sounds like a great event and I really like the menu you put together. Personally, I think food and beer is key to the future of great beer appreciation - it's what will see it trip over into the mainstream in the way that wine did in the 1980s. It's a point of reference for people to understand - if this beer works well with a Thai green curry then the eater knows the tastes in the curry so can appreciate something that'll work with it. The next step is about education and something like this gives those handy nuggets of info to give people more confidence to try different beers!<br /><br />Good work!Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.com