Big Tasty

If there's one thing I know you've had fantasies about it's fresh, cool, tasty beer on a warm Summer's day - I'm right aren't I? There you are, sitting on a quay-side slurping from a condensation covered glass, waves gently lapping at your feet, sun high, bright and warm. Maybe there's some decent street merchants vending delicious spicy chick peas or vegetable somosas. There's probably some musicians jamming away in ear shot. And the sound of kids' wild laughter from a nearby funfair. A stilt walker lopes by and you get up and go to chose another tasty, cool pint from a list of a dozen or more.

Wake up. It's happening. Next weekend in Ramsgate.

July 4th - Ram Francisco - not as muddy as Glastonbury.

A taster.....

Our little tasting last weekend went very well, little Phil captured the mood as usual.

Sizzling Summertime Special Stock

Welcome to Steve, our latest recruit. He's taken over responsibility for the foreign beer we stock in the Shop. As a result, the range has begun to expand, branching out a tad as we lay down store for the coming, gloriously sunny, Kent months.

It's particularly good to see La Chouffe on the shelves, both the blonde and the Dobbelen IPA Triple. This mad little brewery in deepest Belgium was a cult favourite in the bars across Den Haag a few years back and I've personally enjoyed one or two splendidly late nights in its company. It's a wonderfully spicy and unique style of beer.


The Trappist Brewers have long been represented here by Orval but now others have come to join us from Rochefort, Achel and Westmalle. These brewers consistently attain the loftiest heights on the quality ladder and their beers are nothing short of legendary.

In total contrast we've also shipped Kriek, Framboise and Fruli - fruit beers to delight anyone on a hot day.

There's more besides: Brugges Zot for instance. A beer I've not yet tried but have been assured of it's credentials.


Since we have so many newcomers (beer and staff) we thought we'd crack a few bottles open this Saturday (13th June) lunchtime so we can give 'em a proper tasting (the beer). And since the beers are many, and we, reletively few, there'll be plenty to go round so come up and join in, around 1pm. Steve promised to provide a perfunctuary lunch and a running comentary. Sounds more fun than weeding the allotment anyway. See you Saturday.

Our Yule Do

started in the Ship, on Middle Street in Deal. It's a proper seaside boozer with proper seaside folk and decent ale. We're professionals and as such don't behave like Tinselheads on our night out, wordlessly sticking to beer in the old style. The point is to relax and eat well and just as the Ship had taken care of the former, so the Prince Albert took very good care of the latter serving up what must go down as a top ten meal for the year. Massive respect to them.

Post prandial sipping was taken care of by Mikkeler Black Hole Stout - one bottle between the five of us was plenty, such is the intensity of flavour of this brew.

All in all a decent, relaxing night with quality company, surroundings, food & ale - Yule Do alright.

Christmas is over for me now - today I'm brewing for the new year and with a background of bagpipe music there's a Scottish Heavy being born.

Gueuze Twaalfuurtje

OK, so while we all wait in eager anticipation of the Thanet Guzzlefest I thought a little tasting session might be fun. I've been promising to introduce you to the wonders of the spontaneously fermented Flemish beer style that is Gueuze and it's a promise I'll fulfill next Saturday, 1st of March.

Oude gueuze is a blend of lambic beer fermented by the natural inoculation of a host of diverse micro-beasties. The result is a stunning complexity and I want you to experience it.

So, an early (midday to 2pm) informal light lunch it is then. I'll provide a red & white cheque table cloth, some bread, veggie spicy sausage (sliced), perhaps a little smoked fish, maybe some silver outjes and obviously a little gouda. Oh, and the beers on me too. You bring a little cheese and some cold meat (if that's your bag). With any luck the sun'll be cracking the flags and we'll have a pretty chilled out lunch, the Flemish way........

Oh, and absolutely no obligation - I love this style of beer and I want to persuade you to love it too.