It's
interesting to look back and consider what were our earliest influences when it
come to our love of beer. Like many others I was not averse to underage
drinking, and I don't think that I abused alcohol as a teenage toper.
I remember
the first time I bought a pint, it was Robinsons Best Bitter, at The Queens Arms in
New Mills. I was sixteen. What makes it particularly memorable was that I was
in full stage make up following the dress rehearsal for the School production
of Anthony & Cleopatra. I guess it was a good job I wasn't wearing the PCV
Roman Centurion outfit!
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| The Pineapple, venue for A level Art classes |
Over
the year or so of underage drinking my visits to pubs slowly increased, the
trick was never to draw attention to yourself or upset the locals. Luckily we
had many pubs to choose from, in a 15 minute circular walk from School we would
pass at least ten pubs. Several turned a blind eye, especially to the Friday
afternoon A Level Art class spent in the Pineapple.
Sadly I didn't take A Level
Art!
As A
Levels approached we had a few 'educational' trips to various Industries, a
Paper Mill, a Margarine Factory, and a Brewery! Yes we lucky science students
were off to see how beer is made, sadly seats are limited so tough luck for
those not taking sciences.
 |
| Wilsons Brewery |
The
first thing that struck me about Wilsons Brewery was the size, it seemed gigantic,
a big red brick edifice on the outskirts of Manchester. The coach parked by a
large open shed which was littered with broken wooden casks and shattered pub
mirrors. If only they'd known that a few years later genuine pub mirrors were
highly sought after.
We were
taken round by a man in a white coat, he seemed to know what he was talking
about but we had no idea what he was talking about, it all seemed to be very
technical. However, he did get us tasting various malts and asking us what they
reminded us of, biscuits, Horlicks etc. And then our first encounter with Hops,
I have to admit I thought they smelt wonderful and on the rest of the trip
round the brewery the aroma lingered on my hands. We saw the large open
fermenters with great rocky heads and we were warned not to lean over because
of the high level of CO2. But of course the thing about the visit was that it
ended up in the hospitality room where several tables were weighted down with
plates of food. And the bar was open. We were to be allowed two halves. We had
more than two halves, but we were well behaved and we thanked our hosts, and we
especially thanked the teacher who had the gumption to organise such a
worthwhile educational visit.
Can you
remember buying your first pint? Can you remember your first Brewery visit? For
me many pints and Brewery visits have passed, but my firsts were particularly
memorable.
And now another
Brewer for you to identify from his responses. This one may be a bit harder.
Which Brewer do you
admire...?
Garrett Oliver - he's melded together the beer and food worlds in an
amazing way.
Favourite Brewery...?
Sierra Nevada - incredible quality and amazing beers.
Favourite British Brewery...?
What's the next big thing...?
It's already happening, but the next step in the UK has to be a
proliferation of sour beers. Worldwide, I reckon we'll be getting more
sessionable beers in the craft scene.
If you weren't a brewer you'd be a...?
Brewing scientist! Either that or a perfumer... can't waste this nose!
Does consistency of flavour matter...?
Both! Though the more beers I drink, the more that consistent quality
matters. I'm not bothered about consistency in flavour, seasonality can be a
good thing!
Michael Jackson always denied that he had a favourite beer, but said if you asked him wha8 his final beer would be as he faced the firing squad it would be...?
Hmmm, a tough question... Let's just say Orval for arguments sake
And what would your final beer be...?
Westvleteren 12 - every time I've had it, the complexity has impressed
me. It's a thinking beer...
If it were possible, which Brewery/Brewer would you consider doing a collaboration beer with...?
If you were to give one piece of advice to an aspiring Brewer it would be...?
Taste and smell everything
And a few more personal questions;
What do you do to relax...?
Go fishing, play guitar, drink beer, head to the hills for some hiking
Favourite musicians...?
Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Tool
TV, Cinema, Concert or Theatre...?
Concert
Favourite holiday destination...?
Scotland
First one to get the identity of our mystery Brewer gets a beer at GBBF from me.
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