So Much Beer

And there's more to come in the shape of another CAMRA Beer Club delivery. I am awash with beer I have never tasted before. It is exciting and expensive in equal measure. Bottled beer is bloody heavy and when coupled with postage from Britain the cost really starts to add up, but I will not be denied and besides, sterling is taking a hiding at the moment so things could be much worse. This collection of beer came from Beers of Europe through their on line shop. I discovered this company through a tip off on Irish Craft Brewer and very nearly soiled myself with excitement when I saw what they had on offer and realised they would deliver to Ireland. There are a lot of Stone Brewing Company beers in there, including the infamous Arrogant Bastard and the very tasty sounding Smoked Porter. Flying Dog are represented too with a couple of dark beers I have wanted to try. Brooklyn Brewery's Local 1 has been of great interest to me since I read about it last year and I was surprised to see it in the catalogue. A very special one for me in the group is Anchor's Old Fog Horn which I have waited years to taste. For balance I grabbed a few English ales from Tadcaster's Samuel Smith's Brewery which are unavailable in Ireland. And I couldn't resist Duvel's Tripel Hop having come so close to getting a bottle last year through a friend who while on holiday brought me back plain old Duvel instead, thinking he had got me the desired bottle.

I also have some Mark's and Spencer re-branded ales presented in a wooden trug. (No, I haven't heard of the word either). Their beers are often a little bland and in this instance grossly overpriced at 23 quid for the four bottles and wooden carrier, but it was a thoughtful gift from my wife who lugged the thing home on the bus for me and I look forward to trying them.