Beer and skittles in full flow. This months theme?? Old!!!
The winner of the Giddings website competition ‘Find José’ was announced at last nights Beer and Skittles event held in The Village Hall.
The winning entry was drawn from José’s sombrero by Andrew Alexander. The lucky recipient of the bottle of ‘bubbly’ was Michael Trolove who had managed to find all five hidden José’s around the website. A big thank you to all the entrants and better luck next time.
Staying with the Americas(!)… Here’s a report of the beer and skittles evening by Michael Trolove.
You missed a real treat this evening . Our American theme beers was a monster hit. You can rest assured that our USA cousins over the pond so to speak have mastered the craft brewing to a fine art. I would implore you to seek out the following beers as a fine tribute to Uncle Sams brewing ability: Jeremiah Weed, Root Brew, a hint of ginger in the tasting and serve with an ice cube; Jeremiah Weed, Sour Mash Brew, a complex beer of hidden tastes but explode on the taste buds; A couple of wheat beers including 312. Not an ITV game show but a craft beer of typical wheat brew taste, sort of flat but not fizzy flat.
Selection of American beers
A reminder that the end of season bash will now be on Saturday 13th April.
Another splendid evening at the Village Hall for the monthly Beer and Skittles with superb provender provided (of particular note – Andrew’s potatoes, Dick’s game pie and Michael’s beer infused Yorkshire’s and bread).
Great beer selection – this months theme was beers over 5% – with over 30 bottles in all. Dobber (complex bitter brew, bitter/fruity and slightly woody/malty, balanced, hazy, rocky head – from Manchester) was well recieved likewise the rum infused Innis & Gunn. Opinions were sharply divided over badgers fruity Poachers Choice from exquisite to ugh! like liquorice Allsorts.
Reindeer p…
Christmas Crack had the novelty label but was more akin to reindeer p…. The heavy weight top end beers all had their unique tastes and we probably didn’t find the subtleties within them, concentrating on getting to the end of the line but then thats the point of our brand of beer tasting – if its good enough on the taste buds you will remember it.
Skittles
Ohh… and the skittles was quite entertaining too! Thanks to everyone for taking part. This months trophy winner was Rob Alexander for his dedication to skittle scoring and statistics.
The theme that Michael Trolove had organised for the 14th November was Stouts and Porters and as the bottles arrived it soon became clear that this was going to be a ‘hardcore’ evening. 13 different brews were on offer (plus a couple of already emptied bottles – no names) including some more obscure (read expensive) stouts, one kindly supplied by Andrew Underwood and one by Michael.
Strong beers, weak skittles
As the skittles got under way the beers were cracked open in strength order and each was carefully tasted and savoured. As the night drew on the beers got stronger, the skittles got weaker – eventually won by the person that could hold his beer the best!
For the record: Steve Garner won the skittles (and the trophy) and ‘March of the Penguins’ by Williams Bros. Brewing Co won the taste contest (a 5% creamy dark stout, deep chocolate in colour has a nose of roast malts, coffee, licourice & orange peel).
Cake and cheese
Special thanks to Julie Trolove for baking a beautifully rich fruit cake to accompany the beers and also to Andrew for supplying a tasty Lincolnshire Poacher cheese. And to Michael, as always, for organising the event.
The theme for the final beer and skittles, local ales, did not disappoint.
- “Duck!”
The Cambridge Brewery, Oakham Ales, Bateman’s, Elgoods and the Pot Belly brewery all featured along with Thwaites outpost brewery in the Sawtry hinterland. Citra and JHB from Oakham ales was well received along with Bateman’s Combined Harvest. All the beers were eminently drinkable apart from the one that Mr Hodson thought tasted of a bonfire, wether that was standing in or down wind we’re not sure.
The Ale’d and aimless award was unanimously awarded to Michael
On the skittle front, Mr Garner and Mr Crank showed how the game should be played, fast and furious. The Ale’d and aimless award was unanimously awarded for the uncanny ability to throw one cheese without hitting any skittles, unique!
Don’t forget the Port supper at the end of the month, Andrew will do a circular e mail if he requires any extra goodies. Mrs T has volunteered a fruit cake.
Thank you everyone for your support during the winter, the yard of ale still makes me smile
It’s the bleak mid winter, snow lying deep and crisp and even. Well you get the picture, so thank you to those who braved the cold for the February B & S night.
As usual it was with great interest to see what the various offering would be and how many bottles of the same beer would be set on the bar and as usual in that magical Gidding way none were duplicated.
A great range of beers
Fullers topped the evening but only one London Pride which is their main beer. London Porter and Chiswick Bitter along with ESB were sampled. A bottle of Golden Pride 8% has been held over for the next event. Hooky Gold and Hooky Bitter along with the Xmas 12 Days were offered from the Hook Norton Steam Brewery. Bateman’s ales were far more elusive with a bottle of Victory Ale. Somehow we acquired a good selection from the Sole Bay Brewery at Southwold. Any Adnams beer is welcomed so thanks for those. Because of the low numbers attending this time, several bottles have been put in the cellar for next time.
A talented newbie and a new top score record.
A robust couple of rounds of skittles were played and Newbie to the evening Mr Steven Garner showed us a thing or two about how to play skittles and was the overall winner of the evening and walked off with the Ale’d and Aimless trophy.
Mr Adam Titmuss almost demolished the skittle table with some power throwing and achieved an evening top score of 14.
The muppet award again fell into the hands of the event organiser for a dreadful first round score of 3 after showing so much promise in the warm up.