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Post by Bats on Jun 30, 2018 10:30:42 GMT -8
Up at 7AM to go to the supermarket to buy beer. Three months' supply of beer, to be precise. Why? There's a carbon dioxide shortage in the UK and they're predicting a ration on carbonated drinks. Am I going without beer any time soon? AIF. It's all nicely wrapped up and stored in the garage, just waiting to be supped in the garden whilst my neighbours look on with beer envy.
We'd planned to go to the New Forest, but it was too hot, so we stayed at home instead. We had a picnic in the back garden (with beer of course), played football (or "soccer", if I must), and flew the kite over the local playing field.
What a truly splendid Saturday. |
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Post by Ditch Fahrenheit on Jun 30, 2018 19:40:57 GMT -8
Up at 7AM to go to the supermarket to buy beer. Three months' supply of beer, to be precise. Why? There's a carbon dioxide shortage in the UK and they're predicting a ration on carbonated drinks. Am I going without beer any time soon? AIF. It's all nicely wrapped up and stored in the garage, just waiting to be supped in the garden whilst my neighbours look on with beer envy.
We'd planned to go to the New Forest, but it was too hot, so we stayed at home instead. We had a picnic in the back garden (with beer of course), played football (or "soccer", if I must), and flew the kite over the local playing field.
What a truly splendid Saturday. I read about that. If Britain had followed the laws of Reinheitsgebot, this wouldn't be a problem (at least for beer).  And naturally-conditioned casks, kegs and bottles taste MUCH better anyway. |
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Post by Bats on Jul 1, 2018 0:35:26 GMT -8
Up at 7AM to go to the supermarket to buy beer. Three months' supply of beer, to be precise. Why? There's a carbon dioxide shortage in the UK and they're predicting a ration on carbonated drinks. Am I going without beer any time soon? AIF. It's all nicely wrapped up and stored in the garage, just waiting to be supped in the garden whilst my neighbours look on with beer envy.
We'd planned to go to the New Forest, but it was too hot, so we stayed at home instead. We had a picnic in the back garden (with beer of course), played football (or "soccer", if I must), and flew the kite over the local playing field.
What a truly splendid Saturday. I read about that. If Britain had followed the laws of Reinheitsgebot, this wouldn't be a problem (at least for beer). And naturally-conditioned casks, kegs and bottles taste MUCH better anyway. Yes, we do like a fizzy beer over here... Many manufacturers supply special pint glasses that actively release the CO2 from the beer to keep the head going. Seems a little odd to be finishing your pint and the head is still left at the bottom of the glass!
Long gone are the days of the "warm, flat pints" of Britain. That was only ever a "semi-myth" anyway. Ale was never supposed to be chilled, just kept cool in the cellar. The problem for many pubs was with the logistics of getting the kegs down to the cellar and some pubs opted to keep the keg behind the bar. Therefore the ale was served at room temperature and hence warm beer. 99% of pubs don't do that anymore and I haven't seen a keg behind the bar in years.
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Post by Ditch Fahrenheit on Jul 1, 2018 7:02:30 GMT -8
I read about that. If Britain had followed the laws of Reinheitsgebot, this wouldn't be a problem (at least for beer). And naturally-conditioned casks, kegs and bottles taste MUCH better anyway. Yes, we do like a fizzy beer over here... Many manufacturers supply special pint glasses that actively release the CO2 from the beer to keep the head going. Seems a little odd to be finishing your pint and the head is still left at the bottom of the glass!
Long gone are the days of the "warm, flat pints" of Britain. That was only ever a "semi-myth" anyway. Ale was never supposed to be chilled, just kept cool in the cellar. The problem for many pubs was with the logistics of getting the kegs down to the cellar and some pubs opted to keep the keg behind the bar. Therefore the ale was served at room temperature and hence warm beer. 99% of pubs don't do that anymore and I haven't seen a keg behind the bar in years.
Exactly. In all the trips I've made to England, I never had the pleasure of experiencing a real 'pulled' draft...everything was just 'released' from a modern CO2 system. 'Beer Engines' have gone the way of the horse-drawn buggy. As with most foods, we tend to sacrifice taste and nutrition for expediency. Sad. Don't get me started on real coffee and tea.  |
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Post by Bats on Jul 1, 2018 7:06:25 GMT -8
Yes, we do like a fizzy beer over here... Many manufacturers supply special pint glasses that actively release the CO2 from the beer to keep the head going. Seems a little odd to be finishing your pint and the head is still left at the bottom of the glass!
Long gone are the days of the "warm, flat pints" of Britain. That was only ever a "semi-myth" anyway. Ale was never supposed to be chilled, just kept cool in the cellar. The problem for many pubs was with the logistics of getting the kegs down to the cellar and some pubs opted to keep the keg behind the bar. Therefore the ale was served at room temperature and hence warm beer. 99% of pubs don't do that anymore and I haven't seen a keg behind the bar in years.
Exactly. In all the trips I've made to England, I never had the pleasure of experiencing a real 'pulled' draft...everything was just 'released' from a modern CO2 system. 'Beer Engines' have gone the way of the horse-drawn buggy. As with most foods, we tend to sacrifice taste and nutrition for expediency. Sad. Don't get me started on real coffee and tea. Next time you come over, I'll take you to a pub that serves real ale from the keg. And you'll also get a proper cup of tea, made in a pot, served with a spot of milk. You might have to go without the crumpet though... Guess why? CO2 is used in the packing process! |
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Post by Ditch Fahrenheit on Jul 1, 2018 7:17:45 GMT -8
Exactly. In all the trips I've made to England, I never had the pleasure of experiencing a real 'pulled' draft...everything was just 'released' from a modern CO2 system. 'Beer Engines' have gone the way of the horse-drawn buggy. As with most foods, we tend to sacrifice taste and nutrition for expediency. Sad. Don't get me started on real coffee and tea. Next time you come over, I'll take you to a pub that serves real ale from the keg. And you'll also get a proper cup of tea, made in a pot, served with a spot of milk. You might have to go without the crumpet though... Guess why? CO2 is used in the packing process! That sounds awesome! A few years ago I had an English GF. The first thing she did was force me to buy an infusion teapot and a cozy. Then I found out how expensive quality loose leaf teas can be (Darjeeling, etc.). I joked that I could buy a bag of weed for about the same price. |
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Post by Bats on Jul 1, 2018 7:30:12 GMT -8
Next time you come over, I'll take you to a pub that serves real ale from the keg. And you'll also get a proper cup of tea, made in a pot, served with a spot of milk. You might have to go without the crumpet though... Guess why? CO2 is used in the packing process! That sounds awesome! A few years ago I had an English GF. The first thing she did was force me to buy an infusion teapot and a cozy. Then I found out how expensive quality loose leaf teas can be (Darjeeling, etc.). I joked that I could buy a bag of weed for about the same price. 
I bet.
The one modern change I believe that tea has benefitted from, is the tea bag. It's not only more convenient, it also gives a better flavour IMO. Still made in a pot mind. None of this dunking business.
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Post by Ditch Fahrenheit on Jul 1, 2018 7:47:56 GMT -8
That sounds awesome! A few years ago I had an English GF. The first thing she did was force me to buy an infusion teapot and a cozy. Then I found out how expensive quality loose leaf teas can be (Darjeeling, etc.). I joked that I could buy a bag of weed for about the same price.
I bet.
The one modern change I believe that tea has benefitted from, is the tea bag. It's not only more convenient, it also gives a better flavour IMO. Still made in a pot mind. None of this dunking business.
Oh man...Brits with tea bags was one of her biggest gripes. I'll have to take a pic of my tea stuff. Each tea has a different brewing temperature, brewing time and quantity. |
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Post by Bats on Jul 1, 2018 9:36:37 GMT -8
I bet.
The one modern change I believe that tea has benefitted from, is the tea bag. It's not only more convenient, it also gives a better flavour IMO. Still made in a pot mind. None of this dunking business.
Oh man...Brits with tea bags was one of her biggest gripes. I'll have to take a pic of my tea stuff. Each tea has a different brewing temperature, brewing time and quantity. Are you sure she was English?! No tea bags?! Darjeeling?! 
English Breakfast Tea is the only tea and it comes in a bag (or loose, if you have to have it that way). Everything else is not tea. It's hot flavoured water.
I once asked for English Breakfast Tea in a Swiss restaurant... Oh boy, you should've seen the look I got
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Post by Ditch Fahrenheit on Jul 1, 2018 9:51:15 GMT -8
Oh man...Brits with tea bags was one of her biggest gripes. I'll have to take a pic of my tea stuff. Each tea has a different brewing temperature, brewing time and quantity. Are you sure she was English?! No tea bags?! Darjeeling?!
English Breakfast Tea is the only tea and it comes in a bag (or loose, if you have to have it that way). Everything else is not tea. It's hot flavoured water.
I once asked for English Breakfast Tea in a Swiss restaurant... Oh boy, you should've seen the look I got
Yeah, she was from a small town called Looe in Cornwall, right on the coast. I had fun with that. Every time she said she was going to the loo, I asked if she had tickets, if was she visiting her mum, etc. |
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Post by Bats on Jul 1, 2018 9:59:10 GMT -8
Are you sure she was English?! No tea bags?! Darjeeling?!
English Breakfast Tea is the only tea and it comes in a bag (or loose, if you have to have it that way). Everything else is not tea. It's hot flavoured water.
I once asked for English Breakfast Tea in a Swiss restaurant... Oh boy, you should've seen the look I got
Yeah, she was from a small town called Looe in Cornwall, right on the coast. I had fun with that. Every time she said she was going to the loo, I asked if she had tickets, if was she visiting her mum, etc. I love Looe! It's gorgeous. Very unfortunate name though. I bet you did have fun with that.
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Post by Ditch Fahrenheit on Jul 1, 2018 10:06:12 GMT -8
Yeah, she was from a small town called Looe in Cornwall, right on the coast. I had fun with that. Every time she said she was going to the loo, I asked if she had tickets, if was she visiting her mum, etc. I love Looe! It's gorgeous. Very unfortunate name though. I bet you did have fun with that.
Wow...I had no idea you'd been there. I guess the Huns bombed the crap out of it during the Blitz. Still a lot of anger present, even after all these years. |
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Post by Siggy's Tar Dust® on Jul 1, 2018 10:22:10 GMT -8
Um (I feel like I'm intruding here), I spent my Saturday going through my FF collection, updating my list and scanning what wasn't scanned.
And, for no particular reason, I didn't drink any beer.
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Post by Bats on Jul 1, 2018 11:45:42 GMT -8
I love Looe! It's gorgeous. Very unfortunate name though. I bet you did have fun with that.
Wow...I had no idea you'd been there. I guess the Huns bombed the crap out of it during the Blitz. Still a lot of anger present, even after all these years. Oh yes It's beautiful down that way. Only thing is it's 190 miles from where we live in Hampshire, so we don't go that often. Did you visit Fowey (pronounced "Foy")? It's 10 miles west along the coastline.
A spectacular little coastal town.
As far as I'm aware, Looe wasn't a target in WWII. The neighbouring city of Plymouth was hit quite heavily due to it's naval port. I should imagine that's the link. Some of the older generation (now mainly those who were children during the war) do still feel a lot of resentment.
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Post by Bats on Jul 1, 2018 11:48:58 GMT -8
Um (I feel like I'm intruding here), I spent my Saturday going through my FF collection, updating my list and scanning what wasn't scanned. And, for no particular reason, I didn't drink any beer. Please feel free to join in!
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