BeerCasts – The BeerCast

BeerCast #72 – Norfolk Charms. In a rare podcast from the BeerCast's London outpost a group of 6 intrepid beersplorers machete their way through the undergrowth of new found beers from Norfolk. 1. Drop of Real Norfolk (3.8%) 2. Stiletto (4.5%) 3. Ale-next-the-sea (4.5%) 4. Worth the wait (4.2%) http://thebeercast.com @thebeercast thebeercast@gmail.com The post BeerCast #72 – Norfolk Charms appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #71 - Hidden Meanings. Podcast time again, and our panel of three take on four beers that have unusual reasons behind the name. Richard, Shovels and Grooben debate various highbrow literary references, and the Oscar-winning films of Clint Eastwood... 1. Thornbridge Kill Your Darlings (5.0%) 2. York Brewery Micklegate (6.1%) 3. Stewart Brewing Radical Road (6.4%) 4. Tempest Unforgiven (5.4%) http://thebeercast.com @thebeercast thebeercast@gmail.com The post BeerCast #71 – Hidden Meanings appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #70 - MrB in NE. Our globe-trotting podcaster MrB was recently dispatched to the States on business - and as we're never off duty he brought back some beery treats. Joining him are Richard, Shovels and Grooben - we discuss the four beers, where to get the best pizza in America, what Brooklyn's craziest bar is, and where pirates go on their honeymoon... 1. New England Sea Hag IPA (6.2%) 2. Sixpoint Bengali Tiger (6.4%) 3. Cambridge The Audacity of Hops (8.5%) 4. Smuttynose S'Muttonator (9.6%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #70 – MrB in NE appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #69 – Spa IPA. Today our BeerCasters get to grips with four outstanding British IPA's. Rather co-incidentally, it turns out that three of them hail from celebrated English spa towns (with the other nearby to a fourth). Richard, Stu, Shovels and Grooben work through the beers, and as IPA fans, expect some big scores... 1. Ilkley Lotus IPA (5.7%) 2. Bristol Beer Factory Southville Hop (6.5%) 3. Roosters Serlo de Burgh (6.0%) 4. Buxton Axe Edge (6.8%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #69 – Spa IPA appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #68 – Summer Wine Showcase. Holmfirth's Summer Wine Brewery have been going for a few years, and have a major following in Yorkshire. Our intrepid panel get five of their beers and find out why. On the panel today - Richard, Shovels and debutante Calum 1. Summer Wine Covenant (5.2%) 2. Summer Wine Teleporter (5.0%) 3. Summer Wine Barisa (4.8%) 4. Summer Wine Lime and Coriander Saison (6.0%) 5. Summer Wine Cohort (7.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #68 – Summer Wine Showcase appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #67 – BOTY 2011. So it comes down to this - our annual Beer of the Year Show. We re-taste the top four highest scoring beers from our podcasts in 2011, and pick a winner. On the panel today - Richard, Shovels, MrB and Grooben. Stand by for a bonus feature at the end, as we blind-taste four extremely unusual French beers - each containing a mystery ingredient. How many will the panel correctly identify? 1. Rogue St Rogue Red Ale (5.2%) 2. Kernel IPA Citra (7.2%) 3. Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest (6.7%) 4. Thornbridge St Petersburg (7.7%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #67 – Beer of the Year 2011 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #66 – Christmas Special 2011. Our festive panel get to grips with six seasonal beers, as we tuck into the mince pies and toast by the fire our fifth annual Christmas Special. On the panel today – Richard, Shovels and Grooben. As tradition has it, we also rate each beer's label for festive factor. Merry Christmas to all of our podcast listeners, from all at the BeerCast! 1. Cotleigh Red Nose Reinbeer (5.0%) 2. Het Anker Gouden Carolus Christmas (10.5%) 3. Williams Brothers Nollaig (7.0%) 4. Sinclair Atlas Clootie Dumpling (4.3%) 5. De Ranke Père Noël (7.0%) 6. Anchor Our Special Ale 2011 (5.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #66 – Christmas Special 2011 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #65 - MrB had his annual trip to France over the summer, and as ever returned with a carload of booze. Some of this was rare beer from local brasseries, so our 65th BeerCast finds us drinking four very different French beers. It also sees the return of our 'Can you Picon it?' feature. On the panel today - Richard, Grooben and MrB. Apologies for the levels on this one, it was recorded in MrB's kitchen... 1. Brasserie des Râteliers La Johannique Blanche (5.0%) 2. Cervoiserie Lancelot Bonnets Rouge (5.5%) 3. Le Moulin de Saint-Martin Ambrée (6.5%) 4. Mor Braz La Bière Cidrée (4.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #65 – Bières en vacances! appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #64 – Big BeerCast. On the 1st of October 2011, the UK Treasury increased duty on all beer over 7.5%. Listen to this podcast to find out why that's a terrible idea, and might have serious implications for British brewing. We also sample four of the very best strong ales this country has to offer as we go, and manage to reveal the surprising history behind Bluetooth, why coffee is the new drug of choice, and how to find a greyhound on Orkney. The panel today – Richard, Grooben and Shovels. 1. Sinclair Orkney Skullsplitter (8.5%) 2. Traquair House Jacobite Ale (8.0%) 3. Thornbridge St Petersburg (7.7%) 4. BrewDog Abstrakt AB:06 (11.2%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #64 – Big BeerCast appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #63 – Mmmm…beer. Returning from our summer pod-break, we assemble a thirsty panel and tackle four beers from breweries beginning with the letter M (tenuous link, admittedly). If that wasn't all, the beers all come from within twenty miles of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire – so very much a local tasting…if that's your neck of the woods. On the panel today – Richard, Stuart, MrB and Grooben. Richard would like to take this opportunity to apologise to MrB's mother… 1. Mallinsons Danger: Hops! (5.1%) 2. Magic Rock High Wire (5.5%) 3. Marble Chocolate Marble (5.5%) 4. Magic Rock Cannonball (7.4%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #63 – Mmmm…beer appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #62 – Hardknott Showcase. Cumbria’s Hardknott Brewery are the latest to feature in a BeerCast Showcase – during a recent trip to London we found four of their beers at Borough Market’s UtoBeer. Founded by publican Dave Bailey in 2005, the distinctive and interesting beers have hit a cord with British bloggers. Our panel of Richard, Shovels and Blair get to grips with them, along with a number of other subjects… 1. Hardknott Dark Energy (4.9%) 2. Hardknott Infra Red (6.5%) 3. Hardknott Queboid (8.0%) 4. Hardknott Granite 2009 (10.4%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #62 – Hardknott Showcase appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #61 – Beer of Yesteryear. As modern brewers seek to experiment, historic styles of ale are definitely making a comeback. Inspired by an article in the Guardian newspaper written by blogger Mark Dredge, today we sample four archaic old-fashioned ales. Moving from Elizabethan times to ancient Turkey (Bill&Ted style), we also make a stop in Celtic Britain, and pay a visit to the Vikings. Stepping into the time-travelling phone box are Richard, Shovels, and BeerCast debutant Blair. Think of a number dude! 1. Daleside Morocco Ale (5.5%) 2. Dogfish Head Midas Touch (9.0%) 3. Heather Ales Alba (7.5%) 4. Thornbridge Bracia (10.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #61 – Beer of Yesteryear appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #60 – Purity Showcase. The award-winning Purity Brewing Company from Warwickshire sent us some review samples for a podcast – so we turn the airwaves over to another Brewery Showcase. As they make only three beers (which is fairly unusual for a modern producer these days), we throw in a bonus fourth beer from London’s Kernel Brewery – their monumental Imperial Stout. On the panel today – Richard, Grooben and Shovels. Big thanks to Kirsten at Purity for sending the review samples through! 1. Purity Pure Gold (4.3%) 2. Purity Mad Goose (4.2%) 3. Purity Pure UBU (4.5%) 4. Kernel Imperial Stout (12.5%) www.puritybrewing.com www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #60 – Purity Showcase appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #59 – IPA is Dead. Last month Fraserburgh's BrewDog released a series of four India Pale Ales to showcase the wonderful versatility of hops. Our panel sample each of the 7.5% beers - the only difference between them being the variety of hop used - and discuss whether is really means the end for IPA, or just another beginning. To test things a bit further, we throw in another singe hop IPA for good measure - well, why not? On the panel today - Richard, Shovels, Grooben and Stu. Stand by for big scores, big discussions, and the best way of cleaning a lion’s cage… 1. BrewDog IPA is Dead Bramling X (7.5%) 2. BrewDog IPA is Dead Nelson Sauvin (7.5%) 3. BrewDog IPA is Dead Sorachi Ace (7.5%) 4. BrewDog IPA is Dead Citra (7.5%) 5. Kernel IPA Citra (7.2%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #59 – IPA is Dead appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #58 – The Long Americans. Our panel get to grips with some exceedingly lengthily titled American craft beers. Shovels went on a pre-Christmas jaunt to Florida and managed to take a taxi to a notable St Petersburg area beer shop. $130 and a bulging suitcase later – he returned to the UK laden with beery goodness. Sharing the spoils with him on this episode are Richard, Grooben and MrB... 1. Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest (6.7%) 2. Rogue Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red Ale (5.2%) 3. Hoppin’ Frog Hoppin’ to Heaven IPA (6.8%) 4. Southern Tier Un*Earthly Imperial IPA (9.8%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #58 – The Long Americans appeared first on The BeerCast.

A rare appearance by the lesser spotted London panel for this December winter warmer edition. Hosted by chief non-beer beer expert Andy of Any & Jess with co-host Jess of Jess & Andy and joined by Andrew Hayes, Marc Rollins and BeerCast newbie Kath McKie the panel delve into: 1. Thwaites Very Nutty Black (3.9%) 2. Skinners Cornish Knocker (4.5%) 3. Nils God Lager (5.3%) 4. Ringwood OLd Thumper (5.6%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com The post BeerCast #57 – London Calling appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #56 - Our 2010 Beer of the Year Show! We re-sample four of the highest-scoring beers from our 2010 podcasts and pick a winner. That winner joins our three previous BeerCast Beers of the Year - Anchor Special Ale 2006, HopBack Summer Lightning, and Stone Ruination IPA. On the specially extended panel today - Richard, Grooben, MrB, Andy, Shovels, Jess and a podcast debut for Katie... 1. Tryst Raj IPA (5.5%) 2. Odell Isolation Ale (6.1%) 3. Kernel IPA C.S.C. (7.1%) 4. BrewDog Abstrakt AB:01 (10.2%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com The post BeerCast #56 – Beer of the Year 2010 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #55 – Merry Christmas from the BeerCast! Today our panel get in the seasonal mood with our fourth festive special – featuring six Christmas or Winter beers from around the world. Will any of them score enough to gain a place in our 2010 Beer of the Year Show? Will we get through an entire box of mince pies? Stay tuned to find out. On the extremely Christmassy panel today - Richard, Grooben, MrB and Shovels... 1. Fyne Ales Holly Daze (5.0%) 2. Anchor Our Special Ale 2010 (5.5%) 3. Odell Isolation Ale (6.1%) 4. Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock (8.0%) 5. Titanic Christmas Ale (7.6%) 6. Madcap Santa’s Madness (8.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #55 – Christmas Special 2010 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #54 – Does the name of a beer make a difference? The Edinburgh panel get together to sample five beers with unusual titles. We also discuss smutty beer names, and whether they are good or bad for the image of beer – Crafty Shag anyone? Double entendres aplenty with Richard, Grooben, Shovels and back for his third BeerCast appearance - Stuart... 1. IBS Old Slap and Tickle (4.0%) 2. Marble Dobber (5.9%) 3. Samuel Smith’s Yorkshire Stingo (9.0%) 4. Ridgeway Criminally Bad Elf (10.5%) 5. Kernel IPA S.C.A.NS. (7.7%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #54 – What’s in a name? appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #53 – Schwarzbiers! We do a style show as the panel get to grips with four characteristic dark, malty lagers – two from the German motherland of the style, and two young upstarts from America. Since their beginnings in Thuringia and Saxony, Schwarzbiers have truly gone global. Discussing this and other dark malty matters are Richard, Shovels, MrB and the man with the idea for this show – Grooben. The panel also get to try a bonus fifth beer, as we were sent the very first preview samples of Stewart Brewing’s new Hefeweizen – so we end with a BeerCast World Exclusive… 1. Kulmbacher Möncschof (4.9%) 2. Hummel-Brau Cowboy (5.0%) 3. Matt Brewing Saranac Black Forest (5.2%) 4. Rogue Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale (5.0%) 5. Stewart Brewing Hefeweizen (5.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #53 – Schwarzbiers appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #52 – Kernel Brewery Showcase. BeerCaster Richard was recently working in London, and managed to pay a visit to one of the rising stars of British brewing – Evin O’Riordain. Having founded the Kernel Brewery in Bermondsey just over a year ago, he is getting rave reviews (not to mention awards) for his strong IPA’s and traditional dark London beers. Joining Richard on this showcase are MrB, Shovels and Grooben. Big thanks to Evin for showing Richard round his brewery! 1. Kernel Pale Ale Centennial (5.2%) 2. Kernel IPA C.S.C. (7.1%) 3. Kernel Porter (6.1%) 4. Kernel Export Stout 1890 London (7.8%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #52 – Kernel Brewery Showcase appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #51 – Bonjour tous les mondes, et bienvenue a la BierCast. C’est la BrasserieCast du Monsieur B! Yes, MrB holidayed in Nothern France over the summer, and managed to bring back over fifty beers from Alsace and Belgium (not to mention a case of wine). Sharing some of that wealth on this podcast are Richard, Shovels and Grooben. We also sample a classic French tipple – Picon – the orange syrup traditionally added to local lager – in this case, Kronenbourg. Salut! 1. Brasserie la Saint-Pierre Blonde de l’Oncle Hansi (5.6%) 2. Brasserie la Saint-Pierre Brune (5.6%) 3. Brasserie de Bouillon La Médiévale Ambrée (6.0%) 4. Orval (6.2%) 5. Brasserie d’Achouffe Chouffe Houblon (9.0%) 6. Sirop de Picon avec Kronenbourg 1664 (18.0% + 5.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #51 – MrB’s Brasserie Cast appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #50 – Well, we never thought we would make it to 50 podcasts – and if you listened to our first few you probably didn’t either. But here we are! For this special anniversary edition we challenged each member of the panel to find an unusual beer to celebrate with. Massive thanks to all of our listeners, and everyone who’s ever visited the BeerCast or left us a comment or email. Cheers! Here’s to 50 more… 1. Grooben – Neuzeller Anti-Aging Bier (4.8%) 2. Richard – BrewDog Abstrakt AB:01 (10.2%) 3. Shovels – Sierra Nevada Estate 2009 (6.7%) 4. MrB – Brasserie d’Achouffe Big Chouffe (8.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #50 – Half Century appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #49 – The MrBCast. Today we turn the show over to that hop-loving Argyll native MrB, as he brings a selection of Scottish and US beers that really tickle his tastebuds. Stand by beers in their prime, beers way past their prime, and beer in cans. Alongside him today are Richard, Grooben and Shovels – and we even call on MrB's Mum to help solve an argument... 1. Moulin Ale of Atholl (4.5%) 2. Tryst Raj IPA (5.5%) 3. Odell Cutthroat Porter (4.8%) 4. Caldera IPA (6.1%) 5. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron (12.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #49 – The MrBCast appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #48 – LocoBeers. It may not be evident at first, but British brewing and the railway network really helped eachother out back in the day. To pay tribute, our panel help themselves to four railway-themed beers. On the footplate today are Richard, Grooben and MrB. All aboard! **warning – this podcast contains extreme use of railway facts** 1. Wylam Locomotion No1 (5.0%) 2. Richmond Station Ale (4.0%) 3. Wold Top A4 Amber (4.4%) 4. Dent Porter (3.8%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #48 – LocoBeers appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #47 – Beer Four Ways. Today on the BeerCast we try four beers from very different stables, as we taste a wheat beer, a bitter, an IPA and a stout. This show also links the two BeerCast studios, as London-based Andy and Jess travel north to podcast with Richard and Grooben. This podcast features not one but two exploding beers, questions Andy’s musical history and features an in depth discussion on moths. 1. St Austell Clouded Yellow (4.8%) 2. Dent Kamikaze (5.0%) 3. Durham St Cuthbert (6.5%) 4. Burton Bramble Stout (5.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #47 – Beer Four Ways appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #46 – Mexican Mariachi – Arrrrrriiiiba! Our London crew get together to sample some Mexican beer. Is there anything for the beer lover that comes from Mexico? Our crack panel of experts consider this, along with many other issues. On the bumper panel today are Andy, Jess, Marc, Francis, Nick and Andrew 1. Pacifico (4.5%) 2. Dos Equis XX Amber (4.5%) 3. Negra Modelo (5.4%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #46 – Mexican Mariachi appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #45 – Supermarket Sweep. Our first podcast of 2010 and our panel discover if a spur of the moment dash round a local supermarket can produce decent results. Richard went to Morrison’s during his lunch break and picked four interesting looking beers. Will MrB and Grooben appreciate it? Stay tuned to find out, and also hear about the time Richard’s Grandad almost punched Tommy Cooper, and a tale of heartwarming cross border teen romance from MrB 1. Everards Tiger (4.2%) 2. Wychwood Circle Master (4.7%) 3. Jennings Sneck Lifter (5.1%) 4. Greene King Abbot Reserve (6.5%) Please note, this podcast does not feature Dale Winton. www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #45 – Supermarket Sweep appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #43 – 2009 Christmas Special. Our extra-festive panel get through a bumper selection of beers designed for the season – and in BeerCast tradition we sample as many as possible. Richard, MrB and Grooben get through five Christmas or winter beers, and discuss the variations between the styles (if any). A very Merry Christmas from all at the BeerCast! 1. Naylor’s Santa’s Choice Winter Warmer (4.9%) 2. St Peter’s Winter Ale (6.5%) 3. Anchor Our Special Ale 2009 (5.5%) 4. Ridgeway Bad Elf (6.0%) 5. Goose Island Christmas Ale (7.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #43 – Christmas Special 2009 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #42 – Grooben’s Choice. We run a democratic ship here on the BeerCast, so when panellist Grooben requested the chance to host a podcast, we unlocked his cage and let him out with the kitty. He came back with four beers, so we cobbled together a podcast. On the panel today, Shovels, Richard, and of course – Grooben. 1. Green’s Gluten-Free Herald (4.0%) 2. Left Hand Juju Ginger (6.0%) 3. BrewDog Nanny State (1.1%) 4. BrewDog/Stone Bashah (8.6%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #42 – Grooben’s Choice appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #41 – Pick n’ Mix (2). Our London panel return with another rollercoaster pick and mix surprise podcast episode – join Andy, Jess, Andrew and Nick for all kinds of rambling discourse – some of it even on the subject of beer… 1. Peter Scholey’s Organic English Beer (4.1%) 2. Black Sheep Riggwelter (5.7%) 3. Little Creatures Pale Ale (5.1%) 4. Gale’s Seafarer’s Ale (3.6%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #41 – Pic n Mix (Pt 2) appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #40 - Dutch Beers – One of Europe’s most overlooked brewing nations – the Dutch are sandwiched between the purity-loving Germans on one side, and the monastic Belgians on the other. 95% of Dutch beer may be pale lager, but our panel proves that there can be some great beers to be found, if you only know where to look. Richard, Grooben and Andy head for the land of canals and windmills… 1. Lindeboom Pilsner (5.0%) 2. Christoffel Blond (6.0%) 3. Budels Capucijn (6.5%) 4. La Trappe Quadrupel (10.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #40 – Dutch Biers appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #39 – Bières du Quebec Part 2 – CraigAS returns with second batch of beers from French-speaking Canada. Following on from the last podcast, we taste more Quebecois beers, from Scotch ales to a seriously hefty coffee infused imperial stout. As with podcast 38, the panel consists of CraigAS, Grooben, Shovels and Richard - big thanks to Craig for bringing the beers all the way back from Montreal. 1. L'Alchimiste L'Écossaise (5.0%) 2. Unibroue Raftman (5.5%) 3. McAuslan St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (5.0%) 4. Dieu du Ciel! Péché Mortel (9.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #39 – Bières du Quebec Part 2 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #38 – Bières du Quebec Part 1. BeerCaster CraigAS recently returned to the UK after living in Montreal for several years. Home to a thriving beer scene, Quebec has some really inventive brewers – and thanks to Craig we managed to sample a few. In fact he brought so many over we had to split the podcast into two parts. Grooben, Shovels and Richard join CraigAS for francophone fun – please be warned this podcast contains some truly awful French. 1. Unibroue Blanche de Chambly (5.0%) 2. Dieu du Ciel Route des Épices (5.5%) 3. L'Alchimiste La Bock de Joliette (6.1%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #38 – Bières du Quebec Part 1 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #37 – Gone Bananas. We’re not sure if there’s ever been a banana-themed beer podcast on the internet before – but now there is. Our panel sample two banana beers and one that apparently has notes of the fruit in evidence. The other beer is totally random. Maybe that’s why there aren’t many podcasts themed around the bendy yellow fruit…on the panel today – Richard, Shovels, Andy and Jess. 1. White Horse Dragon Hill (4.1%) 2. Williams Bros Red (4.5%) 3. Wells Banana Bread Beer (5.2%) 4. Mongozo Banana (4.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #37 – Gone Bananas appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #36 – IPA Battle. Following our recent StoutOff, we retain the format of two British and two American beers – but turn our attention to IPA’s. This time the British entrants are equally as punchy as the American, and our panel of Richard, Shovels, MrB and Steve get to grips with a full-on hopfest. 1. Hopdaemon Skrimshander IPA (4.5%) 2. Goose Island India Pale Ale (5.9%) 3. Downton Chimera IPA (7.0%) 4. Stone Ruination IPA (7.7%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #36 – IPA Battle appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #35 – Not just any BeerCast. Our London panel take to the airwaves once again, having sourced some of the ‘own brand’ ales from Marks & Spencer. Brewed by some of the top producers in the country, these are badged as M&S ales and sold all over the country. Joining Andy and Jess are BeerCast first timers Nick and Kat. Unfortunately for an anchor, Andy was a touch far from the mic – but he is there! 1. M&S Buckinghamshire Ale (4.6%) 2. M&S Cornish IPA (5.0%) 3. M&S Yorkshire Bitter (4.6%) 4. M&S Organic Ale (6.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #35 – Not just any BeerCast… appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #34 – The StoutOff. Our second style show (following an old podcast about Scottish IPA’s) sees us turn to darker matters. We sample two British and then two American stouts, and compare the very different takes on the style. On the panel this time are Richard, Shovels, Grooben and the Hopmeister Tom – who seems to have finally met his match with the Imperial Stouts… 1. Hop Back Entire Stout (4.5%) 2. Cameron’s Monkey Stout (4.4%) 3. Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout (9.5%) 4. Left Hand Imperial Stout (10.4%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #34 – The StoutOff appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #33 – Southwest…ish. BeerCaster Shovels recently picked up a selection of ales from the South West of England – except one of them was on the wrong shelf and hails from Surrey. We never let Geography get in the way of a few beers, so carry on regardless. Joining him for this podcast are Richard, Grooben, the returning Stuart and debutant Steve. 1. St Austell Tribute (4.2%) 2. Hogs Back T.E.A. (4.2%) 3. Hop Back Crop Circle (4.2%) 4. Exmoor Beast (6.6%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #33 – Southwest…ish appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #32 – The Unrecorded. Our London-based BeerCasters Andy and Jess have a life outsider beer (unlike some of us) - they are also in a band called The Unrecorded. For our latest podcast they invited the other members of the band round for a random beer selection. Stay tuned for discussions on pork pies, Vitamin C tablets and egg filters… 1. Belvoir Melton Red (4.3%) 2. Young’s Kew Gold (4.8%) 3. Wood’s Hopping Mad (4.7%) 4. Sam Smith’s Organic Best (5.0%) 5. Harvey’s Tom Paine Ale (5.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #32 – The Unrecorded appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #31 – Norfolk Roadtrip. Another podcast recorded on location, our latest BeerCast takes place in an old cottage on the north Norfolk coast. After visiting Beers of Europe in King’s Lynn we assemble four local ales for our panle (plus a couple of boxfuls to take home). On the panel today are Richard, Shovels, Grooben, Andy and Jess. We recorded this in a creaking farmhouse, so the quality isn’t that great – apologies! 1. Wolf Lavender Honey (4.0%) 2. Humpty Dumpty Reedcutter (4.4%) 3. Tipple’s Topper (4.5%) 4. Fox Nelson’s Blood Bitter (5.1%) 5. Morrissey Fox Blonde (4.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #31 – Norfolk Roadtrip appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #30 – Hebridean Showcase. Another brewery showcase, and another using beer supplied by a listener. Friend of the BeerCast Gary found four offerings from the Hebridean Brewery, so sent them to us for review. On the panel today are Richard, Shovels, MrB and Grooben. Big thanks to Gary for the beers, the last one of which certainly divided opinions... 1. Clansman Ale (3.9%) 2. Islander Strong Premium Ale (4.8%) 3. Celtic Black Ale (3.9%) 4. Beserker Export Pale Ale (7.5%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #30 – Hebridean Showcase appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #29 – London BOTY Extra. Our London panel couldn’t make it to Edinburgh for our recent Beer of the Year show – but they could get hold of the beer. So our 29th BeerCast podcast is our 2008 BOTY show, take two. There is a slight difference however as Theakston Double Century doesn’t make it to London – so a local replacement was found at the last minute. On the panel today - Andy, Jess and debutant Francis. 1. Theakston XB (4.5%) 2. Hop Back Summer Lightning (5.0%) 3. BrewDog Hardcore IPA (9.0%) 4. Ridgeway Blue (5.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #29 – London BOTY extra appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #27 – Beer of the Year Show 2008. Welcome aboard for our second annual BeerCast BotY show. Which beer will replace last year’s winner Anchor Special Ale 2006? Our panel of Richard, Shovels, Grooben and Tom the Hopmeister sample the four highest-scoring beers of the 73 we tried in 2008, and pick a winner. 1. Thwaites Double Century (5.2%) 2. Hop Back Summer Lightning (5.0%) 3. Theakston XB (4.5%) 4. BrewDog Hardcore IPA (9.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #27 – Beer of the Year 2008 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #26 – Christmas Special 2008. Merry Christmas from the BeerCast! Our festively spirited* panel get through a mammoth six Christmas and winter beers. Sitting round an open fire on this chilly night are Richard, Shovels, MrB and Grooben. To generate some mild excitement, we chose the running order at random – which generated total confusion and picked the strongest beer first – so job done. *drunk 1. Brasserie du BOCQ Christmas (8.1%) 2. Hop Back Pickled Santa (6.0%) 3. Anchor Special Ale 2008 (5.5%) 4. Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale (7.0%) 5. Burton Bridge Festive Porter (4.5%) 6. Cropton Rudolph’s Revenge (4.6%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #26 – Christmas Special 2008 appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #24 – Arran Beers. Following on from our Wickwar podcast, our second BeerCast Brewery Showcase looks at something a bit closer to home – four beers from Arran. Recently re-opened after a sudden closure, the island brewery was visited by Grooben, who managed to pick up some of their beers for review. Joining him today are Richard, Shovels and local boy MrB. 1. Suddaby’s Rievaulx Abbey Ale (4.0%) 2. Heather Ales Fraoch (5.0%) 3. Heather Ales Kelpie (4.4%) 4. Naylor’s Ginger Beer (4.4%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #24 – Arran Beers appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #23 – Hold the Fruit! Experimentation is alive and well in the brewing industry, and these days producers are reaching for something other than fruit when they want unusual ingredients. Today on the podcast our panel sample four that contain things you wouldn’t normally expect to find in beer. Spotting the mystery ingredients are Richard, Shovels and Andy. 1. Suddaby’s Rievaulx Abbey Ale (4.0%) 2. Heather Ales Fraoch (5.0%) 3. Heather Ales Kelpie (4.4%) 4. Naylor’s Ginger Beer (4.4%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #23 – Hold the fruit! appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #22 – Oo Arr Wickwar. BeerCast listener Chris in Bristol sent up some of his local beers to review, all from the Wickwar Brewery. So we showcase four ales from the Gloucestershire producer, in the company of Richard, Shovels, Grooben and Tom the Hopmeister – who hails from that very county. Big thanks to Chris for the beers. Tom would like to point out that people from the South West do not actually say ‘Oo Arr’ but something like ‘Oh Aaah’ – but that didn’t scan as well with the name of the brewery… 1. Wickwar Cotswold Way (4.2%) 2. Wickwar B.O.B. (4.0%) 3. Wickwar I.K.B. (4.5%) 4. Wickwar Mr Perrett’s Stout (5.9%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #22 – Oo Arr Wickwar appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #21 – USA. Fittingly, our 21st podcast heads over the pond to America – where that particular number has great significance in the beer world. Our panel get to grips with four US beers, one of which could potentially have deteriorated on the journey over the Atlantic. See if you can guess which one. On the panel today, Richard, Shovels, Grooben and MrB. 1. Anchor Liberty Ale (5.9%) 2. Great Divide Titan IPA (6.8%) 3. Harpoon Winter Warmer (5.5%) 4. Sierra Nevada Porter (5.6%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #21 – USA appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #20 – White Rose Beers. Shovels has already had a Yorkshire special, but as we’ve had two for the North West we had to have another – purely for the sake of balance. Our twentieth podcast also features Richard, MrB and the returning John. Big thanks to Faye at the Daleside brewery for the samples. 1. York Yorkshire Terrier (4.2%) 2. York Centurion Ghost Ale (5.4%) 3. Daleside Porter (4.4%) 4. Daleside Chocolate Stout (4.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #20 – White Rose Beers appeared first on The BeerCast.

BeerCast #19 – Golden Summer. Despite the incessant rain, summer is here in Scotland, so we celebrate by sampling four Golden Ales. Devised in the 1980’s to tempt lager drinkers to more interesting things, they are classically refreshing and easy to drink. Slapping on the shorts and shades are Richard, Shovels and Grooben. Shovels would like to apologise for finding the Suffolk town of Bungay so amusing… 1. Wagtail King Tut (4.0%) 2. Badger Golden Glory (4.5%) 3. St Peter’s Golden Ale (4.7%) 4. Hop Back Summer Lightning (5.0%) www.thebeercast.com thebeercast@gmail.com @thebeercast The post BeerCast #19 – Golden Summer appeared first on The BeerCast.