About Andrew Cusack
Writer, web designer, etc.; born in New York; educated in Argentina, Scotland, and South Africa; now based in London. read more
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Beers We Have Known (and Loved)
“What’s your favourite beer?” one might very well ask, but it’s a difficult question to answer. Like wines, there are different beers for different occasions and what might be perfect for one situation might prove inappropriate in others. I loathe the disgusting lagers that the word “beer” represents for most Americans. I prefer the middle-to-darker range of beers, and a good bitter in the afternoon is heavenly.
Old Speckled Hen is one of my favourites, and I’ve found it goes very well with ham.
Lunch today was a perfect croque-monsieur & salad with side of Belgian fries at one of my preferred Manhattan eateries, served with a glass of De Koninck.
Leffe, in its blonde and brown varieties, is appropriate on most occasions.
Chimay is great for a winter’s evening by the fire, if there’s no mulled wine available.
John Smith’s was our favourite tipple at university, where the Russell sold it in two-pint glasses until they realised my circle were the only ones drinking it and so replaced it with something more profitable.
Boddingtons is similar to John Smith’s and more readily available in the States.
My favourite beer, however, is actually made by the Prince of Wales (of all people): the organic ale produced by the Duchy of Cornwall. (The ancient duchy is among the many titles traditionally held by the Sovereign’s heir, and the one immediately following Prince of Wales in precedence). To my continual surprise, I’m able to find it for purchase right in my home town. I wonder if they keg it for draught as well, though surely that would be impossible to find in America.
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Leffe is the only one on your list that I have seen available in Korea. I like her, and the other Belgian blondes.
But can you solve the mystery of the right-arm maniple? http://www.stellarpizza.com/beerlinks/hoegaarden3.jpg
I must offer my thanks for the reviews—I echo your sentiments on the subject but, despite living in a town whose only real attractions are package stores and public houses, haven’t seen much beyond the very standard American fare. I’ll have to look harder for a few of these (although I know Bodington’s is fairly easily found).
No mention of Deuchars IPA? You and every other mate of mine who’ve gone to Scottish universities have been known to quaff the stuff with gusto.
Deuchars is the one so obvious as to be easily forgotten.
Thank you, Mr. Cusack; I was just on my way to the package store to get a tipple when I saw this. Leffe and Boddington’s I know well; the others less so. I suppose then that there is no time like this warm afternoon to familiarize myself with them.
Try any of the Badger beers. Brewed in Dorset and ranging from Malty to Fruity. My particular favourite is the Blandford Fly- named after the annoying insect that manifests itself in that locale, but unlike the insect it is sweet and honey in texture.
Paget is of course referring to real ale. It’s like the John Smith bitter; but fresh brewed, hand pumped from wooden casks and served without excessive chilling or carbonation. When in England or Wales, accept no substitutes. Smaller regional brewers are often better than commercial brands such as the Fullers available in every second London pub.
The Irish of course have their Guinness stout, but I don’t know the Scots’ excuse for the seeming absence of real ale.
The absence is only seeming. Try the Guildford Arms next to Register House in Edinburgh, owned by the same family since 1896. (Also the Abbotsford on Rose Street).
The Standing Order (part of the W’spoons chain) also does some real ales. Also the St Vincent Bar on St Vincent Street.
Thank you, and duly noted. It has been some time since I’ve wandered up and down those cobbled streets.
One of the finest establishments in Edinburgh for a wide selection of real ales (straight from the cask) is the Starbank Inn, a true traditional pub. It’s off the beaten path in Trinity but overlooks the waters of the Firth. The ales rotate and are a mix between Scottish and English varieties.
“But can you solve the mystery of the right-arm maniple?”
Easily-consult the rubricians old works, and they’ll tell you that a cleric lacking a left arm (below the elbow) was to wear the maniple on his right.
Poor fellow. One wonders what brewery disaster took his sinister appendage.