Now Beer This: Beer-Related Travel Bragging

Maybe it’s poor form for me to tell you I got to go somewhere really cool and try some unusual, delightful and rare beers – but don’t think of it as travel bragging. Think of it as me sharing my experiences in the international craft beer world for your enjoyment. There! Isn’t that better?

Last summer, the family and I were lucky enough to spend some time in London. I was immensely stoked about this, not only because I’m an unapologetic Anglophile, but also because the beer culture in the UK — and in Europe in general — is very different from our side of the pond. I couldn’t wait to dive into some of the local offerings and see what could be seen.

Some of you are going to ask, after you read this, “Jeff, you tool! Why didn’t you write about the cask ales you tried?” In answer to that — I think that I did right after I got back, and there was a heat wave going on that soured almost every single cask I got to, so there. As a result, we’re talking about packaged beers.

There’s a little place called Kew that is down the Thames from London (there’s an amazing garden and sweet little palace complex there) and the village itself is quite charming. We had tea at The Maids of Honour which has a history dating back to Henry VII (!) and it was there that I got to have Twickenham Honey Dark Strong Honeyed Mild (that’s a mouthful).

This one poured very dark, just on the edge of black. There wasn’t a bunch of head, but that wasn’t really off style (Milds are often enjoyed on cask, where there is minimal carbonation, so I wasn’t put off). When I drink a dark beer, especially being used to American stouts, I always anticipate a roasty punch in the mouth. This was the opposite. This was an artfully subtle brew. Roasted barley notes mingled with chocolate, and honey danced around the pair. Sweetness, with just a touch of hop bitterness accentuated by the dark malts made this beer a memorable drink. I’m still thinking about it a year later. So good!

My next favorite was a bit more on the gimmicky side of things: Yeastie Boys Gunamatta Early Grey IPA. Jeff, what are you doing drinking New Zealand beer in London? Living the life, son. That’s what I’m doing. This one poured an orange-ish golden, with plenty of foamy head. Aroma was of citrus hops, Earl Grey, and lemon. Taste was similar; loads of citrus hops, with lemon swirling around the Earl Grey. I was extremely suspicious of this beer, but was blown away by how skillfully all of these things were melded together. Beer. Tea. Lemon. How? Zymurgy, my friend. Or alchemy. Or maybe both. Regardless, a great beer that I’d buy here if I could get it.

The moral of the story is there are loads and loads of wonderful beers out there. Some are right next door, and some are a world away. As long as you’re seeking them, and as long as you’re enjoying the searching as much as the finding, I think you’re doing it right. Get out there and go getchoo some!

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LOOK: Demolition of University Place Building Wraps Up

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WATCH: Demolition Begins on Southern Season Building in Chapel Hill

The gourmet food and boutique items shop Southern Season remained open in Chapel Hill for 44 years at University Place mall. But after closing in January 2020, the space sat vacant and largely untouched. On Monday, the start of a new chapter for the site began, as developers started demolition of the empty store. Ram […]

Developers Plan for Demolition of University Place's South End This Fall

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Southern Season in Chapel Hill Permanently Closed

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Now Beer This: My Top 5 All-Time Favorite Beers

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Red Bowl Asian Bistro to Close at End of the Week

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Now Beer This: Thanksgiving Day Beer Pairing Ideas

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Chapel Hill Restaurant Weathervane Closes

Weathervane Restaurant & Patio at University Place in Chapel Hill has closed. A sign posted to the restaurant door Monday morning said that the restaurant was closed. “We sincerely appreciate your past patronage,” the sign read. The closing was confirmed on the restaurant’s website. Weathervane is owned and operated by Southern Season, longtime anchor tenant […]

Now Beer This: No Tricks, All Treats - Halloween Candy & Beer

Halloween Candy and Beer! You might have access to A LOT of Halloween candy come November 1, and somebody’s got to do something about it. So why not try some candy and beer pairing experiments? There are WAY too many candy varieties out there to make for a concise article, and I’m old enough that […]

Now Beer This: Beer-Related Travel Bragging

Maybe it’s poor form for me to tell you I got to go somewhere really cool and try some unusual, delightful and rare beers – but don’t think of it as travel bragging. Think of it as me sharing my experiences in the international craft beer world for your enjoyment. There! Isn’t that better? Last […]

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