A little More Bluebird Bitter

I love the stuff but finding fresh samples isnt the easiest chore in the world. :^(

And, in the past several years it keeps going up in price. I'm pretty sure it was usually $1.99 a bottle when I started buying it, then the next batch was $2.99 and I'm pretty sure it's at the $3.99 mark these days. And I *never* see it by the case, which, if there was a good discount, I'd consider.

Also, IIRC, the date codes around here was always 3-3-XX, as if the only bring in it once a year, in March, so by the time the fall rolls around, I'm going to pass anyway. Sure it Bottle conditioned, but it's not that strong or hoppy to hold up for a year, esp. loose.

There was another English ale in the same size bottle that stayed at the $1.99, but, I don't see it anymore and I can't for the life of me remember what it was. Maybe Gale's HSB? (There was a batch of cans of HSB in NJ that sat around for YEARS- even when a new store opened, the distributor would bring in those same cans with date codes several years old).

Charles Wells Bombardier?

Nope (but that was good stuff, too). The UK brewing industry has been so active with closings, mergers and brands going from one brewery to another (I was just reading that the bottled version of Bluebird itself is be made by a different brewery), I can't keep it all straight- especially when so many of smaller brands come and go so quick in the US market (altho', at times the beers themselves sit around for years).

How about Ruddles then?

Uh-uh (but another good one, except for that damn clear bottle).

I just went through 3 different editions of Michael Jackson's Pocket Guides, a couple old CAMRA Good Beer Guides and every other beer book I have that discusses UK brands, hoping for some kind of a hint or memory of this stuff (and it was only several years ago). Maybe it WAS another Charles Wells brand, since that's the only brewery that seems to ring a bell but it wasn't Bombardier. Maybe they rebranded another of their bottled bitters/pale ales for the US market since the current line-up doesn't sound familar -it sure wasn't Banana Bread Beer- what's up with that?

Damn, this is annoying. Maybe I'll call my old beer drinker/buying partner, who's since transferred to Ohio- he may remember 'cause I think we tried to get his buddy who owns a liquor store to carry the stuff by the case...

Finally came across the name while reading the BA forums- it was Pride of Romsey IPA from Hampshire! Good stuff, and if it was still around these parts (and still $1.99 a bottle) I'd buy it by the case.