Price of a Pint

Yes of course Arthur. And in truth, even if it was past its sell by date, I don't think it would make an iota of difference. I recently had a 10 year old can of corned beef, and I'm still here!

My main concern is whether the poster was correct in his assertation that Wetherspoons, as a matter of course, buy beer nearing its sell-by date.

I've written to Tim Martin on this subject, and will post his reply when (if) I get it.

Pardon my ignorance - is "barrel" a recognised volume?

Yes it is, and it's in the FAQ:

This rumour has been around a while - previous month's What's Brewing had an interview with Tim Martin and he denied it again there.

In message , MPlatting@?.?.invalid wrote

An out of date cask may have been treated a lot better than one left out in the sun for a day in mid summer or one allowed to freeze on the back of a truck during the winter.

Out of most batches I brew, especially the dark ales, I save a couple bottles for "later." Some I have saved for more than five years before sampling. I have NEVER had a spoiled bottle. They are all different in how the malt and the hops mature, but they have all stood up very well over time. These are all bottle conditioned and even after years, they all still have just the right amount of head.

I really think this whole idea of "fresh is best" applies more rightly to those licht-braus that don't have much body nor enough hops.

Thanks Phillip - I didn't know that!

It was only today that I have ever come across the world of tickers. Can you expand on that a bit for me please?

Dave

Sorry. I was just quoting the common gossip that has been going round here ever since Witherspoons opened many years ago. I stand corrected .

You really don't want to go there:

Unless this is you

in my experience this just isn't true (nor indeed is the near/past it's best before date beer story, either) - several of the micros I've either known or worked for have been q small, yet were happy to supply Wetherspoons *either locally or regionally* - to be big enough to supply them nationally even for a one-off deal for their seasonal fests is a pretty tall order & one that an average 5 or 10 barrel micro would have real trouble with, I would think.

In the NW, especially Greater Manchester, 3Rivers seem to have no trouble supplying every Wetherspoons, some would say to the detriment of choice, tho. cheers MikeMcG.

My nearest 'spoon last night had Kingstones beers on! This a a one man (and wife) operation.

you may stand more than corrected if MrMartin is the litigious type :~) oh & are you being careful, now, by purposely explaining that you were only referring to the lesser-known Witherspoons chain, not the more successful Wetherspoons? cheers, mischievously, MikeMcG

Took a quick look, thanks to your warning. Not my type of thing, thanks.

Definitely not. I might be a bit older, but I am in better shape than that heart attack on legs is.

Dave

In my local (Preston area), I have never come across this brewery and my landlord delivers for Hyde's. Are you sure it is a good beer? Is it truly independent and not have S $ N fingers in the pie?

Dave

I am an old age pensioner on medication for schizophrenia. I wonder if I will get legal aid.

AFAIK they are independent, based in Stockport, see - former brewer at Beechams Brewery/Bar at the college, St.Helen's. I've never heard any mention of big brewery involvement, they do however have a fairly big brewery for a micro, hence being able to cope with supplying Wetherspoons (quaffale says they have a brewlength of 40 brewers barrels = 11520 pints per brew).

I made no comment about quality - but a few years ago I really enjoyed a pale hoppy beer of theirs, Manchester IPA, said to be brewed with Manchester hops. I had it again recently (at the infamous new Wirral 'Spoons - AKA Adolf's or The Bunker) & the beer was darker & not so hoppy. cheers MikeMcG

I suspect not, you're obviously not deserving enough for that - but best of luck, have you thought about one of those "no win, no fee" shysters? MikeMcG

meant to include their web -