Anyone encountered the Wells & Youngs version of Winter Warmer yet? It always used to appear when the clocks changed in October but I don't know if that's the case this year. Is it even being brewed and if so anyone tried it yet?
Al
Sainsbury's normally have some, but I haven't seen any so far this winter. They do have my winter favourites in though - Wychwood's Bah Humbug (drinking my last bottle of it right now (dammit)) and Youngs' Christmas Pudding Ale (my girlfriend's preference this time of year).
The best news? It's almost cold enough to warrant buying a case of St Peter's ale. Mmmm hoppy goodness.
Yes, it's in the Wheatsheaf by Borough Market [London] tonight. Staff assumed it's a Bedford product.
I used to love that the first batch of the year seemed to have been matured a bit - kind of rummy & rounded.
Doesn't WW have to be matured for a while? If so, when was the Bedford version brewed, I wonder?
I guess they will claim the taste of the beers will remain the same, but I have my doubts (I hope to try some soon to put it to the test).
SD
The WW in 'The Bridge' at Greenford is just fine. Regards JonH
I haven't had any WW yet but I do notice that the Special London Ale I bought last week carries a neck label saying "Ram Brewery" Perhaps the presence or absence of such a label might provide a clue.
Is Young's still brewing at Wandsworth, or is the Special London Ale just the remaining stocks from Wandsworth?
Will Charles Wells be allowed to call it Special London Ale once production is transferred to Bedford? If so, I don't think they should be allowed to call it that - Special Bedford Ale, maybe... I will reserve my judgment as to whether it's "Special" or not until I taste the Bedford version.
SD
. I will
Young's are good brewers and no doubt the Bedford brewed version will be excellent.It might actually be better! Everybody assumes that change has to be for the worse .
Yes but the negative expectations are based on peoples experience of what normally comes out of Bedford.
If you mean Bombardier I must agree with you there. Every other pub we went to in County Durham a few years ago seemed to sell the stuff. Heaven only knows why.
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised last year when visiting the Argyle Arms at Oxford Circus. It was quite an enjoyable pint of Bombardier.
Wayne
Actually,Bombardier when on song is a pretty good pint although I'll admit that I don't often drink it!
They are also based on the experience of brewery takeovers and closure, always accompanied by assurances from the new owner that the beers will not change when they are brewed in a totally different location. I can't think of a single case where the beer has not suffered. OK, some of the beers resulting from these takeovers are probably quite good beers in their own right, but they are not (repeat not) the same as the original ones, whatever the brewers say.
SD
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.