Jurassic coast, a place called Beer and a sea of ale!

Location: back to woods and vales in the coastal SW

Moodmusic: Every love story is a ghost story .........

Today's memories and soundbites
Pouring rain, freezing fog, floods, storms, a broken down car, norovirus, woods full of squeltsh and H&S hazards ......... but it's still beautiful, the woods still loverly, and for a special bonus the sea was bright pink!!!  Then what do you know, I end up just near a place called Beer, famous for lace making and smuggling brandy. Beer is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "Bearu" which means grove or small wooded area, indicating the bay and village were once surrounded by woodland.  Shame ... a brewing history would have been something to write about.  However, whilst the Jurassic coast has become famous and earned it's World Heritage status for the amazing rock formations, hanging valleys and fossils [click here for more info] as well as the Undercliff and the French Lieutenant's woman, it is also true that there are a very large number of micro-breweries in this part of the world, 30 in the South Devon area, including Branscombe Vale, O'Hanlons, Otter, Isca, and the Mighty Hop ..... look at my haul from the local Grocer's shop all local or from next door counties .... (incidentally Trumps is worth a visit with it's original Victorian interiors)!   Word is, the quality of the water round here makes great beer, being as it is filtered as it seeps through the local sandstone, and the smugglers and sailors and naval folk based along the were coast all thirsty customers.

Drinks - Part 1!!!

1. Mighty Hop, Festival Special (3.9%)

Reactions

Emotional: Ok

Critical: Very carbonated so  a lively character to the drink.  Some sweetness.  Finishes bitter.  Peasantly plain.

2. Corinium Ales, Corinium I Gold (4.2%)

Reactions

Emotional: Tangy baby

Critical: Very tangy indeed.  Fruity complexity. Refreshing bitterness.  Very quaffable.

3. Corinium Ales, Corinium II Centurion (4.7%)

Reactions

Emotional: Thumbs up.

Critical: Toasted cereal, warming, smooth. 

4. Corinium Ales, Corinium III Ale Caesar (5%)

Reactions

Emotional: Woooow ...

Critical: Nice colour.  Immediate and strong flavour of grapefruit which lasts in the mouth in a gentle and rounded way.  Refreshing bitter ending and pleasing bitter aftertastes. Oh look ..... there's nothing left!

5. Otter, Bright (4.3%)

Reactions

Emotional: Wow! What a gorgeous colour.

Critical: Beautiful bright yellow colour.  Gentle aroma of grassy meadow.  Medium bodied.  Flavours of heather honey and lager malt, and spring water, hints of bubblegum.  Very satisfying.

6. Yeovil, Stout Hearted (4.3%)

Reactions

Emotional:

Critical: Mild textures and flavours, although somehow perhaps more Porter than Stout in overall character.  Rounded, small malt, vague taste of milky chocolate at the finish.  Pretty refined.

7. Arkell's, Kingsdown Special Ale (4,8%)

Reactions

Emotional: This has given me the giggles for some reason! 

Critical: Apple fruitiness, medium bodied, sweet rather than bitter. Could be headache material.

8. St Austell, Trelawney (3.8%)
Reactions
Emotional: Quite like that!  But what are Galaxy hops?
Critical: This is probably a singing session beer.  Very top notes, very floral and sweet summer fruit in both aroma and following taste. Peach?  Melon?  Ends with tangy hops.  It has much more flavour than you think is possible for 3.8%

9. St Austell, Smugglers Vintage Ale (6%)
Reactions
Emotional: Mmmmmmmmmmm
Critical: Rich, loverly whisky and barley wine flavours, thick plum and raison, toffee and spice.  Very nice.  Having this again.

East Devon view

pink seas

sells beer and been here since 1813