| Forget the clichés about warm, tasteless British beers; there's a huge variety of styles, strengths, tastes and tipples to sample. Each region has its local speciality, and it's worth sampling as many as possible, all in the interests of scientific research, of course. We have provided a quick overview of four varieties of beverage that we Brits merrily quaff. So get the scoop on:
"You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer." Frank Zappa Light Ales & Pale Ale These are fuller bodied beers; more refreshing with less hops and a lighter taste. They tend to be bottled, and are drunk most commonly in Scotland - McEwen's Pale Ale is the best seller. Dark Ale This is the tipple of choice in the North East of England, and the trade is dominated by Newcastle Brown Ale, who have a great motto, "If you want bitterness drink with a ex-girlfriend". It's a full-flavoured bottled ale, refreshing and slightly sweet, with little bitterness. Again, it takes a bit of getting use to, but after a couple you're hooked. Stout A thicker, much heavier type of beer, stout used to be considered a bit of a old man's drink, but in the last twenty years Guinness, a dry stout, has become hugely popular with all ages. It's always a safe bet, especially if you are going for a serious drinking session. Real Ale If you visit Britain you must taste at least a few pints of real ale, which is brewed in the traditional manner, and only includes 100% natural ingredients: hops, malted barley, yeast and pure water. It is stored in wooden barrels known as casks. Brewers tend to be small and independent, and pubs that serve real ale usually have a prominent badge in the window, so look out for them. The campaign for real ale, or Camra, organise beer festivals throughout the year. All over the country there are great group days out, the biggest one being the Great British Beer Festival, which features thousands of British and International beers, live music and of course lots of drinking. For more info on Real Ale and festivals check out this great website from Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale. "Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me." Winston Churchill Bitters Britain's most popular draught beer, light to medium body, quite strong with a slightly bitter after taste, may take a few pints to start enjoying it but is worth persevering with, and particularly popular in the north of England. Yorkshire producing John Smiths and Tetleys and Manchester, Boddingtons. "One of the most awkward things that can happen in a pub is when your pint-to-toilet cycle gets synchronised with a complete stranger." Peter Kaye Cider Although it's drunk everywhere in Britain with Strongbow and Dry Blackthorn the best sellers, the West Country is true cider country, with hundreds of independent brewers making Scrumpy or Real Cider, which is made only from local ingredients, with brilliant names like Cripple Cock and Legless but Standing. Pubs will serve Scrumpy to you from various types of containers, never from draught, and often only from half pint glasses for your own safety. After a few, you will see why - this stuff should come with a government health warning. National Collection of Cider and Perry at Middle Farm, near Brighton is an excellent place to start and with persistent effort one should soon be well on the way to developing apple and pear induced psychosis. "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Dean Martin Lager Lager has, in the last thirty years, replaced traditional beer as the nation's favourite tipple. Used to be only drunk by "southern softies" but now even the toughest of Northern lads can be seen with a bottle of imported lager in their hand. Draught Lager Draught lager is a hit and miss affair with variable quality and literally hundreds of brands on sale, so here's a few you wont go wrong with: Carling Black Label - the country's best selling lager, medium strength its light though a bit fizzy, good choice if you're doing a bit of moderate drinking. Kronenberg - Strong rich tasting imported beer, always a safe bet but watch yourself they creep up on you. Stella Artois - Belgium's finest export. Stella is a byword for quality lager, strong distinctive taste, again approach with caution. As their advertisements proclaim "It's reassuringly expensive". Be warned it has a darker nickname - Wifebeater. Bottled Lager Increasing in popularity by the year since losing its effeminate tag, the choice in your average pub or club can be bewildering, all the major internatinal names, such as Budweiser, Fosters, Becks and Molson are available and always top quality. If you want to try something different go for a natural lager Samuel Smiths being the best seller. "I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." Frank Sinatra |
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns' birth. Burns was a poet and a lyricist and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
The Burns Supper was started a few years after his death by a group of his friends; they held the supper to honour and remember Burns. The tradition caught on and the ritual of Burns Supper is now held all around the world.
His life and work will be celebrated throughout the year at many Burns-related events.