The Ale Archive

The brewery: "Established in 2016 in Elsdon, the heart of Northumberland. The First & Last is an award winning, family-run, microbrewery. We brew small batch cask-conditioned and bottled beer. Our beers are inspired by the wild, untamed landscape and starry skies of Northumberland." The beer: "Dark as the Northumbrian night sky and just as captivating. Smooth, rich and moreish. Just how a classic stout should be." Another North-Eastern stout that I thoroughly enjoyed. Not too heavy either, vegan friendly too. April 2022.

The brewery: "The Alnwick Brewery Company Limited initially started to brew beer in Alnwick from around 1750’s from a site in the town’s Dispensary Street. Sadly, in the 1960’s the buildings were pulled down before they could be listed, and the brewery temporarily closed only to be relaunched again in 2005 by the son of the original brewery’s last managing director.   In 2013 the business was acquired by the Harry Hotspur group who also merged into it the significant brewing skills and brewery of another local brewer (namely the former VIP Brewery at Hawkhill)." The beer: "A traditional stout brewed at 4.5% with black malt rather than roasted barley!" The first of a few from the Alnwick brewery and it was delicious but then I do love a good stout. Really tasty. April 2022. Related entries

The brewery: “Consett, sitting high and handsome on the North Pennines, was integral in firing the Industrial Revolution and built its reputation on the manufacture of steel.‘Steel Town’ once employed over 6,000 workers at its very height, making steel that constructed Blackpool Tower and launched the nations fleet of Nuclear Submarines." The beer: "White Hot Is the perfect summer beer; highly hopped and sparkling with wheat-like cereal characteristics. Like other Consett Ale Works beers it has excellent head retention." Agreed, not to my taste as regulars will have surmised but again, on a hot summers' night it would be most welcome. April 2022. Related entries

The brewery: “Nestled on the banks of the River Allen on the edge of the rugged North Pennines, often described as England's Last Wilderness. The brewery is based in a former lead smelting mill, once the industrial hub of the area. We began brewing in 2006 with a focus on producing quality cask ales.” The beer: “An Imperial Stout rich, complex and fruity, featuring seven different malts and Target & Goldings hops.” Oh my. What a beer. A very rich but pleasant assault on the taste buds. went down just a little too easily. Powerful stuff but most enjoyable. Will be looking out for more stouts like this. Loved it. April 2022.

The brewery: "George Lorimer Jr. was a member of the Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society. Members met at the Golf Tavern. This is where Lorimer met Robert Clark, a local head brewer. Pints were drunk and plans were hatched. Lorimer & Clark’s Caledonian Brewery opened in 1869 on Slateford Road where it brews to this day. Proof, if ever it was needed, that adventure begins with a pint." The beer: "Rich in character and long on refreshment. Solid gold in colour, strongly aromatic, with hints of fresh citrus. The distinctive light malt and fresh floral flavours combine with the zesty citric hop to deliver a mouth-watering adventure." Have drunk this many times in the past but oddly not since the archive was created in 2013. Jot my favourite style if beer but it's a good session ale and always seems to go down very well. The Beer House , Edinburgh Waverley station, April 2022. Related entries.

The brewery: "A visit to Boston, MA in 1996 sparked the idea in Steve and Jo Stewart, of owning their own craft brewery one day. Fast forward to 2004 after years perfecting home brews the first official Stewart Brewing beers were launched." The beer: "Pours a pale straw pale colour. Strong citrus and tropical fruit aromas hit the senses with a touch of blueberry thrown in there too. The taste is light, crisp and refreshing with a smooth and hoppy finish." Yep, not for me although better than nowt. The Doric, Edinburgh. April 2022

The brewery: "Consett, sitting high and handsome on the North Pennines, was integral in firing the Industrial Revolution and built its reputation on the manufacture of steel.‘Steel Town’ once employed over 6,000 workers at its very height, making steel that constructed Blackpool Tower and launched the nations fleet of Nuclear Submarine.Our beers pay homage to this proud history...." The beer: "A dark robust ale." That's as much a description as this beer gets on the website, however it's certainly worth a few more. Another enjoyable beer from Consett but, drinking immediately after a bottle of the excellent Red Dust, it didn't really excite. I should have tried it on it's own and I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more. March 2022. Related entries.

The brewery: "Consett, sitting high and handsome on the North Pennines, was integral in firing the Industrial Revolution and built its reputation on the manufacture of steel.‘Steel Town’ once employed over 6,000 workers at its very height, making steel that constructed Blackpool Tower and launched the nations fleet of Nuclear Submarine.Our beers pay homage to this proud history...." The beer: “Is ruby red in colour and beautifully clear with a robust, full-flavoured malt and fruit nature. Red Dust, takes its name from the cloud of Iron Oxide, emitted when the Steelworks were in production. In times now long gone, there were red clouds of the dust that would hang over the town, settling on cars and washing hung out to dry! Another one from my caravan trip to the North-East and another very enjoyable beer indeed. March 2022. Related entries.