This is the first time I've done a Golden Pints list and after what has been a pretty tumultuous - but utterly satisfying - year, I think I'm in a good position to answer as objectively as I can. I've tried to be as professionally modest as I can be with Hardknott beers, but Infra Red has found its way in there purely as it remains one of my favourite beers since the first time I tried it a little over a year ago.
Apologies, I'm not the type to take proper notes when tasting beers, so this may be a little more sketchy than I'd actually prefer. Hey ho....
Best UK draught beer: SWB Cohort.
Sampled on cask at the Free Trade Inn on twissup, then again on keg at Port Street Beer House a couple of weeks later, this is one of the highlights of my beery year. Honourable mentions: Hawkshead NZPA, Magic Rock Human Cannonball.
Best UK packaged beer: Stringers Furness Abbey.
Jon and Becky are good friends and practically neighbours, brewery-wise. Their Belgian-style beer has the hallmarks of a true great in its style. Honourable mentions: CLA Croglin Vampire, Hardknott Infra Red.
Best Overseas draught: Duchesse de Bourgogne.
I had this at Port Street Beer House in November. What an absolute stunner she is too! Honourable mentions: De Molen Vuur & Vlam, Galway Hooker.
Best Overseas packaged: Maui Big Swell IPA.
First had this at Mr Foley's on IPA day and I've sought it out ever since. Honourable mentions: Goose Island Matilda, Schneider Tap 5 Hopfenweiss.
Best Overall Beer: SWB Cohort.
Honourable mentions: Magic Rock Human Cannonball, Hardknott Infra Red.
Best Pumpclips: The Kernel
Best UK Brewery: Summer Wine.
Honourable mentions: Magic Rock, The Kernel.
Best Overseas Brewery: Goose Island.
Honourable mentions: Sierra Nevada, Schneider.
Pub/Bar of the Year: Tied between Port Street Beer House and Mr Foley's.
Honourable mentions: Free Trade Inn, Bacchus.
Beer Festival of the Year: IPA Day at Mr Foley's.
Honourable mentions: GBBF, The Kirkstile Inn Summer Beer Fest.
Supermarket of the Year: Booths.
Honourable mentions: Morrisons, M&S.
Independent Retailer of the year: Beer Ritz.
Online Retailer of the year: Beer Merchants.
Honourable mention: SWB online shop.
Best Beer Book/Mag: haven't had time to read any!
Best Blog: Ghostdrinker.
Ghostie always gives an honest and refreshing outlook, tries things other beer geeks wouldn't dream of and makes me laugh every time. Good work fella! Honourable mentions: Reluctant Scooper, Boak and Bailey.
Best tweeter: @BeeryMatt.
Honourable mentions: @Ghostdrinker, @SimonHJohnson.
Best Online Brewery Presence: Magic Rock.
Food and Beer Pairing of the Year: Tied between Hardknott Granite 2011 and Blacksticks Blue Cheese & Hardknott Vitesse Noir and Rich Chocolate Tart, Fayrer Garden style! Apologies for picking two Hardknott beers in this category, but its obviously what I've been most involved with at matching dinners.
What I'd like to do in 2012: Make more awesome beer, drink more awesome beer, continue to meet more awesome beer mates!
Open Category:-
Best online spat: Hardknott Dave and Tandleman. I think we're all glad that got sorted out...
Ok, so let the arguments and/or derision commence...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to beer geeks everywhere!
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