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In the last few years, as I go from being a man to a grumpy old man. I’ve realised my tastes are changing rapidly. I’ve never really cared for beer that much. Wine, I have to admit, is ok. But it’s never been the drink of the Gods that a lot of people claim, “it’s so fruity”, “it goes so well with steak” I’ve never been convinced.
Anyway, I’ve now discovered ale. Over the last few years it has dawned on me that there are so many out there, with excellent names like “Tanglefoot” and “Spitfire”, there are even flavours. Each with subtle tastes, it’s not really for binge drinking, you can do it, similar to wine. I enjoy a bottle (a bottle isn’t large like wine where you’ll end up telling everyone in the room you love them) every now and again. And certainly a very British drink. We don’t do wine, but with ale and cider, we rule the world. Belgium still does the best beer in general though.
Imagine how happy I am now I have attended the CAMRA beer festival in Earls Court. My boss has been trying to get me to go since 2003. This year it was ON, and how ON it was!
A great time had by all, although, naively, a little more drunken that I had at first anticipated (we were drinking half pints, still). But not fun for the drunkenness, just great beer, and a sense that what we can’t do with wine, we do well with beer.