Franconian Beer Message Board

Ot: Geburtstag Celebrations etc.
Posted by Barry on 2014-05-12 12:25:51
My eighth decade commiseration party started in earnest last Thursday when I received various presents from J.  Firstly, a box of Hirschbrau Helles from Leipheim - a timely present as our friends in the town have now vacated their apartment bringing our visits to an end.  I really liked this place, very homely, good value and decent beer (not forgetting the 6 egg meal in September!).  At least, I have 6 Helles to drink and 6 bottles to fill with my homebrew.  In addition, there was a box containing the following bottles: Bateman's Dark Lord (that was ok), 2 special Fuller's beers and 1 Amplethorpe Abbey beer, which should be interesting.  Finally, a mysterious parcel that turned out to be homebrew kit for a 'Bavarian Rauchbier' - this was pretty cunning as the giver is a great fan of the type (some consultation with another Forum member here).

Friday (the actual day) saw us in Dublin and in darkest (and wetest) Stoneybatter at L. Mulligans - Grocers.  It was not quite as I imagined but quite acceptable.  There were only 2 cask beers left, so we plumped for Dark Star Festival, which was excellent.  I managed to persuade my otherwise Guinness drinking mates to go for the Festival and, quite surprisingly, they all loved it, so much that no one tried anything else and I guess we made a fair dent in the cask.  On to Saturday and my hosts for the weekend had got in a supply of Duvel, which was enjoyed with and after a lovely Indian takeaway (Karahai Pannier, if you're interested).  Is it my imagination but has Duvel changed somewhat?  I haven't drunk it for about a year since the Tesco price fiasco but, to my mind, it is lighter in colour and not so tasty - could be distance lending enchantment - any views?

Really, Sunday was the big day with Manchester's premier team (sorry Jason) going for the title.  Around 2.45 pm, I settled into a seat by the big screen in The Yacht, Clontarf (an awful pub but the nearest with Sky Sports) and waited nervously for kick off.  To calm the nerves, I ordered a pint of Galway Hooker, which was not bad - a trifle gassy but nice and hoppy.  The nerves were calmed and a routine victory brought home the title.  Several more Galway Hookers followed to celebrate, which were followed by several more bottles of Duvel later.

All in all, a very decent entry into the eighth decade and, strangely enough, I don't actually feel an awful lot different.
 
Followups:
   Ot: Geburtstag Celebrations etc. by Nigel on  2014-05-13 01:42:41
     Ot: Geburtstag Celebrations etc. by Barry on  2014-05-13 01:45:08
       Ot: Geburtstag Celebrations etc. by Mosquit on  2014-05-14 04:00:28
         Ot: Geburtstag Celebrations etc. by Barry on  2014-05-14 15:54:18