I popped into The Magnet for a quick pint shortly after it opened in November 2009 and have been a regular visitor ever since. From the outset it was quite simply streets ahead of anything else in the area in terms of range, quality and value – and this is an area already sporting a couple of very decent local real ale emporia. When it first opened, it was still very much a work in progress and the owners have continued to improve, extend and generally beautify it ever since….
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What are hops and how are they used in brewing ale? Hops are in many ways the equivalent to real ale that grapes are to wine. They are grown on vines in many areas of the world and can reach up to 20ft in height. They were originally cultivated in China and are part of the Humulus lupulus hop species. Although originating in China, hops were not used in the brewing process until approximately AD 900 and oddly the first written account of brewing using hops was reportedly made by…
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Axe Edge from the Buxton brewery is one of the flagship beers that they currently produce (along with Wild Boar) and is a strong double IPA at 6.8% ABV. It is available on cask or in bottles (our review is of the bottle conditioned variety) and it takes a not too subtle inspiration from some of the big hoppy American IPA’s that are thankfully hitting our shores from the West coast US. It is very heavily hopped, using Amarillo, Citra and Nelson Sauvin but there is also an element of…
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Ale lovers will raise a glass to Britain’s national drink when pubs around the country celebrate Cask Ale Week, from Friday 28 September to Sunday 7 October. With this year’s theme of “try before you buy”, the beer quality organisation Cask Marque is encouraging everyone to visit at least 12 of their local real ale pubs during the Week to toast Britain’s brewers – as well as to qualify for an exclusive, limited edition Cask Ale Week Tshirt. Using the ‘World’s Biggest Ale Trail’ feature on the free CaskFinder app,…
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With London 2012 well underway, it appears Olympic fever has not only hit the nation but the real ale industry too. In celebration of this great sporting event, and waving the flag for Team GB, brewers up and down the country have jumped on the bandwagon and launched their very own Olympic-themed ales. From these, ale accreditor Cask Marque has chosen its top 10 gold medalists, all Ale-ympic golds to get you in the sporting mood. Adnams – ‘Flame Runner’ (3.9%) Greene King – ‘Personal Best’ (4.3%) Butcombe – ‘Going…
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