Newcastle Brown Ale!

[HerrBaron]

Over the last year or so, Newcastle Brown Ale has been my go-to brew, and it always pleased me that I might in some small way be supporting the economy of my friends across the pond. Now I come to find out with great dismay that the brewing of Newcastle has been moved to bloody Belgium!! What do my friends across the pond in Britain think of this move on the part of Newcastle?

[BOO]

In my younger days Newky Brown was largely drunk by students in horrible dingy music venues and indie nightclubs.

Two reasons for this -

it was cheap and you got a lot of it for a pound

It was safer than drinking the water

I don't rate it personally. For all its strength its tastes like sewer water. I'm sure many love it.

BUt i do applaude your noble stance. Sadly its been owned by Heineken for about 10 years as is the UK brewery (John Smiths) in Yorkshire where it was brewed before its move to the continent (a move cited as necessary to inprove the supply of product to the US).

Its move is just global business. The furoure of the Britsh brewing industry being stripped mined by larger companies has long since passed. Its just one of those things. No-one drinks like they used to. You cant sell beer in a closed pub. Whilst we do still have a few independent brewers that own pubs we also now have a lot of smaller breweries producing artisan ales and seasonal "speacials" and its perhaps there that are now regarded as the jewel in the crown amongst those that still care here in the UK.

Most though - dont - just like the dont care that they carrots the bought in Tesco came from Niarobi when there is a farmer not 2 miles don't the road growing them. ~Doesnt matter where its brewed to most - as long as the price it right.

Such is the way of the world.

[ATAG_Lewis]

Having suffered from hangovers throughout my drinking years...a friend told me to stick to Newcastle brown Ale and not drink any other drinks in an evening and I wouldn't get a hangover the following day...It was true...no hangover from it when drinking it on its own...

So I spent as number of years drinking it in my single days...Now I just have the odd one now and then...

In 1990 I went to the states from a 2 month road trip...In a bar in Miami I was surprised to see Newcastle Brown Ale on a shelf and bought one...I remember the label was slightly different in that it was bright when the ones back home are sepia colour...Anyway I bought one...and again surprised that the alcohol content was really low compared to the UK..(I forget what it was but it was really low) Must have been some law on its import...

I haven't drank it regularly for many years...Not sure how I feel about it being made somewhere else...as long as the alcohol content, flavour and labelling is the same I'm not too concerned with it being made in europe...I am not precious about it in that way...Its just a drink!

If it were a whisky that would be different I guess...Some whiskies rely on the water from the area for flavour...I guess that would be an issue...I don't think the water is so important in brown ale as it is in whisky...I could be wrong...

[ATAG_Highseas]

Having suffered from hangovers throughout my drinking years...a friend told me to stick to Newcastle brown Ale and not drink any other drinks in an evening and I wouldn't get a hangover the following day...It was true...no hangover from it when drinking it on its own...

So I spent as number of years drinking it in my single days...Now I just have the odd one now and then...

In 1990 I went to the states from a 2 month road trip...In a bar in Miami I was surprised to see Newcastle Brown Ale on a shelf and bought one...I remember the label was slightly different in that it was bright when the ones back home are sepia colour...Anyway I bought one...and again surprised that the alcohol content was really low compared to the UK..(I forget what it was but it was really low) Must have been some law on its import...

I haven't drank it regularly for many years...Not sure how I feel about it being made somewhere else...as long as the alcohol content, flavour and labelling is the same I'm not too concerned with it being made in europe...I am not precious about it in that way...Its just a drink!

If it were a whisky that would be different I guess...Some whiskies rely on the water from the area for flavour...I guess that would be an issue...I don't think the water is so important in brown ale as it is in whisky...I could be wrong...

A huge amount of Scottitsh Whiskey distilleries are japanese owned now. By Suntory Holdings Ltd. and a few others I believe. Its like Japan went on a spending spree in the Whiskey aisle .. They also bought up a tonne of bourbon guys in the states, Jim Beam. Makers Mark as well i think. Not sure about four roses. will look it up in a bit !

Nope.. Four roses is owned by Kirin Brewery Company. (Also Japanese.)

[HerrBaron]

In my younger days Newky Brown was largely drunk by students in horrible dingy music venues and indie nightclubs.

Two reasons for this -

it was cheap and you got a lot of it for a pound

It was safer than drinking the water

I don't rate it personally. For all its strength its tastes like sewer water. I'm sure many love it.

BUt i do applaude your noble stance. Sadly its been owned by Heineken for about 10 years as is the UK brewery (John Smiths) in Yorkshire where it was brewed before its move to the continent (a move cited as necessary to inprove the supply of product to the US).

Its move is just global business. The furoure of the Britsh brewing industry being stripped mined by larger companies has long since passed. Its just one of those things. No-one drinks like they used to. You cant sell beer in a closed pub. Whilst we do still have a few independent brewers that own pubs we also now have a lot of smaller breweries producing artisan ales and seasonal "speacials" and its perhaps there that are now regarded as the jewel in the crown amongst those that still care here in the UK.

Most though - dont - just like the dont care that they carrots the bought in Tesco came from Niarobi when there is a farmer not 2 miles don't the road growing them. ~Doesnt matter where its brewed to most - as long as the price it right.

Such is the way of the world.

Boo, there's a whole education for me in that post; I didn't know Heineken owned NBA for 10+ years; thought it was a recent acquisition. That said, I guess there's no accounting for taste, including mine! The breweries over here keep discontinuing the brews I like, so I'm constantly in a churn for a decent beer for the house. I liked NBA for what I think is a nice, clean finish and almost winey flavor. As to where something is brewed, I think it's a hugely important; water matters. I very much liked the Yorkshire-brewed NBA, and I do taste a difference now.

Lew, NBA's alcohol content over here is 4.7%. Road trips are the best way to see any country; I hope one day to do one in Britain. I love your country!

Thanks, guys! really appreciate the opinions and comments!

[HerrBaron]

A huge amount of Scottitsh Whiskey distilleries are japanese owned now. By Suntory Holdings Ltd. and a few others I believe. Its like Japan went on a spending spree in the Whiskey aisle .. They also bought up a tonne of bourbon guys in the states, Jim Beam. Makers Mark as well i think. Not sure about four roses. will look it up in a bit !

Nope.. Four roses is owned by Kirin Brewery Company. (Also Japanese.)

Seas, this is the downside to capitalism; we'll sell anything to almost anyone. I guess the upside is that great distilleries that might have had to close are able to go on producing the great scotches and bourbons we love. Win-Win!

[BOO]

I remember something in the news about the ingredients for NBA being changed due to potential health risks. I'm not sure what it was or when (last couple of years I think). I remember thinking that it couldn't make it worse


Cheers!!

BOO

[ATAG_Ribbs]

Newcastle Brown Ale has been in the State for 10+ years that I'm aware of. I like it. It does have a nice clean finish. I didn't know the Japanese owned Makers Mark.. that's my favorite drink . Makers Mark and Coke.

[ATAG_Highseas]

Seas, this is the downside to capitalism; we'll sell anything to almost anyone. I guess the upside is that great distilleries that might have had to close are able to go on producing the great scotches and bourbons we love. Win-Win!

Yeah. I'm not fussed who owns the distillery. I'm more interested in who owns the bottle... Right up until its empty.

[ATAG_Highseas]

Newcastle Brown Ale has been in the State for 10+ years that I'm aware of. I like it. It does have a nice clean finish. I didn't know the Japanese owned Makers Mark.. that's my favorite drink . Makers Mark and Coke.

Its my favorite bourbon. I don't mix it with anything. Four roses is also superb.

[EAF602_Red]

Got asked once what my favourite beer was, I replied an open one, guy was confused for about ten seconds and then clicked on.

Stevie

[ATAG_Ribbs]

Got asked once what my favourite beer was, I replied an open one, guy was confused for about ten seconds and then clicked on.

Stevie

10 Seconds!!! What took so long..

[EAF602_Red]

10 Seconds!!! What took so long..

Put it this way Ribbs, the guy wasn’t the sharpest tack in the box mate, told me once he even got out the shower for a piss..

Stevie

[DOWNEAST]

Boo, there's a whole education for me in that post; I didn't know Heineken owned NBA for 10+ years; thought it was a recent acquisition. That said, I guess there's no accounting for taste, including mine! The breweries over here keep discontinuing the brews I like, so I'm constantly in a churn for a decent beer for the house. I liked NBA for what I think is a nice, clean finish and almost winey flavor. As to where something is brewed, I think it's a hugely important; water matters. I very much liked the Yorkshire-brewed NBA, and I do taste a difference now.

Lew, NBA's alcohol content over here is 4.7%. Road trips are the best way to see any country; I hope one day to do one in Britain. I love your country!

Thanks, guys! really appreciate the opinions and comments!

Speaking of road, trips what and where is your favorite Pub in the UK? Way back in the day I visited the "Spotted Dog" in Tonbridge, Kent a couple of times. http://spotteddogpub.com. I thought it was swell.

My local pub in my small town in "New England" is the "Airline Pub" in Ellsworth, Maine. http://abcmaine.beer

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[ATAG_Highseas]

If its the place I think you mean it's not in Tonbridge. It's south of Penshurst and west of Poundsbridge. I don't know any other spotted dog in that area.

I used to go to the Leicester Arms in Penshurst a fair bit when I lived that way.


My favourite pubs change with the decades... As they inevitably change hands.

Quite like the Basket Makers Arms in Brighton. And have a love for the Great Eastern... Though its not like it was 20 years back.

You ever go to the Beehive on Southborough common before they shut it down? Late eighties... Think it was shut by about 92. Can't really remember. Haha!

The Feathers on Darmoor is nice.

As is the Thirst and Last between Sennan Cove and Lands End. The Mermaind on Scilly... the Engelchen and the Schaukel in Dusseldorf. (probably spelt wrong)

[HerrBaron]

Speaking of road, trips what and where is your favorite Pub in the UK? Way back in the day I visited the "Spotted Dog" in Tonbridge, Kent a couple of times. http://spotteddogpub.com. I thought it was swell.

My local pub in my small town in "New England" is the "Airline Pub" in Ellsworth, Maine. http://abcmaine.beer ABC.pdf

I've never been there, but hope to go someday. Lord knows, though, the flight across will be murder for a smoker... Yeah, I know, but...it's my only vice!!

[BOO]

If you do plan a road trip take care of your route - - its a known scientific fact the beer and company improves massively as you head further North

[ATAG_Highseas]

If you do plan a road trip take care of your route - - its a known scientific fact the beer and company improves massively as you head further North

Pffffff



Directional Gyro...

Just sayin'...

[HerrBaron]

If you do plan a road trip take care of your route - - its a known scientific fact the beer and company improves massively as you head further North

Thanks, Boo! I'll definitely keep that in mind!

[ATAG_Lewis]

Lew, NBA's alcohol content over here is 4.7%. Road trips are the best way to see any country; I hope one day to do one in Britain. I love your country!

The USA is built for road trips...Cheap motels make a holiday road trip a travellers dream...There's no need to book...be as free as you want to be...stay where you like and move on when you please...The missus and I don't even start looking for a place to stay until late evening...There's always a motel with vacancies to check into and they are all pretty much the same...

Travelling around Europe is best in the summer and camping is the key if you want to travel cheaply...Its a similar deal if you want to be free...Look for a campsite on mainland western Europe in the evening...I travelled extensively around that area even drove down as far as Africa via Gibralta and south Italy...I could pitch the tent by the time the mrs had boiled the kettle...bottle of vino and usually a spag bog made from local ingredients too...We lived on that stuff when we travelled Europe...

UK is a different ball game altogether...Its probably the most inhospitable place for cheap travelling...We don't have the weather for camping so campsites are few and far between and only open during the summer which can still be pretty cold...and we don't have many motels either...Hotels are expensive...Its cheaper for us to travel Europe or USA than travel our own country which is a real shame...and traffic here is more congested these days...so a 6 hour drive is hard work...unlike the USA with big roads and fewer vehicles...In the UK we got a quarter the USA population crammed onto an island that can fit inside Texas...That kind of puts it into perspective...

France is especially made for campers...They have the weather and the rural landscape...Its really good!

Just for perspective...Camping UK compare to camping France...Approx. the same size area...

France campsites



UK campsites

[ATAG_Highseas]

The USA is built for road trips...Cheap motels make a holiday road trip a travellers dream...There's no need to book...

I've just got back from Gatwick.


Apparently you DO have to book.

[HerrBaron]

Aw, Lew, that post was extremely informative, and not a little bit heart-breaking. To be perfectly frank, I have little desire to see France or the rest of Europe; it's Britain that draws me, like no other place or people on the planet. It saddens me that it'd be so difficult and expensive to see and get to know your country. I mean, your nation and mine are special among all other nations; we share a bond, a kinship like no others. I know, it sounds a little sappy, but there ya go. Doesn't make it any less true for sounding sappy.