The right beer

[i12bcd8ed]

What is the right beer for a wedding reception? I refuse to serve Pudweiser and Hoors lites Sliver Bullet, but I have to find a happy medium between the beer chuggin clueless masses and those of us who appreciate the nuances of a fine IPA. I have already decided one Keg will have to be swill, but I need the second one to be the salvation of a handful of us who still drink our beer in room tempature glasses and with a Cohiba.

[steveh]

Just about a year ago my friend got married in Lansing, Michigan - just down the road from Kalamazoo and home to Bell's Brewing. As it was about 95 degrees that whole weekend, we drank Bell's Oberon whenever we could find it (and that was just about everywhere around that area) and my friend had a half barrel of Bell's Amber at his reception - which went quite well with *our* Cohibas!

It depends on where you are, but I'm sure you can find a step-up from the swillsners to serve - and the folk who love the swill will probably not even look twice at the good stuff.

S.

[chazwicke]

Don't serve the swill! It is your wedding and it should be celebrated in a fitting manor. The masses will have no problem drinking the good stuff. After all you would not give out cheap cigars when your children are born. I believe it is a reflection of you so serve the best and enjoy!

[hopjack13]

well ....no matter what you get your not going to please everyone. so the keg of swill is good for the sheep, now the other? buy something you really enjoy ,cuz you may just end up brining it home with you. ;)

also there are some threads in the beer talk section , "trying to create a convert" & "what was the beer that changed it all??"
you may be able to pick up some ideas there.
cheers

[Richard English]

I agree 100%. There is some justification for those in the business of selling drink to stock chemical fizz, since they need to maximise their profits.

No such reason can apply in a party situation where people will usually consume whatever is provided unless religious or medical reasons prevent their doing so. So, provide top-quality products and you will be thanked by those who appreciate such things and those who don't? Well, I suppose it's easy enough to say, "...Who really cares what they think..." However, I suspect that it's more likely that they, too, will appreciate the proper stuff and may even be converted as the following tale will aver.

Yesterday I was at a function where the rule was bring your own. I took Hog's Back T.E.A., Hopback Summer Lightning, Young's SLA, Coniston Bluebird and Fuller's 1845. A young lady sitting near to me was drinking canned Boddingons (a poor beer that shines only by comparison with A-B and its clones). I offered her some of my T.E.A. which she drunk with considerable enjoyment. She then returned to the Boddingtons and took a sip - only to grimace and say, "...urgh, it tastes like dishwater by comparison...!"

Incidentally, there is only one pub I know of in England whose Landlord refuses to sell A-B products, even through this will certainly cost him money. If you ask for "Bud" you get the real Budweiser as brewed by Budvar in Czechoslovakia.

So the next time you're in Surrey, visit The Garland in Redhill (5 miles from London (Gatwich) airport and give the man your support. It's a Harvey's house and thus sells the entire Harvey's range of excellent ales (sadly not available in the USA, so far as I'm aware)

[chazwicke]

I would love to support that publican. I enjoy the Chech Budvar very much. I once visited the brewery. I will be in London for the Great British Beer Fest in August. I dont know if I will get to Surry. But he is supported by many in spirit!

[Richard English]

From Kensington (Olympia) station (adjacent to the GBBF) take a train to Clapham Junction and change for Redhill. The total journey takes between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on the changer time at Clapham Junction.

The Garland is about seven minutes walk from Redhill Staion. You can see a picture here: http://www.harveys.org.uk/t3pubs2.htm

[chazwicke]

Thanks Richard. Are there any pubs in Kensington area that you recommend? I have found a few online.

[Richard English]

There are plenty of good boozers in London. A real gem is the Nags Head in a mews just off Wilton Place, just off Knightsbridge, near to Hyde Park Corner. Very traditional (no mobile phones allowed). There's another pub almost next door that's also very good but I can't remember its name.

Where are you staying in Kensington?

Most pubs in London are pretty reliable. Steer clear of anything that has a Budweiser sign or offers big-screen football. All Wetherspoons pubs are OK, if sometimes a bit big and characterless. Any Fullers or Youngs house will be fine.

You will VERY rarely find good beer in a hotel so don't stay in the hotel bar. If the beer is being served from a shiny font (as is the case in most US bars), never mind the name on the label - the beer will not be any good. Proper English draught beer is served, without carbon dioxide pressure, directly from the cask or by means of a pump (a so-called beer engine)

If the pub has most of its beer engines out of service (the pump clips will be turned round so you can't see the name of the beer) then it's usually best avoided.

If you ask for a pint and it's not right, then it's quite in order to tell the landlord (politely) and ask for a refill or a different drink. If he argues then leave the pub and find another one.

London is a very safe city so just walk around and try different pubs until you find one you like. If you walk into one and don't like the look of it, just leave. Nobody will be upset.

[chazwicke]

been to London many times. I always find good cask ale. Just have not stayed in Kensington before. I will be at the Thistle Kensington Park. I love London. This will however be my first GBBF.

[Richard English]

You'll enjoy the GBBF. Stick to halves or you'll never get through all the beers! (there'll probably be around a 1000 different types)

Kensignton's not a bad area but some of the pubs are a bit touristy and thus expensive. As I say, wander around and try a few.

[Tom C]

I think a little more thought needs to be put in here....forinstance when is the wedding? What will be served for dinner? The pairing is a crucial thought.

Tom C

[chazwicke]

All of that is a consideration, however, still no excuse to serve swill.

[Tom C]

who said I was considering swill. There are just some better beers served with different foods.

Tom C

[chazwicke]

I agree whole heartedly. I was not implying that YOU would serve swill Tom C. I was merely trying to make the point that under no circumstances should he serve swill. There is good beer for every food, mood, occasion, weather, time of day and so on. As the saying goes...Life is too short to drink bad beer. But your point is well taken, when choosing a beer there are lots of different considerations. What is your favorite food and beer combo. Ever had chocolate and beer? I hear some styles go very well with it.

[i12bcd8ed]

We are having ManSmiths Tri tip steak served at the reception. It will be outdoors in San Benito so hot food and cold beer will be a perfect combination. We are going to have a keg of Fat Tire and a keg of Red Hook. Most of the coors lite crowd have heard of Red Hook and I don't think it will over power their dulled taste buds. The H. Upmanns and the Cohibas will be kept for the wedding party. I appreciate all the input, I wanted to serve some Moose Drool, but I cannot find it locally. Does anyone know of a distributer in Northern California?

[fretlessman71]

Good choices! Now.... which one do you consider to be the swill? ;) I know which one I'D pick.... but, as they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

If you call the company in Montana, they'll be able to tell you where you can get Moose Drool. Understand, however, that you may be dealing with a soda dist. who just happens to be doing a little extra work for some of the local breweries. If this is the case, the people you talk to at the dist. MAY NOT KNOW. Frustrating, but very, very possible. I know - I'm travelling to CO in a few days, and wanted to find this self-same brew somewhere in Wyoming. Nobody had a CLUE... and it's not like I have several spare hours traipsing around WY looking for a 6 of the stuff - I don't care HOW good it is. Drat....

[steveh]

I dunno... if it's Redhook ESB, it may still be a little too flavorful (and colorful) for the Coors Lite swillers. Fat Tire may be a little closer in body, but the hops will scare 'em. Have you considered the Redhook Blonde? I had a sixer of that a couple weeks back and it could be a good transition beer for swill drinkers.

Fretless - I actually like Redhook ESB more than Fat Tire. I've mentioned before, and many have agreed, that I don't understand the rave over Fat Tire - it's just okay.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Funny, because I AGREE WITH YOU 100 PERCENT. Fat Tire BORES me... and Red Hook is one of my FAVORITES. Remember, I'm really from CO, and I couldn't understand what the big hype about Flat Tire was. I always preferred O'Dells 90 Schilling.

Now, if people truly like Fat Tire, then more power to them. That's the great thing about having such variety available to us - there's something for everyone.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Now, if people truly like Fat Tire, then more power to them. That's the great thing about having such variety available to us - there's something for everyone.

Agreed - and at least they're not drinking macro-swill.

S.