Day 1 was a relatively easy 55 miles to Milton Keynes but tomorrow will be trickier; 100 miles to Youlgreave in the Peak District, just a stones throw from Thornbridge Brewery. We’ll definitely have built up a thirst by the time we reach Leeds!

Left London at 4.30.  Cycled the 60 miles to Newhaven.  Got the 11pm ferry.  Got no sleep on the ferry.  Got to Dieppe at 4am (French time).  Cycled the 120 miles to Paris.  Got to Eiffel Tower at 3.30 French time.   Went to hostel. Went out along Canal St Martin.  Drank lots of beer!  Got 11am eurostar back… went to Euston tap to round off the edges.

We didn’t really get to try any good French beers but we did have Demory Paris Pilsner.  It was ok, a bit watery though, not quite crisp enough either.  Refreshing though.  Mostly drank 1664.

Did at one point also get a ‘pint’ of Leffe, even though we never asked for a pint!

All in all, I would say English pubs definitely beat the French tabac.

On Wednesday we shall be cycling all the way up to Leeds for the European Beer Bloggers Conference…cant wait!

The brewery day seems a lot more organised now.  The location has changed to one of the larger areas under the railway arches at London Fields giving a larger bar area with more seating and more space for drinking, no more portaloos now either.  The stage for the music is now better located so everyone can see whats going on.  They have some really entertaining acts.  Before I got so drunk to remember who was playing I particularly liked  Lionie Evans.

In terms of the beer…still good.  the unfiltered lager was particular good, so was the Landlord.  The Pilsner however, not so good.  Had a very nasty chemically smell and taste was nasty.  Apparently there has been trouble sourcing the hops, which is a shame as this was a standout beer last year.

These events are awesome fun.  Everyone there seems to be having a great time.  By the end of the night it has a real party atmosphere.  Some lads were dancing away on the table (before one fell off).  A very fun and entertaining evening.  Cant wait for the next one (hopefully with some better weather).

We have heard that Camden Brewery are getting this sort of thing happening too every Friday.  Will have to check it out!

P.S.  Less than two weeks till European Beer Bloggers Conference!

OLD

NEW

According to Beers Lens, the design agency is based in Colorado and worked on Utah’s Uinta Brewery branding – I think I’ve tracked down the agency to be The Tenfold Collective.

Below are a couple of photos I sneaked of their branding at ‘A Night of Many Beers’ during last year’s European Beer Blogger’s Conference (that night certainly lived up to it’s name!)

UPDATE: If I’d done my research properly (ie. visited Camden’s blog) I would have a found a very good post launching their new branding. They’ve also got a preview designs for the new Black Friday and USA Hells, as well as updated keg badges.

The ‘Beer Moment’ definition should be used sparingly, it cannot be forced or predicted.   The ‘Beer Moment’ comes around in several steps, see the following:

1.  Something very satisfying has occurred which leads to the drinking of the beer.  The ‘satisfying occurrence’ must however be shared with at least one other (who will also be drinking the beer).
2. During the drinking of the beer, laughter takes place, laughter is extenuated due to the consumption of more and more beer.  The beer does not need to be of any great quality, but should be enjoyed by all present.
3. The drinking of the beer leads to a further ‘satisfying occurrence’.
4. The ‘satisfying occurrence’ leads to more drinking of the beer and the feedback loop is created.

The above does not need to occur immediately, but could occur over a period of time.

An recent example of the above for us goes as follows:

You meet up with old friends (satisfying occurrence), beer is drunk (laughter take place), you decide together that you shall cycle to Paris in 24 hours (further satisfying occurrence), you cycle to Paris (more drinking of the beer and likely further satisfying occurrences).  See below moment!

Beer has helped create and bond people together leading to further laughter.  That is the ‘Beer Moment’!

Does this make any sense?

p.s.  This website is the product of a beer moment!

The weather wasn’t great but the rain held off for most the day. The route was perfectly planned; a short steep hill out of the blocks to get the blood flowing, then a good mix of gradients and roads through the Garden of England. The half-way feed station was as described… very well stocked – jaffa cakes, oranges, hot cross buns, jelly babies… I came away feeling pretty sick.

The last climb of the day was a timed sprint with a polka-dot jersey for the fastest rider, a bit harsh after 80k. We started together but Sam soon left me in the dust and went on to break last year’s record to secure 2nd place. After that it was all downhill, reaching speeds of 42mph. Somehow I managed to speed past the finish line and had to double back to finally be greeted by a cup of tea and a recovery massage.

Total Distance: 107km
Total Time: 4:05 (including stops and missing the finish line)
Average Speed: 17.5mph
Top Speed: 42.2mph
Elevation Gain: 2,800ft

I can definitely recommend this sportive; the route was planned perfectly, clearly signposted and the timed sprint climb adds a great element of competition!

And the beer? Well, after showering and eating, we went to a pub called Salehurst Halt. This is a country pub that ticks all the right boxes – cosy, good atmosphere, local food and most importantly – good ale. On the three pumps were Harveys, Dark Star American Pale Ale and Black Coffee Pilsner -  a superb selection. Then I spotted the clips behind the bar… lots of Dark Star, Brewdog, Marble and Thornbridge – somebody obvious knows their beer!

Cracked open a bottle of Fullers Vintage (2000) for my first ever Open It!  It was aquired during the Fullers Brewery tour during the Sunday tasting seeion at the Brewery as part of the European Beer Bloggers Conference last May and has been siting under my bed ever since.

Today was a perfect occasion for opening the Beer having just run the Tunbridge Wells half marathon.  The 8.5% ale went straight to my head after running that and gave that lovely euphoric feeling that is so relaxing.

I remember drinking this beer at the Beer Bloggers Conference and comparing it against the later years versions.  The 2000 ediation is certainly one of the best.  It gives off a rich fruity aroma with hints of alcohol.  Sipping this beer is heavenly and so many rich  flavours come through such as malty, rich fruits and smooth toffee.  Its a lovely full bodied beer with a sweet mouthfeel.

A good celebration beer for a well run half marathon!

Some beer highlights:

- Epic Pale Ale (awesome flavours, majorly hoppy….what you would expect from Epic. Ive seen some Epic beers for sale in the UK – buy them).

- Epic Lager(one od the best, if not the best lager I have ever had! Hoppy flavour and perfect for just grabbing out the fridge and swigging, wish you could get this in the UK….Especially now that 77 lager is discontinued)

- Macs Brew Bars(cool bars with a great selection of class beers all brewed by Macs….Cool like Brewdog….but the chilled out version without the ridiculous beer).

- Ease of getting locally micro-brewed beers in the supermarket.

- Wanaka Beer Works(some award winning beers here…and Wanaka is so beautiful!).

- Boundary Bouncing Czech(Nice Pilsner from just outside Wellington).

- Plenty of hoppy pilsners available (Montieths Pilsner, Macs Hop Rocker, Bouncing Czech….the list could go on).

And thats just a taster!  Here is some pictures of some lovely NZ beers.

No prizes for the winner.