So... that was 2012!

I know I’ve already done my golden pints and golden records but I thought I’d use this post to sum up some things that weren’t included.

I ended 2011 at my mate Ben’s house and my first beer of 2012 was Estrella Damm. I love Estrella.

This year has been a weird one. There have been highs and lows. I’ve made some awesome new friends and pissed some people off. I’ve had some awesome beers and I’ve had some truly dreadful ones.

I started this blog in March and didn’t think anyone would bother reading it but 9 months on, I’ve clocked up over 31,000 views and have 1000 followers on twitter. I honestly don’t know how I’ve built up such a following, considering I’m one of the angriest and most offensive motherfuckers you’re ever likely to encounter.

I really couldn’t have done it without the bands, record labels, PR companies, breweries, bars, pubs, other bloggers and above all, you bastards. My readers. You’re fucking awesome. Thank you.

Here’s to an even more awesome 2013!

Happy New Year, bitches!

Nate

Booze/Beats: 7 Horns 7 Eyes Beer Interview

A while ago, James from Hold Tight gave me the idea of interviewing some American bands who were touring over here about European beer but sadly that didn’t come to fruition. I was heartbroken as that sounded like the best idea ever but luckily his partner in crime, Lisa discovered something awesome.

Lisa discovered that Aaron & Brandon Smith from 7 Horns 7 Eyes who you may remember from my review of their debut full length album Throes of Absolution which is my #2 album of 2012, is a beer geek. Yes, I know, it’s unbelievable to me too!

So yes, I sent them some questions and Aaron is such a gent that he answered them!

Booze/bites: Why at Christmas?

Christmas is the time where everyone eats and drinks too much. That's what everyone says, right?

"Hey, don't drink or eat too much. It's not good for your health"

Why for one week of the year are we saying eating and drinking a lot is perfectly acceptable?

Why this week is it perfectly acceptable to get up and have an alcoholic beverage with your breakfast but it isn't any other time of the year?

Why this week is it perfectly acceptable to eat so much disgustingly fatty food that your stomach almost pops?

Why am I judged on any day not in December that I'm not working because I've posted online that I'm having a beer with my 20 rasher bacon sandwich?

Why is it only acceptable during the Christmas period?

Answers on a postcard please.

Nate
http://www.twitter.com/NateDawg27
http://www.facebook.com/BoozeBeatsBites

Booze: Masquerido Mojito Beer review

I first read about this beer on The Publican last week and was instantly disgusted. I was adamant that I will never drink this beer because it just sounds dreadful but after a long discussion with the lovely Melissa Cole, I was convinced that I need to as she underwent the horrors of Melville Raspberry Lager so I don’t have to.

Since I didn’t want to face this ordeal alone, I enlisted the help of the one and only Jay who at first was willing to participate but like me got incredibly nervous as the day drew near.

Luckily Jay is a good thinker and came up with the idea of going for an actual mojito before going to his flat to do this review so we headed to Revolucion De Cuba in Norwich. Now, I hadn’t drunk a Mojito in years but I remember enjoying them but in this case I was disappointed. We were both disappointed. We couldn’t detect any rum; we were just overwhelmed by lime and water from the rapidly melting ice, with just a tiny hint of mint in the background.

We finished our disappointing Mojitos and headed to Jay’s to review the beer we were most looking forward to…

Beats: Golden Records 2012

2012 is almost over so I figured I should do a blog post about my favourite musical type things of the year. Most of them have been easy decisions which was quite nice.

Booze: Fakir Brewing Company – Old Fakir’s Gold review

Fakir Brewing Company was set up by two mates who are passionate about beer and were pissed off with the fizzy yellow lagers they were getting served in Indian restaurants. Fakir Brewing Company is based in Norfolk and currently brews at Tipples.

I feel that as I have said to people before about this, I should tell you that I was gifted this bottle by Moses to review. I have absolutely no bias even though he is a really nice guy. He’s totally passionate about his beer and we’ve had some long conversations.

Quoted from their website:

“A Fakir is a holy man, shaman or wandering hobo – someone who devoted their live to spiritual discovery. At Fakir Brewing, we also embarked on a journey of discovery through our passion and desire; we craft beers which challenge the status quo”

So... what about the beer?

Booze: Golden Pints 2012

At the end of every year, Mark Dredge and Andy Mogg invite all beer bloggers to list their best beers and beer related things of the year.

This is my first year and it’s gonna be really fucking difficult….

Booze: The Day of Many Magic Rocks…

When beery events happen, they are usually only announced like a week before the event so with me living in Norwich it causes a problem. Short notice would be fine if travel prices weren’t absurdly expensive.

This one, however, was announced over a month ago. I did a little dance and I jumped for joy before booking my means of travel. That means of travel, unfortunately, was the coach due to shoddy trainlines. I’m not paying loads of money to have to get a bus anyway, y’know?

Anyway, the event was Magic Rock Brewery Tap Takeover at The King William IV in Leyton, as well as the launch of their collaboration with Brodies; The Great Alphonso, on cask and keg.

I’ve been excited for fucking ages. I was counting down the days until I can drink awesome Magic Rock beers and hang out with awesome beery twitter twazzocks.

Bites: Guest post - World Premiere of T.J's Kitchen!

A while ago, I interviewed a hip-hop band from New York called Dussel Has Friends. I think they were the first interview I did and it was hilarious; you can read it here.

Well, in this interview T.J. told me about the sandwich he invented in High School called The Good Idea.

Now, for the first time ever you can witness Rich & T.J. showing you how you go about creating this magnificent beast!

Many thanks to the guys for creating this video for me to post here. Watch it, make it, share it!


Cheers guys!
https://www.facebook.com/dusselhasfriends
Nate

The Session #70 – Don’t Believe The Hype

The Session is a monthly event for the beer blogging community which was started by Stan Hieronymus at Appellation Beer. On the first Friday of each month, all participating bloggers write about a predetermined topic. Each month a different blog is chosen to host The Session, choose the topic, and post a roundup of all the responses received. For more info on The Session, check out the Brookston Beer Bulletin’s nice archive page.

This months session is hosted by David at Good Morning… and is all about hype and whether it changes our perception.

As a rule, I’ve always listened to the great Chuck D from Public Enemy when it comes to hype. He tells us in the song above to not believe it. Don’t Believe The Hype.

Sometimes, this is the hardest thing to do. I have believed the hype on occasion. I have defied the rapper I worship most, one of the greatest lyricists of all time. I have defied Chuck D. I’ve spoken about this before, kinda, when I reviewed Russian River Pliny the Elder.

A story about how I generated hype…

Booze: Discworld Ales review

“Absolutely NOT brewed by necromancy, no way, no siree”

“The Boathouse Brewery came into existence following an explosion deep within the cellars beneath the courtyard, which would have been blamed on overly exuberant students had the remains of an experimental brewery not been found during the clean-up.

Archchancellor Ridcully (a former student brewer himself) was left with no choice but to discourage the practice and so reluctantly issued a decree banning all brewing activities within the boundaries of UU.

Weeks of careful examination of the Unseen University statutes and bylaws (championed by Ridcully himself) eventually lead to the discovery of a loophole. It turned out that the little-used boathouse, being constructed mainly over the river Ankh and therefore not technically within the grounds, was exempt from the decree and so the Boathouse Brewery was born. A large red line painted on the floor now formally marks the junction of river and university grounds.”

Reads the website.

These beers were all brewed at Brentwood Brewery in Essex and are based on the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett that I’m sure we’re all familiar with.

I reviewed these with my buddy Jay who bought them.

Booze: Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale review

I bought this one out of curiosity and that I fucking love Brooklyn Brewery. I've been happy with everything I've had from them so y'know, and pumpkin isn't really a common fruit to use in food and drink in the UK.

My experience with pumpkin is very limited. I have carved pumpkins at halloween but I've not eaten it. I've only had 3 different pumpkin beers - Southern Tier, Wychwood & Timmermans. I really enjoyed 1 out of 3, the Southern Tier Imperial Pumking Ale. It was beautiful.

I asked on both Facebook and Twitter today if anyone has had this particular beer and was it good. I got mixed results back. Matt said he didn't enjoy it, Rich simply said "Meh" but in the other corner we have The Biere Belle and Mel who both enjoyed it.

This, naturally, leads me to the assumption that it's a beer for girls (although I'm well aware that the lovely ladies in question drink big beers too!).

So, will I side with the ladies who love it or the men who meh it?

Carling, Pasta & The Hacktivist E.P.

I've been struggling lately. Struggling with life and struggling to write. I've been doing loads of thinking and overthinking and I'm not sure what the fuck is happening.

However, today is Sunday. Sunday is the one day I can sit back and not give a fuck. I am really hungover. Last night I drank way too much bourbon and passed out on someone else' sofa whilst watching Ghostbusters. I'm quite fond of this person but that's irrelevant because today I have stopped giving a fuck.

Picture this scene.

It's Sunday. It's cold. I'm at my computer. I'm smoking lots of cigarettes and tweeting shit.

I want a beer, I'm hungry and I'm listening to music.

Pizza, Beer & Music

I had a bit of a pub crawl tonight. Let's skip the finer details.

I had a lot of beer.

I am now at home.

I have a meatilicious puzza from Dominos.

I have a bottle of Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard.

I have Jazz.

I love you