Howling Chocolate Stout 
Electric bike ride and Ales what a good combinationI have not tried an electric mountain bike before, but do a lot of biking around the downs, over all I was very surprised by the electric bike.
Three settings eco , standard and turbo drive, well it said high but i refer to the ‘high’ as turbo as I did not use this much during the actual bike ride, but it did kick in when I tried.
I arrived at my friends home and he said why not leave your bike here and borrow one of his electric bikes, hell why not.
Started off on a steep road in moments I was at 23 miles an hour up hill ! I was peddling like crazy but the speedo said 23 mph.
The motor cuts out at 15 mph, so 23 mph up a steep hill, could this be for real. Upper legs now burning but ready for the rest of the journey, the whole affair went rather well.
As I biked on a route I know well, I experienced the wind as squalls were sighted, we needed to burn some rubber so as not to be caught out, generally if winds increase I except to move over the ground at around 8mph, but the aided electric motor kept us at 13 mph eating up the distance to go and avoiding the rain to come.
End of the ride i felt super man fit the legs had a burn and a thrust was on its way.
First off a Japanese Ale, kind of fruity copper coloured not bad, but the pump ran out at half a pints worth.
Brighton down to Rodmill and back up around Telscombe village, sky’s becoming black need to put some pace on.
Dude your never make it before the rain arrives.
Winds now increase 23 mph gusty and rather threatening, no need to worry just step into standard mode and pedal faster, any hill a steady 12 mph maintained, 30 mph down hill on roads. Into wind on the last leg winds increase, generally I slow down to 6 to 8 mph, but with the aided juice I keep that steady 14. 15 mph into wind a 23 increasing wind.
So we beat the rain and make the pub in time, in a way I like this new method of biking, living on the coast you are always battling into wind, generally a sea breeze force 5 and some, this of course reduces the distance you can travel.
By the way the Longman company make ‘Wild Man’ it is light in colour however the ingredients do work very well, even more so with a Pad Thai with King Prawn at the St James Pub in Kemptown.
Hammer pot what a pint, their IPA hits the spot, great head on this tastes flying everywhere. But very controlled with a ‘I have another please’ Hamemrpot and LongMan are like the Rolls Royce of Ales, you will not go wrong with theses beauties.
Last thoughts about electric bikes, the next day, I biked towards the west made 34 miles into a SW wind.
I felt as if i was moving through treacle, on the route back of course I sailed back. The big diffenerce for me when you stop then pull away into wind how much energy is lost, with the electric bike you do not lose this, the motor aids you to get back up to speed efficiently.
I would like to think electric mountain bikes will become lighter increase the range. Insurance company’s insure them out side of the home, or have some method so as they not stolen, currently and correct me if wrong you cannot buy insurance for an electric bike in the UK.
Ale Festival 30 award winning breweries 22 March till 2nd April
Sounds like a dream come true, let the battle of true ales commence.
The day starts out with a walk in our local park not knowing where we would end up. We decide to sit on a park bench, out of the wind, warm in a little secluded area away soaking up the sun.
Spring has arrived here in the UK, red breasted Robins show up digging away for small bugs, Greenfinches, Blue tits arrive, all busy chirping away. MR Squirrel comes out chasing another squirrel, dogs and cats tails held upright, everyone and everything appears happy.
The coming of spring is upon us, clocks change, more day light hours, sun, vitamin D.
Life feels chilled, relax, so much my wife and I found it difficult to get up and continue the walk.
No rush I said we will sit here for a while longer taking in the new bird songs of spring with sounds of wind blowing through the trees.
Later with our renewed vitamin D we headed off, over the South Downs along the under cliff around the harbour wall.
So now is the time to try porters and many more ales, Rob the manager is on hand to offer his personal advise on these ales.Here are my views from today’s tasting.Dorking Brewer Black Noise Porter, lady pulls the pint, just ran out she says, but enough to taste, not bad I say, smokey she asks, yes I reply.
Generally in a U.K. Pub once Porter off that’s it, but here at Weather Spoons in Brighton Marina, Rob the manager keeping us all happy.
The lady suggests the Titanic, but not like the Porter Titanic, but a cappuccino Stout ! Sounds interesting I say, also I order a Robinson’s Trooper Red N Black Porter.
Both Porters arrive, wife has a Guinness let the tasting begin.
Titanic Stout Cappuccino standing next to the Robinson’s Porter, Cappuccino on the right of image.
The Cappuccino head looks more inviting, sits rather nicely I am sold on visual experience alone.
The Porter made by Robinson’s I have seen before but never tired, one of the reasons was the name and design of the image, looks more like death, Skelton image suggests drink me look like a skeleton, add in 5.8% I not a Trooper.
Or should I try🤔 well I had ordered a Porter, Trooper and this did work well with natchos.
Walk ends back home, temperature dropping quickly, it has been a wonderful day, how lucky we are to live in this magical world.
St Patrick’s Day
Normally you would be thinking Guinness, so I lined up a Bedlam Porter, Franklin’s Porter and a Guinness.
See if you can spot the Guinness?
The Bedlam porter 5%, brewed locally in a micro brewery north of Devils Dyke, easy to drink, kind of nutty coffee flavours.
Sold in St James Pub Brighton
Franklin’s smoked Porter
St James pub in Kemptown Brighton, Franklin’s Smoked Porter 5.5% this little beauty not half bad number, that smoked taste really comes through rather strong, maybe too strong for some.
Malts are smoked on beech wood giving this very distinct taste or should I say flavour as the taste stays in the mouth.
The head of the Ale is like a milk Stout with that oatmeal combined taste on top of the extra smokey flavours.
If you follow this pint with a Devils Cut Whiskey I find the combo excellent.
Smokehouse Porter Arudel
One place to look out for Porter is in Brighton marina weather spoons, Rob the manager likes Porter and brews his own at home, so your be sure to have a person keen on his ales.
The Smokehouse Porter is thick in texture, malts are smoked over Sussex apple wood. Alcohol content is 6% so 2 pints is enough even with food.
Worth noting weather spoons has an Ale festival during March and October each year, during these months your be sure to find a porter to your liking. They even produce a booklet in advance to show you the ales coming up with a small description, just circle the ones you like the sound of and pop in.
Arudel Brewery’s in Sussex sell on line cans and kegs of Porter.
This Porter from Arudel Brewery, I like the darkness of colour, the head I prefer to sit more heavy and not fade away, in a way the head keeps the flavours inside throughout the pint. The taste is um, bitter, apple smokeyness pumps through, but somehow something missing, the texture correct, but the flavour lacking somewhere maybe a more intense apple smokeyness maybe.
I think I would prefer thick heavy head on top poured through the Guinness nozzle pump at the bar, increase the smokeyness by 30% and make the Porter heavier in texture, add in a bitter dark chocolate taste to round the Porter off and serve with some French meats and rich cheeses.
Itching Valley Ale Stout
I love Itching Valley Ale Stout, it’s so so dark, rich in tastes, nice head more porter in in style, however it’s a Stout and very proud Stout it is, once past the first mouthful you’re be thinking I am going to have another of these soon.
Short time later your at the bar, oh boy can we not have waitress service in the U.K. whole of Europe uses this simple method, Asia the same, just U.K. Backward thinking we do like to que in the at the bar in the U.K.
It be worth it for this rather nice nutty brown slight coffee taste Itching Valley Ale Stout.
HAND AND HAND PUB KEMPTOWN BRIGHTON
Cream flow Porter best you go to the Hand in Hand in kemp town and try wow this is superb porter probably the best ever I have ever tasted I really mean this, it is well, coffee with a taste of plum sweatiness just a little, but so more depth with dark coffee taste.
I like the taste so much I bought the company 🙂 well I wish, but by far this is the best tasting porter I have ever had. I need to go back and try more Porter just to be sure. Cream Flow Porter.
Hand and hand pub kemp town porter
What can this be Porter Heaven yes yes yes Porter heaven I do love my Porter.
The Ginger Dog Pub Brighton Kemptown
The Ginger Dog pub well what can I tell you about this pub ?
Little hidden gem in the heart of Kemptown Brighton, first impressions as of January 2017.
I walk over to the bar and ask for a pint of Porter or Stout, sadly no Porters or Stouts on pump at the Ginger Dog Pub.
However the Ales sold here at the Ginger Dog Pub tastes as if someone really cares about their Ales.
Never a dirty, water stained glass has been handed out, yes you have to hand it to the Ginger Dog Pub they appear to actually like serving people it feels very refreshing.
I often go to Japan and when I come back to the Uk, well I am disappointed at the customer care in the Uk it can feels as if the staff are doing me a favour.
At the Ginger Dog however I have seen a different way with which the food, interaction between staff and people work, the Ginger Dog actually cares about you!
Napkins good thick material, feels crisp and clean, a polite well mannered Polish man arrives with a smile and places our little snack on the old sturdy wooden table by the open fire.
Ales service in a straight pint glass, wine glass shines superbly clean.
These Olives are so massive like they should be I eat one the texture so just right 3 times bigger than you expect in fact this is the way olives should be, another bowl please.
Open fire and menu I am in heaven Caramel Tulle.
Bitter not bad, local from Arundel, taste very clean and prestige, I will be back for sure.
St James Pub Kemptown Brighton
HammerPot Wreck Porter
Dark black Porter, the taste reminds me of Guinness bottled Porter.
The feel of Wreck Porter from Hammer Pot might go down well with some people more than you think, especially if you have not ever tried Porter before.
Wreck Porter not heavy and will not sit on your tummy the taste will be more softer and not so over powering for a first Porter. I prefer my Porter after a long walk over the downs or maybe a hard bike ride in the winter air.
Wrecked Porter very nice, easy to drink the first sip not sharp just right on those winter days some food is always a good idea with Porter Ale’s. Wreck Porter percentage 4.7 not too high for a Porter so an all good round Porter to have in front of the fire.
The company just down the road if you live in West Sussex, you can order online contact details HAMMER POT PORTER or call Hammer Pot now on mention my site if you would please AsahiArt: 01903 883338
Gun Brewer Milk Stout sold at the St James Pub Kemp town.
St James Pub does have a open fire which I am rather found of makes me feel good all over and the food is very good as of 2017.
This Milk Stout not at all bad you can really drink it easy smooth laced with full flavours maybe a little too easy to drink, it flows rather well and with food complements your taste buds I fine the Pad Thai’s great with this Milk stout.
Gun Brewery Milk Stout is a local brewer based in Sussex, like many a micro brewery they are passionate about Ales and this does come across in their Milk Stout’s.
Web link here http://www.gunbrewery.co.uk
Not sure if Yebisu is only brewed in Sapporo but it sure does taste yummy and I have never ever been disappointed with the taste colour flavours wonderful it just say have more with my food.
Its like a Guinness in colour but heavy in like a porter but you appear to be able to drink as much as you like but not become bloated, is it me or is this Yebisu just perfect, in a way it feels like a twin pine porter I think the secret in brewing technique if you use quality materials you have a quality beer.
If only I could have this on pump in a pub in the uk.
The stout is heaven.
Chinese Stout Tsingtao Brewery Co.Ltd.
Probably the best ever Stout so far that I have ever tasted was in North Japan Sapporo city, but that Stout came from China no way.
Tsingtao Brewery was founded in China, 1903 by German settlers at the sea port of Qingdao North East China.
The first time I ever tasted this Stout was in 2015 in Sapporo Japan, my sister in law had won on the horses and she was treating us all to a night out to a Chinese restaurant. I had unfortunately during traveling over to Japan had picked up a flu type bug and felt terrible for the first three days and stayed in bed for the duration.
Not sure if I had just got better this day but once I eaten had some Stout I felt full of energy, the Tsingtao Stout looks very dark in colour and small bubbles form a top layer, the flavours with the Chinese meat balls bathed in rich dark sauces made for a taster supper and the Stout really went well with the food, I am a strong believer that food and drink should be suited to gain the best from both.
This Tsingtao Stout really well balanced very dark colours small tastes of coffee after you once swallowed, easy to have another 6.7 out of 10 on this Stout.
Great taste, probably best to have after a long walk in the winter with some hot food, be careful as the Baltic porter is smooth, velvet and moreish.
Reasons to be careful is due to the 7.5% it will creep up on you for sure.
The taste is deep dark full of body and smoked which your taste straight away, not a complex mixture but simple and to the point.
This Porter probably not everyone’s cup of tea, taste is not so sweet but the smell leaves a sweet smell on your breath which everyone can smell.
