Pour Decisions

Tag: craft-beer

  • Beer Novices?

    The title is a bit of a play on words. In truth, many of the attendees knew exactly what they liked when it came to beer. But recently, I had the pleasure of starting a men’s social group called Beer and Friendship.

    After volunteering to lead the group and proposing an informative evening of tastings, I was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of 20–30 attendees—some even agreed to be photographed (see below).

    My mind raced… Where do I start? What do I want to talk about? And at what level should I pitch it?

    In the end, I put together a varied agenda covering topics such as:

    • Beer and history
    • Ingredients and hops
    • The brewing process
    • Local beer-related tales
    • Beer and religion
    • An analysis of British beer styles
    • The impact of water on brewing

    Here are the tasters (below)—and to round off the evening, we enjoyed a Hogs Back Surrey Nirvana (or two!) while socialising.

    Bringing the Beers to Life

    My brother Jon helped pour out the tasters, while my younger brother Adie brought along some cider—just in case my selection wasn’t to everyone’s taste (between us, we make a great team). I could see the doubt in Jon’s eyes:

    “Phil, really? You like real ale—what’s this lager stuff doing here?”

    Well, as it happens, I do love real ale—but in the UK, lager often gets a bad rap. This is largely because the lagers typically found on tap here bear little resemblance to the crisp, flavourful Pilsners enjoyed elsewhere in the world. I wanted to give the group a chance to explore the differences between lagers and ales, learn how they’re made, and ultimately form their own opinions—based purely on taste.

    The experiment worked, and I suspect there will be plenty of Good Beer Guide pub visits ahead—so watch this space for future write-ups!

    Here’s to good beer, good company, and more pub adventures ahead.

  • My Passion for Beer and the Importance of a Village local.

    Having walked two miles uphill with my brother Jon, we arrived at the perfect spot to kick off my beer blog. A roaring fire in the fireplace and warm, genuine smiles from the bar staff confirmed that I’d made the right choice. Let me introduce you to the Palk Arms, a 16th-century public house nestled in the charming village of Hennock, within Dartmoor National Park. Visit their website here.

    The Palk Arms is run by Mike (pictured next to me in the photograph above), a man whose passion for beer rivals my own. He plans to transform the pub into a brewpub in 2025, presumably to complement the two perfectly kept real ales already on offer. Mike’s expertise in brewing far exceeds mine. While I’m content to brew for personal enjoyment, Mike is embarking on his second commercial brewing venture. His first, Platform 5 Brewery, was located beneath the Railway Brew House in Newton Abbot. Reflecting on his past, Mike shared: “One to two barrels is enough for me. I don’t really want to brew for anyone else.”

    This visit marked only my second time at the Palk Arms, but Mike recognised me from my first visit three months earlier and kindly allowed me to take photos for the blog. The pub’s quirky charm shone through in little touches, like signs proclaiming, “If you can read this, you need another drink” and “Nobody gets out sober”. Above all, it’s clear that the Palk Arms is a haven for connoisseurs of fine beer and cider.

    During our brief stay, my brother and I couldn’t help but notice the vibrant sense of community. Tables were quickly refilled as patrons came and went, using the pub as a meeting place for friends, a hub for warmth and conversation, and even a spot for the occasional gossip. Chef Steve Taylor’s modest yet enticing menu of freshly cooked dishes added to the welcoming atmosphere. What struck me most, though, was the mix of ages among the clientele—proof that this pub is cherished by locals of all generations. For the villagers of Hennock, the Palk Arms must feel like a rare pearl.

    Two days later, I shared my impressions with members of St. Mary’s Church in the village, and they wholeheartedly agreed. The Palk Arms isn’t just a pub; it’s an essential part of the community.

    Well stocked bar
    Favourite Table
    Author left with Brother right