Then it Finally Happened

A goodly while ago on what, I think, was our second visit to the Moor Brewery Tap we had a conversation which mulled on the idea that some beers suit different dispense methods.

It sounded plausible and as it was a member of the brewery staff with whom we had the conversation, and he was doubtless more learned than us on the subject, we decided that it was probably true...it was just we hadn't come across the beer that didn't shine best as a cask ale.

Then the other day, it happened.

We'd had a good journey from the Sussex Homelands to the Western Reaches (Eastbourne to Bristol, obvs) on the train and we'd picked up a parcel (of which, more later) and decided to head out to the Barley Mow.

I was ecstatic to see Tiny Rebel "Juicy" on the bar and without further ado, ordered a pint.

I like most Tiny Rebel beers and we've had a number of their brews delivered in bottle/can for the fridge.  I'd had Juicy from a can and really enjoyed it in the summer.

It has a distinct mango flavour which worked so well when I'd had it before.  But from a cask pint which was a degree or two warmer, and without additional carbonation it was pleasant and drinkable but a bit over-sweet and claggy to my taste (and that of the Best Beer Buddy).


Actually, it's nice to find an example for myself and I'll also think a little more before making an unequivocal decision about whether or not I like a beer.

In other news, the parcel we collected was for one of those newfangled pod espresso machines for our flat.  We've been making coffee here with a cafetiere since we bought the place and of late have found the texture of the coffee less clean than the espresso we make in the house down south.

We really couldn't justify the additional expense of another espresso machine AND a good enough grinder to grind to the correct texture - not when we don't live here most of the time, and we only have a single mug of coffee each, each day.

It took a while to find compostable pods and that decided our format of machine.  The parcel we collected on arrival was this new, dinky little machine.

We've only had two drinks with it so far and we reckon it'll take us a while to find the right pods and use them the most appropriate way but it's definitely got promise and the clean taste of espresso is worth a bit of experimentation.

As a woman who previously roasted her own coffee this is a bit of an admission.  In fact, alongside the notion that not all beer is best as cask.

See - we all learn, and we're allowed to change our minds about stuff as more data comes in.