Surprise, surprise

Monday: long hard day at the office, a spare 45 minutes before the train. Off to Wetherspoons (the Try Dowr) in Truro, more in hope than expectation as I've been a bit disappointed lately. First off, Lizard Ales An Gof (5.2%). I'd been so impressed by the Frenchman's Creek at the weekend (see below) that I thought I'd stick with this brewery and ... wow! It was absolutely spot on. Perfect condition, full of deep, fruity, spicy, wintry flavours, and, once I'd warmed it with my hands a little, not a bad temperature either. Also on was Skinner's Pennrycomequick, the annual, limited edition 4.5% stout from the Truro Brewery, and I was torn over whether to try this or stick to the An Gof which I had thoroughly enjoyed. I went for the Skinner's ... and once again, prefection (once slightly warmed!). A much more subtle roasted malt flavour, with some biscuit and nice coffee tones. Heaven. I could have quite easily decided to go for the next rain, but that was two hours later, and I had to get to work early the next morning, more's the pity!

Lizard and Arundel at the Star

Saturday at the Star, and a fine pint of Lizard Ales' Frenchman's Creek IPA (4.6%), which seemed to have benefited considerably from a month of so in the cellar. This was really flavoursome and with much more character than when I last tried it in Truro's Wetherspoons. Followed this with an equally good Arundel Castle (3.8%), which was brimming with malty fruit flavour and reminded me of a low-ABV Ringwood Forty-Niner.

Cornwall CAMRA Beer Festival

Congratulations to Bathtub brewer Peter ('Fluffy') Martin who proved at this festival that he can mix it with the 'big boys'. He brews small quantities two or three times a year, but what he lacks in production capacity he more than makes up for in passion. One of life's perfectionists - whether with his brewery or his other big interest, sculpture - I hope Pete uses his triumph with Pete's Porter as a springboard to more regular brewing. Cornwall needs more of what our American cousins are fond of calling craft brewers - in Pete's case, the term really sums him up.

Long time, no blog ...

Very busy at work (you know, the nine to five thing that pays the bills!), but I now seem to be returning to an even keel with a litte more time to enjoy and write about the beer.