Organic Brews, just for you's...

After last weeks focus on local booze, I've been doing a bit of research into beers that market themselves as organic, traditional method or natural ingredients. And by research I mean me and the husband sitting in last night and chugging down on a few bottles while giggling at the Prince/Batman hybrid presenting on QVC (don't ask).

Anyway, in all our infinite wisdom, here's the low down. I haven't included any prices as I imagine this will vary from place to place and be dependent on whether you are paying bar prices or off sales. I've also tried to keep local once again - all these beers are brewed in the UK.

(from left to right)

Natural Brewing Company Premium Ale

4.3%

Ingredients: Barley, Hops, Spring Water

Claims to use only natural ingredients from sustainable sources and is brewed in small batches in a traditional tower brewery. Not unlike the Brew Dog also sampled, this had a fruity taste, though it was a far lighter affair. Pleasant enough.

Lincolnshire Best Bitter (Exclusive to M&S)

4.9%

Ingredients: Malted barley, Malted wheat, Hops, Water. 

This was the only beer we tested that had the Vegan stamp of approval. Though one might assume that all beers should be free from animal products, many contain Isinglass, a substance obtained from the dried swim bladders of fish, while others fail to be awarded the stamp due to using animal based glues on the labels. So this was actually quite a find.

It had a definite caramelly (again, I'll defend this word, it's in Rebenectionary) light taste. Personally I found it a little on the bland side, though Damien liked sweetness, and the fact that it left no noticeable after taste. Out out of all drinks tested this was what we deemed to be the most palatable, in the sense that you could drink this all night and not feel sickened.

St Peter’s Organic

4.5%

Unusually didn't have a traditional ingredients listing (I thought everything had to these days?) but it noted as being made from malted barley hops.

This brew carried the soil association stamp and is prepared to 'organic standard'. It was light and golden in colour, more like a lager or European beer. Best bottle design of the night by a country mile, like a big medicinal bottle you'd expect street urchin's to be swigging their gin out of in a Dicken's novel. Kudos for that alone.

Scottish Ale (M&S Exclusive)

4.5%

Ingredients: Water, Malted Barely, Malted Wheat, Dried Thistle, Dried ginger and Yeast 4.5%

This dark ale had a really distinctive ginger taste, without technically being a ginger ale. It was fresh and crisp but had a denser flavour than you'd expect given the percentage. I've never really chowed down on thistle before, so I couldn't honestly tell you if that came through or not, though there was a noticeable twang in the after taste, so perhaps that was it. Damien thought that is had quite a weird smell, but I didn't notice it. It was certainly my favourite of the night. I'd recommend this if you like ginger ale, but find the sweetness get too much after a while. This has the flavour without the sugar.

BrewDog, Punk IPA`

6%, 

Ingredients: Barely Hops, Yeast and Water

Light amber in colour, this had an initial apricotty (it's a word, really it is) taste and aroma, and a dry/bitter after taste. Both Damien and I agreed that it reminded us of something else, I thought a special edition Oktoberfest brew I'd had a few years back. It was strong, but not overwhelming in flavour; as Damien put it, 'like Arnold Swartz in a teddy bear suit.' Now that  he's in his 30s, old man Damien was put off by the packaging initially, it's not traditional enough for his liking, but it didn't sour him against it and I rather liked it.

South Wold Winter IPA (another M&S exclusive - this doesn't make me posh by the way, it's just my local shopping centre only has a Sainsbury's and a Markseeees)

6.7% 

Ingredients: Water, Malted Barley, Wheat, Hops, Yeast, Carbon Dioxide

Not bad, a fruity pale ale, with a slight sharpness. Was drank last and as a result didn't really make that much of an impact.

The morning after the night before...   

One thing you're often told, especially when you're a student and will drink pretty much anything, is that the additives and artificial ingredients in a lot of drinks, especially the likes of alcopops, cheap cider and drain cleaner, can lead to worse hangovers. So how did we feel this morning? Well admittedly we didn't drink that much (but lets face it, since having a baby all it takes is a pint of water and packet of wine gums and I'm half cut), but there was no noticeable hangover. I did however feel thirsty most of today and received a text from Damien complaining about noxious gasses - perhaps that's the price to pay for a clear head.

Sugar and Spice and all things nice

If they haven't done so already, bakers around the country will be preparing to make their Christmas Cakes and Pudding in the next week or so (I actually started writing this post about 10 days ago, so most people will have done so by now). Fruit Cakes don't have the appeal they once did, more and more people are replacing traditional wedding cakes for more popular options such as chocolate and carrot cake, while pre-bought puddings and desserts are more likely to appear on the average dining table come Christmas day. But I do like to make my own cake most years, using a recipe my mum's used since the 1970s (I'll admit I've never attempted a pudding myself). However, after the cake is made, I always find myself with a store cupboard full of dry spices that would sit there until the next year, which is silly really, as they can be applied to all sorts of foods and drinks, especially in the run up to Christmas.

Quick Jerk Rub for Chicken and Pork: This speedy blend of Carribean flavours should be rubbed over meat or poultry before going under the grill. You can adjust heat to taste adjusting number of chillies or by choosing to omit the seeds. This is a semi dry rub as it uses mostly powered ingredients, but the addition of scallions, scotch bonnet chillies and fresh garlic gives it a certain level of moisture. The addition of a good glug of sunflower or groundnut oil, and tablespoon of each of tomato puree and dark rum, turns this into good marinade. The marinade should be smeared over the meat at least 4-6 hours before cooking, preferably overnight.

Mix the following together in a pestle and mortar or food processor:

6 scallions, chopped
2-3 Scotch bonnets chillies, seeds inclused
2 garlic gloves chopped
1 table spoon of brown or demerara sugar
2 teaspoons of sea salt
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon of ground allspice
1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

Rub over meat before grilling as directed.


Extra Creamy Eggnog with Irish Mist: A great use of nutmeg and other store spices. Warning: not for kids (makes around 10 glasses, depending on serving).


1 litre of gold top milk
5 whole eggs and 5 yolks
1 vanilla pod
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 stick of cinnamon
5 cloves
500ml of double cream
200 grams of golden caster sugar
600ml of Irish Mist

Gently heat the milk and spices on a low setting in a large pan. In a bowl whisk together the eggs and sugar until fluffy, then gradually add to the pan, and turning up the heat to medium, stir briskly for five minutes. Do not boil. Remove from the heat and sieve the mixture to remove the cinnamon, vanilla and cloves.  Stir in the Irish mist and cream. Serve warm in Irish Coffee glasses, garnished with additional nutmeg and some orange rind.

Mulled Lurgan Champagne: Again, not for kids, or for the faint hearted.

2 bottles of Buckfast Tonic Wine
700ml bottle of brandy
700ml of apple juice
300g of brown sugar
1 large orange, halved and pierced generously with cloves
2 Cinnamon Sticks
15 Cardamom Pods
Contents of 5 capsules of ginseng (optional)
5 Star Anise
Couple of twists of lemon peel

Fire everything into a large pan and heat very slowly on the lowest heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Do not allow to boil. Ladle out into mugs or glasses over a sieve to avoid bits. Hide car keys, breakables and make sure any outstanding grudges have been settled long in advance.


Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net