Greetings from Sunny Brittany

I started posting in the Europe section without even saying hello. How rude! I stumbled on Beer Advocate quite by accident while looking for others' thoughts on a beer (I can't remember which beer, it might have been 3 Monts' Houthakker) and had to register to get the info I wanted. I'm glad I did since the threads I've looked at so far have been fascinating. I don't quite understand some of the sections yet, for example "trading" and I've never heard of a Pooh bah, but what the hell.

I'm fascinated by beer of all colours and persuasions. Sure there are some styles I wouldn't rush to try again, but, having said that, I can always be tempted. So, I was weaned on English cask bitter, spent my formative years touring beer festivals and have now moved to France. Love the beer of the North East, French Flanders and struggle with many of the brews from other parts, but France is wine country and we're getting there. There are some gems among the rough and it's my life's ambition to seek them all out.

I started brewing my own at the age of 16 and am still at it some 50 years later. Very pleased to see there's a decent home brewing section here. I love to experiment and try to copy known brands, just to see if I can. I don't even have to like them if there's a technical challenge. I'm having a bit of a fling with New Zealand hops at the moment- they go from strength to strength and, while it's impossible to buy any commercial brands using, say Nectaron or Superdelic here in Brittany, I can still get a fair idea of what they might taste like by making my own.

Looking forward to seeing what people say and think and perhaps joining in some interesting conversations.

 

Thanks for the video clip. Didn't know Sixpack or the show. Had a quick look, but I need to sit down with a beer later on to do it full justice. Thanks again.