Yearning for More British Ales

I am a BIG fan of the English style Ales (and Colonial Ales) that Yards make. Both Brawler and ESA on cask is a joy to drink.

I am looking forward to once again attending the Real Ale Festival they have in the spring. Last year's event was their 10th time conducting this festival.

Cheers!

P.S. Another small, local brewery that serves English Ales (including a mild) on cask near me is Forest & Main.

 

That's a shame, but surprising too because Long Trail distributes to NY state. It might be a matter of your local stores not ordering it... shelf space is limited, especially in NYC, and they have to pick product most likely to move. However, most stores are happy to place a special order if requested by a customer, assuming the beer is legally available (most brewery websites will tell you where they distribute). If a store refuses to place a simple phone call for a guaranteed sale, then I would shop elsewhere.

You might find more beer options across the river in NJ too [possibly cheaper too].

I was being tongue-in-cheek, but to your point with NYC's very dense population one would imagine that even a niche taste in beer would likely have enough customers for someone to cater to that niche. I think though even in other markets English-style session beer options are mainly draft, and very hit-or-miss for shelf beer.

And yes, no brewer is immune to juicy these days, but some try harder than others for some balance.

 

Tough to find something other than brawler around 4.0. Alesmith makes a decent English Brown Ale called Nut Brown, at 5.0.

Great Lakes Commodore Perry is very nice, but then it's an English IPA at 7.5. Not sure the style and abv really go together.

 

Sometimes I cry myself to sleep over the fact that you can't get a genuine English Bitter or Pale Mild here in the States (yes, yes, I know....Hogshead out in Denver does it right)......Shit, even an authentic tasting English Pale Ale is tough to come by these days. It blows my mind that there is a local "lambic" blendery not far from here but no brewers are making authentic-tasting British ales. Guess the British styles aren't "edgy" enough for the modern American beer drinker

EDIT: oh man, what i'd give for a pint of Brains here in the US.....guess I gotta hit up NERAX someday.

 

Three words: Maris Otter Malt. All I have to say.

 

If you somehow ever happen to find yourself out in Tucson, Arizona (they distro some to Phoenix too actually) give Dragoon Stronghold Session a try. It's a English dark mild but a bit strong for the style @ 4% abv....still one of the better US examples I've had.

As for EIPA here in the States, Harpoon IPA is still one of my favorites even if it isnt an authentic EIPA per se. HopFish IPA by Flying Fish is a nice EIPA as well (some reviewers here tend to slam the beer for it not being hoppy enough but I think they are missing the whole point).

EDIT: I bought some "old money" beer recently-- Magic Hat IPA variety 15 pack, only $14, IIRC. Blind Faith IPA is a pretty nice EIPA, in my opinion and you really can't beat the price. Lucky Kat still tasting nice, hi.p.a still doing it's thing. I was quite happy with the purchase even if they aren't technically "craft beer" anymore

 

Doesn't keep them from tossing Maris into alot of those hazy IPAs though, does it?

 

You should probably say a couple others like: Golden Promise, Halcyon, and Optic. That's only five more words, but who's counting?

 

Have you seen the Bombardier or Hobgoblin cans yet? They may also fill the bill.

 

Those beers take me back.

 

I picked some up over the holidays. It was okay, if a bit washed out flavorwise, but certainly scratched the itch. Maybe similar to how you feel about Brawler . I'd get it again in similar circumstances, though.

 

Try this place it's way out by the Delaware River in Milford NJ but it's about as close as you will find I think.
http://www.shipinn.com/

 

Have you ever had Yards ESA on cask?

A description from the Yards website:

“Extra Special Ale

Our first-ever and most-beloved brew, ESA helped establish a following for cask-conditioned beer in the United States back in the ‘90s. East Kent Golding hops give this British-inspired ale a subtle spiciness, which complements the strong malt backbone. ESA is floral, earthy and smooth with hints of chocolate and caramel, rounding out this deep chestnut-colored ale.”

Cheers!

P.S. Every spring I homebrew a Bitter Ale featuring Maris Otter Pale Malt, East Kent Goldings hop and the Timothy Taylor yeast strain (Wyeast 1469 – West Yorkshire Ale). I have been brewing Bitter Ales for over 20 years.

 

Yeah I kept thinking of The Ship Inn brew pub during this discussion and I would also recommend. Great english beers at the the oldest brewpub in NJ, and in beautiful historic building too. Milford, NJ is out of the way for most people, but if English beers [and food] are your thing it could be worth the trouble. There are other fun things to do in the area if you need more activities for yourself or family (hikes, bike trails, tubing on the Delaware, Ringing Rocks Park, Fonthill Castle, wineries, other breweries, more...).