English styles

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by nick0417, Aug 24, 2015.

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  1. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    This Friday (and yes, we're already looking forward to the weekend, which should give you some indication as to the quality of today thus far), the wife and I are doing a classic English pub-fare dinner at the house - fish and chips, mushy peas, etc - and I'm looking for the best traditional English beers from English brewers to pair with the meal. Suggestions?

    We already have a few bottles of Fuller's ESB, and I'll probably grab a sixer of Fuller's Porter, but what about some others, especially bitters, milds, stouts, etc? Thanks!
     
    #1 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
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  2. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I enjoy drinking Fuller's London Porter.

    Cheers!
     
    #2 JackHorzempa, Aug 24, 2015
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  3. twb0392

    twb0392 Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    The Samuel Smith lineup, oatmeal stout etc. London Pride for the bitter/english pale ale. In Illinois you might be able to get Schafly Pale ale which taste a lot like London Pride.
     
    #3 twb0392, Aug 24, 2015
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  4. pat61

    pat61 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2010 Minnesota

    For after the meal you need an English Old Ale and or Barleywine - try Fullers 1845, J. W. Lees Harvest Ale, or Criminally Bad Elf.
     
    #4 pat61, Aug 24, 2015
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  5. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Thanks for the tip!
     
    #5 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
  6. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Good call - totally forgot dessert beers/after meal beers. Any dessert pairing suggestions with these?
     
    #6 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
  7. twb0392

    twb0392 Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    Mushy peas; nice.
     
    #7 twb0392, Aug 24, 2015
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  8. pat61

    pat61 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2010 Minnesota

    Bread pudding is a no-brainer.
    Figgy pudding has a nice ring to it -
    Butterscotch Angel Delight Custard - or any butterscotch custard. I believe i saw a Wallace and Gromit add for the stuff in England several years ago. Any butterscotch custard would do.
    Banoffee Pie is a toffee banana cream pie made with cream, toffee and boiled condensed milk.
    My favorite name for an English dessert is Spotted Dick which is a pudding made with suet and dried fruit and is served with custard.
     
    #8 pat61, Aug 24, 2015
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  9. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Gotta do that, right? A staple.
     
    #9 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
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  10. rozzom

    rozzom Pooh-Bah (2,620) Jan 22, 2011 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sticky Toffee Pudding
     
    #10 rozzom, Aug 24, 2015
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  11. Hoppsbabo

    Hoppsbabo Pooh-Bah (2,053) Jan 29, 2012 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Can't go far wrong with Fuller's, even if London Pride is a bit dull. St Peter's Old Style Porter and Cream Stout are cracking.
     
    #11 Hoppsbabo, Aug 24, 2015
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  12. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Folks had Fuller's Bengal Lancer? I believe that's their English-style IPA, right?
     
    #12 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
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  13. Hoppsbabo

    Hoppsbabo Pooh-Bah (2,053) Jan 29, 2012 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Yeah. It's pretty good but nothing out of this world.
     
    #13 Hoppsbabo, Aug 24, 2015
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  14. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    A couple more from Wells :
    Bombardier Bitter and Courage Imperial Stout.
     
    #14 TongoRad, Aug 24, 2015
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  15. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Also considering Bluebird Mild. Thoughts?
     
    #15 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
  16. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Also, while I have y’all here, I’m curious about style characteristics. I know English IPAs use more floral/herbal/earthy hops and generally have a pretty decent malt backbone that allows for a slight bitterness, but what of Standard Bitters, ESBs, and Milds?


    I mean, Standard Bitters and ESB’s would essentially be English session pale ales, right? Or is that a gross oversimplification? From my understanding, a mild is a slightly bitter, fruity brown ale, correct?


    Thanks!
     
    #16 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
  17. Hoppsbabo

    Hoppsbabo Pooh-Bah (2,053) Jan 29, 2012 England
    Pooh-Bah

    English bitter (pale ale) ranges massively in colour and flavour, from light straw to dark brown, from dry and hoppy to sweet and toffee-like. London Pride typifies your common bitter but it's nothing like the examplar. ESBs don't really exist, only Fullers. Most stuff over 6% is referred to as strong ale.

    Yeah, milds tend to be brown and only slightly bitter. Some are smoky, others nutty. Some dry, some sweet. I find they often have a pleasant grassy aftertaste. Samuel Smith's milds are terrible though. Avoid like the plague.
     
    #17 Hoppsbabo, Aug 24, 2015
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  18. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Thanks for clarifying, man. Just starting to investigate traditional English styles. I'm a style/history geek when it comes to beer, so it's pretty fascinating stuff, at least from where I'm sitting.
     
    #18 nick0417, Aug 24, 2015
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  19. scottakelly

    scottakelly Maven (1,487) May 9, 2007 Ohio

    Instead of looking for specific beers I would just buy the freshest. Probably the key ingredient for English styles
     
    #19 scottakelly, Aug 24, 2015
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  20. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Excellent- if you can find it in good condition it would be a must. The freshness/condition would be the tricky part, though.
     
    #20 TongoRad, Aug 24, 2015
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